Companies team up on advanced labeling solution
have joined forces to provide high speed application of flameless
heat transfer decoration to blow molded PET and HDPE containers,
commonly used in a variety of personal care applications.
According to the companies, a combination of technologies developed by each manufacturer has led to equipment that can apply heat transfer labels to containers at rates of up to 300 per minute, and eliminate the need for flame treating containers before or after decorating.
Multi-Color's patented technology has expanded the market for heat transfer by offering molders and end users more decorating possibilities.
Partly this is because ink-only is replacing conventional applied ceramic labeling (ACL) with expanded capabilities such as process color (for photographic reproduction) and brighter, sharper graphics.
This method can also be used to produce acid etch effects without the high cost and environmental impact of the acid etch process. Since only the ink is transferred to the container, the appearance on glass and clear PET containers is said to be greatly improved.
Likewise, because this method is flameless it also means that it saves money and eliminates a potential safety hazard.
Meanwhile, United Silicone's has brought its Impulse-HT technology as part of the solution. This is an automated, servo-driven application system that delivers the desired line speed application of Multi- Color's flameless heat transfer graphics, at up to 300 containers per minute.
According to the company, the system's dual head, multiple servo technology provides fast, accurate heat transfer labeling application to a wide variety of two-sided blow molded containers.
On top of this, digital controls include transfer length adjustment to suit different container sizes, while the electronically-controlled Impulse-HT features laser-guided teach-mode programming that provides rapid changeover of jobs. Don Kneir, president of Multi-Color Decorating Solutions believes that by combining their technologies the companies are revolutionizing the heat transfer decorating process.
"It's a game-changing, cost-effective solution," he said.
