Marking and Coding

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers are the workhorses of industrial marking and coding, used to print date codes, lot numbers, and barcodes on products moving at high speed on a production line. The pump is the core of the CIJ fluidics system, pressurizing the ink, driving it through the nozzle to create a continuous stream of droplets, and powering the vacuum gutter that recirculates unused ink. 

The Engineering Challenge 

The pump in a CIJ printer must be exceptionally reliable for continuous, 24/7 operation in an industrial environment. It must generate a stable, consistent pressure to ensure uniform droplet velocity, which is critical for accurate printing. The pump must be constructed from materials that are highly resistant to the aggressive solvents (like MEK) used in CIJ inks. Any pump failure immediately shuts down the coding process and, often, the entire production line, making reliability the single most important design criterion. 

The Thomas Solution

Thomas liquid pumps are engineered for the extreme reliability demanded by CIJ marking and coding. Our specialized chemically-resistant Liquid Diaphragm Pumps are designed to provide the stable pressure and long operational life these systems require. We work closely with CIJ OEMs to select wetted path materials that offer maximum compatibility with specific ink and solvent chemistries, preventing degradation and ensuring pump longevity. The robust construction of our pumps ensures they can withstand the rigors of a demanding factory environment, maximizing uptime for your customers.