Accuracy and throughput of labelling machines increase with Trio

The labelling machine builder has integrated controllers from Trio Motion Technology, to increase throughput by over 25 percent with labelling accuracy improving to +/- 0.5mm, as well as to create a future-proof design.

Requiring precision and speed

The OEM designs and builds hundreds of machines every year for packaging and labelling applications, primarily in the food & beverage market, as well as the medical and pharmaceutical industries. In addition to packaging meat, poultry and seafood, the packs have to be labelled and placed with a high degree of accuracy that is repeatable over thousands of units. High-volume production also means that high speed is required to maximise throughput. 

The machines can include both top labelling for branding and bottom labelling displaying product data, such as nutritional information. Added directly after the packaging machine, the in-line labellers form part of the production process and must coordinate with the speed of the infeed conveyor, which can vary based on multiple factors, including conveyor loading, mechanics, and voltage fluctuations to the driving motor. The next challenge is for the labelling machine to apply the labels accurately, maintaining accuracy even when the infeed of packs is high. Previously, the OEM used a programmable HMI to provide control. However, greater accuracy in label placement was required by the OEM’s customers, which decreased with variation in conveyor speed...

Read the full article in the July issue of DPA