On-Demand color print and apply has been an elusive quest during my years of working on labels.
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| C7500 Label Applicator |
In the past, I’ve written about one system that was installed with one of our customers that Filled, Capped, and Labeled in one operation:
Precision Automation Company, Inc. provides high quality Automation Systems, Contract Machine Work, Fabrication, Machinery, Controls, and related services that improve productivity in their customers’ manufacturing and product handling processes. Based in New Jersey, Precision Automation has operated since 1946.
According to Frank Jablonski, of Precision Automation, “we deployed two separate applications for this customer. One was to apply label to Jugs on both front and back, which you see in the first part of the video. In addition, we applied a second applicator to apply on-demand color labels to cartons which you see at about the 50 second mark. In fact, we set up a third applicator to apply preprinted Flammable labels to the same cartons immediately after the product labels were applied. Overall, this deployment of the Full Color Print and Apply Labeling System was very successful.
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| Arca Evolution 160 Label Applicator |
When asked about the loose-loop, label applicator, Frank said, “we use the Arca Evolution 160 Label Applicator, which was mounted on a customized stand and can dispense at up to 164 ft/minute. The labeling frequency can reach up to 800 labels/minute and it is accurate within 0.2 inches.”
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| C7500 Label Printer |
Continuing, Frank said, “for the system, we use the Epson C7500 which uses inkjet technology to print quality customized color labels for products or containers that require intricate designs. This Epson printer can easily be swapped out with a spare to keep the system up & running.”
From my experience, the C7500 is really the only color label printer with the capabilities to be integrated into a print and apply label solution. The C7500 comes with a GPIO port to enable the applicator to communicate with the printer. This capability is vital for any printer integrated with a printer applicator.
During our conversation, I asked Frank, why move to print and apply color labels on-demand? Frank responded, “On-Demand color gives our customers lots of flexibility in their label production. No longer are our customers beholden to label manufactures. You can print what you need, when you need it; and become in essence your own label manufacturer. Plus, on-demand color print and apply enables our customers to print variable data at the same time they print the labels. Print and apply color labels on-demand improves the labeling workflow for many of our customers.”
If you want to print and apply color labels on-demand, be sure to contact us to discuss your requirements and possible solutions. We look forward to working with you.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670