TubeMarker¢â 2
Designed to directly print text, linear barcodes, 2D codes and graphics on tubes using patent pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology
Available in the following colours
Product Information
Clear - Flexible - Durable
Designed to directly print text, linear barcodes, 2D codes and graphics on plastic laboratory tubes using patent pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology
- Prints directly on the surface of tubes from 0.2 ml to 50 ml - Labels or stickers are not required
- Clearer and more durable marking compared to marker pen - Consistently legible text and barcodes at high resolutions
- Resistant to alcohol, water, liquid nitrogen, DMSO and mechanical abrasion - Long lasting sample identification at competitive ¡°per mark¡± cost
The TubeMarker¢â 2 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 ¡ÆC to 100 ¡ÆC). 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 TubeMarker¢â 2 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.
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 |
* The blue ribbon is resistant to 70% DMSO, the black and white ribbons are 100% DMSO resistant.
**Dependent on tube size. Prints to straight part of tubes only.
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 TubeMarker¢â 2!
Features
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¢ç Excel such as .xls, .xlsx and .csv files
- Optimised 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
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 ¡ÆC and down to -196 ¡ÆC (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.
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:
- A. 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)
- B. Font type
- C. Font size
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:
- A. 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)
- B. Font type
- C. Font size
TubeMarker¢â 2 Ribbons - Resistance & Compatibility
Metallic blue, white and black ink ribbons are available to print on all kind of tube colours and tubes with dark coloured content. Choose the ribbon colour that gives the best contrast to the tube colour and the colour of the tube content respectively.
Tube Compatibility
The standard TubeMarker¢â 2 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 TubeMarker¢â 2. 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¢ç microcentrifuge tubes is perfectly suited for use with the TubeMarker¢â, 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.
4titude¢ç approves/disapproves the compatibility of a wide range of tubes available on the market according to internal print testing standards. 4titude¢ç cannot be held liable for the quality of the tubes or potential differences in manufacturing which may have an adverse effect on print quality.
Ordering
TubeMarker¢â 2Designed to directly print text, linear barcodes, 2D codes and graphics on tubes using patent pending Thermal Pixel Printing technology |
Code |
Description |
Quantity |
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¢â software (on USB-Stick), 12 months warranty |
1 |
Accessories |
4ti-0681* |
Tube Adapter for 1.5 ml/2 ml tubes, hole diameter 11.5 mm |
1 |
4ti-0682 |
Tube Adapter for 0.5 ml tubes, hole diameter 8.5 mm |
1 |
4ti-0683* |
Tube Adapter for 2D cluster tubes, hole diameter 8.5 mm |
1 |
4ti-0684* |
Tube Adapter for cryo tubes, hole diameter 12.7 mm |
1 |
4ti-0685-1 |
Tube Adapter for 2 ml screw cap tubes, hole diameter 10.4 mm |
1 |
4ti-0685-2 |
Tube Adapter for 15 ml tubes, hole diameter 18 mm |
1 |
4ti-0685-3 |
Tube Adapter for 50 ml tubes, hole diameter 30 mm |
1 |
4ti-0685-4 |
Tube Adapter for Matrix tubes, hole diameter 8.2 mm |
1 |
4ti-0685-5 |
Tube Adapter for 0.2 ml tubes, hole diameter 6.4 mm |
1 |
4ti-0686 |
TubeMarker¢â Ribbon, metallic blue, 300 M x 40 mm |
1 roll |
4ti-0688 |
TubeMarker¢â Ribbon, white, 300 M x 40 mm |
1 roll |
4ti-0689 |
TubeMarker¢â Ribbon, black, 300 M x 40 mm |
1 roll |
4ti-0680-11 |
Warranty extension, second year |
1 |
4ti-0680-12 |
Warranty extension, second and third year |
1 |
4ti-0680-113 |
Warranty extension, third year |
1 |
*These items are included with the TubeMarker¢â 2 (Code 4ti-0680-1)
Please note: all Tube Adapters and TubeMarker¢â Ribbons are compatible with both the TubeMarker¢â (4ti-0680) and the TubeMarker¢â 2 (4ti-0680-1).