Partners develop integrated labeling machine with automated in-line inspection for security applications

The new, integrated labelling machine is the culmination of the three firms’ technology and expertise: Ross Manufacturing has built a high performance label transport, which incorporates web tension dancer roller technology that continuously adjusts the tension to prevent web breaks when traveling in either direction; Herma has integrated its label applicator system to add a scratch-off label to conceal variable codes pre-printed on the security label; and Lake Image Systems has integrated high resolution cameras and high intensity lighting and deployed its Discovery Multiscan software to read and inspect every label.

The machine has been successfully installed and commissioned at a major security printer to automate the production and inspection of secure labels. Many authentication labels, vouchers, lottery and gaming cards have an added concealment feature to protect variable printed codes or images on the label from unauthorized individuals. However, verifying the concealment feature is applied correctly is commonly done manually or using a separate off-line inspection system. This process is unreliable and can hugely increase production costs and extend delivery times, the partners said, and Martin Keats, managing director of Lake Image Systems, added: ‘With the security labels market growing rapidly, we were delighted to be a part of this exciting new innovation.

‘Our combined in-line inspection and “make-up” process now guarantees that every label roll is 100 percent correct before leaving the equipment, reducing production costs and waste but also mitigating the potential risks associated with faulty labels for both the security printer and the end client.’

‘We believe the combination of in-line label application, inspection and label correction on a single device is a first in the industry,’ said Ross Baker, owner of Ross Manufacturing. ‘The three-way partnership brought together the best brains and technology in the industry to create a truly unique labelling machine that has already delivered significant productivity gains for the end client.’