Metal Marking Gets 50% Efficiency Boost
Matthews Marking Systems
Product identification, traceability, and branding.
Sierra Aluminum upgrades from CIJ to DOD to achieve 50% improved efficiency, lower costs, and anticipated one-year ROI.
After experiencing consistent, production-halting performance issues with their existing CIJ printing solution, Sierra Aluminum tackled their challenge by implementing Matthews Marking Systems’ VIAjet™ V-Series DOD Inkjet Printer with the MPERIA® automation platform.
Summary
Sierra Aluminum’s CIJ printers were dragging down production and putting delivery timelines at risk. After switching to Matthews’ V-Series DOD inkjet printer with MPERIA, they saw a 50% increase in line efficiency, lower ink and maintenance costs, and expects full ROI within a year.
Installed and commissioned in only one day, the new solution didn’t require any modifications to the existing production line.
The Challenge
Sierra’s CIJ marking system was no longer sustainable. Frequent maintenance needs and recurring malfunctions led to costly downtime and delays in customer orders.
“The system required a lot of ongoing maintenance and regularly drove up our downtime costs,” said Javier Espinosa, Plant Manager at Sierra’s Riverside facility. “There were times we couldn’t fulfill orders because the printers weren’t working. We even had to move a single working CIJ printer between sites just to keep production going.”
With brand reputation and customer trust on the line, the company needed an industrial-grade solution that could:
Withstand tough production environments
Deliver consistent, high-quality marks
Minimize maintenance demands
The Solution
Key benefits included:
50% improvement in line efficiency
Reduced maintenance and downtime
Lower ink and consumable costs
Centralized control across operations
The V-Series is built for harsh environments, using long-life printheads (over 9 billion firings) and micro-valve ink circulation to cut ink usage without sacrificing quality. Its automated flushing system simplifies maintenance, while MPERIA offers seamless control over multiple devices from one interface—printers, barcode readers, vision systems, and more.
“It’s easy to use, extremely reliable, and has helped us regain confidence in our ability to meet customer demand,” said Espinosa.
Reliability, Durability, and Performance
Built for harsh environments, the V-Series delivers:
Long-lasting printheads rated for over 9 billion firings
Crisp, high-resolution marks with precise timing and placement
Micro-valve ink circulation to reduce ink consumption without compromising quality
Flushing valve system that simplifies cleaning and lowers maintenance effort
This combination enabled Sierra to maximize productivity with minimal interruptions.
Easy Integration & Scalability
“It only took one day to install and commission the new system,” said Espinosa. “We didn’t have to change a thing on our side.”
The V-Series with MPERIA is built to drop into existing lines with ease. Its modular design makes it easy to scale from a single printer to multiple units across different lines—all managed through one centralized controller. Whether operating standalone or networked, the system adapts to changing production needs without complexity or third-party software.
Centralized Control & Ease of Use
The MPERIA automation platform gives Sierra full control of marking and coding operations from one interface. With MPERIA, operators can:
Manage all connected devices—including printers, barcode scanners, vision systems, actuators, and scales—from a single screen
Reduce the number of equipment touches
Minimize training requirements for operators and maintenance staff
Automate message changes with built-in logic, streamlining operations even further
This improved usability led to immediate labor savings compared to their previous CIJ solution.
High-Speed, High-Quality Marks
The V-Series valve jet printheads produce crisp, consistent codes on a wide range of substrates—cardboard, metal, wood, rubber, and more. It supports:
Printing speeds up to 780 feet per minute
Compatibility with various inks including pigmented, dye-based, and fluorescent formulas (with fast-dry options available)
The Results
“Matthews’ V-Series DOD inkjet printer has improved our efficiency by 50%,” says Espinosa. “It’s extremely reliable, easy to operate, and requires very little maintenance. We finally feel confident that we can consistently deliver our customers’ orders on time.”
Since implementation, Sierra Aluminum has:
Reduced consumable costs thanks to more efficient ink usage
Minimized downtime and maintenance interruptions
Streamlined control and training across production lines
With a projected full return on investment within one year, the new system has strengthened Sierra’s operations, eliminated the bottlenecks of their old CIJ setup, and restored their ability to meet customer demands with confidence.