New technologies for printing cartons

Domino UK has recently installed A200 inkjet printers into Astra Zeneca's Macclesfield facility for coding variable data onto its tablet cartons. The printers are replacing embossing on existing lines and, as new products are launched, AZ is installing Domino's Sator scribing lasers, from its subsidiary Sator Laser, on the new production lines. The high speed scribing laser come with validation documentation and 21CFR Part 11 compliant ready software.

Yinka Oyinloye, AZ's packaging engineering technologist at Macclesfield, said: 'The lines run a double shift, five days a week, with each running at 200 cartons/minute, and throughput reliability is vital.

'To meet GMP we code and record variable data, including expiry dates and lot numbers. We have 13 A200 inkjets that have reduced set-up times, while the Sators give much cleaner and reliable coding.'