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Category: Packaging & Labelling

Mujin Robotics Technology Enters Europe

Posted on by David Priestman

Mujin, a global supplier of intelligent robotic automation, today announced the opening of its first European office, strategically located in the Netherlands. This expansion follows a series of transformative achievements, including significant funding, global expansion, and growing market adoption.

Mujin’s new European headquarters, situated in Eindhoven, represents a pivotal step in the company’s commitment to global expansion, driven by an $85 million Series C funding round. The funding aims to position Mujin as a significant player in delivering cutting-edge automation solutions to a broader international audience.

The Netherlands, renowned for its innovation and logistics excellence, provides the ideal home for Mujin’s European base. This European office will serve as a central hub for sales, customer support, and solution development, enhancing Mujin’s ability to meet the unique needs of European businesses across various industries.

“We are very excited to enter new markets in Europe,” said Lukasz Drewnowski, CEO at Mujin Europe. “We already have many partners in Europe for whom our close presence will certainly make collaboration even easier. The European market is very mature and customers expect very high standards. We feel that Mujin is a perfect fit to meet these requirements and will become the number one choice for local customers.”

Mujin’s advanced robotic solutions, including TruckBot, Random Palletizing, Depalletizing, and Bin Picking, have already been met with enthusiasm in the European market, where the need for intelligent automation is on the rise.

“We’re thrilled that the European market can start to get a taste of intelligent robotics with MujinController,” said Ross Diankov, CEO of Mujin Corp. in the U.S. “There are so many features and capability packed into the platform that it will help unlock a lot of next-generation applications in the warehouse and manufacturing sectors across Europe.”

Mujin is actively expanding its European team, currently recruiting salespeople and engineers to support the new office’s operations and meet the demands of the European market. The European operations will be led by Drewnowski, who brings a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to joining Mujin, Drewnowski served as business manager, operations manager, and managing director at ABB Robotics in Poland, China and the UK.

Mujin’s global presence also includes offices in Tokyo, Atlanta and Guangzhou.

Velcro Solutions for Pallet Stabilization

Posted on by David Priestman

Kite Packaging, a British B2B packaging supplier, has unveiled a versatile range of Velcro solutions for efficient cable management, pallet stabilisation and display applications.

Kite’s adjustable straps, available in black, and cable ties, available in black, red, yellow, green and blue, are designed to bundle and organise cables efficiently. Their adaptability accommodates different cable sizes with the option for colour-coordinated organisation, ensuring a neat and professional appearance while minimising tripping hazards. The combination of Velcro and a plastic buckle keeps items securely fastened, while the soft material reduces wear and tear on cables for longevity.

Available in white, Kite’s adhesive Velcro dots offer a convenient alternative to traditional fastening methods. Their reusability provides flexibility for repositioning and rearrangements, making them ideal for frequently changing environments, such as retail settings, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, where there may be temporary displays. A cost-effective and eco-friendly solution compared to single-use adhesives, these dots are designed for damage free removal, leaving no residue behind, and are suitable for various surfaces, including walls, glass, metal, plastic and fabric.

Likewise, the company’s Velcro pallet stabilisers offer long-term cost-savings and environmental benefits thanks to their reusability when it comes to securing and stabilising palletised goods. They reduce on-site waste compared to single-use counterparts, aligning with the ongoing shift towards sustainable practices. Available as a wide wrap and a single strap with a metal buckle, the durability of Velcro grants resistance to wear and tear, providing dependable, reusable option for stabilising pallets.

Versatile new Desktop Printers

Posted on by David Priestman

To enable businesses to future-proof their increasingly diverse labelling needs, TSC Printronix Auto ID has just launched its new generation of desktop printers; the TH DH Series. Effortless to integrate and use, and with enhanced security, these devices will produce high-quality labels on a wide variety of media.

Suitable for applications in retail, food and drink, clothing, healthcare and logistics, the TH DH Series will precision print anything from card swing tags and fabric care labels to specimen labels and shrink tubes. “This new range easily conquers most label printing challenges, be they thick, tiny, long or application-specific like vehicle registration plates,” says Bob Vines, UK, Ireland & Nordics country manager for TSC Printronix Auto ID. “It can do this with minimal intervention by IT managers, just simple adjustments to the DPI algorithm, heater line and TPH pressure.“

Optional extras like wireless connectivity, cutter and peeler modules enable companies to scale up applications without having to replace the whole printer, thereby prolonging product life-cycles. The TH DH Series is available in 2-inch and 4-inch models, with 203 dpi or 300 dpi print options in each. They can print up to 7,000† labels a day. A healthcare version is also available, featuring an antibacterial exterior to perform in medical environments.

Integration and deployment of the TH DH Series is seamless, label templates stay the same even when switching from other printer brands. Remote real-time monitoring and management, and self-diagnostic TPH Care means fast trouble- shooting and maximum uptime. Enhanced security helps protect networks from cyber attacks and any subsequent downtime.

In line with TSC’s commitment to sustainability, the TH DH Series is its first range to incorporate practices that reduce environmental impact. Both the packaging and printer’s plastic casing are 100% recyclable, and over 90% of the devices‘ components are recyclable too. The printers‘ casing is made from 30% recycled plastic. The TH DH Series supports linerless media, which, apart from benefits like printing labels of any length, helps reduce waste, and reinforces the devices‘ sustainability credentials.

Taking Control of Parcel Delivery

Posted on by David Priestman

Small ecommerce businesses are hugely reliant on the quality and timeliness of parcel delivery services to ensure customer satisfaction – and growing numbers are taking control of the process by bringing parcel labelling in house, as Jay Kim, Managing Director, BIXOLON Europe GmbH explains.

Delivery Imperative

Ecommerce companies have long recognised the importance of a robust, reliable delivery experience, from offering customers delivery choice to ensuring products arrive on time. New research, however, reveals just how damaging a poor delivery experience can be: almost two thirds (63%) of frequent shoppers in the UK will abandon an online retailer over a poor delivery experience. The situation is similar in France, where 53% of shoppers will abandon a retailer, dropping to 38% of German shoppers. Improving the shipping and delivery processes, therefore, has a very significant value. Yet from extended queues at Post Offices, to damaged barcodes and labels leading to parcels being returned, rather than arriving with the customer, many smaller businesses continue to struggle to achieve the level of delivery certainty required to support essential customer promises.

With Post Offices closing and the Royal Mail offering a parcel pick up service, many companies are reviewing delivery strategies and taking responsibility for their own parcel and post labelling.

Efficient and Green

Investment in technology such as label printers has, of course, always been an option, but traditional products had some limitations – such as the need to print several labels on one sheet of A4. The latest generation of linerless label printers is completely changing the experience for small businesses. These printers, which use a roll of sticky labels that require no backing, provide a new level of flexibility.

Labels are not pre-cut, allowing companies to print labels of any size. This means that all the information required – including barcodes, addresses and product safety information – can be included in a single label. Furthermore, linerless labels are far more robust, which means barcodes are safer from the damage caused by rain water, sunlight or scratches, leading for far greater delivery certainty.

In addition, linerless labels also support companies’ sustainability goals. The lack of plastic liner ensures businesses comply with the EU directive on packing and packaging waste. In addition, because labels are cut to size there is no wastage. And with the price of linerless labels dropping significantly in recent years, there is no additional cost associated with the green approach.

Post Office Improvements

Linerless label technology is also helping postal services to improve their delivery experiences. In Europe, postal workers are using mobile linerless printers for ‘you were out’ parcel delivery information. Rather than the scrawled paper notes that customers can struggle to decipher, a postal delivery person can print the time of delivery, location of parcel for collection and opening times on the label, which is then attached to a paper card and posted through the letterbox. The linerless technology ensures there is no plastic wastage that has to be carried – or dropped – making the process much easier and safer to manage.

In addition, this technology is being used to offer self-service access to services within Post Offices. Kiosks are becoming ever more popular, allowing people to pay for shipping and print their address labels in the Post Office – and reducing the pressure on queues. Critically, printer manufacturers are leveraging the vast amounts of data collected from diverse printer products to deliver the new levels of printer reliability that are essential in any self-service experience.

Ecommerce businesses increasingly need to offer flexible delivery options to entice customers to buy – and ensuring delivery promises are met is key to achieving repeat business. Whether through self-service kiosks or in-house printing, small businesses that embrace the chance to take control of the printing process, especially the use of robust and sustainable linerless labels, can achieve another level of vital delivery certainty to reinforce the end-to-end customer experience.

Right-size Auto Packaging

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading sports fashion retailer, JD, has embarked upon a programme of investment into Sparck Technologies’ advanced right-size auto-boxing systems. After the initial installation of one of Sparck’s CVP Impack systems at the retailer’s Rochdale DC in 2021, the company has now taken delivery of a top of the range CVP Everest, as part of JD’s fully-automated ecommerce DC in Derby.

The CVP Impack at JD’s Rochdale facility has been successfully packing online orders at a rate of up to 500 boxes per hour – automatically creating made-to-measure boxes precisely to the optimum dimensions required for each and every order.

Confidence in the efficiency of Sparck’s right-size boxing technology, gained at the Rochdale DC, led the retailer to upgrade to a high-speed CVP Everest machine ¬– capable of creating and boxing 1100 single or multiple-item orders per hour – at its new Derby fulfilment centre. The latest investment by JD is part of an on-going partnership with Sparck Technologies, with exciting ‘market-leading’ innovations to come.

Commenting on the decision to invest in high-speed fit-to-size packaging technology, Paul Stokes, Head of Automation and Engineering at JD, says: “Having experienced the speed, reliability and performance of Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack machine at our Rochdale DC, we are confident that right-size boxing technology is a key capability for the future – offering major benefits in fulfilling ecommerce orders in a cost-efficient and sustainable way. We believe this is the start of an exciting partnership with Sparck.”

The CVP packaging systems are highly flexible, capable of producing tailor-made packages at speed, whilst being able to cater for single or multi-item orders with differing product profiles.

Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of Europe’s largest retail brands and we look forward to working with them on fulfilling their growth objectives for the future.”

With the capability to tailor-make up to 1,100 boxes per hour, for multiple or single item orders, the CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging systems offer automated solutions for ecommerce operations challenged by increasing order volumes and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions. With installations across Europe, the US and Canada, the CVP Automated Packaging Solutions effortlessly create, fill, fold and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

Custom Solutions for Mobile Collaborative Robotics

Posted on by David Priestman

The 2023 SPS trade fair in Nuremberg represented an important opportunity for Bonfiglioli to showcase its experience and expertise for industrial automation. Its innovative, cutting edge offer included mechatronic solutions specifically designed for packaging, intralogistics, robotics and IoT applications.

A corner of the booth was dedicated to Bonfiglioli’s technologies for cartesian, delta and articulated robots, the latter solution consisting of a custom designed, precision planetary gearbox and servomotor developed for ABB.

Remaining in the field of mobile robotics applications, the spotlight was on BlueRoll: the high-performance, wheel-mounted gearmotor platform for AGVs and AMRs, featuring an ultra-compact and energy-efficient design for a long operating cycle. The modular drive system is available in three configurations, Basic, Advanced and Compact, with a customisable single gearbox load ranging from 360 to 1020 kg and a maximum speed of 2m/s. In response to evolving market demands, Bonfiglioli is currently developing integrated solutions with the aim of providing customers with a complete AGV movement package, including complete drive and transmission control systems. This approach allows Bonfiglioli to deliver ready-to-assemble, turnkey solutions, thereby minimizing the need to purchase interface devices from the AGV/AMRs manufacturers.

The Group is also expanding its product folio by focusing on enhancing payload capacity, catering to the rigorous specifications demanded by robotic sector. The capacity to offer a diversified array of products ranging from standard precision gears and gearboxes to specially designed motors for axis movements and completely customised ones, as well as integrated solutions for AGV/AMRs drive controls, places Bonfiglioli among the leading players in this sector. The codesign with customers grant significant value in terms of performance optimisation, cost saving and accelerated time to market.

Solution-oriented approach to packaging and intralogistics

Flow pack packaging processes require automatic machines that are able to keep pace with high production rates, for which Bonfiglioli offers a wide range of compact, modular, dynamic, high-precision drive and control solutions for horizontal and vertical forming, filling and sealing machines. These include the package presented during SPS, which features a TQ in-line high precision planetary gearbox combined with a BMD permanent magnet synchronous servomotor and a highly versatile AxiaVert smart inverter. Alongside this process, we are also able to extend maximum handling speed to the finished products palletization, thanks to a solution incorporating our BMD synchronous servomotor, Series A right-angle gear unit and ANG Series servo inverter.

During the fair, we also presented two intralogistics solutions: the first solution, designed for use with post & parcel and airport baggage handling systems, consists of a compact, right-angle Series A gear unit, available in a wide range of torque ratings, the IE4-certified BSR synchronous reluctance motor – an ecological and high-performance product (thanks to the absence of magnets), and a DGM MPM decentralized inverter, featuring sensor-less vector operation for optimal dynamic control. The second solution, designed for use with roller conveyors, combines the EVOX CP helical in-line smooth surface gearbox that can be fitted on any machine thanks to its compatibility with market standards, the MXN asynchronous low-voltage e-motor (IE3) developed to be modular, reliable, energy efficient and compliant with international certification requirements, and a DGM MPM sensor-less inverter.

Visitors had the chance to get an up-close look at the two successful applications, which have been designed in partnership with Modula S.p.a. and I.DE S.r.l., for whom Bonfiglioli has developed complete, customised technical solutions.

Safety Survey for Warehouse Line Marking

Posted on by David Priestman

A new service has been launched by inotec UK – a free safety and maintenance survey for the appraisal of warehouse line marking. This complimentary service will be available for both internal and external line marking. It has been designed to offer advice on essential health and safety requirements of new line marking, upkeep of existing line marking as well as replacement lines should they be necessary.

The importance of keeping warehouse operatives away from moving handling and storage equipment cannot be underestimated. It can be achieved effectively by line marking that clearly segregates pedestrians from vehicle traffic. In today’s busy warehouse environments, however, regular appraisals to check the condition of existing line markings of walkways and crossings often take a back seat. A key reason for this has been the cost of involving a specialist third party.

By launching this free service, inotec is taking a proactive role in supporting companies to ensure compliance with the law. The company’s durable and highly visible line marking solutions help separate vulnerable pedestrians from fast moving truck traffic.

David Stocker, sales director of inotec states, “Any warehouse which already has line marking or is considering new line marking should be looking at periodic safety and maintenance checks.

“Over time walkways and crossings become damaged by heavy forklift truck traffic and the harsh chemicals that are used for cleaning. This can result in impaired visibility of line markings leading to potentially serious accidents. At inotec we’re here to keep your warehouse staff safe. Contact us to take advantage of one of our experts who will perform a free safety and maintenance survey to appraise your line marking.”

Mini Air Paper Cushion Inflating System

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Kite Packaging, known for its award-winning and eco-conscious packaging solutions, is launching a paper air cushion inflating and dispensing system.

Designed to produce air cushions on demand, this compact plug-and-play system integrates seamlessly into existing packaging set ups and requires very little storage space. By automating packaging production, Mini Air Paper packs 100-400 parcels per machine every day, enhancing productivity and increasing order fulfilment while maintaining a commitment to eco-conscious practices.

Cushions produced are crafted from 100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable kraft paper, offering a green alternative to traditional plastic air pillows. Not only does this align with sustainable practices, but the kraft paper construction also provides exceptional puncture resistance, ensuring goods are well-protected in transit. Perforations between each cushion make for easy tearing and packing, while a starch based, plastic free sealant secures each cushion. Each roll produces 1000 cushions.

Businesses that adopt the Mini Air Paper system can expect not only to reduce their environmental footprint but also to streamline their packaging operations, increase product protection, and lower packaging material costs.

To learn more about the products and services available at Kite Packaging, please visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk

Kite loves solving packing problems using expertise to ensure customers are using the right range of products for their business. No matter how simple or complicated packaging is, their skill is ensuring the right solution. With over 2,500 standard products and tens of thousands bespoke lines in stock, Kite provide a Just-in-Time solution available immediately.

Cloud-based Labelling, Marking and Coding

Posted on by David Priestman

Seagull Scientific supplies software to design, print, mark and code labels, RFID tags, products, and packaging. Its BarTender Cloud™ allows users to print labels in the cloud. But until now, they had to design those labels using on-premise software.

As of today, the launch of BarTender Cloud Designer allows businesses to design as well as print their labels in the cloud. Users can access all of BarTender’s label design features from their browser without having to install any software. With a proven easy-to-use design interface and integrated wizard-driven tools, users can quickly create any label with no design experience or the need for additional training.

Industry Commentary

Harold Boe, CEO of Seagull Scientific says: “True design-and-print cloud labelling is finally here. As organizations undertake digital transformation initiatives and move their labelling to the cloud, being able to design labels without on-premise software was the last critical step. The launch of BarTender Cloud Designer is another step in our company’s commitment to providing user-friendly, cost-effective solutions for our customers. We took the BarTender Label Designer that everyone loves and optimized it for usage in the Cloud.”

Industry expert John Wirthlin, Principal Owner of Tip of the Spear Consulting LLC, says: “The BarTender Cloud Designer is a revolutionary and innovative cloud version of the label designer already used throughout the supply chain in all industries. BarTender Cloud with the new integrated BarTender Cloud Designer makes labelling even easier – users can create, manage and print their labels all from the cloud.”

Hans Lissens, a labelling expert with Zetes, a leader in European auto identification and capture solutions and a major BarTender reseller partner says: “My customers will receive five significant advantages from a 100% cloud-based labelling solution:

– Eliminate inefficiencies – they can create, manage, and print all their labels with a single seamless solution – no more creating labels on a desktop and uploading to the cloud for printing.
– Accelerate time-to-first print – with access to pre-defined label template libraries, including industry standard templates like GS1 and Walmart RFID, and modern cloud-based design tools with intuitive interfaces, they can quickly create and print labels with little or no training.
– Lower IT costs – a 100% cloud-based system means no client-based on-premise hardware or software required, eliminating associated purchase and support costs.
– Eliminate programming costs – with pre-built data connectors, no-code connectivity, and true REST API.
– High-performance printing and management – optimized printing to over 8,000 industrial, marking and coding printers along with defining permissions and roles, monitoring print and usage history, and ensuring regulatory compliance all from the cloud.”

ecommerce Shipping with Linerless Labelling Printers

Posted on by David Priestman

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON, the global manufacturer of advanced receipt, label and mobile printers, has partnered with the mail order and ecommerce retailer, Erwin Müller Versandhaus, to provide linerless labelling printers that improve operational efficiency and sustainability efforts during order fulfilment. The mail order, e-commerce home and houseware textile retailer has worked in conjunction with GreenForest IT GmbH and BIXOLON to acquire and install BIXOLON’s XL5-40CT Direct Thermal Linerless Printer with LCD Display and Serial and Ethernet Interfaces.

Efficient, eco-friendling label printing that improves shipping operations

Erwin Müller was founded in Germany in 1951. The family-run textile wholesaler has expanded over the years to become one of the leading mail order companies for home and household textiles. It has been trading online in the DACH region since 1997, and it scaled its operations internationally in 2009. The business is always considering how it can innovate and improve its proposition for customers. It identified an opportunity to enhance the internal operations of its e-commerce business – so an area it focused on improving centred on how its order fulfilment and shipping team could deploy more eco-friendly label printing.

With that in mind, Erwin Müller sought a better labelling printing solution that would enable it to reduce waste during printing (e.g. remove the need for liners); enable it to deal with historic challenges associated with media storage on printers; and to reduce the expensive purchasing costs related to the previous traditional liner label printing solution that it used, which printed goods receipts, transfers, production orders and item refinement. After considering printer options, Erwin Müller settled on a linerless labelling printing solution that could be seamlessly integrated with its existing shipping and order fulfilment system.

Speaking about the integration and upgrade, Andreas Straub, Head of IT, Erwin Müller Versandhaus GmbH says, “During the selection process, we had to consider factors such as compatibility of new technology and their existing systems, the availability of the required hardware and software and the overall feasibility of implementing the solution within our shipping department.”

Results: installing the BIXOLON XL5-40CT Direct Thermal Linerless printer system

Erwin Müller worked with system integrators Greenforest IT GmbH and BIXOLON to put together a tailored linerless printing solution for the retailer. Erwin Müller purchased the BIXOLON XL5-40CT Direct Thermal Linerless printer with LCD display, with Serial interface and Ethernet connection, capable printing at 203dpi print resolution. The printer is connected via an IP and configured to print from PCs running on a Windows system based in the warehouse.

Erwin Müller has successfully deployed the new labelling solution within its shipping department. The new printers drive efficiency gains and have reduced costs, contributing to the overall improvement of shipping. They also reduce waste and align with the company’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its labelling process during fulfilment.

Andreas Straub, Head of IT, Erwin Müller Versandhaus GmbH adds, “The implementation of the BIXOLON linerless printing solution has improved our shipping operations by increasing efficiency and speed, reducing waste and cutting down on operational costs. It contributes to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach, positively impacting the company’s overall performance.”

Jay Kim, Managing Director, BIXOLON Europe GmbH says, “Erwin Müller is a leader in its field and it has been great for BIXOLON to help it improve the operational efficiency within its fulfilment centres during shipping through using our XL5-40CT Direct Thermal Linerless Printer. Labels and the printing thereof are so important as part of the shipping process for e-commerce retailers, and this applies to almost any warehouse and logistics environment.”

Kim goes onto say, “BIXOLON’s technological advancements and innovations are a key reason behind the selection of its printers by customers. Highlighted in products such as the XL5-40, BIXOLON holds the mechanical expertise to navigate the ongoing print and maintance complexities which are required when working with linerless adhesive media.”

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