Norwood Marking Systems (itwnorwood.com) announces the global launch of two new thermal transfer printers designed for the unique challenges of emerging markets and entry-level variable print applications. The new systems combine quality print with up to 40% cost savings and true real-time, variable Unicode performance in over 125 languages.

The newest members of Norwood´s new XL line of thermal transfer systems, the 53XLc and 25 XLi provide quality, variable print performance on vertical and horizontal form fill and seal (VFFS & HFFS) packaging lines. Barcodes/2D data matrix codes, sell by/expiration dates, lot/ batch numbers, production date/ time, source codes, and other variable information can be printed on a wide variety of different packaging substrates including bags, pillow packs, bottles/vials, cartons, trays, blister packs, sachets and envelope packs.

The 25XLi

The 25XLi utilizes miniature ribbon for precise printing in small areas at up to 40% cost savings compared to alternative 53mm thermal transfer systems. This cost-efficiency makes the 25XLi comparable in pricing to hot stamp date coding technologies but with all the added benefits of variable, digital print making the system an ideal entry-level variable print technology. The system provides a print height of up to 32 x 40 mm.

The 53XLc

The 53XLc provides a new continuous print alternative for vertical and horizontal form fill and seal (VFFS & HFFS) packaging lines. The system is extremely cost-effective, up to 35% less expensive than traditional thermal printer technologieswithout compromising print or system quality. The 53XLc features a special ribbon-save mechanism that ensures minimum gaps between labels, resulting in up to a 50% reduction in ribbon waste dependent on application.

True Unicode Performance, Flexible Features & Value Added Services

The Norwood XL series consists of four thermal transfer printers (53XLc, 25XLi, 53XL80u and 53XL40u ) that all feature highly durable, industrial designs with up to 600 meters of ribbon capacity for extended use with minimal downtime. All four systems provide high-speed printing of up to 450 prints per minute at 5mm print height with true Unicode performance, flexible features and important value added services.

True Unicode Printing With Multi-Language User Interface
While many thermal transfer technologies advertise that they are ‘Unicode-ready’ they often mean that language characters are used as locked images. This is not the same as true real-time, variable print Unicode capabilities. 

Norwood´s XL printers were specially designed to provide real-time and dynamic date coding, offset calculation, counter, formula and variable field printing in over 125 languages. Dual interior processors (one for printing and one for external communications) ensure high-speed performance despite the complexities of real time variable printing in many languages.

In addition, the printer’s iView user interface can be configured in ten standard different languages (English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, Swedish, Korean, Russian and Arabic). Additional user-interface languages are regularly added to this list and specific languages can be added on request. 

Flexible Features

The XL series was designed with a number of highly customizable features to ensure optimized performance in a wide variety of industrial environments. Users can select between 3 inch (handheld), 7 inch and 10.4 inch (desktop) control units with varying performance capabilities. iView color touch screens feature user-friendly graphical interfaces for convenient multi-printer operation. Dual processors, Ethernet and USB connectivity ensure high speed performance.  Hundreds of standard frame options are available and supported by custom frame capabilities. There are also a variety of software options including Codesoft and Norwood’s own a:design, a software platform designed for optimal performance with XL series printers. Custom software is also available and the user interface is designed to make upgrades seamless.

Value-Added Services

XL printers feature an elegantly simple and durable design which ensures simple installation. Norwood provides training and installation support worldwide at customer venues or at one of their in-house facilities.  Norwood also has advanced expertise in film chemistry and provides complimentary support in helping users select the optimal film/ribbon material for each unique application.

 The 53XLc and 25XLi were first presented by Norwood´s sister company Allen Coding in Hall 12 Booth E51 of Interpack 2014 (May 8-14, Dusseldorf, Germany). The systems are sold by Allen Coding throughout Europe, the Middle East and in Asia by Diagraph Malaysia.  The systems are sold by Norwood in North and South America.