Thermal Transfer Coder For Fixed And Variable Data

Norwood Marking Systems has introduced the 55sst Thermal Express thermal transfer printer that prints fixed or variable data.

Norwood Marking Systems has introduced the 55sst Thermal Express thermal transfer printer that prints fixed or variable data.

The machine prints on a range of flexible packaging materials, including a variety of flexible films and label substrates and is claimed to be capable of operating in either intermittent motion or continuous motion mode.

Norwood's patented ribbon handling system allows the 55sst to maximise print quality whilst achieving high throughput, even in the most challenging environments, claimed the company.

Norwopod said that variable printing improves product security and tracking with real-time data such as UPC, lot and production codes, expiration and sell-by dates, which are produced in-line as products are packaged.

The 55sst printer operates at claimed production speeds of up to 1,000mm per second in continuous motion mode and up to 600mm per second in intermittent motion mode.

Unlike traditional continuous-motion thermal transfer printers that are adversely affected by fluctuations in web speed, Norwood's patented ribbon management system provides controlled ribbon acceleration, claimed the company.

The system improves registration to produce consistent print quality, whilst experiencing less wear and tear.

The 55sst is also said to virtually eliminate partial prints, misprints and ribbon breakage caused by fluctuations in web speed.

The 55sst Thermal Express offers three different user interface options to ease operation.

In addition to the PR4 colour touch screen that would typically be mounted to the host equipment near the print engine, Norwood can equip the 55sst with a PR3 colour handheld interface.

Both options enable operators to recall images from memory and handle simple editing functions at print time.

The machine also allows connectivity to a PC or network, which enables remote operation, monitoring and diagnostics of the print operation, said Norwood.

The company offers its user interface in eight different languages and multi-level password protection increases production security.

With full clock and calendar functions, as well as serialisation, the 55sst can print fixed and variable text.

Text and graphics, including a range of two-dimensional or RSS barcodes, can be printed with a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi) (12 dots per millimetre) both horizontally and vertically.

A choice of font styles and a range of sizes are available,w hilst there is a paragraph feature, which is said to be suitable for listing ingredients and nutritional information, whilst enabling text to automatically wrap, eliminating the need to format text one line at a time.

Norwood's 55sst can be mounted on a variety of host equipment to print fixed or variable data.

Common applications include integrating the 55sst with vertical form, fill and seal and horizontal form, fill and seal systems, print and apply labellers, thermoformers and overwrapping equipment.

A software-enabled, electronic adjustment provides quick and easy change from intermittent motion to continuous motion operation, which makes the 55sst suitable for packagers that wish to maximise equipment versatility, said Norwood.

The 55sst is IP65 and NEMA 4/13 compliant.

Operating in intermittent motion mode, the 55sst offers a print area up to 2.05" (52mm) wide and 3.15" (80mm) long.

With continuous motion operation, the print area can be up to 2.05" (52mm) wide and 4.92" (125mm) long.

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