Forward thinking. Before it was necessary ⚙️
Around 15 years ago, we delivered a bespoke solution to a forward-thinking board game manufacturer looking to remove plastic film wrapping from their products.
Long before sustainability became a widespread requirement, the objective was to replace shrink wrap with transparent tamper seal labels — maintaining presentation while securely sealing the box.
The requirement was clear:
Apply seal labels across multiple faces of the box, bonding the lid to the base without compromising the look or integrity of the product.
What made this project particularly interesting was how it was achieved:
– Designed from a completely blank canvas by the ALTech UK engineering team
– Multiple label applications synchronised across all sides of the pack
– Retrofitted into an existing production line
– Fully switchable — allowing the customer to enable or disable the process as required
The process itself was simple, but highly effective:
– A transparent seal label is applied to the side of the box
– The labelling head microprocessor triggers a pneumatic system beneath the pack
– The label is adapted underneath the box, creating a secure seal between lid and base
This sequence was repeated on all sides, delivering a consistent, tamper-evident seal — without the need for plastic film.
What’s particularly pleasing about this solution is how it brings together a number of standard ALTech modules — used day-in, day-out — but applied here in slightly different and innovative ways:
– A flighted belt system, intelligently controlled to remove products from the main line — allowing the functionality to be switched in or out as required
– ALTech labelling heads utilising multi-label functionality for flexible seal application
– A simple pneumatic handling system to rotate the product through 90°, enabling all-side application using horizontally mounted labelling heads
What this project really highlights is the strength of the ALTech UK model.
We design, manufacture, and supply complete solutions from our UK workshop — combining this with ALTECH’s world-leading, proven labelling heads from our Italian parent company.
The result is the best of both worlds:
robust, high-performance technology, engineered into fully tailored, turnkey systems delivered locally.
A practical solution, engineered to work — and built to last.
Times change. Excellence remains 🔄
#LabellingSolutions #PackagingAutomation #TamperEvident #ShrinkWrapAlternative #SustainablePackaging #IndustrialAutomation #ManufacturingUK #PackagingInnovation
