New Linx IJ470 for outer case coding

Linx Printing Technologies has launched the Linx IJ470, a new large character inkjet printer designed to make outer case coding one less thing for production managers to worry about.

The result of extensive customer research into real world manufacturing challenges, the IJ470 delivers a more cost effective and use -friendly approach to secondary packaging coding, reducing operating costs, eliminating unplanned downtime and giving production teams the flexibility and confidence to keep lines running.

At the heart of the IJ470’s cost saving credentials is direct secondary coding which enables companies to eliminate the reliance on expensive labels or pre-printed boxes. By printing directly onto porous or semi-porous outer packaging such as corrugated cardboard, manufacturers can significantly reduce material costs, free up valuable warehouse space, and minimise packaging waste, resulting in a more sustainable approach to secondary packaging coding. Direct outer case coding also provides greater flexibility, allowing packaging changes to be made instantly.

‘We developed the Linx IJ470 to solve a common challenge in secondary packaging: how to achieve reliable, high quality outer case coding without adding unnecessary cost, complexity or waste,’ said Mariusz Dabrowski, business unit manager, Linx Printing Technologies. ‘The IJ470 gives manufacturers the confidence to print directly onto boxes with consistent, high quality results, eliminating reliance on labels and pre-printed packaging. This helps reduce waste, lower operating costs, and keep production running efficiently without compromise.’

The IJ470 incorporates the patented Linx ReFresh system, which automatically recycles ink for reuse while maintaining premium print quality. During printing, ink and debris are automatically removed from the nozzles and passed through a high performance filtration system before being returned for reuse. By recovering ink that would otherwise be wasted during conventional purge procedures, ReFresh reduces consumable usage, lowers running costs and minimises interruptions to production. Combined with direct to box coding, it also helps manufacturers reduce material consumption and lower the environmental impact of ink manufacture and shipping.

‘The Linx IJ470 provides a more sustainable approach to coding by helping manufacturers to eliminate labels and the waste they create,’ added Mariusz Dabrowski. ‘Combined with our ReFresh technology that recovers and recycles ink, by printing directly onto boxes, our customers can significantly reduce both consumable usage and environmental impact while maintaining reliable, high-quality coding on every box.’

Production managers know that unplanned downtime is one of the most costly disruptions on any manufacturing line. Unlike wax printers that require warm up time before production can begin, which delays production start, the IJ470 has been designed to print immediately, with oil based inks that require no warm up time – helping manufacturers maintain productivity from the start of every shift.

Built with demanding production environments in mind, the printer features a robust stainless steel and anodised aluminium enclosure that protects critical components from potential damage. The ReFresh automatic nozzle cleaning system supports maximum uptime by helping to prevent nozzle clogging, ensuring the printhead is in prime condition, reducing the risk of any downtime and ensuring consistent coding performance.

Production flexibility is key within the IJ470’s design. Leader and follower units enable coding on both sides of every carton, while the ability to connect and control up to four printers from a single user interface increases the vertical print area. This simplifies operation while reducing equipment costs.

With a choice of black and red ink and both mineral oil based and mineral oil free formulations, the Linx IJ470 ensures the right print solution is available for any product. Improved mounting options for conveyors and floor mounts allow flexible configuration and deliver the additional stability required for consistent, high quality print.

Coding errors can have significant commercial and regulatory consequences for manufacturers and the IJ470 has been designed to make these far less likely. Easy integration with line control and message creation software allows messages to be populated directly from external databases, helping to ensure the correct code is printed every time. Operators can also quickly set up and edit messages using the intuitive 8″ touchscreen interface, with clear status displays and message previews allowing instant adjustments to size and content.

As a GS1 UK approved product, the IJ470 also features a built-in code creation tool, allowing operators to create GS1 compliant 2D codes easily on the printer’s interface.

‘Linx has always been driven by a simple ambition: to make production life easier for the people running manufacturing lines,’ concluded Mariusz Dabrowski. ‘The IJ470 brings together everything we have learned from working alongside production managers globally. It tackles not just the obvious challenges, but the issues that teams have long come to accept as unavoidable. The result is an outer case coder that gives production managers back their time.’