Frequently Asked Questions
How do make a general inquiry or press inquiry about FOX IV equipment?
What types of label printer applicators do you manufacture?
What is the UNIWALL design?
Why would I want a "non-traditional" printer in a printer applicator?
Does FOX IV use proprietary printers to make label printer applicators?
What is the difference between a Mini and a Standard version?
Are the Mini label printer applicators rugged enough for industrial use?
What is meant by the "Intelligence Built-In" series of printer applicators?
What is the smallest label FOX IV has printed and automatically applied?
What is the longest label FOX IV has printed and automatically applied?
What experience do you have with RFID Print & Apply?
Is compressed air necessary for all your equipment to operate?
Can FOX IV equipment apply a label to two adjacent sides of a carton or pallet?
Can FOX IV customize equipment for my application?
What integration services does FOX IV offer?
What is FOX IV's warranty on print & apply equipment?
Can FOX IV provide equipment for multiple locations?
Does FOX IV service the equipment once it is purchased?
Does FOX IV produce labels?
Must we use FOX IV labels in FOX IV print & apply equipment?
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How do make a general inquiry or press inquiry about FOX IV equipment?
For all outside inquiries, please contact us @ 724.387-3500 or sales@foxiv.com.
What types of label printer applicators do you manufacture?
Most of our label printer applicators are "next off" designs. The label is printed, immediately peeled from the liner and held in place with a vacuum on the label pad. There is no printed label queue between the printer and the label pad. We manufacture Standard and Mini print and apply versions.
We have two basic designs:
The industry standard design using Sato, Zebra and Datamax OEM print and apply modules.
A UNIWALL printer applicator design that uses Intermec, Datamax, Zebra and Printronix tabletop printers.
What is the UNIWALL design?
The UNIWALL design is FOX IV's unique way of incorporating "non-traditional" printers into next-off label printer applicators. By non-traditional printers, we mean industrial tabletop printers manufactured by companies like Zebra, Intermec, Datamax and Printronix.
The tabletop printers are disassembled and reassembled on a rugged centerwall. This provides a common surface for the label path to reduce tracking problems and also affords easy access to the machine components through the rear panel.
OEM print and apply modules have their own separate centerwall. The OEM module must be removed to service the printer.
Why would I want a "non-traditional" printer in a printer applicator?
There are four common reasons why customers select the UNIWALL design:
The tabletop printer has some unique features that are not available in an OEM print and apply module.
The customer, normally a pharmaceutical firm, has already validated a tabletop printer and does not want to go through another validation process for a printer applicator.
The customer has standardized on a tabletop printer model from one manufacturer and wants to use the same printer in the print and apply.
The maintenance department wants easy access to repair the label printer applicator on line. OEM print and apply modules must be removed from the equipment to conduct most repairs.
Do you use any proprietary printers that are available only in your label printer applicators?
We do not use proprietary printers. The printers we select for our print and apply equipment must be high duty cycle, rugged printers readily available in the marketplace. We use Sato, Zebra, Intermec, Datamax and Printronix printers.
Parts costs tend to be significantly higher for proprietary printers. We do not want our customers to be single sourced. In addition, most of the common label design software packages do not support proprietary printers.
What is the difference between a Mini and a Standard version?
The Mini version is an economical, compact UNIWALL label printer applicator designed for any application that requires a low production rate - typically 20 to 30 labels per minute. Higher production rates are possible with small labels. The label supply roll can be either 10" OD or 12" OD, depending on the printer selected. We have about 10 different printers that can be incorporated into our Mini version. The small footprint of the Mini print and apply permits installation in confined areas.
The Standard version of our print and apply machine is available with traditional OEM modules as well as in the UNIWALL design. This is our printer applicator workhorse with a 16" label roll, more than 20 different printers to select from and heavy duty components for the most demanding industrial environments.
Are the Mini label printer applicators rugged enough for industrial use?
Yes, the FOX IV Mini label printer applicator design has been around for approximately 20 years. FOX IV has sold almost 2,000 of the Mini label printer applicators all over the world -- we have sold over 400 machines in Australia alone. They have been installed in all types of environments - from ceramic tile plants to food processing plants. They are capable of operating 24/7. Many of our Mini label printer applicators are part of our "Intelligence Built-In" series.
What is meant by the "Intelligence Built-In" series of printer applicators?
The "Intelligence Built-In" series consists of label printer applicators with the CPU power and database capabilities to internally process software applications, thereby eliminating the need for a PC. Some have an SAP-certified communication interface or comply with the BaaN OpenWorld interface for printing and data execution.
These print and apply units are capable of performing a simultaneous, multi-point wired or wireless exchange of files and/or data records with a host system. The "Intelligence Built-In" series of printer applicators are available in both the Mini and the Standard UNIWALL designs.
What is the smallest label FOX IV has printed and automatically applied?
Our smallest label to date is a 1" x .25" label that we print and apply to a medical device.
What is the longest label FOX IV has printed and automatically applied?
Our longest label that we print and apply at this time is a 17" label that is wrapped around two adjacent sides of a large appliance shipping carton. We can do longer!
What experience do you have with RFID Print & Apply?
FOX IV introduced the world's first HF (13.56 MHz) RFID label printer applicator in 2001 and was the first print and apply company to pass EPCglobal's certification for Class 1 and Class 0 tags in August 2004.
Partnering with Printronix, FOX IV has the largest installed base of EPC RFID label printer applicators in the world. FOX IV was recognized in the book "RFID for Dummies" as one of the top 12 companies nationally for expertise in implementing RFID systems.
Is compressed air necessary for all your equipment to operate?
No. FOX IV has an airless option for most of our label printer applicators. For example, we have provided all-electric label printer applicators for applying a 6" x 8" label to a pallet.
Can FOX IV equipment apply a label to two adjacent sides of a carton or pallet?
There are two ways to accomplish this. First, print two labels in sequence. The first label is applied to the leading side of the carton or pallet. The second label is applied to the adjacent side. This is called our Repeater option, only one label printer applicator is required to print and apply both labels.
The second option is to print one long label, apply the first half of the label to the leading edge and wipe the remaining portion of the label along the adjacent side. This option is more sensitive to variations in the carton surface.
Can FOX IV customize equipment for my application?
We have print and apply equipment installed in steel mills, food processing plants with washdown environments, copper mines, and freezers. We have stainless steel enclosures to protect the equipment when installed in those hot, cold, or dusty environments.
What integration services does FOX IV offer?
FOX IV can provide turnkey integration services that include software, material handling, conveyors and bar code scanners. We can provide software to interface with legacy and commercial warehouse databases using Ethernet and wireless connectivity. Our "Intelligence Built-In" series of label print and apply expands this to SAP and BaaN OpenWorld interfacing. We are a certified integrator for Teklynx Codesoft.
Because of our extensive experience in turnkey systems, we can offer our customers technical support when they elect to integrate themselves.
What is FOX IV's warranty on print & apply equipment?
Our standard warranty is a one-year parts warranty excluding wear items. Wear items include printheads and print rollers. Our new Mini-D series of label printer applicators features a two-year parts warranty excluding wear items. We also have extended warranty programs.
We have plants scattered around the globe. Can FOX IV provide equipment for these locations?
We have print and apply equipment operating all over the world - from steel mills in Russia to copper mines in Chile to manufacturing plants in places such as Iceland, Germany, Malaysia and Australia. Please contact us about our global support services.
Does FOX IV service the equipment once it is purchased?
FOX IV Technologies, Inc. offers our customers the option of either local service or the training and support to service our print and apply equipment themselves. For those customers seeking local service, we have an available network of certified technicians in North America and in other parts of the world as well.
The other option is to maintain the printer applicators using your maintenance personnel. Training is FREE if you attend our training class within six months of purchasing the equipment. Our trainers are certified by PMMI.
FOX IV print and apply equipment is designed with ease of service and repair in mind. Our UNIWALL design permits easy access to all components through the rear panel. Our control software monitors key components to provide alerts and warnings when problems arise.
More than 80% of our customers elect to service our printer applicators themselves. We have customers that have not requested a service call in over 10 years. Both our FOX IV certified service technicians and our customer's maintenance departments are backed by our 24/7 technical support and our Quick-Ship parts program.
Does FOX IV produce labels?
FOX IV's label division has seven flexographic printing presses that can print up to 8-color primary and secondary labels. We can print color process labels with both UV and water-based inks. We provide both tag and pressure sensitive labels in sheet, fanfold or roll form. Our on-press vision system, primarily for labels used in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, can provide 100% inspection of the entire label.
We have a team dedicated to working with our customers to redesign their labels or source and test alternative label material to reduce their costs. In addition, having label converting expertise in-house helps us design better labeling equipment - we know the limitations of the converting process.
Must we use FOX IV labels in FOX IV print & apply equipment?
We do not require that you use FOX IV labels in the print and apply equipment. Some of our customers have long term relationships with a label converter that they want to maintain.
Some of our distributors and partners convert labels. We respect those relationships.
The decision to source your labels from other than FOX IV will not have an impact on your warranty nor your support.