The CODITHERM 4 is an electronic (Digital) "thermal transfer" printer for automatic and direct marking of objects made of stiff material or with uneven, porous surfaces. To-date, in all these cases, it has not been possible to print directly on the product with electronic "thermal transfer" print heads.
Exploiting an Eidos exclusive patent, based on the use of a double ribbon, a positive image can be created electronically on the thermal transfer ribbon in an initial print phase and then transferred "hot" (using pads or heated rollers) to the object to be marked.
CODITHERM permits extremely versatile, high quality marking of production batches with texts, bar-codes and variable logos. Marking, directly on the production line, means that the product can be personalized during packaging, thus avoiding the need for a large stock of preprinted parts.
The interactive colour graphic display simplifies the operation of locally changing data end enables the on-line control of what the machine is printing.
Specifications
APPLICATIONS
The CODITHERM 4 is particularly suited for marking and coding:
Paper, cardboard and plastic boxes, bags and containers.
Wood, leather, paper items.
Scratch-proof and solvent-resistant plastic objects.
CODITHERM consists of an Electronic Control Unit and a Printing Unit connected by an electric cable. The Printing Unit consists of two parts that are furnished already assembled:
Basic electronic printer.
Device for "hot transfer" of the image.
This device, designed to print on still objects, can be selected from the various types available in order to adapt to a wide range of application requirements.
System Configurations
Stand alone mode: the printer can function also if not directly connected to a computer. The data is stored in non-volatile memories. New texts can be inserted in the printer by means of a USB memory card.
On Line mode: the other way of working is a connection with an external processor. this can tale place in three ways:
- serial connection type RS232 or RS422 towards PLC.
- ethernet type connection by means of a cable.
- wireless conection type 802-11g.
DATA ENTRY
To create more complex texts, a software package, developed by Eidos and called EASYCODE» that runs on an external PC is used. The software package affords user-friendly entering, saving, editing and printing of texts with direct display, on the screen, of what will be printed in plain language. The data are then transmitted to the printer either via a floppy disk or on a serial link (RS-232 or, with accessory, RS-422).
Operating parameters can also be modified without problems using the keyboard. The printer interfaces all the main label creation programs (CODESOFT», LABELVIEW», EASYLABEL», NICELABEL», BARTENDER» and others).
CAPABILITIES
Patented technology: with double thermal transfer ribbon (thermal transfer ribbon + Receptor ribbon).
Max. print area: 95 x 300 mm.
High Printing Resolution: 12 dots/mm - 300 dpi. A version with a very high definition thermal head (600 dpi) is also available.
Printing rate: till 60 strokes/min.
PRINTABLE TEXTS
Texts with alphanumeric characters with a programmable height from 1 to 30 mm. Arial standard internal fonts. Possibility of loading additional internal fonts through downloading of .TTF files.
Bar-codes: EAN-13, EAN-8, EAN-128, UPCA, UPC-E, 2/5 Interleaved, Code 32, Code 39, Code 128 (A, C), ITF-14, Paraf, HIBC43, Binary.
2D codes: Matrix and PDF417.
Import of logos in ".BMP" format Black and White.
Text orientation: possible in the four quadrants.
ELECTRONIC UNIT
5.7" colour graphic display with touch screen.
ARM microprocessor. SMD technology with program texts recorder in FLASH menory.
USB-host port to manage 128 MB USB type portable memory.
USB-host port configurable for wireless 802.11g or ethernet connection.
INTERFACE TO AN EXTERNAL P.C.
RS 232 serial interface programmable up to 115,200 Baud. As option: RS-422.
SERIAL INTERFACE FOR ADD-ON DEVICES
RS 232 serial interface programmable up to 115.200 baud.
Port USB - Device..
LOGIC SIGNALS INTERFACE TO A PACKAGING MACHINE
SYNC-24: synchronism signals. Fully opto-isolated logic signals (4 inputs and 4 outputs) and of the passive type (not powered) at 24 Vdc.
CONSUMABLES
Inked and Receptor Ribbons packed in rolls 1,000 m. long.