Easyprint has released a new generation of thermal transfer printers for high-speed applications. Able to be integrated into any production line with marking needs, its third generation Communicator has been introduced at Interpack 2002 in Germany.

Communicator has been developed for online printing of variable real-time data, logos, etc with a high print quality and less maintenance.

Easyprint Communicator is said to be the first thermal transfer printer based on Windows CE software. The CE software is installed onto an industrial PC that ensures rapid communication to the printer and external databases, as well as other industrial equipment such as digital scales and dosage equipment.

The industrial PC comes standard with a 64MB flash drive on which all layouts can be saved. This feature ensures that the user can design all prints on an isolated workstation and save all the finished layouts onto a standard compact flashcard.Another aim of Communicator is to reduce production stoppages, but while using longer ribbon rolls in a thermal transfer printer means fewer stoppages, the problem is that a 1km ribbon would burden a printer's mechanical parts more than a 450m ribbon.

Communicator's steppermotor, which draws and brakes the ribbon, has been replaced with a steppermotor that controls the 1km ribbon roll even at maximum speeds. It preserves the advantage of being able to print during acceleration as well as deceleration.

With a maximum speed of 1600mm/sec, users will be able to follow future developments in packaging machines. Communicator can cover an area up to 128mm wide by 5800mm long. It comes with a 5.7" LCD touch-screen and has an accessible menu structure. It also has an integrated online help manual