Introduction Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printers are widely used in industrial marking for their clean, maintenance-free operation and high-resolution output. However, one recurring technical issue is the printer’s failure to recognize the ink cartridge. Whether you’re using a Videojet, HP, or other compatible system, cartridge recognition errors can halt production and cause delays. This guide explores the main causes of these issues and provides actionable solutions to get your TIJ system running smoothly again. — 1. What Is a Cartridge Recognition Error? A recognition error occurs when the TIJ printer fails to detect or authenticate the installed ink cartridge. This may result in messages such as: “Cartridge not recognized” “Unsupported cartridge” “Empty or invalid cartridge” These errors can prevent printing entirely or limit functionality until resolved. — 2. Common Causes of Recognition Failures 1. Dirty or Damaged Cartridge Contacts The golden contacts on the back of the cartridge must maintain a clean, stable connection with the printer head reader. Dirt, ink buildup, or physical damage may block signal transmission. 2. Expired or Counterfeit Cartridges Some cartridges have built-in chips or expiry timers. If the chip is expired, counterfeit, or programmed incorrectly, the printer may reject it. 3. Firmware Incompatibility After a firmware update, the printer may no longer recognize older or third-party cartridges that were previously compatible. 4. Incorrect Cartridge Type Installing the wrong type of TIJ cartridge—such as water-based ink in a solvent printer—can trigger recognition errors. 5. Printer Software Glitches Sudden shutdowns, electrical spikes, or corrupted printer settings may

Introduction In the industrial marking and coding world, ink adhesion is critical to ensuring that printed codes—such as expiry dates, batch numbers, and traceability info—remain legible throughout the product’s lifecycle. Poor ink adhesion can result in smudging, fading, or complete detachment from the surface, leading to production delays, compliance failures, and costly recalls. This guide explains common causes of ink adhesion failure and how to troubleshoot them across CIJ, TIJ, and DOD printing systems. — 1. What Is Ink Adhesion? Ink adhesion refers to the ability of ink to bond and remain on the substrate after application. In packaging environments, where friction, humidity, or temperature extremes are common, good adhesion ensures durability and readability over time. Good adhesion: Ink withstands touch, abrasion, water, and solvents Poor adhesion: Ink flakes off, smudges easily, or fades prematurely — 2. Common Causes of Ink Adhesion Failure 1. Substrate Incompatibility Some materials, especially low surface energy plastics like PP, PE, and silicone, naturally repel ink. Incorrect ink chemistry for the substrate Lack of surface treatment (corona, plasma, etc.) 2. Contaminated Surface Oil, dust, water, or mold-release agents on the substrate can interfere with ink bonding. Clean the substrate prior to printing Avoid static buildup that attracts particles 3. Incorrect Ink Formulation Using the wrong ink type for a specific application (e.g., dye-based instead of pigment-based) can reduce adhesion performance. CIJ inks require solvent compatibility TIJ cartridges often have pre-set formulas for specific materials 4. Environmental Conditions High humidity, cold surfaces, or condensation can prevent

Introduction Printing on unconventional materials like rubber, silicone, and low-energy plastics (such as polyethylene and polypropylene) presents unique challenges due to their non-porous and chemically resistant surfaces. Traditional inks often fail to adhere properly, leading to smudging, fading, or complete detachment of the print. This article explores the characteristics of high-adhesion inks specifically designed for these tough surfaces and discusses the technologies and treatment methods that enhance ink bonding in industrial applications. — 1. Why Printing on Low-Energy Surfaces is Difficult Materials like silicone and polyethylene have low surface energy, meaning inks have difficulty spreading and bonding. Instead of forming a thin, even film, the ink tends to bead up and remain unstable. Key reasons include: Chemical Inertness: Silicone resists bonding due to its hydrophobic and non-reactive surface. Low Surface Energy: Most standard inks require higher surface energy to “wet” the material effectively. Flexibility: Rubber surfaces expand and contract, putting stress on printed characters. — 2. What Are High-Adhesion Inks? High-adhesion inks are specially formulated to bind to hard-to-print surfaces. These inks may contain adhesion promoters or specialized resins that increase surface interaction. Common features include: Fast drying on non-absorbent surfaces Excellent scratch and rub resistance High chemical and solvent resistance Long-term stability on flexible substrates — 3. Ink Technologies for Difficult Surfaces Several types of ink technologies are used for high-adhesion needs: MEK-Based Inks: Offer aggressive solvent properties that help bite into the surface, improving anchorage. Epoxy Resin Inks: Require curing but offer exceptional chemical bonding, suitable for silicone

Introduction Counterfeiting is a global threat affecting industries from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to electronics and FMCG goods. One of the most effective tools in the fight against counterfeiters is the use of security inks. These specialized inks offer covert and overt protection by embedding traceable or verifiable information directly on the product packaging. This article explores the different types of security inks, their applications in industrial inkjet systems, and how they enhance product authenticity and supply chain integrity. — 1. What Are Security Inks? Security inks are formulated with features that are difficult to replicate or detect with the naked eye. These features can be categorized as: Overt: Easily visible, such as color-shifting inks or thermochromic (heat-reactive) inks. Covert: Invisible to the naked eye and revealed only under special conditions (e.g., UV light, infrared, or chemical treatment). Forensic: Micro-particles, taggants, or DNA-coded elements detectable only in labs. — 2. Common Types of Security Inks Security inks vary based on their functional characteristics. Below are the most commonly used types in industrial inkjet systems: UV Fluorescent Inks: Invisible under normal light, but glow under UV light. Popular in high-speed CIJ or TIJ systems for packaging verification. Thermochromic Inks: Change color based on temperature shifts, often used in cold-chain packaging. Color-Shifting Inks: Appear different when viewed at various angles, useful for overt brand protection. IR Readable Inks: Used in supply chains for scanning invisible codes with IR-enabled cameras. Microtext or Hidden Images: Printed using high-resolution TIJ printers with specialized inks for microscopic

Introduction Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is a widely used solvent in Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printing inks. Known for its fast evaporation and strong adhesion properties, MEK-based inks are dominant in high-speed production environments. However, MEK is also classified as a hazardous material in many countries due to its flammability and health risks. This article explores the advantages of MEK-based inks, regulatory issues, and best practices for storage and handling in industrial settings. — 1. What Is MEK-Based Ink? MEK-based ink uses Methyl Ethyl Ketone as its primary solvent. It dissolves dyes or pigments to form an ink that can quickly dry on various substrates such as plastic, glass, metal, and coated materials. Why MEK? Ultra-fast drying time on non-porous surfaces Strong adhesion — ideal for hard-to-code materials High durability and abrasion resistance — 2. Where Is MEK-Based Ink Commonly Used? Beverage and bottle coding – glass and PET containers Pharmaceutical packaging – blister foil, laminated film Automotive components – rubber, plastic, metal Wire & cable printing – insulation and jacketing Its fast dry time and compatibility with high-speed CIJ printers like Videojet, Domino, Linx, and Hitachi make it indispensable in automated production lines. — 3. Regulatory Classification of MEK Due to its chemical properties, MEK is classified as a Class 3 flammable liquid under the UN Dangerous Goods system. Property MEK Specification UN Number UN1193 Hazard Class Class 3 – Flammable Liquid CAS Number 78-93-3 Flash Point -9°C (closed cup) Shipping MEK-based inks requires: Proper Dangerous Goods Declaration Packaging compliant

Introduction Viscosity is a critical parameter in the performance of Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers. It determines how smoothly ink flows through the system, how well it forms droplets, and how reliably it prints on various substrates. In this article, we explain what viscosity is, why it matters in CIJ systems, and how to manage it for consistent and high-quality printing results. — 1. What Is Ink Viscosity? Viscosity refers to a fluid’s resistance to flow. In the context of CIJ inks: Low viscosity = ink is thinner and flows faster High viscosity = ink is thicker and flows more slowly CIJ printers require ink with a specific viscosity range, typically measured in centipoise (cP). The optimal range varies by brand but often falls between 2 to 5 cP depending on the formulation. — 2. Why Viscosity Matters in CIJ Printing Droplet Formation: Proper viscosity ensures the ink stream breaks into uniform droplets under ultrasonic vibration. Jet Stability: Stable viscosity reduces deviation and satellite droplets, ensuring clean code formation. Nozzle Flow: Inks that are too viscous can clog the nozzle; those that are too thin can cause misfires or leaks. Print Quality: Correct viscosity results in sharp, legible prints without bleeding or smearing. — 3. What Affects CIJ Ink Viscosity? Several factors can alter viscosity during printer operation: Evaporation of Solvent: As the solvent evaporates, ink becomes more viscous. Ambient Temperature: Higher temperatures decrease viscosity; lower temperatures increase it. Ink Contamination: Dust or other fluids can disrupt the chemical balance of

First, install the brackets on both sides of the conveyor belt:   Then tighten the screws:   Attach the bracket to the conveyor belt and tighten the screws used to secure the bracket:   Insert the pole in, adjust the position, and tighten the screws used to fix it:   Then install the pole on the other side and tighten the screws:

There are four holes in the base for mounting this column:   We can adjust the length of the cross arm by rotating this handle:   This column is also adjusted by rotating this handle:   This is the laser mount, which is a monolithic, mounted on the cross-arm:   Here is the photoelectric bracket used to install the photoelectric:   Here is the laser:   Fix the screws under the laser and the laser is installed:   This is the host:   Plug the data cable into the laser:   There are two hanging arms on this side, which are mounted on the column and used to hang the host:   Then look at the installation of the basic accessories, 1 is the encoder plug, 2 is the handheld keyboard plug, and 3 is the photoelectric plug:   That’s the main thing.

First select “Main Menu” in the screen and press Enter:   Select “Profile” and press Enter:   Press F2 to create a new message, then give the message a name, and press Enter when the name is complete:   Then select “Edit Text”, press OK and we will be able to enter it directly here:   If, after editing one line of content, we want to edit the next line of content, we press Enter and then go straight ahead to editing the content. After editing, press F5 to save, and the information is created:   Then we press F1 to return to the main menu, if the “Apply changes” window pops up, we press F5 to select “Yes” and the screen will say “Database in saving”:   If we want to select the information we just edited, we can select “Current Information”, press Enter, and then we press the up and down arrow keys to find, find the information that has just been edited, press Enter, and the information that has just been edited is selected:   If you want to edit variables (date, time, sequence number, shift, external text), we select “Main Menu” and press Enter. Then press F2 to create a new message, select “Edit Text”, and press Enter. Here’s an ABC, and we press F2:   Then here the variable types (including date, time, sequence number, shift, external text) are displayed, and we can insert them according to our needs:   Take a look at how

There’s a button under the console, and we press it down:   Then, the light will come on, and when the light stops flashing and stays on, we’re done with the boot:   After powering on, the handheld keyboard will power on:   To turn on the laser, we need to spin the key, and then the light will come on:   Then, this light of the printhead will light up:   Now, the laser machine is powered on.   Let’s look at the handle operation. First we press F1, and then there is a “user level” here. Now the Operator is displayed:   We can press Enter, change it to “Administrator”, and press Enter to confirm. In this way, we can adjust its parameters. Then we press to select “Back”, press Enter to return to the main interface. In the main interface, there are “Current Data” and “Adjustment Marker”, and the parameters are adjusted in the “Adjustment Marking”. We select “Adjust Marking” and press Enter, where there is power, marking speed, etc.:   The main parameters here are speed and power, we press enter the Enter key and enter the value to modify its parameters:   Next let’s take a look at the main menu. Press F1 to return to the main interface, then we select “Main Menu”, press Enter. In the main menu, there is “Line Configuration”, press Enter to confirm. There is a “trigger” in the production line configuration that refers to the photoelectric, and the photoelectric