A perfect fit

To ensure that deliveries are made in a prompt and efficient manner, NB Cushions’ printing and labelling technology is a vital part of the overall process. As a company that always looks to build in efficiencies to its production process, it had already heard about Toshiba TEC’s innovative APLEX4.

After making contact, Toshiba TEC referred the enquiry to Bradford based Norpak. Gary Day, Sales Manager at Norpak, states, ‘We provide the latest printing and labelling solutions to a diverse array of companies on a worldwide basis and have formed an excellent partnership with Toshiba TEC. Boasting features usually only seen on considerably more expensive systems, APLEX4 is designed for use alongside Toshiba TEC’s highly successful B-EX4T series of industrial printers to provide seamless workflows.’

Production line
In order to ensure that the APLEX4 would be suitable for NB Cushions’ needs and to configure the best possible solution, Gary Day visited the site and met with Graham Foster, Operations Director at NB Cushions, to find out more about the requirement.

Graham Foster comments, ‘We needed a system that could automatically print and apply labels on to packs of up to three cushions. We had been using a desktop label printer to print the labels on to a reel, which would then be applied by hand – a tedious and time-consuming job for up to three people at a time. With demand growing, a solution that could speed up the automation process and free up production line personnel for other tasks was imperative, and Gary was confident that APLEX4 would be able to make the whole process more efficient.’

A perfect fit
APLEX4 boasts features usually only seen on considerably more expensive systems, and its cutting edge design, performance and low cost of ownership meant that it could be easily integrated into NB Cushions’ production line.

Asked to explain some of the device’s unique feature and benefits, Becky Viccars, Marketing Manager at Toshiba TEC, replies, ‘It can handle production levels of up to 30 labels per minute and is available in resolutions of 200, 300 and 600dpi. With a backlit LCD graphical user interface (GUI), access to information and settings is simple, and it is possible to apply labels from the top, bottom or sides and at any rotation angle required. Safety is assured thanks to a perimeter signal feature that prevents piston movement in case of access to the enclosed work area, as well as a “presence of hand” sensor option.’

Functionality and flexibility are also to the fore. The truly plug and play APLEX4 also accommodates ribbon lengths of up to 800m, and an automatic ribbon save feature reduces wastage and downtime whilst maximising efficiency – reducing total operating costs and helping to lower an NB Cushions’ impact on the environment.