Printing onto Timber
As with many other industries, construction materials such as timber planks need to be coded so that they are identifiable – including their origin, date and time of production and batch number. This ensures that there is the correct product identification but also aids in traceability once the product goes on site. The most appropriate coding technique for this depends on the production method and the composition of materials.Â
Examples of Construction Coding Applications
Varnished Wood
Extrusions and Pipes
Wires and Cables
Tools
UFI Codes
Coding Solutions for Construction Environments
Construction settings are usually demanding and harsh, and inkjet printing onto substrates can vary considerably (from metal and plastic to glass and timber). In spite of this, their printing requirements have a lot in common. Not only must the code itself be durable and resistant, but in order to operate effectively in a busy construction environment, the coding machine must be durable, too.
While either Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) or Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) would do the job, CIJ pips its counterpart to the post within construction settings. This is mainly due to its ability to print without needing to be very close to the surface of the item being printed onto. CIJ printers are generally cheaper to run when operating on large-scale workflows, due to the lower cost of consumables. CIJ printers are fairly heavy-duty and robust machines, whereas TIJ printers tend to be smaller, more compact and more fragile. On the flipside, CIJ printers typically have a longer downtime, so if you are operating on a smaller scale and can’t afford for your production activity to be halted due to technical difficulties, TIJ might be a cheaper option.