BestCode Model 88 Continuous Inkjet Printer

Description The BestCode Model 88 is targeted at high speed, high use applications, printing 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 lines of text, barcodes or graphics. A complete range of dye and soft pigmented inks is available in a variety of colors for a wide range of applications. BestCode systems are fully programmable and have EcoTec™ Fluid Management, making it the most efficient CIJ printer. Typical applications mark and code one, two or three shifts per day, or 24/7 operations, five to seven days per week, averaging 4,000–8,760 hours of annual operation. It utilizes integrated RS232 and programmable inputs/outputs for remote control and communications.

How Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printing Works

• The continuous ink jet (CIJ) method is used commercially for marking and coding of products and packages.
• A high-pressure pump directs liquid ink from a reservoir through a gun body and a microscopic nozzle, creating a continuous stream of ink droplets.
• A piezoelectric crystal creates an acoustic wave as it vibrates within the gun body, causing the stream of liquid to break into droplets at regular intervals — 64,000 to 165,000 droplets per second may be achieved.
• The ink droplets are subjected to an electrostatic field created by a charging electrode as they form; the field varies according to the degree of drop deflection desired, giving each droplet a controlled, variable electrostatic charge.
• Charged droplets are separated by one or more uncharged "guard droplets" to minimize electrostatic repulsion between neighboring droplets.
• The charged droplets pass through an electrostatic field and are directed (deflected) by electrostatic deflection plates to print on the substrate, or allowed to continue undeflected to a collection gutter for re-use. The more highly charged droplets are deflected to a greater degree, and only a small fraction of the droplets is used to print — the majority is recycled.
• The major advantages are the very high velocity (~50 m/s) of the ink droplets, which allows for a relatively long distance between print head and substrate, and the very high drop ejection frequency, which allows for very high-speed printing.
• Another advantage is freedom from nozzle clogging, as the jet is always in use — this allows solvents such as ketones and alcohols to be employed, giving the ink the ability to "bite" into the substrate and dry quickly.

CIJ Key Benefits

• A most affordable and reliable method to print real-time lot/date codes.
• Print on virtually any surface or substrate.
• High-speed printing in any direction or angle.
• Non-contact printing, print distance is ½" (12mm) plus.
• Variety of ink types and colors for immediate dry times on porous and non-porous products.

Learn more: bestcode.co/model-88