THE DATA FRONT

102 | l&l
Martin Automatic has
introduced the LRH automatic transfer rewind
handle heavy coreshafts, and a rigid outboard support system
negates spindle deflection. Unlike conventional turret winders,
the rewind spindles of the LRH traverse horizontally. This linear
design minimizes roll travel as well as the tension upsets and
web shifting associated with turret rotation.
It is offered in standard widths to 32 inches (813 mm) and
standard diameters to 72 inches (1830 mm). Wider widths and
specially-engineered features are available.
At Labelexpo Americas in Chicago last year, Scantech
launched the PharmaTrack – a machine for pharmaceutical
label validation and verification.
PharmaTrack features include bi-directional web processing
at full speed, and vision inspection and re-inspection capability.
The machine allows barcode printing and verification adaption,
including E-Pedigree conformation. The automatic open
loop unwind/rewind system is servo-driven, while a job recall
capability includes unwind and rewind tension settings.
Also launched at the same event was the company’s
VisionTrack for 100% inspection and converting of labels.
Like the PharmaTrack, the servo-driven machine has vision
inspection and re-inspection capability, as well as the barcode
printing and verification. It includes a fault retrieval system and
three levels of password protection.
Another company to offer slitter rewinders with inspection
capabilities is France-based Smag, whose range is composed
of four different product types: the DCR 2000 table-top
inspection range; the C4R+ inspection line; the Venus
semi-automatic turret rewinder ; and the Neptune, which allows
the operator to be seated when working the machine.
All these machines are modular and can be connected to
a 100% quality control inspection system, thanks to Smag’s
cooperation agreement with Israeli inspection specialist AVT.
Italy-based Prati’s range of machines provides versatile
solutions in the finishing of PSL, filmic substrates and special
materials. Saturn, Jupiter and Vegaplus are servo-driven
machines equipped with automatic tension control and a
self-sharpening shear slitting system which is able to slit paper
and plastic material from 12 micron up to 1.5 mm in thickness.
The machines are retro-fittable at any time with several
accessories for standard and special applications.
Jupiter is the most versatile machine in terms of materials that
can be processed, from flexible packaging to cardboard and
from paper labels to booklets.
When processing film substrates, the machine is equipped
with three different rewinding tension settings managed by
VaryControl software. As a result, the material keeps a constant
web tension and avoids any stretching. An air-driven separator
allows rewinding of all rows in a single shaft without crossing
the substrates or damaging the web edges.
Vegaplus, with its modular design, has an unwinder with
Labels&Labeling
Kmec’s Label CS machine can handle a variety of materials, such as paper,
metalized paper, polyethylene and BOPP, among others
motorized reel loading and an automatic turret rewinder. The
machine can be fitted with one or more die-cutting units,
flexo or inkjet printing units, a leaflet feeding unit and video
inspection systems. It may be used to work webs from 330mm
up to 530mm in width.
Girona, Spain-based Kmec, meanwhile, manufactures
equipment for the paper converting, flexible packaging, label,
coating and laminating sectors. The company’s Label CS
machine, which can handle a variety of materials, such as
paper, metalized paper, polyethylene and BOPP, sheets and
cuts many types of labels, including wet-glue, wrap-around and
in-mold. Its modular design allows the inclusion of equipment
for embossing, perforating and die-cutting, among others.
Francesc Terricabras, Kmec’s labeling marketing manager,
says the machine requires less processes than traditional
methods of producing small format products, which can include
a folio-size sheeter, de-stacking, reaming and guillotining. The
Label CS performs these tasks in a single process,’ he says.
‘While improving productivity and reducing waste.’
The machine comes in widths of up to 1,000mm, and has the
potential for in-line slitting and a cut length range of 50mm to
330mm.
To demonstrate the machine’s benefits for the label sector,
Kmec joined forces with Blumer, as shown in drupa last year,
to demonstrate an automated line for the production of die-cut
labels directly from a printed roll. The solution combined a
Label CS small format sheeter integrated with either an Atlas
1110 or an Atlas 40 from Blumer, allowing for the production
of die-cut and banded labels in one process, instead of
the multiple steps employed by traditional, larger sheeters,
guillotines and die-cut systems.
After being sheeted on the Label CS, pre-counted label strip
stacks were presented to the Atlas equipment on a delivery
system that included cardboard placement stations, a pressure
and turning unit as well as a rotating conveyor section that can
be programmed to deliver the stacks to the Atlas, for alternative
processing or as a quality control facility.
Joan Carbó, Kmec’s business manager, explains: ‘The line
requires just two people (one for each machine) to control the
operation, which compares very favorably with the traditional
methods that can need four operators to undertake the
unwinding, reaming, guillotining and punching processes.’
Production included metalized paper beer labels (76mm x
76mm) at up to one million labels, and BOPP soft drink labels
(300mm x 52mm) at 752,000.
Terricabras reports that a key concept behind Kmec’s
machinery is individual sheeting that is fed through a central
drum – a process that avoids potential inaccuracies and
benefits a variety of markets, from beer labels, wrap around,
and IML to format paper sheeting, for example.