Label applicator machines often experience downtime due to roll changeovers, leading to significant productivity losses. Label splicers and wastepaper rewinders can eliminate the need to stop the machine, thus boosting efficiency and ensuring timely delivery of labelled products.
A regular label applicator machine for pressure sensitive labels (PSL) relies on frequent label roll changes to start new runs. Each roll contains between 2000-6000 labels and takes approximately 100-120 seconds to change. In the meantime, the machine cannot run and must be stopped.
The impact this has on valuable production time is evident, often leading to a 7-10% productivity loss. Additionally, removing the wastepaper collection rolls only adds to the inefficiency.
Our solution at Skanem India is to utilize label splicers and wastepaper rewinders to reduce machine downtime. These units allow for non-stop label applicator machine runs.
Both units are located outside of the main applicator machine and can be retrofitted as an independent unit. They build a buffer of labels or wastepaper, giving the operator time to perform a roll changeover. Thus, there is no need to stop the machine at any given time.
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A splicer unit has a provision for loading two rolls and an audio-visual alarm to alert the operator that it is time to join a second roll when the first is nearly finished. While the operator joins the ends of both rolls, the label web in the buffer ensures that the labelling process continues.
The rewinding unit consists of two wastepaper rewinding shafts and dancing rollers. Dancing rollers move up and down to maintain tension on the web. They also pull the wastepaper when the operator locks it to the second rewinder shaft once the first wastepaper rewinder shaft is at full capacity.
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Using the splicer and rewinder units together will enable seamless operation of the applicator machine. These enhancements don’t just prevent productivity loss but improve efficiency by 10-12%. Consequently, this leads to better lead times and ensures you get your labelled products on time.
Contact us if you wish to learn more about how our machines ensure the best quality labels for your product.