An industrial Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printer is a popular solution for coding and marking products and packaging during production and packaging processes. Unlike drop-on-demand (DOD) printers that expel ink droplets one at a time, CIJ printers expel ink in a continuous, steady flow. This method is suitable for a wide range of substrates, including paper, films, metal, plastics, and many other materials.
One of the main advantages of CIJ printing is its versatility and reliability in coding variable data, such as expiry dates, batch and production information, serial numbers, and promotional codes. CIJ printing is a non-contact solution that can help to ensure high overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) on fast-paced production lines.
Domino's Ax-Series CIJ printers are a preferred choice among manufacturers. They are simple to install, versatile, and able to print on a wide range of product materials. These printers deliver outstanding coding on a wide range of products and substrates, including bottles, cans, sachets, films, and foil, pipes, profiles, cable, and wire.
The working principle of a CIJ printer is based on ink being pumped from an ink reservoir and expelled through a nozzle that creates a jet of ink. The jet of ink is then broken up into a large number of ink droplets through high-frequency vibration. Select droplets are charged by electrodes, and the stream of droplets is then passed through deflector plates that create
an electrostatic field. The charged drops are deflected and placed on the product, while uncharged drops return into the CIJ ink system.
To ensure optimum print quality, it is crucial to select the correct ink for the substrate and production process. Domino develops and manufactures inks that are specifically suited to individual materials and substrates, ensuring consistent code quality and durability. Our CIJ inks come in a variety of colors to provide maximum contrast on a wide range of surfaces, and include options for MEK-free, highly pigmented, and direct food contact.
CIJ printers are widely used in various industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, healthcare, beauty, cable, and wire, and industrial markets. Their flexibility and non-contact printing method make them suitable for a wide range of applications, and their ability to print high-quality, reliable codes can help to ensure high OEE on production lines.
CIJ: Continuous Inkjet
DOD: drop-on-demand
OEE: overall equipment effectiveness