KHS launches Innoket 360 Duo roll-fed labeler

05-Aug-2014 - Last updated on 07-Aug-2014 at 13:31 GMT

KHS has launched a roll-fed labeling machine with two labeling stations and a capacity of up to 60,000 non-returnable PET bottles per hour.

The Innoket 360 Duo (pictured below) takes its place alongside the uprated Innoket 360 (PET bottles) and its compact cousin the Innoket 360S (see the main picture) both of which have an output of up to 50,000 bottles/hour using one station.

Designed for medium to high-capacity operation, the machines can label PET bottles destined to be filled with waters, soft drinks and beers.

A KHS spokeswoman told BeverageDaily.com that the Duo machine's output relates to the two stations combined, and the machine is prepared for use with one-way PET bottles, not glass bottles or cans.

Asked if KHS had sold any units yet, she added: "The Duo is very new and so there is no example until now that can be mentioned in operation."

KHS says it has optimized the machines to include a servomotor-driven reel stand and an intelligent sensor to control label cutting – customers will also be able to add another self-adhesive labelling station and/or tamper-evident sleever to the Innoket 360.

Servomotor-driven reel stand

Using a servodrive rather than the old mechanical control unit to control the tension for precise cutting on the labelling station, reducing force exerted on the film by circa. 80%, KHS says, allowing its machines to process thinner film material than previously.

Traditionally, the machines used a cutting mark sensor to cut labels, and new label lengths had to be programed into the labeller with every format changeover. But these parameters are now in-built, so operators can select the product to be processed using a control module.

KHS says the change will allow for faster changeovers and fewer operator errors, and will also sell buyers what it claims is a material saving optional extra – a sensor that doesn’t require a cutting mark.

Instead it detects precisely where a cut must be made by studying the pixel arrangement thereon, dispensing with the need to glue label ends over unattractive cutting marks and saving up to 10mm of label per bottle.