Thailand Dole Company - Can Printing with High Temperature Color-changing
1) Challenges for Dole Company
Dole Company can production line runs into a intractable problem. All cans need to be sterilized at 130 degrees Celsius after printing. However, there is a problem in traditional ink: no matter whether it has been disinfected, the color will not change. It is difficult to distinguish and judge whether the product has been disinfected. there is a certain potential safety hazard.
Therefore, Dole Company hopes to solve this potential safety hazard through technical means.
2) Technical Challenges and System Solutions
When Dole Company puts forward this demand, the R & D team of LEAD TECH Group responded positively and provide high temperature color-changing ink formula for D Company's production line application needs.
Traditional ink (color unchanged before and after disinfection) :
High temperature color-changing ink (The color changes from black to blue after high temperature disinfection)
In the process of providing the solution, LEAD TECH Group noted that:
1) The workshop temperature of D Company is very high, up to 45-50 degrees Celsius. Generally, the printer will work well at 45 degrees Celsius. Once above 45 degrees Celsius, how to operate normally is a big challenge.
2) Special ink is also a great test for the stability of machine operation;
3) Adsorption of ink after high temperature disinfection.
In view of the current application situation, LEAD TECH Group proposes targeted solutions:
1) Optimize the heat dissipation system of the machine:
Raise the normal and stable working temperature of the machine to 50 degrees Celsius;
2) Optimize the color-changing ink formula:
Under the premise of ensuring the quality and absorbability of inkjet code，ensure the long time operation of the machine;
3) Optimize the ink adhesion:
Add a cleaning device at the front end of the production line to remove oil and other impurities on the printing surface of cans, so as to ensure that the ink can be better adsorbed on the tinplate packaging.
4) Add sound and light alarm system:
Because of the high temperature of the application site, it is not suitable for the staff to stay in the workshop for a long time. Therefore, we design a three-color (light) alarm system in the machine, and a bell alarm system (sound) connected to the central control room, 24-hour real-time monitoring of the work (inkjet) status.
Field application picture (source: installation video)
Dole’s Company Profile:
Dole was founded in Hawaii in 1851 and entered China in 1998. It is mainly engaged in fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, dried fruits, canned fruits, juice drinks and other businesses.
Dole's global packaged foods segment sells a full line of canned, frozen and dried fruit and other fruit snack products and is an innovator in new forms of packaged and processed fruit. Dole's Packaged Foods division purchases fruit from Dole's plantations as well as from hundreds of independent growers. The fruits are processed at multiple Dole Enterprises fruit processing plants in the Philippines, Thailand and the United States and co-packed by certified suppliers in other fruit-producing regions around the world.
