Touch-screen print system streamlines JC’s operation

JC’s Quality Foods has developed an enviable reputation in the Australian nuts, dried fruit and snack food markets. From a one-van operation, established by founder and CEO Joe Cannatelli back in 1994, the business has grown substantially as its product range has expanded to meet the demands of a healthier Australian lifestyle and diet.

The company’s solid growth resulted in JC’s needing to streamline its packaging operation, and the despatch of cartons of product to retailers all over the country. Cannatelli said: “We needed to fully automate the packing line including carton printing. The operation involved filling a box on the line with product; printing the contents and other data on the carton side; the carton is then sealed and palletised ready for shipment.

“We looked at a number of different ink jet printing systems,” explained Cannatelli, “but felt Visy’s HSAjet TIPC XJ500 was the right one for the job. We put the Visy system through trials, and it was very easy to see that the printer did what Visy’s Steve Jowett claimed it would do.”

“JC’s Quality Foods wanted a remote control system which was located away from the operational area,” added Steve Jowett, General Manager Visy Technology Systems. “The HSAjet TIPC XJ500 is the most versatile real-time imaging system available. JC’s Quality Foods can have up to 4 x 70 mm XJ500 printheads and the unit comes with a fully-integrated ink system that can print graphics, bar codes, logos and time data on the cartons.”

JC’s and Visy worked closely together on how the system would be best integrated. JC’s Quality Foods now has a system that can deliver clean, crisp, bar codes when required and allows for further automation. “We use different-size cartons, so we needed simple adjustability, where we could move the print head according to the carton’s height. And naturally, we needed high reliability with nominal maintenance.

“One of the things we have noticed since installing the carton printer is that the operators love it. It’s probably the simplest piece of equipment we have ever put into the plant. It has integrated well into our automated line and offers us the opportunity to extend our data gathering in the months ahead. The running costs have also been a major attraction, along with completely trouble-free operation. Everything that Visy promised, they delivered.”