Labeling - it needs to quickly and dramatically identify products, comply with government regulations, be securely applied with precision positioning at speeds commensurate with your packaging line requirements, resist damage during handling and storage, help track inventory and shipments, and perform as a powerful front-line marketing tool on the store shelf.

PACK EXPO International 2002, November 3-7 in Chicago will feature more than 1600 exhibitors, many of them manufacturers of labels and/or labeling equipment. Here's a taste of some of the systems that can be examined and evaluated first-hand at the exhibition.

Print and Apply Systems Galore

Rather than maintain large inventories of pre-printed, pre-coded shipping labels, many companies find it advantageous to print labels on-the-spot with timely data as they are applied to products and packages. Several print-and-apply systems will be showcased at PACK EXPO. For example:

FOX IV Technologies, Inc., Export, PA, will debut the fully Electric Label Printer Applicator (LPA), designed with an electrically activated air cylinder/tamp label application assembly. The design enables users to eliminate many costs associated with pneumatic labeling systems and also permits the printer-applicator to be more mobile for easy repositioning from one packaging line to another. The system can apply labels to primary packages, as well as to shippers and pallets. In addition, because the all-electric applicator is not dependent on steady levels of air pressure from an in-house compressor, label delivery and placement is consistent and accurate.

Fox IV Technologies

FOX IV also will show the Model 5143 RF label printer, encoder, and applicator for special ultra-thin labels that incorporate RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. Integrated transponder circuits embedded in the labels can be read, programmed, or re-programmed with updated data using radio waves. The unit is engineered to handle package/cargo tracking through manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, as well as for tracking reuseable shipping containers.

Loveshaw, an ITW Company, from South Canaan, PA will highlight its new LS-800DT print and apply label system. Available in thermal transfer or direct thermal printing modes and single- and dual-tamp application modes, the automatic, multi-function system can print and apply a single label to case front, side, or back; or apply a single label on case front or back plus one adjacent side; or apply two labels (front and side, side and back, top and front, top and back, or bottom and front) in a single pass to the box or pallet. Corner wrap labels also can be applied. All these application options can be achieved with minimal changeover. Users simply select an option through the microprocessor-driven controller and change label stock. The system accommodates label sizes from 1 to 5 1/4 inches wide by 1/2 to 14 inches long. Printing speeds are up to 12 inches per second.

Loveshaw

3M Packaging Systems Div., St. Paul, MN will showcase tri-function systems engineered to perform label printing, applying, and case sealing. The labels are printed on linerless stock, eliminating liner disposal needs, and in roll lengths up to 1,000 yards, reducing label stock reloading time. Labels can be printed in a range of widths and lengths, and easy-to-use software delivers print-on-demand labels with bar code formats, plus text in a variety of fonts, logos, and graphics. High-accuracy label placement options include case corner, front, top, side, or bottom, or the case sealing tape itself can be printed to serve as labeling.

Weber Marking Systems, Arlington Heights, IL will demonstrate its Model 5200 label printer-applicator with three label application options: air-blown, flex-tamp, or tamp-blown-all with placement accuracy to 0.06 inch. The 5200 features high-density, on-demand thermal transfer printing to deliver crisp text, graphics, and barcodes at 203 or 300 dpi. Easy-to-use software guides operator through label design/edit process. Pressure-sensitive labels from 1 to 6 inches wide and up to 6 inches long can be produced at printing speeds up to 12 inches per second. A quick-change tamp pad allows easy switchover to different label sizes. Labels can be applied on top, side, or bottom of product or package. The unit's height sensor enables labeling items of various heights running along same conveyor.

Weber Marking Systems

Shrink Sleeve Labels for Dramatic Effect

Several exhibitors will be showcasing shrink sleeve labeling systems to make packages look more striking on the shelves. This type of labeling also can provide a tamper-evidencing mechanism and contribute to improved product protection against the deteriorating effects of UV light.

PDC International Corp., Norwalk, CT, will demonstrate a full line of heavy-duty machinery for applying heat-shrinkable, tamper-evident seals and shrink sleeve labels at speeds up to 1,000 bottles/min. The company provides turnkey systems for sleeving applications, including conveyors, sleeve applicators, inspection/ejection systems, and a range of heat tunnel options--convection hot air, radiant, and steam. Standard and custom systems are available.

Seal-It, Inc., Farmingdale, NY will showcase a range of heat-shrink PVC, OPS, and PET-G label applications in the food, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The company can custom-print 360-degree labels in up to 10 colors--including graphics, ingredient listings, nutrition data, and barcodes--with short lead times. Stock and custom heat tunnels are available.

Value-Added Roll-Fed Labeling

B&H Labeling Systems, Ceres, CA, will introduce the Enhanced BH8000 roll-fed labeler with a new Computerized Registration System (CRS(r)) and user-friendly touch screen controls for simplified labeler operation and trouble-shooting. The system can accommodate container sizes ranging from 220ml-3L at speeds in excess of 800 cpm. Severalmachine enhancements facilitate quicker, easier container and label changeovers, quieter operation, and easier cleaning and maintenance. An oil-lubricated label cutter operates at cooler temperatures for optimum performance during continuous, high-speed labeling applications. The cutter's stationery shear ensures consistently accurate label cutting. A micro-adjust hot-melt glue roller ensures accurate adhesive application.

Complete Versatility

Krones, Inc., Franklin, WI, will demonstrate its Solomodul labeling machine - a system that can accommodate cold-glue, hot-melt, pressure-sensitive, and roll-fed labels all on a single machine, so long as appropriate head changes are made for each application run. The equipment gives users options to run a variety of containers and is easily customized to meet specific job requirements. The bottle table and labeling station have their own drives, and servo bottle plates can be pre-programmed to handle various bottle and label configurations. Solomodul operates at speeds up to 1200 bpm.

Krones

For more about PACK EXPO International 2002, visit their website at www.packexpo.com.  You can also email: expo@pmmi.org.   wbm