The new Marsh® 3100 and Marsh 1100 large character ink jet printers from Videojet Technologies Inc. represent the latest technology in reliable on-line printing for secondary packaging such as corrugated boxes and cases. Able to print characters as large as 2.75 inches (70 mm) and 0.66 inches (17 mm), respectively, the Marsh 3100 and 1100 printers feature a patented automatic self-cleaning and self-maintenance system that ensures perfect and repeatable print quality in every environment.

"The self-cleaning feature operates every time the machine prints, so the printheads remain virtually clear of dust and debris throughout production," says David Allen, Secondary Packaging product manager at Videojet. "This reduces downtime for manual cleaning, which is particularly necessary in dirty environments."

The Marsh 3100 and 1100 printers' unique self-maintenance system eliminates wasted ink and downtime caused by regular priming, purging and cleaning that is essential on other ink jet printers.

Because the self-maintenance system is noncontact, it also avoids printhead damage that is possible during periodic maintenance required on alternative systems.

The user interface displays ink use monitoring and low ink warnings. Without halting production, new ink can be added simply and cleanly using sealed, nonpressurized containers. All ink used within the maintenance process is automatically recycled and filtered for re-use with no waste or spillage, ensuring a clean operating area and the lowest ink consumption and running cost available, with maximum uptime between ink refills.

The intuitive CLARiTY touch-screen interface provides a simple and secure means to change images in seconds, get on-board help information or view the current image on the WYSIWYG display. Users can prepare and preview the next job while running the current image, monitor performance or carry out powerful diagnostics, all without having to halt the line.

Both printers can operate stand-alone or be integrated into a facility's IT infrastructure. Master/slave capability allows multiple printers of either model to be linked together into a single print system, with full system control and job selection possible from the interface of the master printer. Full compatibility with the Claricom suite of Package Coding Management software allows for centralized package coding and network control to eliminate human error, increase accuracy and reduce costs associated with coding errors.

"By printing cases on-line, these printers provide a dependable means to substantially reduce packaging operating costs by eliminating the need for preprinted cases," Allen says.