The construction industry requires traceability as much as durability. From brick to concrete, from tiles to terrazzo, building materials not only bear physical weight but also form part of the brand, quality control processes, and logistics chain. Therefore, branding carries not only aesthetic but also functional value.
Printing clear, permanent, and readable information on porous and challenging surfaces like brick, concrete, and tile requires both technical expertise and the right equipment. Electrojet Technology supports industry professionals in overcoming this challenge with inkjet and laser coding solutions specifically developed for building materials.
Why is Coding Necessary for Building Materials?
Traceability, an essential component of advanced production processes, is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry. Information regarding each product's production date, batch number, origin, and quality certification are critical for both the logistics chain and after-sales processes.
Especially in large construction projects, instant access to information about the production location and time of structural elements arriving at the construction site provides a significant advantage in quality management and auditing processes. Coding also plays a key role in brand visibility, distributor control, and combating counterfeit products.
Challenges Encountered in Coding on Brick and Concrete
Brick and concrete surfaces, with their rough, dusty, and absorbent properties, are unsuitable for most traditional coding systems. Print on these surfaces must be durable, smudge-proof, and resistant to external factors. Furthermore, the production environment, often open, dusty, and hot, also necessitates device durability.
Electrojet's inkjet systems deliver crisp, clear prints using pigment-based inks specifically formulated for these types of surfaces. Pigmented inks adhere to the surface, preventing smudging, and optimized drying times eliminate production delays.
Coding is typically applied to the product's short edge, top surface, or visible during transport. Clear and permanent print, as well as readable from a distance, are crucial. Therefore, parameters such as font type, print density, and character height must be carefully determined before production.
Tiles and Ceramic Products: Both Durable and Delicate
Tile and ceramic surfaces generally have a smoother and shinier texture. While this may seem advantageous for coding, it can also make it harder for ink to adhere. Ink smudging or smearing is a common problem, especially on glazed surfaces.
Electrojet's high-resolution inkjet systems provide excellent contrast and permanence with solvent-based inks on ceramic surfaces. Ink type, as well as production line speed and temperature, also affect print quality. Therefore, it's crucial that the device is suitable for construction sites or factory environments, is dust-proof, and has an automatic cleaning system.
Some manufacturers may also wish to laser mark tiles. However, this process requires low-power, precisely calibrated laser systems to avoid damaging the surface. Otherwise, the ceramic may crack or the aesthetic appearance of the surface may be compromised.
Industry-Specific Smart Coding with Electrojet
Electrojet Technology offers marking solutions for the construction industry, providing not only technical equipment but also industry-specific consulting services. Details such as the area to be coded, the type of ink to be used, and the positioning of the devices are determined by examining your production line.
Electrojet devices can also integrate with ERP and inventory management systems. This allows for digital recording of every product produced, providing instant access to product history via barcode or QR code. This provides a significant advantage in digital transformation and quality control in the construction industry.
Smart Solutions for Difficult Surfaces
Coding is an integral part of manufacturing for building materials like brick, concrete, and tile. Using the right technology, branding simplifies product tracking, enhances brand strength, and makes quality processes visible.
Electrojet offers smart answers to the needs of the construction industry with durable and readable coding solutions suitable for challenging surface conditions. No matter how hard the surface, the solution lies in soft hands.
