Adding codes to extrusion products, like piping, tubing, and rails, poses distinctive challenges for manufacturers. Here’s how you can address them!
From rubber hoses to aircraft tyres…
Several years following the invention of the flushing toilet, British innovator Joseph Bramah patented the initial industrial extrusion process in 1797. Fast forward to the present day, and the fundamental principles of that original extrusion process are applied to produce a wide range of items, including rubber hoses, plastic tubing, aircraft tyres, and modern bricks. Various products, such as hosepipes, plumbing pipes, and sewage pipes, are manufactured through the extrusion process, serving as a fundamental method in mass manufacturing.
The challenges of coding and marking onto extrudates
While extrusion is a common practice in global manufacturing, adding codes and markings to products created through extrusion, known as extrudates, presents a unique challenge. This applies whether it involves serial numbers, kitemarks, or safety warnings.
Efficient manufacturing requires selecting coding and marking technology designed to meet these specific demands; otherwise, issues with productivity and profitability are inevitable. Before delving into the technologies to overcome coding and marking challenges, let’s explore these challenges in more detail.
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Maintaining uptime
Extrusion lines typically operate 24/7 with extended production runs. Stoppages can be costly, making it crucial for coding and marking technology to possess speed, stamina, and minimal downtime—whether scheduled or unscheduled.
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High-speed message application
Products can be extruded at rates of up to 200m/min, posing challenges for mark positioning, legibility, and adhesion.
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Rapid changeovers
Even though extrusion lines run continuously, changeovers from one production run to another still occur. This requires coding technology to transition seamlessly between different coding requirements, with the ability to store multiple messaging designs.
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Choosing the right inks
Selecting the appropriate inks for coding onto different substrates is imperative. This may involve coding onto various colours, such as black and brown, requiring the use of white or coloured inks for code legibility. Inks must also adhere quickly to substrates and withstand post-production treatments.
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The need for repeatability
Consider a 5,000-metre roll of tubing requiring the same code to be precisely repeated every metre. When dealing with extrusion lines, coding technology must meet the demands of accuracy and repeatability.
Optimise the coding process on your extrusion lines
As a partner of Domino, Codico is well-positioned to assist you in discovering an innovative coding and marking solution that not only benefits your business but also addresses challenges such as coding onto extruded products, ensuring a seamless integration of coding and marking into your production environment.
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Comprehensive Range of Compliant Inks
Selecting inks that adhere well and comply with industry standards can pose challenges in extrusion applications. Codico can provide guidance on the most suitable ink for your requirements while ensuring compliance with industry regulations. This may involve recommending MEK-free, fast-drying, and highly-pigmented options, as well as specialized inks tailored for cable marking. In certain instances, Domino’s inks have demonstrated effectiveness in eliminating the need for pre or post-treatment, leading to significant cost reductions.
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Swift Coding Speeds and Flexibility
Our coding technologies not only boast impressive speed but also provide the flexibility to design and position your codes as needed. Whether you’re adding kitemarks, 2D barcodes, serial numbers, or company names to a product, our solutions offer versatility. For instance, Domino’s D320i laser coder simplifies the production of unlimited lines of text in various orientations, fonts, and sizes, coding at speeds of up to 1,500 characters per second.
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Maintenance-Free Operation
Domino introduces a range of service-free printers that are monitored and, if necessary, diagnosed through Domino Cloud. With data and event alerts, we ensure seamless printer functionality without the need for preventative maintenance or on-site servicing. Our support via Domino Cloud enhances production uptime.
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Simplified Installation – Adaptable to Any Production Environment
Exceptional technical specifications are only valuable if the coding technology fits seamlessly into your production environment. Domino addresses this with modular coders designed for easy installation and adaptability to any production setting. You have the flexibility to isolate both the touch screen and the printhead, placing them in the most convenient locations and seamlessly integrating them into your production line.
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Create and Store Multiple Messages Locally on the Printer or Remotely with QuickDesign
Domino’s 10″ touch screen features an intuitive, smartphone-like interface, making it easy for operators, even those with limited experience, to create comprehensive messages on-site. For remote needs, we offer QuickDesign, Domino’s proprietary message design and coding automation software. This tool enables centralized design and storage of multiple messages, accessible by multiple units directly from the factory floor.
Questions?
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Our Technology is Engineered for Durability
We deliver coding and marking technology built to withstand the challenges of demanding production environments. With IP66 electronics, our technology can endure on-line washdowns and the uncertainties of industrial settings.
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Beyond the Sale…
Becoming a Codico customer goes beyond the initial purchase. You can benefit from our extended warranties, technical support, and aftermarket contracts. Our commitment to exceptional customer service is ingrained in our ethos. We believe in assisting each customer in effectively addressing their operational challenges and operating in a cost-efficient manner. Additionally, recognizing that the cost-saving efficiency of enterprise-grade coding and marking technology should be accessible to every business, we offer flexible leasing options along with direct sales. This way, even if your budget is not where you want it to be, you can still enjoy the advantages of utilizing innovative coding and marking technology through a manageable monthly fee!
