Baking & Snack - June 2005 - 93

PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY
ᮤ Delta robots are mounted overhead and
perform pick-and-place functions.
DOBOY

thermal-transfer overprinter from a
supplier in the Midwest mounts on
vertical f/f/s machines or flow wrappers using a universal bracket to print
variable information in real-time on
flexible packaging materials at speeds
of up to 800 mm per second (157 ft
per minute). Compatible with any
equipment configuration including
intermittent motion, continuous motion, left- or right-hand, the system's
robust controller and software make
it possible to reproduce graphics and
bar codes and print "best by" or "use
by" dates and production codes.
The print is produced by a nontoxic ribbon, which eliminates fumes
and hazardous waste disposal issues
associated with the solvent-based
ink used in some inkjet printers. A
cassette simplifies changeover, while
a ribbon-saving feature maximizes
ribbon life. A combination of stepper
motor control and software advance
the ribbon at the required speed to
print and then stops and rewinds it so
the gap between prints is only 1 mm.
The bi-directional ribbon drive also
maintains proper ribbon tension, thus
preventing ribbon breaks that cause
downtime and higher operating costs.

ᮡ This aligning conveyor relies on a series of
rollers to separate product into lanes for orderly
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5/20/05
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a stacker, wrapper
or
other machine.
PACKAGING PROGRESSIONS

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"Stepper motors provide much tighter
controls over ribbon usage than traditional clutch-based systems," explained
the supplier's product manager for
thermal transfer overprinters.
A bag dispenser/coding combo
integrates a thermal-transfer printer
with a dispenser that holds rolls of
perforated bags. The system prints
one color in a 2-by-4-in. dynamic
field and can reproduce graphics,
logos, establishment numbers, dates,
traceability codes and other plant
specific information. Print and setup data is quickly entered through an
operator interface, which also holds
diagnostic and production information. Capable of 20 cycles per minute, the system handles bag widths
up to 18 in. and bag lengths up to
40 in. A modular design enables the
unit to run up to four different bag
sizes with little or no adjustment.
Inkjet coding is also a viable
solution. A supplier of bag-closing
equipment is collaborating with a
maker of inkjet printers to integrate
the coder into its equipment. The
nonhazardous ink used by this coder
dries quickly and does not rub off.
Advantages of the inkjet include
noncontact application and potentially lower consumable costs when
compared with hot stamping or

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21 15 West La burnum Avenue , Richmond , Virginia 23227

Tel: 1.800.225.3771 Fax: 1.804.342.9724

For more information, see Page 117

98 / BAKING & SNACK / June 2005

Baking & Snack - June 2005

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