Rotary labeling technology revolution
WeilerLabelingSystems (WLS) meets the most demanding pharmaceutical labeling needs – whether speed, precision, printing or vision systems – with its state-of-the-art rotary pressure-sensitive label labeling machine. When they started to enter the pre-cut market, WLS wanted to avoid some of the drawbacks of traditional cold glue label applications. By combining its decades of rotary labeling expertise with NuLabel's innovative glue-free labeling technology, WLS is now able to offer cleaner, more efficient pre-cut labelers. To meet the needs of these specific industries and to increase flexibility, increase efficiency and achieve universal requirements for easy changeover – while maintaining price competitiveness comparable to traditional solutions – WLS relies on automation technology from B&R and deterministic synchronization Features of POWERLINK.
WeilerLabelingSystems (WLS) has more than 25 years of experience in the design, manufacture, integration and support of advanced pressure sensitive labeling solutions, which has established a leading position in the pharmaceutical industry for labeling machines in the industry. Coping with the increasingly complex printing and visual functions for serial number coding. These state-of-the-art applications require equipment to print and inspect complex bar codes at speeds in excess of 500 sheets per minute while maintaining positioning accuracy within +/- 0.5 mm. Solutions in this area are typically performed by pressure sensitive labels supplied by the company's RL-420 or RL-760 rotary labeler.
New field, new method
After the rotary labeling technology was honed in the field of pressure sensitive labeling, WLS decided to expand its business to a whole new field: pre-cut labeling machine. Pre-cut labels are inexpensive, versatile, and are used extensively in the food and beverage industry, but this traditional application of cold glue has a messy and labor-intensive process that requires downtime for cleaning and maintenance. In order to add something special to its new pre-cut labeler, WLS has partnered with NuLabelTechnologies, which has developed a revolutionary activated adhesive technology. During label production, the adhesive is pre-coated onto the label and then activated by a water-based spray prior to labeling. Thanks to this glue-free technology, the RL-840N labeler not only provides customers with versatile pre-cut labels, but also achieves efficiency and appearance comparable to pressure sensitive applications.
Centralized machine control, distributed I/O and motion
Both the RL-420/760 pressure-sensitive labeler and the RL-840N pre-cut labeler are motor-intensive devices that place high demands on speed and accuracy as well as deterministic real-time communication. To achieve this goal, WLS turned to B&R automation technology. The B&R solution combines centralized machine control with distributed I/O and motion control, all with POWERLINK communication. This allows WLS to use smaller electrical enclosures than their existing PLC-driven labelers. The RL-840N has 12 to 24 stepping platforms on its turret, and the screw, turret and machine pre-cut modules are driven by servo motors. “B&R's stepper motors offer similar functions as servo motors, yet they are more compact and economical,” explains Philippe Maraval, vice president of sales. “In this way, we can offer our customers the price comparable to traditional mechanical cam equipment and the flexibility of servo equipment.”
