When is the best time to trade out your CIJ coder?

Is your current older coding equipment costing you more to keep running? Or limiting your production efficiency?

It is normal for us to want to keep marking and coding printers running for as long as possible and limit a capital outlay… But there comes a time when we need to really think about what the impact is of keeping our industrial printing equipment going when it comes to cost of ownership, labour time and downtime.

How do you know what your older industrial coding equipment is costing you? And if it is time to change?

As innovation and technology develops, small character coding equipment often becomes faster, more capable, easier to use and more economical and reliable.

For example, if we look at keeping an older car running, apart from the car completely failing, what are the other reasons for upgrading? More fuel efficient, easier to drive, faster, fewer breakdowns or repairs?

Upgrading a batch coding machine is no different. As continuous inkjet printers become older and well-used, they often become:

  • more expensive to run or service
  • parts maybe start working less efficiently
  • more difficult to use
  • due to wear and tear of critical parts, eventually it starts costing more to repair and keep running.

As CIJ technology advances, improvements in areas such as self-service, solvent consumption, cleaning and ease of use can in fact save thousands of pounds… and you may find by switching you actually save money on those hidden costs, even with the purchase of a new coding machine. And life becomes so much easier for everyday usage.

Take mobile phones for example. Not many of us would want to go back to the button press phones with, small black and white screens, where you can only call and text.  No internet access, difficult to use, slower to use, and poor camera.

Key factors to consider when assessing when to trade out your industrial printer:

Service intervals:

  • how long are current CIJ printer service intervals?
  • what are services costing?
  • how much ink is used at each service?
  • how disruptive are they to production? can you self-service?

Typically with a newer CIJ model maintenance costs would be reduced by about 33% and newer models tend to be self-service

Remote monitoring/IIoT

  • does your marking printer have the connectivity options that you need or would benefit from?
  • can you monitor the printer remotely?
  • can you control the printer remotely? 

Typically newer CIJ models enable remote support, monitoring and printer alerts 

Printhead Cleaning

  • how frequently does the printhead need to be cleaned?

Typically with a newer inkjet printer model you would save time and cost by 66% and only have to clean the printhead typically as infrequently as 4 times per year!

Fluids refill

  • are the fluids bottles mess-free and mistake-proof?

Typically newer CIJ models have mess-free and mistake-free cartridge based systems 

Ease of use

  • is the printer interface easy to use?
  • does it have a touch screen?
  • is the screen in colour for ease of use?
  • is it quick to use and mistake-free?
  • does it have on screen wizards to help you?

Typically newer continuous inkjet printers have simple, icon based colour touch screens with step-by-step wizards

Message Store

  • how many messages can the printer store? 
  • do you have to delete messages to make space?

Typically newer industrial CIJ printers can store up to 1000 messages

Extended shutdowns

  • do you need to leave the printer switched off longer for holidays, seasonality, unexpected factory closures?
  • does your CIJ printer start up well after a period of time left switched off?

Typically newer small character printers can be left switched off for up to 3 months without draining, and start up cleanly – ideal for seasonal production or unplanned temporary closures

Learn how much you could save with the latest Linx ink jet printer

With all of the above factors considered, now really might be the time for you to look to the security and time-saving and cost-saving benefits of a new CIJ printer.

Using alternative equipment currently?

If you are currently using an alternative coding solution to Linx, it would be worth getting in touch with us to see how the CIJ printers compare.  A free trial is also possible so you can test the product on the line and see how the ease of use, cleaning and fluids consumption compares to the alternatives.

When it comes to replacing your old equipment, here are some pointers which will keep your Total Cost of Ownership on the right side of the tracks:

  • Select simple equipment management with self-servicing which can be easily undertaken by the user, following on-screen prompts
  • Go for the longest time between servicing (18 months +) to ensure long, continual running with minimum interruption
  • Look for the ability to book servicing around your own work schedule, avoiding unnecessary downtime
  • Aim for quick, simple and clean consumable refills which can be cleanly replaced, with no exposure to fluids

The most important thing to consider when comparing CIJ printers is also the printhead. Printheads can often be overlooked but are actually the core element of the printer. Afterall that’s what delivers the code. Different printheads on the market require different cleaning intervals.  

Have a well-loved older Linx machine?

If you have a well-loved older Linx machine, such as the Linx 4800, Linx 4900, Linx 5900, Linx 6800, Linx 6900, Linx 7300 or Linx CJ400 to name a few, it would be worth getting in touch to see the latest technology Linx has to offer and potential cost savings of switching. As older parts start to become obsolete, it is extremely important to ensure that you have a solution that will keep you meeting customer orders and demands.

We can help you compare your existing Linx printer to a newer Linx model. A free trial is also possible so you can test the product on the line and see how the ease of use, cleaning and fluids consumption compares to your existing Linx CIJ printer.