PACKAGING & LABELLING MACHINERY FOCUS
LABEL SYSTEM CUTS WASTAGE S
A low cost automatic label print and application system from Toshiba TEC combines high performance with cost effectiveness for a leading supplier of high quality cushions
ince 2008 NB Cushions has grown to become one of the top suppliers of
high quality cushions to the retail sector. In order to ensure that its labels, barcodes and packaging are of similar quality it uses technology from Toshiba TEC. The company produces over 75,000 items per week using the latest equipment and manufacturing methods.
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE NB Cushions offers a comprehensive range of services that enables customers to get their stock ready for sale quickly and efficiently. From packing and labelling to boxing and distribution, many clients take advantage of its processing service where they simply supply their own cushion covers to be filled. These are then packaged, labelled and dispatched – a service that is both cost effective and timesaving. To ensure that deliveries are made in a prompt and efficient manner NB Cushions’ printing and labelling technology is a vital part of the overall process and it only uses state-of-the-art solutions. As a company that always looks to build in efficiencies to its production process it had already heard about Toshiba TEC’s innovative APLEX4 – a low cost automatic label print and application system that combines high performance and cost effectiveness.
Toshiba TEC referred the enquiry to Bradford-based Norpak. “We provide the latest printing and
labelling solutions to a diverse array of companies on a worldwide basis and have formed an excellent partnership with Toshiba TEC,” says sales manager Gary Day. “Boasting features usually only seen on considerably more expensive systems, APLEX4 is designed for use alongside Toshiba TEC’s highly successful B-EX4T series of industrial printers to provide seamless workflows.’
PRODUCTION LINE
In order to ensure that the APLEX4 would be suitable for NB Cushions’ needs and to configure the best possible solution Gary Day visited the site and met with operations director Graham Foster to find out more about the requirement. “We needed a system that could automatically print and apply labels on to packs of up to three cushions,” explains Foster. “We had been using a desktop label printer to print the labels on to a reel
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apply labels from the top, bottom or sides and at any rotation angle required. “Safety is assured thanks to a perimeter
signal feature that prevents piston movement in case of access to the enclosed work area as well as a ‘presence of hand’ sensor option.’
FUNCTIONALITY AND FLEXIBILITY The plug and play APLEX4 accommodates ribbon lengths of up to 800m while an automatic ribbon save feature reduces wastage and downtime while maximising efficiency, reducing total operating costs and helping to lower NB Cushions’ impact on the environment.
which would then be applied by hand; a tedious and time-consuming job for up to three people at a time. With demand growing, a solution that could speed up the automation process and free up production line personnel for other tasks was imperative and Gary was confident that APLEX4 would be able to make the whole process more efficient.”
A PERFECT FIT
APLEX4 boasts features usually only seen on considerably more expensive systems, says Toshiba and its cutting edge design, performance and low cost of ownership meant that it could be easily integrated into NB Cushions’ production line. “The APLEX4 can handle production
levels of up to 30 labels per minute and is available in resolutions of 200, 300 and 600dpi,” says marketing manager Becky Viccars. “With a backlit LCD graphical user interface (GUI), access to information and settings is simple and it is possible to
Labels are printed on an ‘as needed’ basis: they print one at a time and a specific job can be cancelled at any point in the process
DEEP IMPACT APLEX4 made an immediate impact on the efficiency of the production line process at NB Cushions. Located directly over the conveyor belt, once the cushions are filled, placed into plastic packets and compressed, the packages are then labelled before being dispatched. “Packages are produced in different shapes, sizes and dimensions so being able to affix the labels on accurately is vital to the overall process,” says Day. “Label sizes from 25x25mm to 116x200mm can be affixed through the simple adjustment of contact pressure levels which doesn’t damage the cushions. Just as importantly, the labels are printed on an ‘as needed’ basis: they print one at a time and a specific job can be cancelled at any point in the process. This can significantly reduce the amount of wastage incurred.”
RELIABLE AND ROBUST “As a growing company we are always looking for new and innovative ways to increase our operational efficiency,” says Foster. “We are extremely pleased with the difference that the versatile APLEX4 from Toshiba TEC has made by facilitating the complete automation of our labelling processes. It allows us to save time, lower wastage and reduce the manual labour required and we achieved a return on investment in just over two months. “Furthermore, the customer service we
have received from Norpak is second to none and it has been an incredibly worthwhile experience all round.’
Toshiba TEC T: 0843 2244 944
www.toshibatec.co.uk
IRISH MANUFACTURING | AUTUMN 2017 7
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