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.
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