Dispensing Heads Are Key To Correct Label Positioning

By John Henry, www.changeover.com

Most pressure–sensitive (PS) labelers are fairly simple, as packaging machinery goes. All work the same way, pulling a web over a peeler plate to dispense the label. Most of the time, labelers are pretty repeatable.

In this column, I want to talk about the labeling machines, but more specifically, the label dispensing heads themselves. When mislabeling occurs — whether it is out of position, skewed, or wrinkled — it may be the fault of the label, the package, or the way the package is presented to the labeling head rather than the labeling head itself. If you have not yet read my recent articles about issues with labels and containers in PS labeling, you should do so now. These include articles on the pressure sensitive option and getting a handle on labeling.

When mislabeling occurs, the first step is to determine whether the head or some other factor is the cause. It can often be checked by passing the same package through the labeler multiple times. If the head is OK, the labels will usually be misapplied in a consistent manner.

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