DC Velocity - March 2009

Jet set: Thermal transfer printers have dominated the bar-code printer market for almost two decades. But now an inkjet-based alternative is available, providing high-resolution, photo-quality printing, fast print speeds, and the ability to create easily scannable bar codes.

Primera Technology, a manufacturer of specialty printers, unveils its LX200 Label Printer, a unit that utilizes monochrome high-speed inkjet printing technology. With 1200 dpi print resolution, the printer has almost six times as many dots per inch as most thermal transfer bar-code printers. It prints onto labels, tickets, tags, and coupons for a wide range of applications, including those in which

higher levels of security, confidentiality, and durability are required.

Unlike thermal transfer printers, the LX200 uses an inkjet print head instead of ribbons.

Thermal transfer ribbons leave behind a record of everything that has been printed. In many applications, secure collection and disposal of ribbons is required in order to meet confidentiality and secrecy requirements. Inkjet printing doesn’t have this challenge and thus can be a far more secure, convenient, and cost-effective solution.

An additional benefit of the LX200 is that ink replenishment is fast and easy: instead of threading a ribbon, a user can just snap out the used printhead and snap in a new one. Both pigmented and dye-based black inks are available. Pigmented ink works best with plain, uncoated papers for the low-cost applications. Dye-

based ink requires glossy, coated paper that costs more, but produces the best print quality and can be used when printing high-resolution 2D bar codes and photos.

The LX200 is shipped with label creation layout software called NiceLabel SE for Primera. All popular bar codes are supported, including linear and, optionally, 2D bar codes such as PDF417. The printer produces fonts as small as 2 points that are highly legible. (Primera Technology Inc., (800) 797-2772, www.primera.com)

Sorting it all out: GBI introduces its new cross-belt sorter, which is capable of sorting products weighing up to 100 pounds. GBI’s cross-belt sorter features new technological developments designed to extend the life of the equipment and reduce maintenance requirements.

Each cross-belt car unit contains a smart processor with its own independent set of controls, enabling a large range of functional capabilities that can be configured on the fly. Sort and cross-belt action instructions, such as variable belt speeds and multiple dispatching positions, are communicated across a contactless infrared link.

GBI provides automatic product loading by utilizing a series of metered induction belts to load the sorter from a stationary operator placement onto the moving cross belt. Each cross-belt car is programmed to pull in the product from the metered belt onto the cross-belt car.

GBI offers many options and ancillary components to provide each customer with a fully integrated systems solution. (GBI, www.gbisorters.com)

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