How To Label Bottles?How to Label Water Bottles? How does a Labelling machine work?

Introduction
Labels play a large part in the life of a packaged product. Labeling is critical to the product packaging process. If you can’t label a package, you can’t identify or ship a product and are even forbidden to sell product in most of the markets.
Like labels, labeling machines come in a wide variety. They are generally categorized by the
requirement of adhesive application.
 Adhesives required:
o Pressure Sensitive Labeling Machine
o Hot Melt Glue Labeling Machine
o Wet Glue Labeling Machine
 No adhesive required:
o Shrink labeling/Sleeving machine
o Stretch labeling/Sleeving machine
A Pressure Sensitive Labeling Machine applies pre-glued labels that are supplied on a reel of
release paper or film. Pressure sensitive labels undergo multiple manufacturing steps to have the
label temporarily adhere to a web or roll but will permanently adhere to the package. There are
multiple types of applicators but they all share the capability to peel the label away from the web or
backing and transfer it to a package. After the pre-glued label is peeled from the web there are
several ways to apply the label. The simplest way is to wipe the leading edge onto to the package.
The other is to transfer the label to an applicator drum which holds on to the label by vacuum or
other mechanical means before transfer to the package. Typical speeds are 0.5m/s but higher
speeds are possible.
A Pressure Sensitive Labeling Machine has three basic sections:
- The labeling head: Its function is to accurately dispense a single label from the carrier tape
to the applicator at the required speed. It is a motor driven tape transport mechanism. The
label which is on the tape is dispensed when reaching the peeling plate.
- The applicator: Its function is to accurately place the label on the product at the required
speed.
- The product handling system: Its function is to place the product consistently at the required
speed in position for label pasting. Normally a product conveyor with guiding mechanism is
employed.
Pressure sensitive labeling machines are becoming more popular because the user does not have
to use glue, thus resulting in lower maintenance and lower operator intervention.
This white paper describes how Micro850® programmable controllers can be applied on a labeling
machine. Sample code, Bill of Materials, wiring diagrams and other information about this solution
are available to help OEMs quickly design, develop and deliver labeling machines. The sample code
has been successfully tested on a pressure sensitive labeling machine. The sample code and other
information can be found in Steplead Automation sample code library:
www.steplead.com

5 | Automation of Labeling Machine
The sample code is targeted for common type pressure sensitive labeling machines with speeds of
200 labels/min and pasting accuracy of less than ±1 mm. A brush mounted just after the peeling
plate serves as label applicator which wipes the label onto the product after the label is dispensed.
An encoder is attached to the product conveyor motor to detect conveyor speed and also to align the
label with the product.
The sequences of the labeling machine are:
1. The product passes the Product Sensor, a signal is sent to the controller.
2. The controller starts to count the conveyor encoder output pulses.
3. The controller starts Labeling Head motor when the encoder count reaches a defined value.
4. The Applicator applies the label to the product, while the Label Sensor looks for the gap
between labels.
5. The labeling head motor stops when the label sensor detects the gap.
6. The system is ready for the next product.
There are two additional modules on the machine. One is the product separating mechanism which
adjusts incoming product pitch before label pasting. The other is the sponge wheel which applies
pressure on the labeled product to secure the pasting. These two mechanisms are driven by two
variable frequency drives (VFDs) .
Labeling head
Product sensor
Label sensor
Brush the
applicator
Peeling plate
Sponge wheel
Product separating
mechanism
Conveyor
6 | Automation of Labeling Machine
Challenges
End Users and Machine Builders expect labeling machines to be:
 Productive: Machines are expected to deliver maximum throughput, minimize waste,
produce high quality products and minimize downtime;
 High performance: Meet ever increasing labeling tolerance requirements across full range
of machine speed and overcome variability in raw material being processed.
 Flexible and scalable: Adapt to more frequent product and label material changeovers;
reduce changeover time. Have the capability to integrate more advanced functions and
technologies including trace and track, print and apply, inspect and reject etc.



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