# Linx 9000 Series — Launch FAQs Summary

---

## SureClean® Wash Station

- **Compatibility:** Works with all Mark 11 straight printheads (Mini, MIDI, MIDI Plus) on both 8000 and 9000 Series. Not compatible with right-angle printheads. Can be sold to existing 8000 Series customers with compatible printheads.
- **Wash levels:** 3 levels:
  - Level 1 (10 ml) — daily / light cleaning
  - Level 2 — standard weekly or bi-weekly smart wash
  - Level 3 — recovery wash for heavily soiled printheads
- **Cycle time:** Under 5 minutes including drying
- **Drying method:** Fans blow air across the printhead for rapid solvent evaporation
- **Cleaning solution:** Uses a dedicated 500 ml cleaning cartridge — NOT printer solvent. Cartridges are physically different to prevent incorrect use.
- **Cleaning mechanism:** 11 precision solvent jets. No brushes required (occasional manual brushing may still be needed for some pigmented inks, but far less frequently).
- **Mounting options:** H-stand with wheels (most common), printer trolley, pole-mount, or table-mount
- **Battery powered:** Yes — can be moved between printers easily

---

## Linx Iris® Vision System

- **Type:** Sits between OCR and OCV — performs optical character validation using printer data (fonts, fields, drop placement, dates, sequential numbers)
- **External database verification:** No — validates correctness (e.g. invalid dates) but does not verify against external databases
- **Line speed:** Keeps up with high speeds using automatic exposure and focus, with line speed data fed from the printer
- **Inspection speed:**
  - Simple messages: up to 11–12 inspections per second
  - Complex two-line messages: ~4 inspections per second
- **Lines supported at launch:** Up to 2 lines (up to 9-high characters). More lines planned for future.
- **Max recommended message length:** 80 mm (for sufficient resolution)
- **Quality slider:** Messages trained at level 5; customers can lower acceptance threshold (e.g. to level 3) to allow minor variation while still passing
- **Print degradation detection:** Yes — monitors quality over time and fails messages before they become unreadable
- **Outputs:** Can trigger 24V or volt-free outputs to drive reject arms, line stops, beacons, or PLCs
- **Failure threshold:** Configurable — alarms can trigger after 1–10 consecutive failures
- **PrinterNet integration:** Yes — shows vision status, pass/fail counts, notifications, and alerts
- **Camera:** Zebra camera with custom firmware, supplied exclusively by Linx. Third-party cameras not supported.
- **Mounting:** Supplied as a kit with camera, brackets, cables, and quick-release mounting plate
- **Licence/activation:** No licence or activation code required — enabled via service settings
- **Image storage/export:** Not available at launch — planned for future PrinterNet integration

---

## Linx Message Studio™

- **What it is:** Free PC application for creating and managing printer messages for the 9000 Series
- **Cost:** Free. No subscription or licence fee.
- **Compatibility:** 9000 Series only — not compatible with 8000 or 8900 Series
- **Message transfer:** Via USB or LAN (no internet required)
- **Remote message switching:** Yes — can set the active printing message remotely for near-instant changeovers across one or multiple printers
- **Barcode creation:** Not currently — but existing barcode messages can be copied, transferred, and reused
- **Logo creation:** Not currently — logos must be created externally and imported into the printer. Future capability under consideration.
- **Help/training:** Built-in help links to YouTube tutorial videos with auto-translation support

---

## Printhead & Performance

- **Mark 11 printhead:** All quality improvements from the 8000 Series carried into the 9000 Series, with additional running changes post-launch
- **Mini printhead benefits:**
  - Up to 48% lower ink consumption vs. MIDI
  - Supports very small characters down to 1.2 mm
  - Up to 5 lines of print (depending on printer model)
- **High-speed bottling lines:** Yes, the 9000 Series can handle ~70,000 bottles/hour depending on message content and printhead configuration

---

## Connectivity & Integration

- **ERP integration:** Via REST API — compatible with SAP, Oracle, and similar systems
- **OPC UA:** Not supported. REST API and Extended QuickSwitch are the recommended approach for flexibility and future-proofing.
- **Ethernet:** Ethernet + USB-to-Ethernet can be used simultaneously (e.g. camera + Message Studio)

---

## Software & RFID (Consumables)

- **8000/8900 upgrade to Version 7:** Yes — by replacing the CPU, existing printers gain V7 software
- **Consumable compatibility:**

| Printer Status | Yellow Label (new) | White Label (existing) |
|---|---|---|
| 8xxx on V6 | Yes | — |
| 8xxx with CPU upgraded to V7, Advanced Installation NOT enabled | Yes | Yes |
| 8xxx with CPU upgraded to V7, Advanced Installation enabled | Yes | — |
| 9xxx, Advanced Installation NOT enabled | Yes | Yes |
| 9xxx, Advanced Installation enabled | Yes | — |

- **Features gained by upgraded 8xxx printers (V7):** Enhanced RFID protection, scheduled printhead cleaning reminders, additional memory. Note: upgraded 8xxx printers do **not** gain Iris.
- **Advanced Installation:** When enabled, printer only accepts yellow label consumables with enhanced RFID protection.