AL122 is a label applicator for self-adhesive labels, suitable for “wipe-on” applications onto moving products. It is a general-purpose machine, developed to cover most of labelling needs within the range of standard pre-printed labels. Two separate stepper motors (one powers the pulling the paper, while the second one powers the rewinder) take care of the correct liner tensioning, in order to be accurate (+/-1 mm) and fast in dispensing (peak up to 70 m /min), avoiding paper stretching and possible breaking. AL122 comes in both right hand and left version, and can handle two different paper widths (120 and 180 mm). The dispensing blade can be fixed, or spring loaded: while the fixed blade is used for application on plain products, the spring loaded one is used when the applicator and the adaptor have to follow-up the product shape.
Capabilities
It can feed labels up to 70m/min and this speed can be easily adjusted either by simply turning a knob or by pushing a key on a display panel. In case of variable-speed applications, an encoder wheel can be installed to automatically adjust in real-time the label feed speed to exactly match the conveyor speed in the range 0-70m/min. The conveyor can even stop and restart in the middle of a label.
The machine can use label rolls up to 300mm (12”) diameter, with standard 76mm (3”) core and width up to 120mm (optionally up to 180mm).
The paper feed mechanism is powered by two seperate stepping motors: the independent rewinder allows to keep a constant web tension without any mechanical adjustment. There are NO clutches, brushes or brakes that require critical adjustment or periodic maintenance. Thanks to the “smart” and efficient management of the motors, the power requirement is limited to 120W max at full speed (much less in stand-by).
The AL122 is avaliable in left-hand or right-hand version and it can be installed with different orientations, to apply labels on any side of the product parallel to motion direction. Thanks to its compactness (total thickness of just 240mm in the 120mm wide version), it can be easily installed also in tight spaces.
The operator interface can be really minimal: a pre-configured machine can be routinely operated with just one push-button to start/stop operation and an alarm lamp, visible from distance, that indicates the operating condition of the machine. In installations where more local control is required, two differnet options are available: a simple panel with 2 potensiometers, 3 LEDs and 4 function keys already offers a good degree of configurability, while a more flexible panel with a 2×20 characters LCD, 2 LEDs and 5 function keys offer extensive diagnostics and menu-driven configurability with multi-language support. Both controllers can be detached from the machine body and remotely placed where they can be more conveniently accessible by the operator. A USB interface also gives the possibility to use an external PC to remotely monitor, control and configure the machine, with sophisticated diagnostic and management capabilities, including simultaneous control of several machines from the same PC.
On production lines requiring minimal down-times, it is possible to directly interconnect two machines in a “twin system” that automatically switches operation to the other unit when the current one stops for any reason (typically to reload a new label roll).
Industry-standard M12 connectors are used for all I/O interface signals except for USB, for which is used a standard tybe-B connector.
Key features
- Cost-effective, high-performance system with modular HMI (Display, Potentiometers, Remote via PC).
- Up to 70m/min, 1400 labels/min.
- Multi-language support, including Cyrillic and Eastern Europe special characters.
- USB interface, Ethernet and WiFi connectivity.
- Easy remote operation, diagnosis and configuration via a dedicated cross-platform software.
- Encoder wheel for continuous speed adjustment.
- Tandem option for no down time operations.
Application
