The Langguth E62 can label all types of containers made from glass, PET or metal, with full wraparound-label application. It can be used for round, as well as square or rectangular containers. The speed range for the various models is from approximately 30 containers per minute to 1,000 containers per minute, depending on the shape and size of the container. The E62 labeler at Palomar Mountain Spring Water primarily labels 1/2-liter PET bottles but can handle a wide range of container types and sizes.
The E62 utilizes one Nordson hot melt unit for both the pick-up and lap-gluing operations. The hot melt unit is mounted outside the machine guarding to allow for easy access. With conventional machines, the hot melt tank is mounted inside the machine guards, which means the operator must reach through the guards to load glue. The E62 features a nonrecirculating glue system. The glue is heated in three stages – in the tank, in the hoses and in the applicator heads – to ensure that no burning or cold spots develop. This completely closed, nonrecirculating system helps to avoid contamination by product or dust. Cleaning is also greatly reduced by the absence of recirculating hot melt tanks.
The firing times of the application heads are easily adjusted from the control panel via the programmable logic controller (PLC), with individual controls for pick-up and lap gluing. The machine is manufactured with a sufficient number of spray nozzles for the pick-up gluing to cover the height of the full range of bottles to be labeled. Each nozzle can be turned on and off from the control panel to suit various label sizes. Each nozzle is equipped with an annular outer ring that emits preheated air, which makes the discharged glue spin to a spiral pattern when applied to the container. This results in significantly less hot melt required for each container. In fact, the E62 hot melt labeler uses 30% less glue than traditional cut-and-stack labeling systems. This has led to significant savings for Palomar Mountain Spring Water’s bottling operation.
The lap gluing is done by a lap bar that incorporates a number of small nozzles. The lap-bar assembly is pneumatically controlled to ensure that it makes contact with the labels only when a container is present, thus avoiding label burning and contamination. When containers are present, a preselected amount of glue is pumped through the nozzles as the labels slide across the lap bar.
The container platforms can furthermore be equipped with a cam-controlled clutch, which allows for labeling square or rectangular containers, as well as applying a date code in a predetermined area of the label.
The E62 is also equipped with a fully adjustable label magazine that accepts all label sizes. It is also equipped with scales or digital readouts on all adjustment points, as well as a complete setup chart for each container size to facilitate changeover.