The company based in Hartenholm, Germany, is showcasing a range of machines at the show including its Series 500+ labeling system, QTB (Quick Seal Telescope Blow) applicator which can apply liner-free labels, Series 850+ with P3 applicator for pallet-labelling according to GS1 standards and Series 300 labeling system.
Higher cycle rates for smaller products
Alexander Hamer, product manager, Logopak, told BeverageDaily the QTB thermal applicator takes care of heating and applying in one single operation and the label rolls minimize line stops up to 70%, thanks to maximum lengths of 2,400 metres.
As silicone backing paper is not used, this significantly reduces waste and optimizes supply logistics.
“Most production lines are already very much up to date. Next to water and energy saving - a new aspect is reducing waste. Any products for gapless track & trace require barcode labels based on GS1 standards,” he said.
“Labels today always have siliconized backing paper, which is special waste. This waste can be avoided. Instead 50 pallets of label material per year, you need only 20. This avoids 14.500kg of CO².”
According to Hamer, the beverage industry is experiencing higher cycle rates due to smaller products or newer production lines with higher throughput.
“Our labelers with Tandem- or Tridem controller adjust themselves to higher cycle rates,” he added.
Radio Frequency IDentification
“RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) will come to higher class products such as wine or champagne against counterfeiting.
“Most of our labllers can be retrofitted with RFID. Print & Apply systems will get cleverer and part of flexible Industry 4.0 integration.
“The system tells automatically if a print engine or service is required, orders labels or requires spare parts. Augmented reality for repair and maintenance will come by easy using 2D codes.”
Logopak’s Series 500+ can be customized with over 30 applicator types and its supports all standard application methods (top, front and side application).
For labels up to A5, the Series 500+ labeling system provides direct thermal and thermal-transfer printing. Both inside and outside wound labels as well as thermal-transfer ribbons with widths up to 165 mm can be used.
Hamer said what makes the Series 500+ stand out from conventional machines is its synchronized running length of up to 800 meters for labels and thermal transfer.
Depending on the cyclic output, the labeler displays the remaining running length for both rolls. And the 12 mm thick labeler base plate, made of anodized aluminum, ensures stability.
The Series 850+ makes two-sided labeling possible with a speed of up to 180 pallets per hour at only one stop, or three-sided labeling with a speed of up to 120 pallets per hour at two stops.
The system can cope with more than 100 standard applications with changing data. The machine runs in stand-alone operations without any PC or other connection to primary software systems, and it can be equipped with RFID technology as an optional extra.
The newly developed Series 300 labeling system applies labels to trays and containers by the print-and apply-method.
Enterprise resource planning
The machine processes both inside and outside wound labels and thermal transfer rolls. Media can be inserted thanks to the accessible structure of the main driver roller. Devoid of corners and sharp edges, the design prevents dirt sticking.
“The main challenges today are too many different communication protocols for industrial machines and ERP (Enterprise resource planning) systems,” said Hamer.
“In addition, Industry 4.0 with its individual functionality will require new protocols.
“Integration must be easy instead of making incompatible systems communicate to each other. This adoption is expensive and support is maybe uncertain for the future.
“Industrial standards are becoming more important to get trusted data. For example standards like OPC UA is a step closer into harmonized communication.”
Logopak will be exhibiting at drinktec in Munich, Germany from September 11–15, in Hall B4.125.