Reel labels directors Bar Graphics New Hi-Spec Re-Register moves Label Production to New Level
Quality, accuracy, reliability, support and price these were the criteria when Paul Prothero, Production Director of Reel Label Solutions, went looking for a new die cut to register slitter/rewinder for the companies fast growing label printing business.
Wales-based Reel Label Solutions enjoy a strong presence in UK label printing, producing millions of hi-spec labels for the pharmaceutical, beverage, cosmetics, food and technology sectors, among others.
Jonathan Wright Reel Label Solutions Sales Director also visited Bar Graphic Machinery before the purchase to help confirm the specification for the new machine. He commented: “Performance is critical in sectors such as food and pharma – labels need to stay in place without fading or peeling, they need to remain hygienic and clearly legible beyond the ‘use by’ date. In the case of food and beverage in particular, they also need to be attractive to the consumer despite the sheer volume of information they are required by law to carry.
“This means our label finishing has to be as accurate as technology can make it and, because of the lightning-fast turnaround and sometimes short runs demanded by sectors such as food for example, machinery also has to be fast to set up and super reliable.
“We’ve operated machines from Bar Graphic Machinery for over ten years – a plain label die cutting inspection slitter rewinder and a 16” inspection slitter rewinder – and over all that time we’ve had very little down time and minimum maintenance”.
Reel Label’s new die cut to register slitter rewinder was custom-designed by BGM’s engineers as a compact digital label converting and finishing solution, tailored precisely to Reel Label’s need for yet more efficient, cost-effective production.
With a simple and short web path, operator make-ready time is under 15 minutes. A touch screen with simple, intuitive navigation provides a host of functions including a registration self-teach mode which ensures waste is reduced to an average of just 5 metres, enhancing environmentally conscious production while minimising substrate and consumable costs.
Set-up time is further enhanced via a robust, fast and easy loading die station. Die weight is supported by the bottom guide rail, making loading easy for the operator and virtually eliminating the risk of damage from incorrect loading, a common problem in conventional die stations.
A 100% automatic web inspection control system continuously scans the web for any defects. If a defect is detected, the machine automatically slows down and stops in a designated area, enabling the operator to determine whether or not the defect is within acceptable tolerances. If not, then the machine’s waste rewind module enables the operator to rewind the defective labels while still inspecting the web.
Chris Duffin, Reel Label Solutions M.D. explained: “There were other options available from other manufacturers at similar prices, and at least one that was considerably cheaper, but none that offered the equivalent degree of quality, capability and accuracy allied to a level of proven reliability we know from experience we can rely on.”
Daniel Carr, BGM’s sales manager sums it up thus: “Our engineers designed and built a highly cost-effective machine that will take Reel Labels’ production to new levels of output and efficiency and help keep them there for many years to come”.
