The demand for top quality woven labels is rising. Jakob Muller AG, Switzerland shows how to get older machinery into top shape in order to meet increasingly stringent market requirements.

Labels are of growing importance as brand standard-bearers, a development mirrored by customer demands for higher quality. For example, weft densities are now required, which ten years ago were technically impossible. Therefore, Muller's engineering has developed systems for its new machinery, which facilitates the production of labels of this standard. Moreover, it also now offers the same technology for older equipment in the form of retrofit packages and presents in the following paragraphs a representative cross-section of these packages.

1. VARIPICK
(Retrofitting on all MOGRIP MBJ3 / 3.1 machines)

The mechanical locking regulator and the electronic standard regulator are replaced by a frequency inverter controlled take-off motor, which assumes the given parameters with a high level of dynamism and guarantees precise movement with minimum set value deviations. Differing weft densities and regulator movements are accepted on a 1:1 basis. The result is a stripe-free product, which allows the creation of precise, symmetrical figures (eg, circles).

2. Needle temple bar
(Retrofitting on all MOGRIP MBJ 3/ 3.1 and MOJET MBJL machines)

Use of the needle temple bar provides maximum weaving machine benefits even if labels have a high weft density. The needle temple bar prevents warp thread friction in the reed area and the weft insertion guide elements, thus reducing the number of shutdowns due to thread breaks. In addition, label weaving on the left and right edges is of good quality and the number of rejects is reduced. Retrofitting is to be recommended if labels are to be frequently woven with a high or very high weft density.

3. TVT-Cut
(Retrofitting on all MOGRIP MBJ3 / 3.1 and MOJET MBJL machines)

Label edge quality continues to be a major quality characteristic and sales argument. The use of Muller's new TVT cutting system is to be recommended for labels with high weft densities due to the fact that the low temperature of the cutting wire creates only minimal melt on the front of the label, while on the reverse side, a slightly higher temperature leads to a V-shape of the melt mass. The result is super fine edges, which set new benchmarks for the industry and are characterised by excellent skin compatibility.

4. Overvoltage protection
(Retrofitting on all MOGRIP MBJ3/3.1, MOJET MBJL and MVC2.1 machines)

The rapid developments in the field of electronic machine control systems of recent years has resulted in the factor that Muller machines contain an increasing number of electronic components. These are all tested as to their suitability for industrial use and generally function fault-free. However, under certain circumstances, voltage fluctuations in the local electricity supply can lead to the destruction of electronic circuits or of the insulation on prints between strip conductors.

This problem can be prevented by the use of overvoltage safeguards and since September 2004, Muller machines have been equipped with an efficient system protection as a standard feature. It also offers the same protection for machines with an earlier delivery date in the form of a reasonably priced retrofit.

Other retrofits for label weaving machines

CANTRINA: Retaining edge cone creel for up to 20 cones. Can be retrofitted onto all Mugrip MBJ1, MBJ2 and MBJ3 machines. Advantages: optimum edge thread settings, constant weft insert.

Double guide rollers: Two guide rollers with corundum coating for guiding the weave. Can be retrofitted onto all MOGRIP MBJ3/3.1, MOJET MBJL and MBJL2 machines. Advantages: weave guidance stabilisation with a resulting reduction in cutting blade readjustment. No lateral draft of the weave in the cutting area.

Adjustable cutting unit for Musonic1: Lateral shift of the cutting beam and thus simultaneous adjustment of all the cutting blades. Advantages: lateral regulation of all blades in one operation, reduced setting requirement, less waste due to shorter reaction times.