UK self-adhesive labels specialist Mercian Labels has moved to deepen its use of automation, with the support of A B Graphic (ABG) and Cerm.
The digital finishing equipment manufacturer and MIS specialist have been integral to a five-year project intended to ‘substantially unlock production efficiencies’. Specifically, the converter has aspirations of creating a 100% automated – ‘lights out’ – manufacturing process. The expected benefits would include increased workflow efficiencies, less energy consumption, reduced waste and improved production costs.
To achieve increased workflow automation to such a degree, ABG and Mercian Labels had to find a way of connecting all stages of the print and finishing process as one. This part of the project is noted as having been ‘complex and time-consuming’. It also required Cerm to help create the required interface between all components.
The result is a process involves taking a JDF out of an ERP system and converting that into a JMF that can actually drive all the individual components as a one-stop process. Instructions for each job are provided by QR codes, which are acted on by the software.
Mercian Labels managing director Dr Adrian Steele commented, ‘With this project we have achieved the goal of automatically setting up multiple components of a converting machine purely based on the JDF, being flexo units, die-cutting, back-slitting, knife-slitting, PDF inspection and turretting of complicated multi-SKU digital jobs. This is a revolution in automated digital finishing.
‘I’ve been delighted with the commitment that ABG has shown to this project. It sees and shares the vision that automation is the future, and the company’s commitment to writing the software integrations and machine configurations to get this project to work has been absolutely second to none.’
ABG global sales director Matt Burton added, ‘This was a complex project, which represented a long-term ambition for us and Mercian. I firmly believe that what we have created collectively is streets ahead for workflow and automation and makes our machines with the integrated software a more attractive option for converters requiring increased production efficiencies.’
