Weber Marking Systems has introduced a new label printer applicator for pharmaceutical markets.
The Model 5300 Series, engineered and manufactured exclusively by Weber, features a number of enhancements and innovations to offer maximum flexibility and versatility for end-users, combining modular design with high-speed, high-quality label printing, application and optional RFID encoding.
The modular design means the new model can offer six different pressure-sensitive label application methods - air-blow, tamp-blow, direct-tamp, corner-wrap, swing-tamp and two label/adjacent panel printing. This enables the 5300 to be reconfigured to meet future labelling requirements without the need to acquire a separate printer-applicator.
The model also features one-to-one media consumption. Special label unwind and rewind dimensions are matched to the system's ribbon supply to ensure that they are consumed at the same rate. This option reduces downtime and eliminates partial changeovers. The unit's rewind system automatically adjusts to the amount of liner on the take-up reel, providing added operational dependability. Further flexibility is provided by the standard connectivity to product handling systems and high-speed pneumatic components.
A number of enhancements have been introduced to make the 5300 as user-friendly as possible. The machine can be monitored remotely via a web browser, detailing the status of all operational functions and configurations. As well as providing easy access for all production data, this also enables fault finding and diagnostics to be carried out remotely for fast service response and minimum downtime.
Multiple label printing formats can be stored in the system's memory, enabling operators to select jobs directly from the applicator. A repositionable operator interface, including the availability of an optional 15-foot umbilical, provides maximum flexibility in the placement of the controller. In addition, the system can be interfaced with many types of user-specific PLCs.
A variety of standard thermal/thermal-transfer printing engines produce text, bar codes and graphic images at 203 or 300dpi, and will rapidly dispense labels at up to 16-INCH (406mm) per second. The optional RFID models combine printing capabilities with the encoding and verification of RFID inlays to the meet the specifications of EPC protocols.
Weber's Model 5300 operates with Weber's print-apply software, which simplifies label formatting, editing and printing, in addition to providing RFID encoding capabilities. Weber also manufactures a wide variety of pressure-sensitive label materials and RFID smart labels that are suitable for variable thermal or thermal-transfer imprinting.