Label machinery sticks with Sprint

Focus Labelling Machinery manufactures around 70 machines a year, each with a Sprint Electric drive built into a control panel

Focus Labelling Machinery Ltd, based in Nottingham, manufactures a comprehensive range of machines to print labels on narrow web fabrics, paper, card and foil.

Performance and reliability are critical in machines that are exported all over the world and the Sprint Electric drives, that provide accurate speed control, play a vital role.

Focus manufactures around 70 machines each year, ranging from simple bench top models to complex in-line machines that will cut the label and print multi-colour work.

Each has a Sprint Electric drive built into an electrical control panel.

Small machines use a 2 HP motor and Sprint 1600i controller whilst the bigger machines have a 5 HP motor and use the Sprint 3200i controller.

The 1600i features a micro analogue processor and is fully isolated to allow connection to other system equipment.

User adjustments include acceleration, deceleration, maximum and minimum motor speed, stability and maximum motor current and there are inputs and outputs for more complex system applications.

The 3200i controller has all the features of the 1600i but is suitable for dual voltage (240v or 415v) operation for international markets.

Rated up to 48 Amps 11 kw maximum, it features the latest ceramic based power semiconductor technology.

A permanent magnet DC motor mounted in the base of the machine drives each printing station through a system of gears.

This mechanical system combined with the smooth response of the Sprint drive ensures accurate print registration.

The electrical control panel, mounted adjacent to the motor, contains the Sprint drive and ancillary equipment for the heaters that are used to ensure the ink on the labels is dry before they are spooled.

Daybrook Electrical at Radford manufactures the electrical control panels.

Glyn Ball of Daybrook says, "We like the Sprint Electric drives.

They are compact and easy to install.

The terminals are all clearly marked and easy to access.

We especially appreciate the compact dimensions.

If we are called upon to refurbish a machine fitted with somebody else's drive, we can usually install a new Sprint into the space without problems.

A potentiometer on the control panel of the machine enables the operator to adjust the speed of the machine for set up or run.

Once the machine is set up, labels are die-cut, printed on both sides, dried and spooled in a single pass.

Running speeds depend on the style and material being used and are typically in the range 40/50 metres/min.

As well as outstanding reliability, the characteristics of the drive are particularly suited to this application.

With any printing process, especially when printing 5 or 6 different colours, registration is important.

Even small variations in speed can cause differences in registration resulting in a blurring of the printed image.

The Sprint Electric Drive is exceptionally smooth and accurate with stable speed control allowing printing to take place at high speed.

With this type of machine there is the need to stop, start and inch the machine during set up.

We did consider using an AC drive but even with direct torque control the response would have been 'jerky'.

By comparison, the performance of the Sprint Electric Drive is excellent, with smooth response right down to zero volts.

This allows set up to be completed in the minimum of time." Phillip Lee is Manufacturing Director at Focus.

"We manufacture a wide range of labelling machines that are shipped throughout the world.

Durability and reliability are key issues, as these machines are used daily.

The Sprint Electric drives have played an important role in establishing our machines' reliability.

All of the motion on our machines is provided by one motor.

Any failure of the drive disables the whole machine.

Our machines cost in the range of ?13,000 to ?55,000 and whilst the Sprint Electric drive represents only a small fraction of this, it is a critical item.

The drives have proven reliability with the added benefit of an excellent OEM support package both technically and commercially.

Sprint understands our problems and offers competitive prices and high levels of customer service.

We rarely have to worry about the drives.

We started using Sprint Electric drives over ten years ago and their reliability is proven in a wide variety of environments and applications.

When we do experience a problem, wherever in the world our customer is based, we are able to use Sprint Electric's global service and spares organisation to get the machine running again.

But it doesn't end here.

If we have a failure, we need to know why, so we can engineer these problems out of the machine.

With Sprint Electric drives we get a comprehensive test report enabling us to determine whether the likely cause was equipment failure or overloading the machine.

An added benefit is that we can charge customers fairly for repairs on the basis of the detailed information provided." We hear a lot about the decline of British manufacturing industry, but it is good to hear of a British machinery manufacturer being successful with the help of top quality technical equipment supplied by another UK manufacturer.

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