WS Packaging Group develop wine bottle over-labeling machine

Wine labeling applications often dictate applying labels at different stages of manufacturing and distribution. Export, accolade, and over-labeling projects are situations that require re-work after the primary labeling has been completed. Without an automated solution, the process is manually intensive and correspondingly expensive.

WS Packaging Group–Automated Systems has developed a wine bottle over-labeling machine for re-work that effectively can pay for itself within one year, according to the company. For example, a major winery was able to reduce its re-work crew of 30 employees to just two, but at the same time increase production five-fold with this equipment.

The system is fully automated, can be customized to meet specific requirements, and comes with a relatively small footprint of approximately 30 inches by 30 inches. Available options include a metering in-feed station, thermal print-and-apply, a reject station, and an integrated conveyor system. The entire system is turnkey in its orientation.

Digital sensors ensure finite accuracy and consistent label placement, front and back, with a dispensing accuracy /- 1/32 inch. Label application can be executed in either spin direction, making it possible to apply multiple labels in a single pass, which saves additional costs by reducing the number of times a bottle must be physically handled.

Technicians from WS Packaging Group install the machinery and make initial sensor settings. Digital controllers ensure precise timing between conveyor feed, sensor scan, and label application. The unit also stores the digital sensor marks for each application, which virtually eliminates setup time from one over-labeling project to another.