Global Label market is staggering at $35 billion and millions of printers & converters are competing with each other to increase their market share. But only some of them make it big in the long run because they believe in providing value added solutions with superior quality & functionality to their customers.
A lot of factors decide while supplying quality label solutions, some of them are affordability, value-addition, longevity, reliability, quality of print and substrate etc. But the label finishing plays the most important part of all as it depicts how perfect the label looks after printing. If not properly slit or die-cut, the printed label will lose its feel or will not dispense correctly onto the product hence reducing the appeal of the product. To obtain perfect finishing, converters have to invest in right slitter rewinder for finishing of labels.
What is a Slitter-Rewinder?
Slitter rewinder machines that are used to finish large rolls of printed material into smaller rolls of the slit, inspected and counted rolls which may be on a smaller core size to make them usable on automatic label dispensing systems on high-speed filling/bottling lines.
When choosing the precise slitter rewinder for the finishing purpose, converters should focus on the following:
SPEED
The machine should be able to slit and die-cut on high-speed. Typical mechanical speeds vary between 200 to 350 Mts/min.
WASTE
Some machines are cheaper, but they produce a large amount of waste which can affect the profit margins. Set up waste for each job must be below 5 mts and the time required to set up below 10 mins. Offline Vernier systems and removable shafts add to the efficiency of the whole process and improve the accuracy of the finished product. Automatic Set up slit stations are also available on European machines now.
INSPECTION
A good label inspection system is required to find faulty and missing labels with 100% accuracy. By not having proper inspection system, inferior quality material may be dispatched to the customer
Type of Slitting;
Typically slitting can be done by 3 processes
a) Scissor Slitting with top and bottom knives
b) Razor Slitting with Razor blades
c) Crush Cut Slitting rotary blades working on a hardened anvil
For Normal Label stock with Paper release liners, Scissor slitting is preferred. For cutting films or Self Adhesive materials with a Filmic liner, Razor slitting is preferred while when cutting thick papers or paper boards the crush cut is the preferred system.
Machines which can have the flexibility of having more than one slitting system installed should be preferred as they offer a wider flexibility of substrate use.
Paper and Print Width
Depending upon their orders, a printer should invest in a machine which will accommodate all sizes. By not complying with this, the printer can lose orders which require higher print/slit width.
Automation
It also plays an important task; a machine should have a mechanism for less operator interference. Systems with Auto-slit knife settings, offline knive settings. A wider HMI control integrating all operating functions and job storage etc. add to the reduction in human effort and better repeatability of jobs
Upgradable
The machine should be upgradable to other finishing process such as die-cutting, inkjet, camera inspection, Lamination, embossing etc. depending upon the requirement.
Service & Support
While investing, a printer should also consider the brand value and service support; he can avail from the manufacturer or supplier. Without an active service support, no system can provide optimum output.
What has VINSAK to offer?
To help printer/converters with the latest labeling technology and providing a solution to their specific requirements so that they stay at forefront of competition, VINSAK provides a different range of customized printing and finishing solutions to suit their job requirement.
Some of the advanced solutions are:
A) ABG OMEGA SRI 350/430/530mm
VINSAK provides Omega SRI (Slitter Rewinder) from ABG International better known for perfect handling, highest productivity with rewinding speed up to 350 m / min, latest servo technology, and an innovative SPS/PC operating system.
The Omega SRI fulfills all your label converting and web finishing requirements. It is having fully integrated fleyeVision inspection control with screen operation to detect faulty and missing labels connected with an integrated workflow for waste processing.
Key Features:
Adjustable web clamps allow a variable splicing area to glue in even large labels without a problem.
An arrangeable splicing table after the rewind with an operating stroboscope simplifies the visual control.
Pneumatic expandable mandrels, for unwinder and rewinder
Roll diameter at the unwinder up to 800 mm
Roll diameter at the rewinder up to 500 mm (600 mm as an option)
Efficient web tension control during highest acceleration at unwinder and rewinder site
Electronic web guide including an ultrasonic sensor for paper and clear on clear material
B) VINSAK USAR 250 to 530 mm
The USAR(Universal Slitter Rewinder) is flagship product from VINSAK. Along with high speed precise slitting with rewind and unwind option, it can be upgraded to provide the die-cutting unit with servo re-register (10”-24”), 100% inspection system and inkjet unit for barcode, QR-code, and variable data.
Benefits:
Automatic stop of complete roll; at diameter: at label count or meter count.
Electronic web guidance with ultrasonic sensor suitable for opaque and clear substrates.
Max. Rewind up to 450 mm & efficient web tension control.
Adjustable splicing table with pneumatic clamps for removal of the waste product.
Quick release/removable nip roller with pneumatic pressure control.
Standard Scissor slitting unit including 3 sets of knives
Matrix stripping section, Air mandrel, Matrix break sensor, Bulk Waste Rewind and Venturi trim extraction (16mm max)
C) ABG Vectra ECTR Turret Rewinder 330/430/530
The other slitting solution is ECTR Turret rewinder ideal for slitting and rewinding of standard self-adhesive labels. The ECTR with closed loop servo drive is capable of handling a huge range of substrates including delicate, perforated or punched products. The turreter has auto roll eject system and adjustable core stop with constant torque tension control. All these features lead to web speed of 100m/min with 25-38mm diameter mandrels and 150m/min with 40-76mm diameter mandrels.
Conclusion
“A RIGHT INVESTMENT ALWAYS PAYS HIGH RETURNS IN FUTURE”
A printer/converter has to invest in slitter rewinder to provide optimal label finishing and they should invest after considering volume & type of job orders they are fetching from the market. They should think of finishing solutions which have less wastage, high speed to reduce job time, inspection system, and automated solutions with less operator interference, value added solutions and active service & support for their machines.
