Why drinks lines can't afford coding downtime

Drinks production lines are being pushed harder than ever. Increasing product variants and tighter schedules mean that there is little tolerance for interruption.

From the moment the ingredients arrive to when finished products leave the door, reliability has become critical, with coding and marking playing a key role in keeping lines running. From afterthought to priority Codes applied to glass, plastic and cans are essential for product traceability and brand confidence. Yet on many drinks’ lines, coding is still treated as an afterthought, rather than a core part of line design. In tough production environments, this lax approach often exposes weaknesses. Damp conditions, regular washdowns and condensation all pile on the pressure for equipment to perform. This is why drinks manufacturers are beginning to look closer at coding and marking systems, delving into their capabilities and design to understand how they perform in real production conditions. Greater attention is being given to reliability and the ability to maintain a high print quality throughout an entire shift. Reducing downtime through design Recent developments in continuous inkjet (CIJ), including those seen in LEIBINGER systems, reflect this shift through design choices that address common causes of downtime.

One example is LEIBINGER’s fully automatic nozzle seal, which keeps ink contained at the nozzle during periods of inactivity, reducing the likelihood of start-up issues when production resumes. For drinks lines with frequent changeovers or short stoppages, this can make a noticeable difference to day-to-day line stability.

Coding is a core part of line efficiency.

Coding must also work seamlessly with the rest of the line. Filling, closing, labelling and packing operations all influence how effectively a code is applied. Poor product presentation or unsteady containers can compromise legibility, risking rejects and unnecessary halts in production.

Feeding and handling therefore play an important part in reliable coding, particularly on high-speed drinks lines or where multiple formats are run. Quality control requirements continue to evolve, and coding and marking is no longer just the final step on the line. When integrated properly, it supports efficiency across the wider process, helping products move from fill to final pack without unnecessary disruption. We work closely alongside drinks manufacturers to specify and supply coding and marking solutions that can take whatever the environment has to throw at them. By taking a practical wide lens view, we ensure coding supports uptime rather than becoming a point of disruption.

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