Dual-format cosmetic labelling, one-sided operator management

At the request of a French cosmetic manufacturer, Etipack has designed an automatic labeling system for the application of pressure-sensitive labels on quadrangular and cylindrical cosmetic products, with one-sided operator management.

The cosmetic company Phytosolba-Alés Groupe – manufacturer of the brands Lierac, Jowaé, Phyto, Kydra, Secret Professionnel, Subtil- was looking for an industrial labelling system to label two types of products, quadrangular and elliptical, being able to manage the whole process from a single operator side. This specific need was due both to the considerable development in length of the production line, and to the reduced availability of space within the plant that would have limited the possibility of access to the system.

The solution  designed and produced by Etipack consists of an industrial labelling system with reel management and changes on the same operator side.
In view of the extension of the line and the lack of space, Etipack has designed a special System 5 able to perform two applications, quadrangular and cylindrical, with reel management and changes on the same operator side. This layout makes the operator activity time-effective avoiding the transition from one side to the other for management.

Technical characteristics and configurations
The system has a single side for managing adjustments, reel changes, and parameters; single operator interface. To limit manual access, the system is equipped with protection to detect the opening and block operation.
The in-line integration thanks to traction motors placed under the conveyor allows upstream and downstream belts of the line to be flanked. This facilitates and maintains the sliding flow of products to and from the other production stages (filling and packaging).
The system is equipped with a COGNEX IS 2000 Vision System complete with Touch Vision View monitor for positioning and labeling control.

A maximum load control and output thanks to a sensor in the ejected products drawer remind, with a light signal to the operator, to empty the drawer. The maximum output load sensor checks the right amount of products.
The ejection system and the waste drawer are designed ad hoc so as not to spoil the discarded products and to ensure that they can be replenished on the line to be labeled.
The system is able to run:
• front/back labelling thanks to a Special device (DRP) with a sponge bearing allowing the rotation of 180° even of quadrangular products;
• wrap-around labelling thanks to a 3-roller workstation with gate allowing the application of two opposing labels placed alternately on the backing paper.
At the output, a pair of ribbons con-nects the system to the next line and holds the product suspended to allow laser printing on the bottom.

Advantages for the user 
The automatic labelling system for cosmetic products has guaranteed Phytosolba maximum flexibility in managing the labelling of dual-format cosmetic products with a single system.
The single operator side allows the optimization of reel change times, with an efficient control of all operations and adjustments thanks to the single management interface.
The vision system verifying labelling ensures  precision and quality control and waste sensors allows to recover unlabelled products.