A

• Applications

  In industrial marking and coding, an application refers to the specific set of conditions under which a product or package must be marked. This includes factors such as the production environment (e.g., temperature, humidity, cleanliness), product or packaging shape and size, substrate material (e.g., plastic, glass, metal), line speed, and the type of code or information required (e.g., date codes, barcodes, logos). Understanding the application is essential for selecting the appropriate coding technology to help ensure reliable, legible, and compliant marks.

B

• Bag packaging

  Packaging solution using bags to contain and protect products, commonly used for food, powders, and small parts.

• Bagging machines

  Bagging machines automate the dosing and packaging of products like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and even hardware into sealed composite film bags. They streamline the filling and sealing process for a wide range of products.

• Barcode

  A barcode (sometimes called bar code) is a machine-readable, alphanumerical code represented by lines, bars, dots, or squares that stores product information such as expiry date, batch number, and processing date, enabling efficient traceability and data retrieval through optical readers. It can be printed in linear (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) formats, with 2D codes offering higher data storage capacity.

• Barcode label printers

  Devices that print barcodes onto adhesive labels for application on products, packaging, or pallets, enabling inventory and tracking systems.

• Batch number

  An identifier assigned to a group of products made together, used to trace production history and manage recalls.

• Best before date stamp machine

  Equipment used to apply best-before dates on packaging, helping ensure consumers are aware of product freshness.

• Blister packaging

  A packaging method using pre-formed plastic and backing material, often used for small items like pharmaceuticals.

• Bottle filling lines

  A series of automated machines that work together to fill, cap, and label bottles in a production setting, optimizing speed and consistency.

• Bottle filling machine

  Machines that automate the process of filling bottles in a production line, optimizing speed and consistency.

• Bottle filling machines

  Multiple machines in a line or production process that handle bottle filling, capping, labeling, and sealing.

C

• Carton labeler

  Machine that automates the process of applying labels to cartons, and is essential for efficient packaging and product identification.

• Cartoning applications

  Various uses of cartoning machines to package products in cardboard boxes, frequently for retail-ready items.

• Cartoning machine

  Equipment that forms, fills, and seals cartons, automating the packaging process for boxed products.

• CO₂ laser engraving

  Engraving technology using a CO₂ laser to permanently mark surfaces, suitable for glass, wood, and some plastics.

• Conveyor belt

  A continuous belt used to transport products through various stages of production, packaging, or inspection.

D

• Date coders

  Machines that print production or expiration dates on products, critical for compliance and consumer information.

• Direct part marking

  Direct Part Marking (DPM) is a highly reliable method of permanently applying traceable identification directly onto the surface of a part or product. Using techniques such as laser etching, inkjet printing, or dot peen, DPM ensures critical data—like serial numbers, barcodes, or QR codes—remains intact throughout the part's lifecycle, even in harsh environments. Commonly used in industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical devices.

E

• Expiry date

  The last date on which a product is safe or effective to use. Essential for food, pharmaceuticals, and perishable goods.

• Extruder machines

  Equipment that shapes materials by forcing them through a die. Commonly used for plastic, metal, or food production.

• Extrusion

  The process of shaping material through a die to create continuous shapes. Used in manufacturing pipes, films, wires, and more.

F

• Form, fill, and seal (FFS) machines

  An automated packaging machine that forms a package, fills it with a product, and seals it closed, all in one continuous process.

• Fiber laser engraving

  A method using fiber lasers to create high-resolution, durable marks on hard materials like metals and plastics.

• Filling lines

  Production lines dedicated to filling containers with products. Often found in food, beverage, and personal care industries.

• Film packaging

  Packaging solution using thin plastic films to wrap or contain products, commonly used for food and consumer goods.

• Flexible product packaging

  Packaging made from flexible materials that can change shape, suitable for products like snacks and liquids.

• Flow wrap machine

  Machinery that wraps products in a continuous roll of film, sealing them in single-serving packages or retail-ready packs.

• Food grade labels

  Labels made with safe, FDA-compliant materials suitable for direct contact with food products.

• Food packaging

  Packaging designed specifically for food products to ensure safety, freshness, and compliance with regulations.

• Forming machines

  Equipment that shapes raw materials into specific forms, essential in various packaging and manufacturing applications.

G

• GS1 DataMatrix

  A GS1 DataMatrix is a type of 2D barcode that encodes data using GS1 global standards, enabling the secure and standardized identification of products across the supply chain. It can contain a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) along with additional information such as expiration dates, batch/lot numbers, and serial numbers, all within a compact, square symbol. This code is especially useful for small or curved packaging, and is widely used in pharmaceutical, medical device, and food industries for traceability and regulatory compliance.

H

• Hot stamping machines

  Machines that use heat and pressure to transfer a design from a die (or type) onto a surface, usually using metallic or pigmented foil.

I

• Industrial labeling machine

  Heavy-duty automated equipment designed to apply labels to products or packaging, often used in large-scale packaging.

• Inkjet printing systems

  Printing systems that use inkjet technology to apply information directly onto products or packaging with high speed and flexibility.

J

K

L

• Labeling systems

  Integrated systems that apply labels to products or packaging, often including print-and-apply and pre-printed label applications.

• Efficient Case Coding and Labeling Solutions for Improved Traceability and Quality Control

• Laser engraver machine

  Equipment that uses lasers to etch or engrave permanent marks onto surfaces, providing detailed and durable markings.

• Laser etching machine

  A machine that uses a laser to create shallow, precise markings on materials, often for codes or traceability.

M

• Modified atmospheric packaging

  Packaging technique that replaces air with gases to extend the shelf life of perishable products.

N

• Nutritional table

  Information table on packaging that details the nutritional content of food products, required in many regions.

O

• Other printing systems

  A broad category of machines or methods used to print codes, text, or images on products and packaging beyond inkjet and laser.

P

• Packaging lines

  Automated production lines where products are packed into their final containers, sealed, and prepared for distribution.

• Pallet labeling

  The process of applying labels to pallets of products, often to support inventory management and logistics tracking.

• Plastic packaging

  Packaging made of plastic materials, used for durability and product protection across many industries.

• Pre packaging

  The preparation of products in packaging prior to final handling, distribution, or sale.

• Pressure sensitive labels

  Labels with an adhesive backing that stick when pressure is applied, without the need for heat or solvents.

• Product coding

  Applying unique codes to products to support tracking, traceability, and quality control in the production process.

• Product labeling

  The act of applying labels to products, providing consumers with brand, ingredient, and regulatory information.

• Product marking

  The process of adding identification marks directly onto products, used for tracking, compliance, and brand protection.

• Product traceability

  The ability to track the origin, location, and movement of products through the distribution chain, crucial for quality control.

• Product tracking

  Monitoring the location and movement of products in a production or distribution network, aiding in logistics and quality assurance.

• Product tracking traceability

  Combining tracking and traceability to provide comprehensive oversight of a product's life cycle and quality history.

• Production lines

  The sequence of machinery and equipment used in manufacturing to produce, package, and prepare products for distribution.

• Products packaged In fillers

  Items that are packaged using filler machines, which contain and automatically dispense products like liquids or powders into the package.

Q

• QR Code

  A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a type of 2D barcode capable of storing a large amount of data in a compact, square format. In the marking and coding industry, QR codes are used to encode information such as URLs, product details, traceability data, batch numbers, and promotional content, making them ideal for both consumer engagement and supply chain visibility. They are readable by smartphones and industrial scanners, and can be printed on a wide range of substrates using inkjet, laser, or thermal transfer technologies.

R

S

• Semi and automatic carton labelers

  Machines for labeling cartons, available in semi-automatic or fully automatic versions, depending on production needs.

• Shrink wrap and shrink sleeve labels

  Packaging methods using heat to conform plastic film tightly around products, often used for branding and protection.

T

• Thermoforming machines

  Equipment that uses heat to mold plastic into specific shapes, commonly for packaging trays, lids, and containers.

• Tubular bag

  A packaging type used for a wide variety of goods that encloses products in a tube shape, typically sealed at both ends.

U

• Unique Device Identification (UDI)

  A unique identifier for medical devices, combining static product details with dynamic production data like batch numbers or expiration dates. It must appear on the product in both plain text and a machine-readable format, typically using codes like DataMatrix, GS1-128, or Code 128.

V

• Vacuum packaging machines

  Machines that remove air from packaging and then seal it, extending the shelf life of perishable goods.

• Vacuum sealer

  A machine that vacuums out air before sealing packaging, often used to preserve freshness in food packaging.

• Vacuum sealers

  Multiple vacuum-sealing machines, typically used in food and industrial packaging, to prevent spoilage and protect products.

• Vacuum wrappers

  Machines that remove air from packaging, typically plastic bags or containers, and then seal them to create a vacuum-sealed environment.

• Variable data printing

  Printing technology that allows for unique, variable information on each item, such as serial numbers or barcodes.

W

• Wraparound labels

  Labels that fully wrap around a product or container, commonly used for bottles and cylindrical packaging for 360° branding.