Continuous Inkjet Printer: How CIJ Technology Works and Its Industrial Applications

In modern manufacturing, reliable product coding is essential for identifying products, managing production information and supporting traceability throughout the supply chain. Batch numbers, production dates, expiry dates, serial numbers and other variable information often need to be printed directly onto products or packaging while they are moving along the production line.

A continuous inkjet printer can provide an effective solution for these requirements. Continuous Inkjet, or CIJ, is a contactless printing technology widely used for industrial coding applications where flexibility, continuous operation and compatibility with different product surfaces are important.

What Is a Continuous Inkjet Printer?

A continuous inkjet printer is an industrial printing system that uses a continuous stream of microscopic ink droplets to create characters, codes and other variable information on a product or package.

Unlike contact-based marking technologies, CIJ printing does not require the printhead to touch the product. The ink droplets are electronically controlled and directed towards the surface being marked.

This makes a CIJ printer particularly suitable for products travelling continuously along production lines, including applications where the printing surface may be curved, irregular or difficult to reach with contact-based systems. Fam Favata's KGK CIJ range is designed for industrial coding applications and includes systems such as the CCS-3000L and CCS-3100.

How Does Continuous Inkjet Technology Work?

So, how does a continuous inkjet printer work?

CIJ technology generates a continuous flow of ink droplets inside the printhead. The droplets required to create the desired characters are electrically charged and then deflected towards the product, while unused ink is recovered and returned to the system.

The controlled movement of the droplets creates a matrix of points that forms letters, numbers and codes.

This operating principle allows a CIJ printer to mark products while they are moving, without requiring physical contact between the printhead and the substrate. The exact printing performance depends on the printer configuration, ink, substrate and production conditions.

What Can a Continuous Inkjet Printer Print?

One of the main applications of continuous inkjet printing is the identification of products with variable information.

Depending on the system and application, typical coding requirements include:

• Batch and lot numbers
• Production dates
• Expiry or best-before dates
• Serial numbers
• Variable text
• Product identification codes
• Barcodes and 2D codes where supported by the specific application
• Traceability information

CIJ can therefore play an important role in production processes where information needs to change from one product or batch to another.

Advantages of Continuous Inkjet Printing

A continuous inkjet printer for industrial applications offers several characteristics that make the technology suitable for demanding production environments.

The main advantages include:

• Contactless printing, allowing products to be marked without physical contact.
• Flexibility, with the possibility of managing different messages and variable information.
• Continuous operation, making CIJ suitable for production lines where coding must take place as products move through the process.
• Versatility, with appropriate ink and system configurations available for different materials and applications.
• Integration, with industrial interfaces and production-line components available on specific models.

For example, the KGK CCS-3000L available from Fam Favata features Ethernet, industrial I/O, RS-232 and NiceLabel communication, while its configuration supports different ink types and industrial interfaces.

Continuous Inkjet Printers for Industrial Applications

CIJ technology is used across a wide range of manufacturing environments.

In food and beverage, a CIJ printer can be used for coding bottles, containers and packaging. In pharmaceutical and cosmetic production, it can support the printing of batch and date information. Industrial applications can include cables, tubes, plastic components, metal products and other items that require contactless identification.

The technology is particularly useful when products move continuously at high speed or when the surface is not perfectly flat. Fam Favata identifies CIJ as a suitable technology for sectors including cables and tubes, packaging, industrial manufacturing and labelling.

The choice of ink is also important. CIJ systems can use different ink formulations depending on the substrate and the required characteristics of the printed code. Fam Favata's CCS-3000L, for example, is available with pigmented and non-pigmented inks as well as specific solvent-based options.

Why Choose Fam Favata for Industrial Marking?

Selecting an industrial continuous inkjet printer should begin with the production application rather than the printer itself.

Fam Favata provides industrial marking and coding solutions based on CIJ, TIJ and DOD technologies. Its CIJ range includes KGK systems designed for industrial environments, supported by a broader portfolio of inks, consumables and technical solutions.

The technical evaluation should consider the substrate, production speed, printing requirements, type of variable data, environmental conditions, ink requirements and integration with the production line.

Working with a specialist such as Fam Favata allows companies to evaluate these factors, select the appropriate technology, carry out application testing where necessary and receive support with installation, configuration, training and technical assistance.

Choosing the Right Continuous Inkjet Printer

A continuous inkjet printer can be an effective solution for companies that need reliable, contactless coding on products and packaging during continuous production.

CIJ technology offers flexibility for variable data, compatibility with different industrial applications and the ability to print directly onto products moving along production lines.

The right system, however, depends on the specific application. Substrate, ink, production environment, required codes and line integration should all be evaluated before choosing a printer.

Contact Fam Favata to discuss your industrial coding requirements and identify the Continuous Inkjet solution best suited to your production process.