WCA September 2024

Technology News

The hidden costs of industrial printing

Coding and marking specialist Leibinger is often asked how customers can reduce printing costs. The response can be surprising, as it includes costs that may not have been considered. The company has detailed six ways that printers cost money, and how to reduce total cost. Downtime: the cost that is most often overlooked when talking about coding and marking. Downtime can be created by poor print quality as well as by poor printer performance. Some conventional printers need cleaning between pauses in production, meaning the production line sits idle: some printers can take up to 20 minutes to stabilise before they are ready to print again. Leibinger’s printer technology keeps unused ink in a 100 per cent airtight system, so it does not dry out or clog, and production is not held up for cleaning. Maintenance: keeping machines serviced and in good working order can be a significant part of the overall cost. The approach of some printing solution providers revolves around the wholesale replacement of ink core modules – the entire hydraulic system – at predetermined time intervals. However, Leibinger’s IQJET is manufactured using durable, high-quality components and a product design that minimises wear and tear, allowing it to be maintenance-free for five years, removing this cost altogether. Maintenance and spare parts policies should be a primary question, as they can constitute a significant long-term cost factor. Labour: given current labour shortages, it is important to consider the time cost of people – how long operators spend setting up or cleaning printers, or re-programming them between jobs. Printers that are easy to install, manage and configure, with remote control options, for example, will cost less in the long run. Such features are included in Leibinger printers. The IQJET’s drag-and-drop interface and simple print-job creation process are intuitive, requiring no extensive employee training.

Leibinger’s Total Cost of Ownership Calculator can identify hidden costs and calculate individual savings

front cost of equipment, although this is typically less than 30 per cent of the total costs. A high-quality, reliable brand will cost more. Higher speeds and more features also add to the cost, so the best way to economise is to ensure you do not pay for things you do not need. Consumables: reducing the amount of ink and solvent used will reduce costs. Leibinger states that its latest printers have one of the lowest consumption ratings on the market, at 2.7ml of solvent per hour for MEK inks (competing products typically consume between 6 and 10ml per hour). The company’s ink cartridges are emptied down to the last drop and do not require separate disposal. Power: energy prices remain high, so the power required to run printers is an important factor. Costs can be reduced by choosing equipment with a low wattage rating, such as the new IQJET, which draws only 36W. While it is useful to know the different ways that printers cost money, Leibinger’s Total Cost of Ownership Calculator can quickly provide the numbers to show exactly how much could be saved. The calculator is available on the company’s website, at: https://leibinger-group.com/intelligent-inkjet/tco Paul Leibinger GmbH & Co KG www.leibinger-group.com

Purchase price: the most obvious cost of printing is the up

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September 2024