Urania

Ink Jet Printing is available on all Heat Sealer and PouchPro models. Urania Engineering will interface a commercial ink jet printer into a system in one of several mounting options. If the customer does not have a preferred supplier of ink jet printers, Urania Engineering can recommend a provider based on our extensive experience with ink jet systems. The mounting location depends upon the location of the print on the pouch, the finished thickness of the pouch, and quality of print required.

The standard mounting location for an ink jet printer is just below the sealer frame at the embosser mechanism in the heat sealer head. With the print head in this position, the print will be approximately one half inches (1.500") below the seal area. This standard location provides good print results on a flat pouch and requires a minimum amount of modification to the heat sealer. As the pouch passes through the heat sealer, the ink jet printer is activated to apply the print to the pouch. The print head applies ink to the area below the heat seal. This mounting location is available for all PouchPro and sealer models.

If a stand-alone sealer requires an ink jet print, the mounting locations are limited to either the standard location one and a half inches (1.500") below the seal, or inside the sealer at the embosser position. The embosser position will apply the printed message to an area just above the pouch seal. The drawback to the embosser mounting is that the sealer drive will require some modification to allow the print head to be placed inside the sealer head.

The below the frame location is the preferred option, as the sealer will require few modifications. A flat pouch will produce the best quality ink-jet prints, but if the pouch is not relatively flat, distorted print will result. Then, an inside the sealer mount may be required.

If a PouchPro system requires an ink jet print, the location of the print on the pouch will determine the location of the ink jet print head. As always, the standard heat sealer location is preferred for print just below the heat seal. If the print must be in another area of the pouch, other options exist. The optional in the sealer head mounting will apply the print message to the area above the seal, but requires modification to the sealer head.

However, if print quality must be the best it possibly can, the pouch is not flat after sealing, or if the print must be in a particular location, a custom mounting solution is required. The print head must be integrated into the PouchPro at one of the available operation stations. Typically, the ink-jet station is located between the pouch magazine and product loading stations. When the pouch is removed from the pouch magazine, it is indexed to the printing station. The pouch is pressed against a piece of flat stainless steel that flattens the pouch for printing. Holes are cut into the stainless steel to allow the ink to contact the pouch. When the pouch is in position, the PouchPro Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) activates a servo motor carriage, which moves the ink jet head along the pouch at a constant speed. The combination of a flat pouch and constant ink jet head speed produces very good quality print. The drawback to this method is the additional complexity and cost, and the use of one of the PouchPro operation stations for printing.