Greg Hrinya, Editor03.27.24
Label converters have a wide range of tasks and requirements to complete daily. The workforce challenges facing label printers only complicate matters. However, converting equipment manufacturers have strived to automate the process, enabling printers to meet their lofty demands in the face of numerous challenges.
Martin Automatic has developed automated converting equipment that helps mitigate the challenges posed by workforce shortages and higher quality demands. Martin Automatic’s converting equipment reduces the reliance on manual labor and minimizes production errors. The equipment's ease of use, ease of maintenance, and integration with existing workflows ensure operational flexibility, enabling converters to adapt to changing workforce dynamics effectively.
The company offers a comprehensive range of nonstop, high performance automatic splicing unwind, rewind and tension control equipment. “We produce equipment for all sectors of the label and packaging markets capable of automating any web-fed process, from conventional and digital presses to narrow web and wide web coating and laminating lines,” explains Gavin Rittmeyer, VP of sales and marketing, Martin Automatic. “We help produce the material in web format that is converted to narrow web rolls that is then used by converters to produce the labels and packaging material we use with our food, beverage and consume goods products. Our commitment to reliability, operator convenience, cost efficiency, innovation, and relentless support of our customers has set the standard for automated converting equipment.”
This has been an evolving industry, with the last several years seeing a boom in technological advancements. “Automating the web fed process helps converters manage exposure to increasing costs by reducing waste and increasing the meters of useable labels and packaging per unit of input – reducing waste and increasing productivity is more important now than ever,” comments Rittmeyer. “Lending to this trend is the drive to produce materials with less content – thinner films take less petroleum to produce; recycled materials do not consume virgin pulp resources and lineless labels eliminate an entire web altogether, and yet adds the complexity of transporting web with exposed adhesive through the process. Martin's automated solutions have seamlessly integrated with printing and converting processes using this array of brave new materials.”
Martin Automatic has invested significantly into R&D, with the hopes of simplifying the process for operators. For example, converters are trying to produce more labels with fewer operators at higher speeds. Plus, the time in which new operators must achieve success is not nearly as long as it once was.
“These factors, combined with the added complexities of modern converting equipment, make for the perfect storm when training operators,” says Rittmeyer. “Martin focuses on equipment designs based on the 4Es: Equipment that is Easy to use, Easy to understand, Easy to maintain, and Easy to integrate – the 4Es of Martin. Our commitment to KIS – Keep It Simple - and pure-form, essential engineering, allows us to minimize the time it takes to get operators proficient on our equipment.
Martin Automatic’s newest equipment features allow operators to prepare webs more efficiently and quickly, which allows for the unwinding of webs at higher speeds and lower tensions. According to Rittmeyer, rewinds that accommodate non-symmetrical or non-homogeneous labels and packaging material help in the decision to include web automation from start to finish.
In addition, advances in other technology, such as on-line inspection systems, are allowing more printers and converters to automate the rewinding function and reduce their off-line processes.
“Many converters have a requirement for off-line slitting, inspection and doctoring of rolls,” he says. “For these, Martin Automatic also offers a control package to interface our rewinders with the leading on-press inspection systems. In a typical integration, the LRD will send a signal to place a label or flag on the web. Upon an automatic roll transfer, the label will be on the outer wrap of the finished roll, where it can be scanned in an offline operation for information and easy identification of defect points in the roll.”
Feedback has been positive, especially since the market requires these advancements. Customers have come to Martin Automatic with converting challenges, and the company has responded with new and improved lines.
“Converters appreciate the reduction in human errors associated with manual roll changes and tension adjustments, leading to more resilient and sustainable production environments,” notes Rittmeyer. “The equipment's user-friendly design and seamless integration with press lines have garnered praise, contributing to enhanced productivity and cost-efficiency.”
The label and package printing industry is increasingly trending in this direction – with automation and customization hallmarks of new converting equipment. Martin Automatic’s equipment is designed for seamless integration with any new or existing process line.
“For the narrow web industry, Martins can be configured to fit the tightest of available spaces, making the benefits of roll change automation accessible to nearly all converters,” says Rittmeyer. “And most Martin rewinders and unwinders are offered with portability packages to enable easy movement to and re-installation on other lines as production requirements dictate.”
Martin Automatic has developed automated converting equipment that helps mitigate the challenges posed by workforce shortages and higher quality demands. Martin Automatic’s converting equipment reduces the reliance on manual labor and minimizes production errors. The equipment's ease of use, ease of maintenance, and integration with existing workflows ensure operational flexibility, enabling converters to adapt to changing workforce dynamics effectively.
The company offers a comprehensive range of nonstop, high performance automatic splicing unwind, rewind and tension control equipment. “We produce equipment for all sectors of the label and packaging markets capable of automating any web-fed process, from conventional and digital presses to narrow web and wide web coating and laminating lines,” explains Gavin Rittmeyer, VP of sales and marketing, Martin Automatic. “We help produce the material in web format that is converted to narrow web rolls that is then used by converters to produce the labels and packaging material we use with our food, beverage and consume goods products. Our commitment to reliability, operator convenience, cost efficiency, innovation, and relentless support of our customers has set the standard for automated converting equipment.”
This has been an evolving industry, with the last several years seeing a boom in technological advancements. “Automating the web fed process helps converters manage exposure to increasing costs by reducing waste and increasing the meters of useable labels and packaging per unit of input – reducing waste and increasing productivity is more important now than ever,” comments Rittmeyer. “Lending to this trend is the drive to produce materials with less content – thinner films take less petroleum to produce; recycled materials do not consume virgin pulp resources and lineless labels eliminate an entire web altogether, and yet adds the complexity of transporting web with exposed adhesive through the process. Martin's automated solutions have seamlessly integrated with printing and converting processes using this array of brave new materials.”
Martin Automatic has invested significantly into R&D, with the hopes of simplifying the process for operators. For example, converters are trying to produce more labels with fewer operators at higher speeds. Plus, the time in which new operators must achieve success is not nearly as long as it once was.
“These factors, combined with the added complexities of modern converting equipment, make for the perfect storm when training operators,” says Rittmeyer. “Martin focuses on equipment designs based on the 4Es: Equipment that is Easy to use, Easy to understand, Easy to maintain, and Easy to integrate – the 4Es of Martin. Our commitment to KIS – Keep It Simple - and pure-form, essential engineering, allows us to minimize the time it takes to get operators proficient on our equipment.
Martin Automatic’s newest equipment features allow operators to prepare webs more efficiently and quickly, which allows for the unwinding of webs at higher speeds and lower tensions. According to Rittmeyer, rewinds that accommodate non-symmetrical or non-homogeneous labels and packaging material help in the decision to include web automation from start to finish.
In addition, advances in other technology, such as on-line inspection systems, are allowing more printers and converters to automate the rewinding function and reduce their off-line processes.
“Many converters have a requirement for off-line slitting, inspection and doctoring of rolls,” he says. “For these, Martin Automatic also offers a control package to interface our rewinders with the leading on-press inspection systems. In a typical integration, the LRD will send a signal to place a label or flag on the web. Upon an automatic roll transfer, the label will be on the outer wrap of the finished roll, where it can be scanned in an offline operation for information and easy identification of defect points in the roll.”
Feedback has been positive, especially since the market requires these advancements. Customers have come to Martin Automatic with converting challenges, and the company has responded with new and improved lines.
“Converters appreciate the reduction in human errors associated with manual roll changes and tension adjustments, leading to more resilient and sustainable production environments,” notes Rittmeyer. “The equipment's user-friendly design and seamless integration with press lines have garnered praise, contributing to enhanced productivity and cost-efficiency.”
The label and package printing industry is increasingly trending in this direction – with automation and customization hallmarks of new converting equipment. Martin Automatic’s equipment is designed for seamless integration with any new or existing process line.
“For the narrow web industry, Martins can be configured to fit the tightest of available spaces, making the benefits of roll change automation accessible to nearly all converters,” says Rittmeyer. “And most Martin rewinders and unwinders are offered with portability packages to enable easy movement to and re-installation on other lines as production requirements dictate.”