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Direct Tube Marker Direct Tube Marker
Direct Tube Marker Direct Tube Marker
Direct Tube Marker Direct Tube Marker

Direct Tube Marker

Designed to directly print text, linear barcodes, 2D codes and graphics on tubes using patent-pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology. An Azenta Life Sciences product. For more information please visit azenta.com

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Overview

The Direct Tube Marker allows printing directly onto the surface of plastic laboratory tubes between 6 mm - 30 mm in diameter.

There is no need for using labels or marker pens. Marking is resistant to ethanol, isopropanol, water, DMSO*, liquid nitrogen and mechanical abrasion. The prints are also stable over a wide temperature range (-196 °C to 100 °C). Markings do not transfer when touching the tubes.

Several lines of text can be printed, for example: sample name, sampling site, your name, date and time etc. All TrueType fonts available on the connected computer can be printed in a range of different sizes, which determines the maximum printable content. Bold and italic type is also available.

The instrument can also print linear barcodes, datamatrix (2D) codes and graphic files (monochrome .bmp, .gif or .tiff) such as logos. Print orientation can be vertical or horizontal (except for barcodes which print vertically only).

The Direct Tube Marker includes an Automatic Printing Delay feature, where the instrument is able to detect the presence of a tube and automatically prints the next label entry in the software. This feature makes printing to the tube surface much easier and faster than marking by hand.

 

Benefits

  • No more smudged, illegible writing on tubes!

  • No more disappearing labelling after each ethanol wash step!

  • No more fiddling with tiny labels!

  • Clean, fuss-free and durable labelling of all common tube formats with the Direct Tube Marker!


* The blue ribbon is resistant to 70% DMSO, the black and white ribbons are 100% DMSO resistant.

An Azenta Life Sciences product. For more information please visit azenta.com

Instrument Features

  • Prints directly on the surface of plastic laboratory tubes - labels and stickers are not required

  • Most 0.2 ml - 50 ml volume tubes with a smooth surface can be used

  • Both vertical and horizontal markings are producible

  • Prints text, linear barcodes, datamatrix (2D) codes and graphic files (monochrome .bmp, .gif or .tiff) such as logos

  • Automatic Printing Delay for increased throughput and easier functionality

  • Labels printed in seconds

  • Easy import of data from Microsoft® Excel such as .xls, .xlsx and .csv files

  • Optimized tube settings can be saved for future reference

  • Adjustable tube support platform for tubes without a lip / collar or for altering the label position

  • Adjustable sled pivot point improves overall print quality for larger labels and tubes; the added visual reference optimises pressure point and increases print reproducibility

 

Printing Quality

  • Clearer and more durable marking compared to marker pen

  • Marking is resistant to ethanol (70%), isopropanol (70%), methanol (>98.5%), DMSO*, pure haematoxylin, liquid nitrogen, water and mechanical abrasion**

  • Marking is temperature resistant up to 100 °C and down to -196 °C (liquid nitrogen)

  • Patent pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology

 

Economic Efficiency

  • A 300 m ink ribbon can be used to mark up to 100,000 tubes*** - competitive “per mark” cost

 

Equipment

  • Black, white and metallic blue ink ribbons are available for clear printing on all tube colours and tubes with dark coloured content

  • Changing the ink ribbon is quick and easy

  • Multiple adapters are available to accommodate a wide range of tubes on the market

 


* The blue ribbon is resistant to 70% DMSO, the black and white ribbons are 100% DMSO resistant.

** Marking is not resistant to xylene and moderately resistant to acetone.

*** Depending on horizontal dimensions of the print, e.g. when printing a 6 x 6 mm 2D code, one ribbon is sufficient for 50,000 prints.
 

 

Example Prints

Direct Tube Marker Exemplary Prints

 

Prints Per Ribbon

The maximum number of prints per ribbon depends on the width of the print. There is a 3 mm gap generated after every print, no matter the size of label or the orientation of the text. This is to ensure fresh ribbon is available for the next print.

1. When printing text in vertical orientation, the width of print varies according to the number of lines, the font size and the font type. Reducing the font size and number of lines to be printed, increases the number of prints achievable from one ribbon. To calculate the number of tubes that can be printed from one ribbon (assuming the label size/data remains constant), the following parameters need to be considered:

  • Number of lines (the width of the print will be the same with each line, the number of characters in one line doesn't affect the number of prints achievable)
  • Font type
  • Font size
 
 

Direct Tube Marker Vertical Prints Per Ribbon Comparison Table

 

2. When printing text in horizontal orientation, the dimensions vary with the font size, the font type and most importantly, with the number of characters in each line.
Reducing the font size and number of characters to be printed in one line, increases the number of prints achievable from one ribbon.
To calculate the number of tubes that can be printed from one ribbon (assuming the label size/data remains constant), the following parameters need to be considered:

  • Number of characters (the width of the print will vary with the length of the text and thus affects the number of prints achievable. The number of lines doesn’t
    affect the number of prints achievable)
  • Font type
  • Font size

Direct Tube Marker Horizontal Prints Per Ribbon Comparison Table

 

Direct Tube Marker Ribbons - Resistance & Compatibility

Metallic blue, white and black ink ribbons are available to print on all kind of tube colors and tubes with dark colored content. Choose the ribbon colour that gives the best contrast to the tube colour and the color of the tube content respectively.

Direct Tube Marker Ribbon Resistance

Tube Compatibility

The standard Direct Tube Marker package contains tube adapters with hole diameters of 8.5, 11.5 and 12.7 mm. These adapters are compatible with the most common centrifuge and cryogenic tubes; 1.5 ml/2 ml tubes (4ti-0681, hole diameter 11.5 mm), 2D cluster tubes (4ti-0683, hole diameter 8.5 mm) and cryogenic tubes (4ti-0684, hole diameter 12.7 mm).

The integrated adjustable tube support platform and magnetic pole attachment should be used to support tubes without a "lip" or external cap. The applicable tube adapter should be used for alignment.

Additional tube adapters are available to support a wider range of tubes available on the market. Most notably, for blood and vacutainer tubes, as well as 15 ml and 50 ml falcon tubes. Custom adapters are also available on request.

The table below shows some exemplary tubes that have been tested for optimal print quality on the Direct Tube Marker. Click on the image to access the full length compatibility table.

Now also available from 4titude: 1.5 and 2.0 ml Microcentrifuge Tubes with frosted window and flat, safe-lock cap.

The frosted writing field on 4titude® microcentrifuge tubes is perfectly suited for use with the Direct Tube Marker, with a much finer and smoother frosting, allowing for great printing results both within and across the window. The frosted writing window of original Eppendorf tubes yields unreliable print quality and is almost impossible to print across the window due to a “step” in the frosted window (frosted surface height not flush with clean surface) resulting ribbon tears.

 

Direct Tube Marker Tube Ribbon Compatibility Table

Technical Specifications

Dimensions (W x L x H)

270 x 280 x 122 mm

Weight

4.8 kg

Printing area height

6 - 40 mm*

Text orientation

Vertical or horizontal

Max. number of printing rows

8*

Power supply

V in: AC 100-240 V
V out: 18 V DC
I out: 1 A

Computer interface

USB 2.0


*Dependent on tube size. Prints to straight part of tubes only.

Related Documents

Links below redirect to the Azenta Life Sciences website

TubeMarker™ 2 Flyer

TubeMarker™ 2 Operation Manual

TubeMarker™ 2 TroubleShooting Form

 

Videos

TubeMarker™ 2 - Introduction

Watch this short video and learn more about the new TubeMarker™ 2 - the ideal solution to directly print text, linear barcodes, 2D codes and graphics on an increased range of plastic laboratory tubes.

 

TubeMarker™ - How to Insert a Ribbon

Our third TubeMarker™ "How to" video guide is here! This 45 second video outlines how to easily insert a new ribbon into the TubeMarker™.

 

TubeMarker™ - How to Print on Frozen Tubes

We're introducing "How to" video guides for our TubeMarker™! Starting with "How to Print on Frozen Tubes" - This 30 second video will teach you the basics of printing on frozen tubes.

TubeMarker™ - How to Scan Barcodes

Our fourth TubeMarker™ "How to" video guide has arrived! This 35 second                    video outlines how to easily scan your barcodes, along with some helpfu                          l tips about operating TubeMarker™.

 

TubeMarker™ - How to Print on Frosted Tubes

It's time for our second TubeMarker™ "How to" video guide. This 50 second                  video outlines the key techniques of printing on frosted tubes.

 

Our Quick Guide to the TubeMarker™

The 4titude® TubeMarker™ is designed to directly print text, linear barcodes,                    2D codes and graphics on plastic laboratory tubes. This quick guide video                    shows an overview of the features and designs of the TubeMarker™ 

Part Number

Description

4ti-0680-1

Includes: 3 x tube adapters (4ti-0681, 4ti-0683 and 4ti-0684); power supply; power adapters for UK, EU and USA; magnetic support pole adapter (4ti-0680-084); allen key (4ti-0680-088); USB A-B cable, manual, TubeMarker™ software (on USB-Stick), 12 months warranty; 1 unit