Herma US showcased its portfolio of labeling equipment solutions at the inaugural Pack Expo Southeast in Atlanta.
As a global leader in self-adhesive label application systems, the company highlighted several machines, including its first robotics-assisted cell for wrap-around labeling, tamper-evident marking and sealing, and high-speed, precise applications.
Wrap-around labeling capabilities
Showcasing the company’s first robotics-assisted labeling cell for wrap-around labeling, Herma US sales manager Viktor Volkov highlighted the manufacturer’s efficient approach to marking products for the pharmaceutical sector, as the 211R HC is designed to produce 20 pharmaceutical products per minute, such as small vials, GLP-1s, pens, and carpules.
“This is a specific machine for a high-end pharmaceutical customer,” said Volkov while demonstrating the system’s capacity to work with pens.
The machine works when products are fed and removed via a drawer system engineered to maintain a closed system that does not need to be opened during operation, minimizing the risk of errors and contamination. The robot then removes products from the tray and deposits them in the labeling station, which is equipped with a Herma 500 label applicator.
Once marked, the robot places the products under an image processing system, or a sensor, to confirm that the labels and required data are present, as the cell is programmed to automatically comply with specific labeling regulations and standards.
“We can break down this machine into two sections,” said Volkov. “That will be the pick and place with a robot and the hammer application, which can also be done without automation.”
Optional formats with a quick-change unit are also available.
Ensuring product safety and security
Built to provide high-quality tamper-evident packaging, Herma’s 362E TE is a highly flexible labeling machine capable of sealing up to 200 folded boxes per minute. It applies the labels to the sides of the flaps, so they extend 50% beyond the box body at the top and bottom.
“We use this machine to apply tamper-evident labels where we are sealing the corners of the product,” said Volkov.
The machine works when boxes are pushed head-on from the downstream machine onto the Herma transfer plate, aligned by lateral guides, picked up by a driven upper belt to provide spacing between boxes, and a conveyor belt is positioned to stabilize the boxes from below.
Labels are verified by fiber-optic sensors, and those protruding are folded 90 degrees by guides and pressed on with spring-mounted rollers. Once pressed onto boxes, additional sensors check for protruding labels.
Boxes with incorrect print, code, or a missing non-folded label are ejected by a slider. A function crosscheck ensures faulty boxes have been rejected, and in the event a faulty product has not been rejected, the machine will stop with an error message. In the event of a series error, the machine also stops so safety is maintained.
“We’re verifying if the label was peeled over,” said Volkov. “If the label is not folded over or was not applied, we will reject the product.”
Features include various monitoring systems like machine control, print and code controls of the product, missing label and fold control, along with a seven inch touchscreen control panel and flexible adjustment to suit various product dimensions. An optional thermal inkjet printer is also available.
Accurate, quick labeling
According to the company, offering exactness and fast cycle times, the Herma 500 MB can produce up to 70 products per minute, making it ideal for the detailed labeling of cosmetic products.
“This is a stamp unit, used for applications where you have to precisely place the label onto different products,” said Volkov. “It can be integrated into a full automated machine, or it can be used as a semi-automatic machine.”
Featuring integrated control and convenient adjustment, it provides high-precision applications for a variety of functional labels and self-adhesive elements, like pressure compensation, membranes, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology labels.
Constructed with a compact design, it’s easy for OEMs to integrate into existing production lines without the need for additional controls.
“It’s a high-precision machine that can be used for multiple applications,” said Volkov. “You can put the machine horizontally or vertically, and you have precise labeling with the right amount of pressure to ensure the label is sealed.”
The machine has labeled various products, including plastic bottles, folded cartons, beverages, thermoformed packaging, and more. Manufacturers can customize it to work with different printers for variable data.
Learn more
To explore Herma’s labeling machinery options, click here. If you missed Pack Expo Southeast, view our photo gallery to explore the innovations that were on display.
