PACKAGING
NET ZERO: CLEVER OWL PREYS ON RECYCLABLE NET AND TAG CODING PACKAGING TRENDS
including citrus, fresh produce, seasonal confectionery, shellfish, nuts and firewood bags. Having observed rising demand for a reliable, fast and accurate net and tag coding system, Clearmark has engineered an innovative new Overprinting Watchstrap Labeller (OWL) system. Designed to address the challenge of tension causing the thin section band of watchstrap labels to snap when stress is applied during the placement on textured surfaces, the compact Zodiac OWL delivers consistent label printing at rates exceeding 60 packs per minute. Simultaneously, the new system optimises quality control by ensuring netted products are coded perfectly to reduce waste and retailer returns. Built around the ICE Zodiac Hawk thermal
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transfer printing concept, Clearmark’s introduction of the Zodiac OWL enables netting packaging environments to efficiently harness the same proven reliability, flexibility and accuracy benefits, including the constant monitoring and reporting of print code quality. For increased flexibility, the OWL watchstrap label dispensing system can also be integrated with Clearmark’s ICE Zodiac Falcon and Eagle product ranges.
learmark has mastered the challenge of efficiently over- printing watchstrap label bands on the uneven surface areas used in net and weave packaging applications,
The compact Zodiac OWL delivers consistent label printing at rates exceeding 60 packs per minute.
integrating the drive system into the printer bracket. The result – labels are dispensed and printed using thermal transfer in one continuous and synchronised motion. “Because the OWL is electronically
Clearmark have observed a rising demand for a reliable, fast and accurate net and tag coding system and engineered an innovative new Overprinting Watchstrap Labeller (OWL) system.
MOTION SENSITIVE Matching the pace of current net packaging lines, the OWL has been specifically designed to cater to a certain label type. Comprising a narrow and wide section, Chris Simpson, technical project manager. expounds the delicate application process and why it’s so critical not to place too much stress on watchstrap labels. “If too much tension is applied during the label dispensing process, there’s a higher likelihood of the narrow section snapping.” In another clever feat of engineering, Clearmark addressed this issue by
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integrated with the netting machine, each time a netted bag is made, the OWL feeds another printed label into the loop,” explains Simpson. Should the netting machine demand more labels than have been supplied into the loop, the OWL’s lifting arm will instantly detect the slightest tension. This motion sensitive feature prompts the in-feed netting machine to pause to prevent the narrow web from snapping.
INTELLIGENT INTERVENTION Rather than investing in additional expensive vision systems to monitor the quality of labels, the OWL system also features iAssure. This internal print checking system assesses in real-time the spent ribbon after each code has been produced to determine whether the print quality meets the set standards. If the code is deemed to be unacceptable, a signal is instantly dispatched to reject the netted pack. Should the print quality fault persist, the system will flag this trend and halt the line entirely until the issue is resolved. “By providing early intervention, production
disruption and downtime can be minimised. This also reduces the likelihood of a product recall and a heavy retailer fine,” notes Simpson. Operators can easily measure production quality via the CLARiTY touchscreen and can view label information in real-time to assess print quality and drive further efficiency improvements. An illuminated feed button also provides
Spring 2023 UKManufacturing
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