In the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, automotive and many other industries, it is of great importance to indicate the production and expiration dates of products. Date coding machines are used to perform this process quickly and efficiently. So, what is a date stamping machine, how is date coding done and which methods are used? Here are the details…
What is a Date Making Machine?
Date printing machines are industrial devices that print production date, expiration date, batch number and similar information on product packaging. These machines with different printing technologies can be used automatically or manually in production lines.
Today, the most widely used date date making machines are the following:
- Inkjet Coding Machines: Fast and non-contact printing, mostly using liquid ink.
- Laser Coding Machines: Provides permanent and high quality printing, uses no ink.
- Thermal Transfer Coding (TTO) Machines: Offers clear and durable printing, especially on plastic and packaged products.
- Dot Matrix Coding Machines: More often used as an economical option, but with poor print quality.
How to Code History?
Date coding is the process of printing specified information on the packaging of the product. This process is carried out in the following steps:
1. Machine Selection and Settings
After selecting the appropriate date printing machine for the product packaging, the system for entering information such as date and batch number is set. At this stage, the ink type and print size to be used are determined.
2. Product Positioning
For the accuracy of the printing process, the product must be in the proper position. In automated systems, products are transported by a conveyor belt, while manual systems may require operator intervention.
3. Printing Process
The machine performs the printing with predetermined settings. Inkjet machines print with non-contact inkjet printing, while laser machines process directly onto the surface.
4. Quality Control and Approval
After printing is completed, the quality control process is applied. Checks such as whether the date is legible and correctly printed, whether there is any erasure or slippage. If faulty prints are detected, machine settings are reviewed and corrected.
Date Setting Machine Areas of Use
Date coding machines are used in many industries:
- Food Sector: Production and expiration dates of products are printed.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Batch numbers, expiration dates and production information are added.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: Production information on products such as shampoos, creams and perfumes.
- Automotive and Industrial Products: Production codes and serial numbers are indicated.
Date Making Machines and Coding Technologies
Printing methods vary according to different needs. The most commonly used technologies are:
1. CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) Technology
- Widely used in fast production lines.
- Non-contact printing, can be applied on different surfaces.
- Ink based, can use solvents.
2. Laser Marking Technology
- No ink required, ensuring long-lasting and durable coding.
- Used on hard surfaces such as plastic, glass, metal.
- Environmentally friendly and maintenance free.
3. Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Technology
- Suitable for high resolution prints.
- Ideal for small-scale production.
- It gives good results on surfaces such as cardboard and labels.
4. Thermal Transfer (TTO) Technology
- It is especially preferred for flexible packaging.
- It offers permanent and clear results by printing with ribbon.
- It is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
What Should Be Considered When Choosing a Date Making Machine?
- Print Speed and Quality: It must be able to print at a speed and clarity suitable for the production line.
- Surface Compatibility: Choose a model suitable for surfaces such as plastic, glass, metal or paper.
- Maintenance and Consumables: The costs of ink or laser components should be considered.
- Durability and Reliability: It is important that it can operate stably over long periods of use.
- Coding Management System: Preference should be given to machines that offer automatic integration and data management.
Conclusion
Dating machines play a critical role in production processes to ensure product traceability. There are various coding technologies suitable for different industries and production lines. Choosing the right machine increases production efficiency, minimizes errors and ensures legal compliance.
