Common construction material is plasterboard, often called wallboard, gypsum board, or drywall. It comprises soft sulfate mineral gypsum sandwiched between strong paper or fibreglass sheets.
This material is widely utilized to build ceilings and walls in homes, offices, and industries. Despite its affordability and versatility, printing may be challenging due to its unusual surface. So, let’s figure out how to overcome it here!
Curious about how the latest coding technologies can revolutionize your plasterboard production? Read on to discover actionable solutions for common challenges!
Challenges of Coding on Plasterboard Surfaces
As mentioned above, the surface of the board presents unique challenges for coding. Unlike smooth materials, it consists of layers of gypsum sandwiched between paper or fibreglass, often in dusty, high-temperature environments. This makes achieving clear and durable codes tricky. Here are some of the common challenges:
Environmental Challenges
Production lines for the board operate under harsh environments. Dust from gypsum and fibres, combined with heat and vibrations, can interfere with printing equipment. So, to ensure codes are legible and long-lasting, printers must be robust and resistant to dust and moisture.
Speed and Precision
Also, manufacturing lines often run at speeds of up to 200 meters per minute. Thus, coding machines must maintain resolution and accuracy. Historically, manufacturers had to choose between speed and code quality, but modern printers have bridged this gap.
Read About: Understanding Print Resolution and Code Readability for Food Products
Maintaining Code Quality at High Production Speeds
Because of all the problems above, plasterboard industries need high-resolution printing to ensure that every character, logo, or batch number is evident, even at speeds exceeding 200 meters per minute.
One alternative is to use advanced inkjet printers, which can print large-format, high-resolution documents at industrial speeds. These printers provide anti-smudge and fade-resistant codes even at high speeds.
Another method is to employ automation to decrease human error and ensure consistency. Features like unified data management allow printers to seamlessly switch between production lines, reducing waste and ensuring accurate codes every time.
Coding for Long-Lasting Traceability
Another need for gypsum board production is traceability. Codes must be readable throughout the product’s lifespan, including shipping and installation.
According to ASTM C1396 (The Standard Specification for Gypsum Board), plasterboard codes must contain the manufacture date, location, and batch numbers. These codes aid recalls quality inspections, and fire resistance.
As the solution for long-lasting coding, use high-quality inks. Modern inks withstand UV light, moisture, and abrasion, keeping codes intact in harsh situations.
Advances for Dusty Environments
As was already said, dust is always present in the process of making a plasterboard. To get around this problem, coding machines now have features that clean themselves and security that is rated IP66.
Modern ways of coding, like thermal inkjet and drop-on-demand (DOD) printers, are made to keep dust out. Their strong structure means they only need a little upkeep and keep working.
Some machines also have print heads that clean themselves and large ink tanks, which means they can be serviced less often. This means there are fewer problems and the production line can work better.
Choosing the Right Plasterboard Coding
Therefore, to guarantee optimum performance and endurance, it’s crucial to consider a number of key areas when choosing a coding solution for a gypsum board, including:
Graphic Requirements
First of all, one of the most essential features of a gypsum board coding system is the capacity to generate precise and clear graphics. High-resolution graphics not only ensure compliance with standards but also enhance the branding and professionalism of your products.
For instance, variable text such as batch numbers and static information like logos require different coding techniques, and the right system should cater to both.
Also, the printing system should allow flexibility for both graphic size and location. Advanced marking technologies allow for more significant or numerous graphics on both sides of the board. This flexibility provides quality across manufacturing lines and substrates.
Printing Equipment Features
High-speed production lines require coding systems that can keep up without compromising quality. Printing tools should provide constant outcomes even under demanding circumstances by delivering both speed and accuracy.
The efficiency of a system depends much on its features in resolution, output speed, and substrate compatibility. So, using durable inks is another crucial aspect. Maintaining code quality depends mainly on solvent-based inks that resist fading under UV radiation and dry fast.
Features like large-capacity ink tanks and automatic maintenance help the printing systems to reduce downtime and, therefore, limit disruptions and ensure seamless functioning of the machines.
When choosing a printer for plasterboard coding, consider factors like substrate compatibility, maintenance requirements, and total cost of ownership. Opt for systems with user-friendly interfaces to streamline operator training and minimize errors.
Printer Management System
Efficient management of your coding system ensures smooth production and consistent results. Handling many devices and production lines while reducing mistakes and waste calls for a centralized printer management solution.
An ideal system should allow high-resolution print heads and DOD to be smoothly integrated. It should enable operators to handle all printers from one interface, hence supporting centralized control. This guarantees consistent output across many sites or product kinds, therefore lowering the need for manual corrections.
Last but not least, an advanced management system can automatically populate templates with production information, streamlining changeovers between product runs. Features like ink usage monitoring and cost simulation further enhance operational efficiency, providing valuable insights into production costs.
So, choosing the right coding system for plasterboard involves more than just meeting basic requirements. For more details on selecting the right coding system for your business, see a complete list of thermal inkjet printers here.
Ready to optimize your plasterboard production process? Explore our range of high-performance thermal inkjet printers designed to meet your toughest coding challenges. Contact us today for expert guidance!
Read About: Coding and Marking: Ways to Optimize Efficiencies in Every Kinds of Product
Referensi:
https://www.domino-printing.com/en/blog/2023/coding-without-compromise-in-plasterboard-manufacturing
https://www.domino-printing.com/en/industries/industrial/boards/coding-onto-plasterboard
https://www.codico-distributors.com/blog/plasterboard-production-in-the-era-of-industry-4-0
https://matthewsmarking.com/app/uploads/2019/02/MMS_WhitePaper_GypsumIndustry_2019-P2.pdf
