Videojet top print culprits: ‘misapplied labels, breaks and jams’

The company launched its 9550 LPA System (Label Print & Apply) at Interpack 2014 and claims it achieves throughput of up to 150 packs per minute for typical 4” x 6” GS1 bar code labels.

Root cause of the problem​

Ondrej Kruk, business unit manager, LCM (Large Character Marking) ​and LPA (Label Print & Apply), Videojet, told FoodProductionDaily it has minimised all previous failings and an operator does not have to make any adjustments on the machine because they are all automative.

“We have gone back to solving the root cause of all these issues by eliminating trap points on the machine so it can’t jam​,” he said.

“We want to make it easier for the operator so we have removed any manual adjustments and taken out more than 80% of the wear parts - if they are not there they cannot break​.

“We have been investing in R&D over the last five years and doubled our head count. We spend 6-7% of our sales from hardware products on research and development​.”

Joint project with Esko​

Kruk added it was using the tradeshow to make the announcement that for the first time it was launching a joint project with its sister company Esko where coding and marking of complete content blocks such as nutrition panels and regulatory content is applied to preprinted material.

This is done through a workflow setup that combines the production data of flexible packaging with end of line added data. This means variable, regulatory data can be added at the end of the line on a finished and packaged product.

“The challenge today is a proliferation of packaging types and manufacturers are running different products on the same machine​,” added Kruk.

“They are looking for something that is flexible to comply with legislation and regulatory changes​.”

The Videojet 9550 LPA System with Direct Apply, places the label onto the pack without a tamp or air blast applicator. Labels are fed without the use of manual adjustments, clutches or nip rollers.

The 9550 comes with a CLARiTY touch screen interface which includes job selection, feedback and diagnostics to minimize human error.