Tonejet has unveiled its first industrial production direct-to-can digital printing machine at InPrint 2017 in Germany.
The Tonejet Cyclone machine is said to combine various patented technologies and eliminates long lead times and minimum print runs of printed beverage cans.
It is integrated with Rockwell Automation iTRAK transport system which is united with Tonejet’s digital print engine.
The iTRAK object transport system combines with the passive mandrel technology of Tonejet to enable different processes to have their own operation time. As a result, the overall throughput will not be impacted to deliver a much reduced total processing time.
The Cyclone also comes with Tonejet’s nozzle-less print heads which operate an electrostatic jetting process.
Charged pigment particles constitute the Tonejet ink in a non-conducting carrier fluid. When a pulse voltage is applied, these pigment particles are jetted away from the print head at high speed.
According to Tonejet, the formulation means that most of the carrier fluid is left behind to creating a very thin but high density pigmented layer of ink on the can.
The company claims that the costs of printing on to each can is up to 20 times lower than UV cured inks.
Tonejet sales manager Marvin Foreman said: “The Tonejet Cyclone brings together several patented innovations that result in a machine which is considerably more efficient than competing products.
“Whether used as a stand-alone digital printer, or integrated into a can production line, the Cyclone not only significantly reduces production time, it also allows manufacturers to print very small runs of each can design.
“Manufacturers are able to cost-effectively decorate each can individually if desired, representing incredible opportunities for beverage brands”.
