In factories across the world, billions of products are being labeled before they go to customers. From warning labels on medical packaging to nutrition labels on food labeling, or Unique Device Identification codes on pharmaceutical drug packaging, labels are used for aesthetics but also to convey vital information to the customer. In any industry, customers look to labels to be applied in a neat and orderly fashion otherwise the product could come across as unprofessional or untrustworthy.
Author: admin
25 Years of Innovation: A History of Multifeeder Technology
In the Fall of 1995, Neal Nordling and his sons saw an opening in the market for a new kind of friction feeder. The idea sparked action and soon the business plan for Multifeeder Technology was conceived. The newly created Multifeeder Team bought a cell phone as the “business phone” and their office became the two folding chairs in Neal’s basement. After months of research and planning, Multifeeder Technology was founded on May 7th, 1996.
Join Us at Drupa 2021
Multifeeder Technology is excited to announce that we will be attending virtual.drupa 2021 as an exhibitor.
Drupa is one of the largest print industry tradeshows in the world, held every four years in Düsseldorf, Germany. Due to the current world conditions with COVID-19, Drupa announced earlier this year they would forgo a traditional tradeshow format and instead host a digital conference. This free, four-day digital event is called virtual.drupa 2021 and occurs April 20-23, 2021. Register as a visitor for free here: Registration no longer available.
There are three “areas” that visitors & exhibitors can participate in:
- Conference Area – Learn through keynotes, exciting presentations, discussion rounds, live sessions, on future topics and trends. Each day has a different theme and powerhouse keynote speakers. All virtual learning is free for registered visitors and exhibitors.
- Exhibition Space – Exhibitors showcase their products and innovations. Our online showroom hosts exclusive videos and content. Check out our virtual showroom here:
- Networking Plaza – Exchange information with visitors and exhibitors. virtual.drupa offers a free matchmaking tool that uses a smart AI to find you the perfect match. Using virtual meeting rooms, people from all over the world can meet live during the conference. Meetings can also be set up directly. To set up a virtual meeting directly simply contact us here and an expert will be in touch.
How to Automate Your Pouch Packaging Process
In many industries, heat-sealed pouches have become an efficient and cost-effective way to send product samples, and sometimes even products themselves to customers. Heat-sealed packets are highly versatile as they can be made with many different materials and come in many different sizes. Because of their versatility, they are used in many industries for many different kinds of products. And a new demand for custom samples and products has risen in consumers that make re-sealable and disposable pouches as a good way to fulfill lot size one orders for small items. The small and portable pouches are also perfect for the current grab n’ go culture. Anything from snacks to beauty creams to medicine, the pouches can hold a little bit of everything and fit easily inside bags. Looking to start using heat-sealed sample packets or looking to automate your pouch packaging process? From verifying barcodes to labeling pouches, there are many opportunities for automation. Here’s our guide on automating your pouch packaging process.
Where to Use Hygienic vs Washdown for Better Food Safety
In the food and beverage industry, food safety is a top priority. Keeping a sanitary environment at all stages of the food packaging process is vital for the safety of customers and the bottom line of the business. A joint study by the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association found that on average food recalls cost food companies $10 million in direct costs, this number doesn’t even include the damage to the brand’s reputation and the loss in sales while the company works to regain public trust. Investing in food safety as a business could save millions of dollars in legal damages in the long run.
Unpacking Multifeeder’s Core Values: A Framework for Innovation and Success
In a recent blog post, we shared our purpose with you; the Multifeeder Technology Way. A very important part of our purpose is our people. We make it a priority to hire and collaborate with people who support our purpose but also live by our core values. Why do we do this? Because we’ve found that when you create a vision and set of values that an entire company is behind, success and innovation are quick to follow.
Keep reading to learn about our core values and the framework that we credit our many years of success.
Labeling on the Production Line: 5 Successful Ways to Print
When identifying which print and label options to use on your production line, there are a few factors you should keep in mind before making your decision. The first is your business model; you’ll want to be sure the printer and label application you choose supports your company’s processes and offers an opportunity for profit. You’ll also want to take into consideration the type of product or products the label will be printed on. The needs of your product(s) should directly influence which print/labeling method is right for you.
In this blog, we dive into the top five print and label methods to consider adding to your production line. Integrating equipment into your automation process that supports these efficient labeling and printing techniques is an excellent way to increase efficiency, output, and quality on your production line.
What you Need to Know about Tax Stamp Application
In order to understand tax stamps and the process for ensuring secure and safe tax stamp application, there are a few components you must first understand. In this blog we’ll cover what a tax stamp is and what makes it different from other consumer stamps. We’ll also share common industries who may use tax stamps and identify automation equipment that could increase your packaging efficiencies.
Our Why: It’s the Multifeeder Technology Way
At Multifeeder Technology, our purpose is built upon 3 pillars: our proven process that we’ve spent years refining and perfecting, our incredibly talented team, and our constant drive for continuous improvement. These three strengths support the Multifeeder Technology Way; a method for creating high performance systems that stand out on production lines and an intention our entire team stands behind.
3 Techniques for Successful Automatic Label Application
If you’re looking to learn more about proven labeling techniques for automatic labeling and what’s needed for your label applicators, this blog is a great place to start. While there are many techniques in the industry, wipe-on labeling, tamp label applicators, and blow-on labels are three techniques we recommend for successful automatic labeling. Let’s dive into each technique with a bit more detail.
1. Wipe-on Label Applicator
Sometimes referred to as “merge” labeling; wipe-on labeling is where a label is dispensed in the same direction of flow as a product when a label is being applied. This is an automatic labeling technique that is widely used in the industry but requires precise set-up for optimal production speeds and quality output. It is also used for products with irregular shapes and surfaces that are not flat (source).
Wipe-on label applicators typically require the base product to be moving and consistently presented to the labeler. While the product moves towards the labeler, a free rotating roller or brush is used to aid the transfer of the label onto the moving product. From there an encoder can be used to track the speed of the product the label will be applied to so the labeler can apply accurately if the product speed might vary.
For this technique to be successful, your automatic labeler should have either a single axis or multiple axis motor. A single motor will assist with unwind, rewind, and drive; however, it will likely require clutching mechanisms for the unwind and rewind functionality. Whereas a multiple axis motor separately powers the unwind, rewind, and drive.
High-Speed Applications
For wipe-on labeling applications requiring higher speeds, a vacuum box or powered unwind may be implemented. (See the third technique to learn more about vacuum/blow boxes and blow-on labeling.) To meet these high-speed and tight accuracy requirements, a second stage may be added to the labeler such as:
Vacuum belt with motor drive: this option allows the label to be dispensed with the adhesive open (non-adhesive side facing the vacuum belt). The vacuum belt can then adjust position or speed to accurately apply the label such as using Multifeeder’s Accutipping controls.
Driven rotary vacuum wheel: this can transfer the label from the labeler to the product in a second stage for added speed or accuracy, similarly using servo controls such as Multifeeder’s Accutipping controls.
2. Tamp Label Applicator
A tamp applicator is a contactless technique for applying smaller labels on products. It is most commonly used on print and apply labelers; however, this technique can also be used on wipe-on label applicators for 3D products or hard-to-reach label placements (i.e. recessed areas). MFT 150pa Print and Apply Automatic Label Applicator
Tamp labelers place the label onto an air cylinder tamp pad or vacuum tamp pad before placing the label onto the product. As the product moves down the conveyor, a pressure sensor (such as Multifeeder design) can be used to indicate if the tamp pad comes into contact with the product. This is especially valuable for variable height products or more intricate products. Such products may also benefit from a complex tamp pad that can place a corner label on more than one surface.
To support a complex tamp pad, a second air cylinder or a hinge (spring-loaded or gas shock) may be required for the second side. A pneumatic style smart tamp or heavy-duty smart tamp could also be used to prevent any tweaking or sensitivity to dirt; learn more about the smart tamp we use in the MFT 150pa Print and Apply Automatic Label Applicator. Additionally, a tamp pad may feature vacuum to hold the label while an airblast is used to release the label onto the product.
3. Blow-on Label Applicator
This sophisticated technique is sometimes used to replace the industry-favorite wipe-on labeling; although it is slightly less precise. Blow-on label applicators use a controlled blast of compressed air to place labels at high application rates. (source 1, source 2). This technique is commonly used for blow labels on coupons and other high-speed applications that require a contactless application (i.e. glass or other fragile products).
A blow box or vacuum box can be used in a similar way when paired with a wipe-on labeler. Oftentimes the vacuum/blow box uses a muffin fan to create a vacuum effect by holding the label to the bottom surface of the transfer device. The wipe-on labeler will index the label onto the bottom surface of the vacuum/blow box, which is then held in place by vacuum. When a product traveling below the box gets to the location the label is to be applied, an air blast releases the label onto the product below. This feature allows the labeler to be placed either in-line or perpendicular to the base product flow depending on label orientation requirements.
Defining which automatic labeling technique is best for your product or application can depend on a series of variables. If you’re interested in learning more about these techniques and other labeling solutions for your product, we’re happy to help. Get in touch with one of our automation and labeling experts by contacting us here or check out some of our labelers here.
Send samples of your labels and base product to us for a complimentary evaluation and test video. Click the button below to get started.
Tags: Labelers, Integrated Systems