ALTech have recently installed a triple head labelling solution for Prep World, UK specialists in the prepared fruit market from soft fruits through to tropical & exotic fruit, stone fruit and citrus products.
The machine is based on ALTech’s multi-panel C-wrap label application system with the added functionality of applying base and promotional labels as well as the possibility for the C-wrap labelling head to be converted to a top label applicator, resulting in a highly flexible machine capable of labelling a huge variety of products. The solution integrates three ALritma labelling heads and the customer utilises the following label formats:
C-wrap – where the label is applied to the top, front and underside of the products, with the additional option of secondary head applying a top promotional label.
Watchstrap – where the label is applied to the leading face, across the top, and down the rear of the product, utilising the C-wrap application system with an additional pneumatic rear corner dressing unit; also with the option of secondary labelling heads applying a separate base and/or top promotional label.
Top and base – where a quick change peeler assembly unit is used to swap the top labelling head from the C-wrap system to apply top labels with minimal adjustments; this option can also have an additional top promotional label applied by a secondary head.
The customer required the length of the machine to be as short as possible (to enable it to fit into a narrow packing hall) and to be designed to take products fed directly through a hole in the wall from the High Care area via the outfeed conveyor of the upstream line.
The combination of the plastic labels and plastic packaging used by the customer generates a high degree of static energy, meaning that it is more difficult to control a pre-dispensed label. It is here that ALTech’s unique ‘label flag’ function is utilised (as demonstrated in the short video below) allowing the peeler bar to be positioned very close to the product to minimise the pre-dispensed length then feeding the remaining part of the label accurately, and under greater tension onto the product before waiting for the final part of the product to pass and pre-dispensing the next label.
The C-wrap labelling head was also fitted with an ICE intermittent thermal transfer printer, facilitating a print functionality to a small area of the label for information such as use by and country of origin data.
