SACMI introduced two new labeling machines with ELAU’s PacDrive automation system. One is a roll-fed machine for glue-applying round plastic labels to bottles. The label material is unwound and cut at a register mark. The label is fed via vacuum drum while adhesive is applied, then the label is applied to the bottle through precise coordination with bottle plate rotation.

One servo controls the label unwind and another cuts the labels at high speed to an accuracy of within +/- 1 mm. The control system compensates for decreasing roll diameter by adjusting the feed rate. For high volume runs with low variability, the bottle plates are driven by a mechanical cam, but the trend is toward motorizing each of up to 36 bottle plates with the PacDrive SCL integral servo motor/drive, which was developed specifically for use on rotary filling, capping and labelling machinery.

SACMI’s application expertise and ELAU’s powerful software cam capabilities assure that control software manages the optimum speed and angle for label application. Pushbutton changeovers are made at the operator panel within 30 seconds, which has helped increase throughput from 40,000 to 60,000 bottles per hour.

SACMI self-adhesive labeling machines are delivering equally impressive performance gains, except that one or more pre-cut self-adhesive paper labels are applied to each bottle. Once again, label application and bottle motion are critical to accurate and smooth labeling.