1. IML, the NEW TECHNOLOGY in LABELLING and PACKAGING.
IML is a surprising innovation. In-mould labels have started to replace traditional
adhesive labels for many applications: food cups; bottles for detergents, cleaners,
solvents, cosmetics, food. Also buckets, cans, tanks, trays, plastic crates and pallets.
In-mould makes the IML-label an integral part of the package. No adhesive.
The principal advantages of IML product labelling:
A. IML-labels are indestructibly moulded in the product.
B. IML-Labels are sealed under the surface of a product, unlike traditional glued
labels which are on the bottle or container and can easily be damaged.
C. IML-Labels follow the shape of the packaging and can be made visible from
several sides. A typical IML-Label is the 4-sided butterfly.
D. IML-Labels can be made of the same material as the product and facilitate
practical recycling.
E. IML-Label distinguishes the product by the untouched and colourful presentation,
staying impeccably during its life time.
F. IML-Labels and screen printing are not comparable because of permanence,
expense, shape and quality limitations of screen.
2. MOULDING into the bottle, can, pot and other containers.
The printed IML-labels are positioned and held in two ways for secure moulding:
by VACUUM and by STATIC electricity.
The molding itself is distinguished in BLOW MOLD and INJECTION MOLD.
3. SPECIFICATIONS of IML-LABELS.
IML are made in size as small as about 3 x 4" and can be large as about DIN A4
or larger, depending upon the packaging that receives the label.
IML can be as thin as 50 mu and up to about 150 mu (.006").
The caliper depends largely on the wall material thickness of the holder, that carries
the IML-product identification (thinwall or thickwall).
The printing of IML-labels has to meet the particular requirements of the packager
for colour values, inks, UV-drying and eventual coating.
The substrate can be PP and PE, transparant and opaque.
4. ON THE WAY to MATURE TECHNIQUE for IML.
IML is a completely new technology, which is now on the threshold to enter large
fields of applications in the packaging industry. The adoption of IML-technique
is largely subject to how fast the technical maturity of the crucial production passes
will be reached as well as the command over the process. Potential users of IML
for product identification can hardly await IML to further mature and to invest in
this promising direction.
In view of its young age IML is allready applied on an impressive scale.
With increasing maturity there will be a surging reception and acceptance of IML,
since its advantages widely outperform all traditional ways of labelling, product
identification and presentation.
Sophisticated machinery is required for INDUSTRIAL INMOULDING of labels for the
many types of bottles, cups, cans, buckets, containers etc. The technical process
is on the way. This is the right time for the IML-business.
Many sectors of the packaging industry are eagerly looking into moulding machinery
and to benefit from the advantages IML has to offer.
Functional IML-labels based on reliable production technique is another crucial
impulse for the label and labelling industry.
5. CONVERTING printed webs into STRAIGHT STACKS of IML-LABELS.
IML-pioneers know the surprises named IML. This struggle is typical for the emerging
new production process. There is no way around gaining the experience and know-how
on the promising IML-field.
This is the challenge and the chance.
A crux for IML is the stacker to count and batch the often tricky in-mould substrates.
This stacker can be directly connected to the die-cutter of the flexo web or web
offset press.
The alternative is to print roll-to-roll (at higher speeds) in flexo or offset and to
convert the printed web on a Labb-2-System to finish the IML-Labels into straight
packs by a special in-line IML-Stacker.
IML-Labels can be printed sheet-fed and punched on a separate die-cutter.
The flimsy material determines if sheet fed can compete against web.
Insiders prefer to produce IML from the roll, for better control and more performance.
The IML-Stacker is available with a rejector to drop subquality labels.
The rejector is initiated manually or camera.
6. SPECIFICATIONS for a PROFESSIONAL STACKER for IML-LABELS.
Thin IML-substrates (5/100 mm = .002") belong to the most sensitive substrates
in the printing industry. IML of this caliper is very subject to static electricity and
demands a refined lay-out of the static eliminators. The take-over of the labels
from the die-cut cylinder and the troublefree stacking in the descending pile are
other elimentary points for successful output. Besides of static the flimsy IML-
material can be slick and slippery as an eal; this makes IML hard to stack and
to handle and calls for a special stacker to control.
The stacker has to be capable to produce in THREE or FOUR STREAMS with an
electronic jogging reception, as there are many small size IML-products.
The obstacles in IML-production are a good protection for the specialists that
overcame the learning phase and who have little to fear from occasional competitors.
Masetring and controling IML-technique is the precondition for its further promising future.
7. TO GAIN IML-EXPERIENCE.
The specific nature of IML-substrates cause production situations seldom encountered
in the printing or converting industry. However, the technique has reached the stage
where printing, stacking and moulding are becoming professional.
This can be seen as the key moment to engage in this promising field, notwithstanding
or because the great efforts needed to conquer and digest the new technique.
Many tricks have to be learned to cope with IML in the printing plant and on the
packaging floor.
The pioneers and entrepreneurs are standing up.
8. OTHER MATTERS TO CONSIDER.
Cost reduction for thinner wall containers.
Cost saving at recycling.
Security because of integral, non-replacable IML-labels.
Reusable containers with IML-labels do not need to be relabeled.
IML-labels do not become unreadable.
With IML the plastic can or container can be cleaned and reused many times.
9. OTHER APPLICATIONS for the IML-2 STACKER.
In-mould labels as a young product in the packaging world have a long and promising
future ahead with many lucrative applications across the industry. Besides of the mould
implications of stacking in-mould material, the placement of IML-labels in the is to
be mastered.
This technique requires a learning phase and experience to gain before full efficiency
becomes a fact.
In this stage, there may not always be full utilisation for an in-mould line in the
printing plant. The IML-2 Stacker is so designed, that it can carry many other
products to industrial in-line performance. Round, oval and odd shaped adhesiv
or wet labels are ideal for the IML-2 Stacker. These products are often sheet
printed and die-cut in a next cumbersome operation.
This elaborate procedure can now be streamlined by the IML-2 Stacker for finished,
counted, straight packs in one single pass.
Other bottle-necks taken away by the IML-2 Stacker are folding boxes and lids for
cups and cans. Also here the single step operation is a crucial innovation for the
label- and packaging business.
fax or email for further information or call Bodo Meijer
mobile 0049 172 2162086
GmbH - O.P.M. - |
Laacherweg 43
D-40667 Meerbusch
Tel +49 (0)2132 99020
Fax +49 (0)2132 968383
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Bodo O. Meijer md
Jerry W. Meijer sen.vp
R/S-Technology since 1959
ref. IML-1e.html
update 28.08.2009
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