How To Setup Your Labeling Machine

Are you still confused about how to setup your labeling machine? This article will take you through how to setup the self-adhesive labeling machine. Below videos are some of our labeling machines, if you have the correct setup guidance, the self adhesive sticker labeling machine will help you a lot.

• What is a labeling machine and what is the labeling machine used for
• Advantages of using labeling machine
• Types of labeling machines
• How to set up the labeling machine
• Common problems in the process of setting up the labeling machine

Then let's get started !

A labeling machine usually consists of an electrical part, sensors(they can be divided into the label sensor and labeling object sensor, the label sensor is used to detect the gap between labels and labels, and send the signal to the control system to finish dispensing labels automatically. The labeling object sensor is used to detect passing by labeling objects and control the machine to finish labeling work automatically), transmission motor, conveying system, control system, etc. According to the type of label, the labeling machine can be divided into self-adhesive sticker labeling machine, sleeve shrink labeling machine, hot-melt labeling machine and wet glue labeling machine. For the specific introduction of these types of labeling machines, please refer to the following here: Types of labeling machine

This article will introduce how to set up the self-adhesive sticker labeling machine

After the labeling machine is installed correctly, it is very important to adjust the corresponding working components and working parameters of the machine according to the items you need to label. This step will directly affect the working efficiency of the machine after it is put into use and provide us with production benefits. Since the labeled products are different, the labeling components of the self-adhesive labeling machine will be changed accordingly according to the different labeled products, but the debugging steps of the labeling machine usually include the following steps

In order to allow the operator to install the label roll quickly and correctly, we can usually find a diagram of the label roll winding method on the body of the labeling machine or in the control panel, and install the label roll according to the content of the illustration. If there is no corresponding icon on the machine, please contact the manufacturer of the machine to know the winding direction of the label roll, as shown in the figure below. In addition, during the process of wrapping the label, the label must pass through the label sensor to ensure that the subsequent label sensor can work normally.

 -Sample image-

Usually, the name of the function button is displayed as briefly as possible on the operation panel of the machine to help understand the function of the corresponding button. We recommend that you ask the manufacturer of the machine for an introduction to the machine's control system, which is simpler and less risky to operate. If there is no corresponding introduction, you can choose to click each button in the operation panel in the manual mode of the machine (the button displayed as "manual" in the operation panel) to observe which components in the machine are running and the operating conditions, so as to Can understand the function of the button more clearly. Normally what we need to adjust will include "label outputting speed", "delay time to output labels", "delay time to stop outputting labels", for three roller labeling machine, 3 extra working data need to be adjusted, they are "bottle clamping time", "delay time to clamp bottles" and "interval time for front and back labels"

Loosen the fixed knobs on both sides of the conveyor belt guardrail, adjust the width of the conveyor belt guardrail according to the diameter or width of the labeling object to ensure that the object can just pass through, and then tighten the fixed knobs on both sides to complete the conveyor belt width adjustment work.

 

Step 4-2:Adjust the position of labeling object sensor

The labeling object sensor will send a signal to the control system when it detects passing by labeling object, so that the machine can attach the label to the products. When the labeling object sensor cannot detect the labeling object, no work order will be sent, and the machine will not attach the label to labeling objects. Due to the labeling structure will be different according to the labeling object, the position of labeling object sensor is not fixed. But I have some advice for reference

①For three roller labeling machine: the labeling object sensor is usually necessary to install the labeling object sensor directly above the labeling object to ensure that it can sense the labeling object.

②For labeling machine with press belt:  The labeling object sensor is usually placed at a distance of 5mm from the labeling belt

③Double side labeling machine: The labeling object sensor usually needs to be as close as possible to the label separating plate

④Top side labeling machine: The labeling object sensor is usually placed at a distance of 5mm from the label separating plate.

Are you also curious about what will the position of the labeling object sensor influence on the labeling effect?

In generally, based on the running direction of the conveyor belt (the side close to the labeling structure is the right side , and the other side is the left side), if the position of the labeling object sensor is closer to the right, the labeling object will be detected later. The sticker will also be labeled more to the left.

Top side labeling machine/Double sides labeling machine These two types of machines will need to pay attention to the adjustment of this position. Different from other labeling structure, for the three-roller labeling structure, it is also need to ensure the labeling objects sensor should match with the position of the running speed of the conveyor .When the labeling object sensor detects bottles, it will control the clamping structure to fix bottles and finish the labeling work, so if your conveying speed is too fast,  the clamping structure will not able to clamp bottles in time and vice versa.For labeling machine with pressing belt, If the labeling object sensor position is too close to the labeling structure, then there are some bubbles under self adhesive stickers or the label will be arched.If the position is too far from the labeling structure, the labels may can not be sticked to the labeling object or  the label roll may be rolled or pulled during the labeling process

Have you ever thought about this question, how can we ensure that the sensor detects the label or labeling object?

Actually, due to the different types of sensors, the way of displaying information will also be different. When some sensors detect objects, the lights will be on, and when the objects are removed, the lights will be off. There are also some sensors, when an object is detected, a "|" symbol will appear on the sensitivity adjuster equipped.

Step 4-3:Adjust the position of labeling structure according to labeling object

① Three-roller labeling machine

The labeling assembly of this type of labeling machine consists of three rollers combined. Put the object to be labeled (usually a standard cylinder) between the three rollers, so that the distance between the object and the separated label part is 3-5mm. While making sure the air compressor is not connected, loose screws used to fix the position of the labeling component consisting of two rollers and push this labeling component to another side. It is necessary to ensure that the labeling object can be just clamped by the three rollers. If the labeling object is clamped too close, the labeling object will be suspended above the conveyor belt during labeling and cannot be labeled well. If the labeling object cannot be clamped, there will be some bubbles under label stickers or labels can not be attached to the labeling object, the labeling effect is not ideal. After adjusting the position of the labeling component consisting of two rollers, it is necessary to re-tighten the screw to fix position.

 

Same as the double sides labeling machine, we need to make the label outputting speed match with the conveying speed.

A. If the label outputting speed is faster than conveying speed, it may caused : the sticker will be labeled to the front side of products
B. If the label outputting speed is faster than conveying speed, it may caused :the label will be labeled to the rear side of products

 

For the ①②③ labeling components, the following two labeling effects may also appear during the labeling process

A. the beginning of label is higher than the end of label, you need to use the rotary knob to lower the label separating plate
B. the beginning of label is lower than the end of label, you need to use the rotary knob to heighten the label separating plate

Step 5. Adjust the speed of the conveyor belt

After adjusting the labeling structure, we need to adjust the conveying speed according to production need. There are usually buttons on the operation panel or the side of the machine body to individually control the running speed or the working status of the conveyor belt. Generally speaking, whether it is to speed up or slow down the running speed of the conveyor belt, we need to increase or slow down the labeling outputting speed (in order to ensure that the speed of the two can match). Therefore, once the speed of the conveyor belt is reaching the required speed, we need to readjust the label outputting speed based on labeling effect. You can refer to the step 4.

In addition, for three roller labeling machine, the bottle clamping time should match with the conveying speed. If not,  it may caused:

A. The bottle clamping time is too long, several pieces of stickers will be sticked to same product.
B. The bottle clamping time is too short,  the label roll may be rolled or pulled during the process. or the part of label will be sticked, another part won't.

 

Step6. Adjust the "delay time of outputting label"

Generally speaking, whether it is to speed up or slow down the running speed of the conveyor belt, we need to increase or slow down the labeling outputting speed (in order to ensure that the speed of the two can match). Therefore, once the speed of the conveyor belt is reaching the required speed, we need to readjust the label outputting speed based on labeling effect. In this situation, we need to adjust the "delay time of outputting label" to make the label outputting speed match the running speed of the conveyor belt.

A. If the "delay time of outputting label" is too short, it may caused:

a-1: The front half of the label is folded, and the second half can be attached to the object normally.(For three roller labeling machine and labeling machine with press belt)

a-2: The sticker will be labeled to the front side of products (For double sides labeling machine and top side labeling machine)

B. If the "delay time of outputting label" is too long, it may caused:

a-1: The part of sticker will be labeled, another part won't.(For three roller labeling machine)

a-2: The sticker can not be labeled to the product (For labeling machine with press belt)

a-3: The sticker will be labeled to the rear side of products (For double sides labeling machine and top side labeling machine)

Step 7. The function of delay to stop outputting label (Optional）

Usually in the control system of the labeling machine, you can see the "delay to stop label" function button. As mentioned above, it can be used not only to control the label outputting length. It also has another function. In the actual operation process, we found that when the label is too long, if only the above-mentioned machine parts are adjusted, the label still cannot be perfectly attached to the item. At this point, the operator can set the time value for the delayed stop. Usually we recommend to start with the minimum value, and then test the labeling effect several times until you get the good labeling effect.

Step8:  Adjust the date coder(Optional）

①After installing the date coder correctly, click the "check" button in the control box to manually test the initial coding effect.

②Determine how to adjust the date coder according to the effect of the first coding, usually in the following situations

A. If the indentation of the font on the label is too deep, you need to slightly loosen the screw in the figure below to adjust the stroke of the coder
B. If the indentation of the font on the label is too shallow, you need to tighten the screws in the figure below to adjust the stroke of the coder

-Sample image-

C. If the indentation of the font on the label is appropriate, but the printing color of the font is too dark, this is caused by the high temperature of the coder. At this time, the temperature of the coder needs to be lowered
D. If the indentation of the font on the label is appropriate, but the printing color of the font is too light, this is caused by the temperature of the coder being too low. At this time, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the coder

1. If labels are pasting up and down from the end, one end is slightly up and other down , what is the solution to paste label evenly?

This problem usually occurs with wrap-around labeling. If you use the labeling machine with press belt to label wrap-around stickers, this would happen. The working principle of labeling machine with press belt is that stickers will be labeled during bottle conveying. The bottle moves forward and will rotate at the same time, so the labeling accuracy will become not so high. The three roller labeling machine can solve this problem. More information you can click below link, there is a video showing the difference between these two kinds of labeling machine

2. How to control label shifting problems in flat bottle

As what I mentioned above, after adjusting the amount that the label overhangs the dispensing edge (3-5mm),you can adjust the position of sensor(for detecting passing labeling objects).If your label is too long, please remember set the delay time of stopping dispensing labels.

3. The sensor doesn't seem to recognize labels/backing paper as some of our labels are similar colors to the backing paper, what is the solution to this?

The working principle of the label sensor is based on light transmittance. The light transmittance of the label material and the backing paper is usually different due to different materials. That is, in general, the label sensor can correctly distinguish the difference between the label and the label liner. There is a high probability that the above problem occurs because the label is a transparent label, not a conventional label. Clear labels require a custom label sensor in order for the machine to work properly.

4. How to determine label roll direction?

This is another interesting question. There is a very simple way. Usually we use the correct placement of the labeling object as a benchmark (for example, the mouth of the bottle is usually placed upwards), and observe whether the rolling direction of the label roll in the labeling structure is the same as which of the following items, we can correctly judge the labeling labeling direction.Most of our labeling machine is suitable for the “ left off ” label roll.

 

5. The labeling machine can not dispense labels, what can i do?

①Check if the sensor can detect passing by labeling object. If not, then move the position of the sensor or adjust the sensitivity. If yes, then ②Check if the machine is on or check if the conveyor is running. If not, then turn on the machine or the conveyor. If yes, then ③ Check if the label reel can work, if not, there is something wrong about the electric circuit. If yes, there is something wrong about the motor driver.

6. There are some bubbles under stickers, what is the solution to paste label evenly

This is caused by the running speed of the conveyor belt is faster than the output speed of the label. At this time, this problem can be solved by slowing down the speed of the conveyor belt

7. The machine keeps dispensing labels, how to solve this?
   Check if the label sensor can detect labels correctly. If yes, then something is wrong about the labeling object sensor. You need to adjust the sensitivity of labeling object sensor .If not, adjust the sensitivity of the label sensor and try to see if labels can be detected.
8. The machine dispense several pieces of labels, how to solve this?

①Detect whether the labeling object sensor has sensed the labeling object multiple times, if yes, you need to adjust the position of the sensor or re-adjust the sensitivity of the object sensor. If not, then ②you need to check if the amount that the label overhangs the dispensing edge is too long, if yes, please re-adjust the this value of the amount. If not, then ③ adjust the sensitivity of label sensor.

9. There is a crack on the edge of the bottom paper of the label, what is the solution to this?

①Check if the labeling object can touch the label separating plate during conveying, if yes, then you need to adjust the position of labeling structure or the conveyor width. If not, then ② check if the label reel is pressed too closed, if yes , then loose it slightly. If not, then ③it is caused by too deep die marks on the label paper or insufficient toughness of the backing paper， you can contact the label manufacturer to remake the label roll.

In summary, there are 8 steps for setting up your labeling machine.
Step 1. Install the label roll
Step 2. Understand the operating system of the machine
Step 3. Adjust the width of the conveyor belt according to the labeling objects
Step 4. Adjust the position of the labeling structure according to the labeling object
Step 5. Adjust the speed of the conveyor belt
Step6. Adjust the "delay time of outputting label"
Step 7. The function of delay to stop outputting label
Step 8. Adjust the date coder
Based on the above tutorial, you will know the direction to setup common self-adhesive sticker labeling machine. If you still need any help to setup labeling machine or don't know how to choose a labeling machine, please send e-mails to info@sunhanpack.com, we will reply you in 24 hours.