Domino boosts continuous ink jet range with launch of A-Series plus

Domino Printing Sciences plc, the global ink jet and laser solutions provider, has announced the launch of the A-Series plus range of continuous ink jet (CIJ) printers – a coding solution offering new features to help manufacturers achieve increased production efficiencies. The launch comes as part of Domino’s larger corporate initiative, known as the plus Program, which comprises a whole series of new products and services across its product portfolio.

Building on the established heritage and proven reliability of Domino’s flagship A-Series, the easy-to-use A-Series plus meets current market requirements for a robust and dependable CIJ solution that improves overall equipment effectiveness and availability. The A-Series plus range comprises the A100 , A200 and A300 variants which, in conjunction with Domino’s vast and diverse ink range, offer quality ink jet printing from basic coding requirements to tough industrial applications in harsh environments.

The A-Series plus prints up to four lines of code text, logos, automatic serial or batch numbering and real-time clocks, and is also complimented by Domino’s flexible TotalCare plus program – a new range of managed support services and products that allows manufacturers to choose the best support model from fully outsourced to a self-sufficient approach.

Integral to the A-Series plus range are new networking features that grant access to a built in web server by using a standard Internet browser. This delivers remote management capabilities for monitoring areas such as message selection, system status, alerts & alarms, ink levels, production counts and service due dates.

The A-Series plus includes Ethernet Communications Protocol as standard, offering greater control as printers can be networked locally or enterprise wide. Increased efficiency is also enjoyed by such network connectivity, thanks to the A-Series plus’ capability to send e-mail alerts to operators, enabling instant notification of line stoppages or advance warning of service dates to avoid unplanned downtime.

Brian Colligan, Domino product manager for the A-Series plus, commented, ‘Following significant investment and intensive consultation with users, Domino has harnessed almost thirty years of ink jet technology excellence to bring the A-Series plus to market. The result is a package that offers proven reliability with the highest level of networking and connectivity capabilities to provide users with an efficient and flexible solution for their coding requirements.’

The A-Series plus achieves its foremost objectives of sustaining uptime and improving manageability, with a number of productivity enhancing features. Set up time is reduced, thanks to a new USB port, which allows printer configurations to be changed easily via movement of printers between different production lines. At the same time, printed messages can be managed with a standard USB key, which eliminates operator error and reduces rejects.

In addition, the A-Series plus is geared towards minimal operator intervention to further avoid performance issues. An improved user interface increases accuracy and eliminates costly training overheads by guaranteeing simplicity and ease of use, while installation is assisted by familiar set-up wizards that reduce the chance of error. Downtime is also avoided by the printer’s large volume ink system which decreases the need for consumable changes. Ink supplies can be replaced cleanly and easily during printing, thereby preventing interruptions to production.

As part of its new plus range, Domino has also launched a new set of support products and services specifically designed for A-Series plus users. Comprising a flexible set of modules, which include start up training, maintenance and technical support, TotalCare plus provides customers with a predictable cost of ownership and ensures high equipment effectiveness over a long period.