February’s machine of this month is a labelling system designed for a leading European pharmaceutical company. The requirement of the machine is to apply a label on the opening sides of a box to provide a tamper evidence seal. To achieve this a label is applied on both opening sides and then bent around the edge to seal the box. A control system then verifies whether the labels are correctly applied, rejecting any boxes which are improperly labelled.
The machine is based on an ALpharma system, with two ALritma S labelling heads. The labeller includes a gapping unit for small boxes, a side-belt aligner and a top stabiliser to drive the product during the labelling and bending process. The bending unit is a purpose designed moulded plastic guide with a specific helical profile. The machine is controlled by a PLC with a touch panel HMI which also controls the label presence sensors and rejection of the non-labelled products.
View the 3D machine animation below
View the machine in action below