Packaging
Second-generation modularized labeler from Krones
Thursday 18. November 2010 - Modularized labelers have more than proved their worth in actual operation. Almost 500 modularized machines sold, with over 2,000 labeling stations, bear eloquent witness. They offer options for dressing containers with a variety of stations in different types of label, such as cold-glue, hotmelt, wrap-around or pressure-sensitive labels.
As the company who originally developed the very first modularized machines, Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, has now design-enhanced the technology involved, and created its second generation of modularized labelers.
With a series of tangible improvements, of course. For example: now theres only one central, swivel-mounted touch-screen for operating both the basic machine and the stations, which enhances user-friendliness since it avoids double entries at the machine and at the station. New motorized (instead of pneumatic or hydraulic as previously) docking stations make for swift and simple station replacement. In this process, an accurate docking position for the station is achieved by a self-centering mounting. Docking is also facilitated by raising the stations in the docking unit, which means the station does not touch the floor, so it does not matter what sort of floor is involved. Meinen die das? Whats more, the motor-driven docking station now features a steplessly adjustable station height adjustment feature. The station trolley has also been revamped.
In practical operation, this produces optimized routines when changing the machine over to different labeling techniques, with concomitant cost savings since shorter change-over times mean longer production times and a higher efficiency. Further savings potential is provided by the option for operating stations not used at one machine on another machine alternately. Whats more, operators are reliably prompted throughout the entire changeover routine by a step-by-step description.
These second-generation modularized labelers can be retrofitted to existing lines but are not compatible with the first generation. As with their predecessor machines, their handling capabilities cover cold-glue, hotmelt and pressure-sensitive labels, with outputs of up to 72,000 containers an hour, depending on the particular model involved.
At the Pack Expo, they are exemplified by a modularized labeler rated at 30,000 containers an hour and featuring three docking stations for cold-glue units. It dresses plastic sauce bottles in body and back labels, plus a deep-cone wrap-around label as a tamper-evident seal.