Germany-based machine manufacturer Kama has developed a highly efficient inline option for the application of Braille.
The newly developed AutoBraille for the company’s FF 52i fully automatic folder gluer has been designed to offer minimum make-ready times, enhanced reproducibility, and easy handling for the operator. This is said to make the system ideal for the production of folding cartons for the pharmaceutical market, which must be marked with Braille in Europe.
Kama AutoBraille has a unique feature that sees it automatically adjust the pair of embossing wheels across the full width of the machine. This means that all embossing positions that are possible on carton blanks can be approached in a self-controlled manner – from the left to the right flap, without a second module or reverse This simplifies the production process and calculation and saves valuable time. AutoBraille embosses up to five lines of standardised Braille and uses the common Braille tools. For instances where a box should require two Braille embossings, the Kama module offers a second pair of embossing wheels.
Whilst the main pair of embossing wheels move fully automatically to the calculated position for the embossing field, the transport belts are also machine-controlled and guide the blanks with high transport safety on both sides of the Braille wheel. Following a double sheet detector with ejector, the Braille dots are embossed and the Braille wheel is positioned for the next blank in milliseconds by a servo motor. Also, the tool change has been simplified, with the patrix plate for the respective job automatically drawn in at Braille Kit 1, similar to plate changing in offset printing.
Kama noted that compared to Braille embossing in the die-cutter, the new inline solution brings ‘considerable savings’ in tooling costs and make-ready time. A further advantage is the higher process safety due to the Braille application on the individual blank at the end of the value-added chain.
Steffen Pieper, managing director at Kama, said, ‘We see the areas of application in the production of folding cartons for pharmaceutical, healthcare and cosmetics products, as well as on-demand packaging and for web-to-pack customers, where short delivery times and short to medium runs are essential.’
Mr Pieper continued, ‘Fully equipped with AutoBraille, we now offer a complete solution for the production of folding cartons in the pharmaceutical industry.’
