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| BenchMax Label Applicator |
More important to me, however, was the fact that you can now integrate the BenchMax into the C3500 and C7500 for on-demand color label printing and application. This capability makes the BenchMax the only off-the-shelf label applicator available for integration with a color label printer. I first wrote about this capability after WestPack 2017: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/02/westpack-2017.html
When I received my BenchMax, I was pleasantly surprised how well the unit was packed for it’s shipment from Australia to the US.
After unpacking the BenchMax applicator, I attempted to thread the supplied labels through the machine. You can download the directions here: https://greatengineering.com/pdf/BenchMAX_BenchMARK_Manual.pdf
And be sure to watch this video on setting up the BenchMax first. It’s important and helpful:
As the machine ships with the small container adapter in place, I made
a mistake on the threading. Therefore, I
decided to remove the small container adapter before moving forward.
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| BenchMax Small Container Adapter |
But I had a heck of a hard time removing the adapter. To remove the adapter, you need to remove the
Hex screw shown below and the knob.
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| Small Container Adapter Screw |
When I tried to remove the screw, the adapter would turn, and not
release. I believe this problem says
more about my mechanical skills than the adapter. Once I held the adapter with the palm of my
hand, and turned the Allen screw, the came off.
With the adapter off, it was easy to thread the labels through applicator.
After threading the labels, I had to set the gap sensor. Frankly, I made a mistake in this step as
well. I could not get the provided
labels to apply correctly. You need to make sure the sensor is positioned off a
few mm from the leading edge of the first label. This position below worked great.
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| BenchMax Label Leading Edge Exposed & Sensor Setting |
And found the top of form on round labels as well:
Once I got the sensor set correctly, I was labeling containers. Even
applying two labels to one bottle.
(Note to self: get some nice
looking, unused round containers).
The BenchMax makes placing two labels with the correct spacing on one
bottle easy to do.
After figuring out the applicator portion, I
integrated my C7500G with the BenchMax.
Following the instructions for the Interface was easy; get the
instructions here: https://greatengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/interfaceInstructions.pdf
And
the included label guide instructions as well: https://greatengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GuideInstructions.pdf
I thought the label guide worked well; and may work better using
fanfold labels:
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| BenchMax Label Guide |
And in minutes, I was printing and applying labels to large containers.
And by reinserting the Small Container Adapter, I was printing and
applying labels to smaller round containers:
And here you can watch the printer respond to the commands from the
interface:
When you first start to integrate the printer/BenchMax, be sure to
print 15 to 20 labels to have lots of slack in the system. As the printer backs up when starting to
print, you need approximately 10” to 12” of loose labels. After printing this initial slack, the
Interface does all the work. And I confirmed,
the Interface works with Adobe Acrobat and BarTender, making printing and
applying labels with variable data easy to do.
Be sure to keep the software application open during application; so the
Interface can continue managing the label printing.
If you own a C3500 or a C7500/C7500G and apply labels to a round
container, you should consider purchasing a BenchMax label applicator. Now, you can print and apply in one step;
increasing productivity and insuring your labels are applied correctly in the
exact position every time. The BenchMax
applicator with the Interface, Label Guide, Cables and freight costs
approximately $10,000.
If you don’t own one of these printers, now you should consider
purchasing both the printer and BenchMax applicator to improve your operations
and look of your finished products.
Contact us to discuss how the BenchMax label applicator fits into your
operation.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
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