Processors are constantly searching for faster ways to code packaging as demand for tracking and tracing increases across an ever-widening array of products.

The supplier of image transfer technology said its new stainless steel ACF-400 carton coder is integrated with a printer - either thermal transfer or hot foil, depending on the application - to print text, graphics and a wide array of barcodes including RRS linear and composite versions, offline to cartons.

The coder can be used to print on the cartons of baked goods, confectionery, ready meals, meats and seafood, claims the US based manufacturer.

Norwood/Allen director of sales and marketing, Bill Delmolino, told FoodProductionDaily.com that customer requests for a carton coder that could handle both crash lock cartons and blister cards informed the development of the ACF-400.

Print accuracy
To ensure print accuracy, claims Delmolino, the ACF-400 measures the thickness of the carton and stops the machine if two cartons are drawn at once, thereby eliminating the possibility that an unprinted carton finds its way to final packaging.

"Most carton coders have a 'dead space' in the print area whereas the ACF-400 does not. This allows the food processor the flexibility to print anywhere within within the capability of the print head," added Delmolino.

Production flexibility
Delmolino said the servo-driven ACF-400 has a bottom belt and an upper pressure roller, which enables it to handle thinner material than existing systems as well odd sized cartons and those with complex shapes, while achieving precise registration.

The unique belt configuration also allows operators to safely remove printed cartons from the discharge area while the system is running, said the company.

Compared to traditional carton coders that typically take from five to 20 minutes to change over from one carton size to another, the ACF-400 can be changed over in only one minute with no tools required to change parts, claims Delmolino.

"The system can be switched (using a touchpad) to operate in intermittent or continuous motion, adding to the system's production flexibility," he said.

Portable equipment
This compact off-line carton coder sits on castor wheels so it can be easily moved from one area to another, said the company.

Delmolino claims that the durability of the ACF-400's component parts makes it a reliable printing tool, while its run time depends on the speed of the integrated printer.

The ACF-400, according to the manufacturer, handles cartons from 2 x 2.75 inches (50 x 70 mm) to 15.75 x 15.75 inches (400 x 400 mm) in size.

If equipped with Norwood/Allen's large format NGT 8 thermal transfer printer, the ACF-400 can achieve a print area as large as 8.4 x 4 inches (213 x 100 mm). If equipped with Norwood / Allen's 60/35S hot stamp printer, the ACF-400 can produce a print area up to 2.4 x 1.4 inches (60 x 35 mm), claims the company.

Delmolino said the carton coder can also be integrated with other manufacturer's equipment.
Norwood/Allen said the base price of the ACF-400 with a 2 inch Printer is $49,000 (€30,913.75) and approximately $52,000 (€32,817.28) with the 4 inch printer.