ALTech UK have recently installed an ALwrap labelling system into Field Honey Farms, a medium sized honey producer based in Dorset. The ALwrap is an entry level low cost, highly robust and versatile semi-automatic desktop wraparound labeller configured here to label cylindrical glass jars. The installation of this machine into Field Honey Farms has optimised their production process and allowed them to increase the volume of honey that they produce, especially given the limited annual timeframe that they have available to harvest, bottle and label the natural honey.
Prior to the installation, Field Honey Farms applied their labels by hand; this was time consuming (operating within an already constrained timeframe) and often resulted in inaccurate application. Not only this but Field Honey Farms also wanted to use plastic labels, which proved very difficult when applying by hand due to levels of static causing a bubbling effect.
This ALwrap includes a number of advanced functions, and of particular importance to the label application of these honey jars is the speed variation function. The machine has the ability to proportionally reduce the dispensing speed relative to the product rotation speed, this allows the real rotation speed of the recessed area to be matched. This advanced control function is one that very few other semi automated machines could offer; many suppliers often rely on crude retrofit o-rings (or similar) on the rollers to space the product instead.
This jar labelling machine is also fitted with a thermal inkjet (TIJ) coding unit to apply a date and batch code to the label, allowing Field Honey Farms to incorporate product traceability within the application in a cost and time efficient manner. It also has the ability to be pre-programmed with numerous label specifications, enabling speedy changeover of labels and/or product, and has a typical operation speed of around 10-15 product per minute. It is, therefore, the ideal labelling machine for low volume cost sensitive applications of up to approximately 3,000 units per day.
