PETpla.net Insider 11 / 2015

LABELLING 39 PET planet insider Vol. 16 No. 11/15 www.petpla.net labeller to provide even further benefits. Just like the previous machine, the new Rollquattro from Sidel is for the application of rollfed labels. GSDs’ new labeller has the same overall dimensions as the old machine, with a potential output rate of up to 25,000bph, and makes use of the same changeover parts. This in itself contributes to the reduction of the overall cost of the GSD invest- ment. The machine is fully tested by Sidel technicians before shipping to ensure it is simple to install in place of an existing machine, keeping stoppage time to an abso- lute minimum and reducing the impact on production. For GSD, the whole process, from dismantling the old labeller to the production of the first sellable bottles on the new Rollquattro, took only five days. “With the new machine fitted within a matter of days - and Customer Acceptance Validation reached in under three weeks as we had requested - we were able to tackle production for our high season with even greater labelling effi- ciency. At the same time, we have optimised the TCO of labelling PET bottles on the line,” commented Brian Galea. Qualitative plastic labels are applied on all the differ- ent waters and formats by the new Rollquattro, support- ing the market positioning of the brand Kristal water. The label transfer drum, glue and cutting modules of the new machine are designed to deliver high accuracy and quality time after time. The patented label transfer drum ensures high quality labels fit to bottles. The auto- mated vacuum, with easy and programmable settings, increases label tension and stability control. The label application and overlap alignment are precise at every speed, even for shaped bottles, with no additional wipe- down system required for label overlap closure. Each of the four integrated single rotating cutting blades is highly durable and designed for up to 5,000 working hours. Brian Galea continues: “GSD production is changed roughly three times every day. So production flexibil- ity in terms of changeover of materials, formats and labels, is essential to us. With a compact footprint, the new Rollquattro linear station design makes access to machine modules easy, thereby making changeovers in format faster. With adjustments for both bottle and label configurations made via the human machine interface (HMI), we now find that we can carry out changeovers within only thirty minutes.” The ergonomic linear design of the new Rollquattro provides control of all labelling processes and allows for simpler maintenance procedures. Modules can be removed from the station and worked on separately. Reduced wearing between the glue-vacuum-drum-cutter roller and the lack of lubrication decreases the need for maintenance. The glue tank, located under the machine base, can be easily and safely accessed by the operator and the vacuum prevents labels from entering the glue roller area to reduce the need for cleaning. www.gsd.com.mt www.sidel.com