Print Solutions
Mimaki has announced a new development in the Internet of Things (IoT) with its Digital Printing Connection, which aims to help users incorporate Mimaki printers to production lines for unattended on-demand production and mass customisation through communication with robots, conveyor belts, inspection devices, sensors and other peripheral equipment.
The first two solutions to be introduced within this new development are MDL commands and Mimaki Job Controller.
MDL commands are used to control Mimaki printers from customer production systems and through peripheral devices. They manage printer operation including commencing print production and adjusting the position and height of the print substrate table. They also provide information on remaining ink amounts and errors from the printer side.
Mimaki Job Controller is software that communicates with the printer for transmission of optimal printing data and printing conditions. It also automatically starts production, connects a printer and a robot in a production line to feed print jobs using a conveyor and collects the printed items after printing.
Bert Benckhuysen, product manager at Mimaki Europe, explained: ‘The Digital Printing Connection enables unmanned operation. It helps simplify and streamline processes by allowing printers that mostly act as stand-alone systems to be connected to peripheral equipment. The approach supports on-demand production and mass customisation.’
For customers using MDL commands, an optimum system can be built using Mimaki’s Software Development Kit, which is available for download from the Mimaki Global website.
