What is Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Technology?
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology is one of the most established and versatile industrial printing methods. It is widely used for high-speed, high-volume production environments where durable and consistent coding is critical. From food packaging to cables, CIJ printers provide reliable and flexible marking solutions across a broad range of industries.
How Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Technology Works
In a CIJ printer, ink is continuously pumped at high pressure through a microscopic nozzle to form a stream of droplets. A piezoelectric crystal vibrates the stream, breaking it into precisely spaced droplets. Selected droplets are charged electrically and then deflected by an electric field onto the substrate, while uncharged droplets are recycled back into the system.
Key Features of CIJ Technology
- High-Speed Capability: Suitable for production lines exceeding 300 meters per minute.
- Non-Contact Printing: Allows marking on uneven, flexible, or fragile surfaces.
- Wide Substrate Compatibility: Can print on glass, plastics, metals, paper, and more.
- Small Character Printing: Can produce characters as small as 0.7 mm in height.
- Continuous Operation: Designed for 24/7 production environments with minimal downtime.
Common Applications of CIJ Printers
- Food and beverage bottle and can coding
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging date and lot coding
- Cable and wire length marking and identification
- Industrial parts marking (plastic, metal, rubber components)
- Automotive parts traceability coding
Advantages of CIJ Technology
- Versatile: Supports a wide range of inks including solvent-based, water-based, pigmented, UV-visible, and food-grade inks.
- Flexible Printing Distance: Effective printing at distances from 1 mm to over 10 mm.
- Excellent Adhesion: Specialized inks available for hard-to-mark materials.
- Minimal Print Delay: Instant start-stop capabilities ideal for dynamic production lines.
- Long Equipment Lifespan: Robust build quality and designed for heavy industrial use.
Limitations of CIJ Technology
- Requires regular maintenance such as nozzle cleaning, fluid top-ups, and viscosity control.
- Uses solvent fluids, raising environmental and safety considerations in some setups.
- Higher initial setup and running costs compared to TIJ or DOD systems for some applications.
- Complex internal fluid systems requiring periodic calibration and servicing.
FAQs
- Is CIJ better than TIJ for all applications? No. CIJ excels in high-speed, non-porous coding environments, while TIJ is better suited for high-resolution, lower-speed, and porous surface applications.
- How often does a CIJ printer need service? Depending on operating conditions, most CIJ printers require scheduled preventive maintenance every 2,000 to 6,000 hours of operation.
Conclusion
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology remains a cornerstone of industrial coding due to its speed, reliability, and material versatility. Whether marking bottles, cables, or automotive parts, CIJ provides robust solutions for demanding production environments. Want expert advice on whether CIJ is right for your factory? Contact Cheef Inkjet today at sales@cheef.cn!
