News

NEW: KBA-Metronic alphaJET evo
Intuitive touch screen technology, true type fonts and fast printing with low solvent consumption

Released: September 2009

The latest ink jet printer from KBA-Metronic, the alphaJET evo is a new development, designed to meet the needs of our increasingly globalised marketplace. This new system is totally programmable and is based on the continuous ink jet principle suitable for non-contact coding onto most substrates and is available from exclusive KBA-Metronic partner for UK and Ireland, PrintSafe Ltd.

alphaJET evo incorporates all the current network interfaces (Ethernet, USB, and RS232) which facilitates easy integration into new/existing production systems. The alphaJET evo boasts a robust, IP65-rated stainless steel housing for even the most challenging environmental conditions. The KBA-Metronic designed solvent recovery unit, offers dramatically reduced solvent usage and is standard on the alphaJET evo.

The alphaJET evo’s unique ability to print truetype fonts without loss of speed is of huge importance to its users. This renders outdated logo editors and embedded graphics programs redundant. Logos and graphics can be created with a PC graphics programme and transferred as a bitmap to the ink jet printer. A 10.4” TFT colour touch screen display leads the operator simply and intuitively through simple programming via Windows CETM based operating system. Because the rugged touch panel tilts and is in fact completely removable, it can be positioned according to the operator’s and moreover management’s requirements.

 

All new udaFORMAXX sleeve and carton feeding system from KBA-Metronic
For offline coding applications
Re-engineered, re-styled with touch screen and multilingual software

Released: August 2009

If you work with the major food retailers and need to code your sleeves and watch strap bands with use-by dates, batch or lot codes and/or spot promotional labels, then the very latest model of the KBA-Metronic UDA sleeve feeder, the UDAFORMAXX is perfect for you.

The KBA-Metronic UDAFORMAXX stack-to-stack feeding system can be integrated with all the major coding and marking technologies and is a proven solution for the offline coding of sleeves, cartons and watch strap bands in the food industry. This all new KBA-Metronic feeder was exclusively launched this Autumn at the Fachpack fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

Now available from PrintSafe Ltd, exclusive KBA-Metronic partner for the UK and Ireland, this latest development to the UDA range is available with multilingual software as standard and state of the art touch screen. Sleeves and cartons are fed through the feeder at speeds of up to 90 metres per minute. A wide range of card thicknesses can be fed, up to 8mm. The feeder is available in a variety of widths and lengths to suit all sizes of carton and sleeve.

Integration with all the latest technologies is possible including continuous ink jet printers, thermal transfer and hot stamp units and laser coders as well as self-adhesive labellers for spot labelling applications.

The complete solution to offline carton and sleeve coding. Re-launched, re-engineered and yet still the most reliable system on the market today.

 

Intelligent alpine skis with an intelligent ink jet marking

Released: August 2009

HEAD Sport AG produces alpine skis in Kennelbach/Austria to strict technological and design specifications. Using the KBA-Metronic ink-jet printer alphaJET C, Head marks the lateral edges of the skis denoting the exact position for bindings to optimize skiing pleasure.

Howard Head developed the first laminated metal ski more than three years before the foundation of his company of the same name in 1950. Consistent development and rigorous research paved the way for state-of-the-art materials, designs and components for the alpine fun sport. For technology-enthusiast skiers, terms such as intelligent chip technology or Liquidmetal, stand for the best quality, very smooth running, long drive and short turns. Sports equipment undergo rigorous testing and development by Head in their own development and racing division.

Ski bindings will no longer be fitted at the point of production. Without the bindings, skis can be safely and securely packed for delivery. The skis avoid being scratched and the buyer gets to decide which ski binding best suits at a specialist trade store. Head experts leave nothing to chance: The optimal positioning of the ski binding is indicated on the ski. The specialist dealer talks about the "boot center", i.e. the middle of the ski boot.

Aesthetics and quality go hand-in-hand
With a move away from a technology-focused image, to the new positioning as a lifestyle brand, the requirement for intelligent and flexible binding position marking has arisen. “We don't want to compromise the attractive upper and underside design on our ski series with unsightly binding markings” cites Alexander Baldauf, Process Engineer at HEAD SPORT AG. "Since we cannot do without the marking, we had only the ski’s lateral edge left to consider. The advantage is clear: the ski’s lateral edge plays a minimal role is its visual appearance, but offers suitable positioning for binding information."

Precise coding with quick-drying ink
The annual output of approximately 480,000 ski pairs cannot be achieved without reliable production machinery. The industrial ink jet printer alphaJET C from KBA-Metronic has an excellent reputation built up over the years, in demanding key markets including proven results in the electronic components and automotive industries. The ink jet’s ability to perform well at high speed has been well proven as this unit is widely used throughout the cable manufacturing sector. Alexander Baldauf adds: "We have decided in favor of the KBA-Metronic alphaJET C because it brings the necessary efficiency and compatibility with our existing machinery. The ink jet printer could be linked into our software and receives its orders and coding data via our Mainframe. The excellent print results have also convinced us totally."

In the modern, well-equipped production facilities, skis are waxed, impregnated and packed. Skis are then transported via a paternoster to the fully automatic, fence-protected machining centre. The alphaJET C print head initially prints forwards along the first ski edge, then on the return sweep prints the second ski, coding it with identical data, consisting of serial number, ski length and the marking of the middle of the ski boot.

Two individual skis become a pair
The alphaJET C can print up to 6 lines with 48 pixels and script can be turned through 90° during printing. Head AG uses this functionality for the precise coding of the “boot center”, required for optimal fun and safety on the piste. Numbers and signs are marked in grey, quick-drying ink on the insides of the skis and dry without delay, so as the ski goes on into further wax treatments and is packed, the precision ski markings are not smudged or blurred.

Grey ink was chosen as it stands out on broad spectrum of base ski colors. This leaves the field open for ski designers to use a wide range of colorful and creative designs on their skis. Grey script is readable on yellow, red, green backgrounds, removing the need for ink color changeovers. This reduces downtime and ultimately saves money.

Traceable for years to come
The serial number printed matches both of the individual skis to form a pair. This unique reference is logged centrally with the details of the customer placing the order, including delivery and production information and the specific construction of the skis (e.g. race carver, all-round, park & pipe, park & powder etc.). This makes order processing simpler and secures long term quality control.

HEAD produces all these skis to specific customer orders rather than simply producing for stock. As each unit’s production commences it is already pre-determined how the ski will look and who will be its first owner. Some of the world’s best alpine athletes lend their names to advertise the brand HEAD including Bode Miller, Didier Cuche, Anja Pärson, Maria Riesch to name just a few.

 

KBA-Metronic Sleeve Feeder with labeller - for spot labelling applications

Released: June 2009

If you work with the major food retailers and need to code your sleeves and watch strap bands with use-by dates and spot promotional labels, then the KBA-Metronic UDA150-S sleeve feeder is perfect for you.

The KBA-Metronic UDA 150-S stack-to-stack feeding system can be integrated with most coding and marking technologies and is a proven solution for the offline coding of sleeves, cartons and watch strap bands in the food industry.

Now available from PrintSafe Ltd, exclusive KBA-Metronic partner for the UK and Ireland is a sleeve and sleeve feeding system designed specifically for integration with self-adhesive labellers. Sleeves and cartons are fed through the feeder at speeds of up to 250 metres per minute, and are precisely matched by the labeller for accurate label positioning. This combination of feeder and self-adhesive labeller is ideally suited to applications for promotional labels on watch straps and sleeves including BOGOF offers and similar promotions run by the supermarkets.

In addition to self-adhesive labellers, the KBA-Metronic sleeve feeder can be integrated with additional print devices including the KBA-Metronic ttPRINT thermal transfer printer, KBA-Metronic hot foil printers and the KBA-Metronic alphaJET range of continuous ink jet printers.

 

KBA-Metronic ttPRINT- codes 300dpi, on the fly!

Released: April 2009

If you want to print crystal clear images, scannable bar codes or variable data, in real time directly onto your flexible packaging, then the KBA-Metronic ttPRINT is for you.

From the well-respected, dependable manufacturer of the Metronic offline sleeve feeder and hot foil coders comes the latest 300dpi KBA-Metronic ttPRINT thermal transfer printer. The KBA-Metronic ttPRINT removes the need for costly labels and pre-printed materials by coding in high resolution directly onto your product’s film packaging.

The ttPRINT is available for continuous and intermittent print applications and can be integrated into most well-known packaging machines. Intermittent printing suits vertical form-fill-seal machinery, self-adhesive label applicators or pouch sealers whereas continuous print mode is optimised for rotary vertical form-fill-seal and flow wrapping machinery.

Digital technology facilitates real-time coding and excellent print quality, even at speeds of up to 800mm/s and is proven for use in food environments. Messages are transferred using a flash memory card or downloaded direct from a PC. The ttPRINT is easy and intuitive to control, via either the colour touch screen or PC and ribbons changes are quick and uncomplicated, requiring minimal operator training.