Innovative solutions , maximum up-time
Cobalt Systems has spent over 20 years driving the standards in print and apply labelling solutions and barcoding automation . As an industry-leading print and apply manufacturer , the company works closely with its customers , listening to their labelling challenges , applying the very latest print and apply technology delivering innovative solutions , ensuring maximum up-time .
WHAT ARE THE LABELLING CHALLENGES FOR SHRINK WRAPPED PACKS ? Shrink wrapped packs can pose a labelling problem for food and drink manufacturers . Implementing the right technology solves the issue , as Cobalt ’ s UK sales manager , Chris Hunt explains ; “ Packs come out of the shrink wrap tunnel wide-edge leading with a requirement to label the front leading edge . When packs are shrink wrapped and the plastic clings to the pack , a hole is left on each of the narrow ends , also preventing them from being labelled in case it goes straight onto the product , potentially spoiling it .”
Traditionally , the packs have been reorientated to be labelled on their long edge through side-apply , but it can be time consuming and expensive to turn the pack and back again before it heads onto other processes within the line . “ The solution lies in applying the label to the front of the pack ,” continues Hunt . “ The challenge is enabling the label applicator to come down to apply to the leading edge but quickly retracting for the line to continue uninterrupted .”
Cobalt ’ s high-speed front-apply Nexus 20 operates with a real-time system that prints and applies the label onto the front of the pack before retracting without interfering with the product flow ; barcodes are printed in the correct orientation , packs do not need reorientating and its
84 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk high-speed output keeps up with the most demanding packaging lines . Designed and manufactured for high speed performance , Cobalt ’ s Nexus 20 high-speed application ensures ease of operation and longevity in the most challenging of environments .
HOW CAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION HELP KEEP YOUR LINE RUNNING ? If a labelling error occurs in a highproductivity manufacturing setting when running at high-speed , it can cause downtime and a backlog ; Packs of heavy bottles or cans coming off the production line could potentially end up sitting in the heat tunnel , causing damage to product or a possible fire hazard .
Cobalt ’ s high-speed print and apply systems are always offered in a continuous operation format that ensures maximum uptime and accuracy , whether that be front or side apply . “ A primary print and apply head keeps up with the maximum throughput of the line , with a secondary head working alongside as a dynamic system ,”
demonstrates Hunt . “ If the primary head runs out of labels or an error occurs , the secondary head takes over , allowing the primary to be replenished or reset before taking back command . Verification is crucial to this process . Each barcode that is printed is verified before being applied and when a barcode is identified as having an error , the label is held back and the secondary head kicks in giving continuous operation at all time .”
01270 539800 sales @ cobaltis . co . uk www . cobaltis . co . uk
A recent application for a continuous operation side apply system from Cobalt
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