Hot stuff! Coding & Marking Metal in Extreme High Temperatures.

Xact’s MPERIA® V-Series Printing System Provides Unrivalled Performance and Reliability….. Whatever the Conditions!

An international company manufacturing prime grade zinc alloys required in-line product coding and identification systems for hot metal ingots.  

Based on our experience within challenging production environments, our task was to provide a solution capable of withstanding extreme heat, moisture and vibration, as well as offering the facility to apply both human readable codes and multi-colour marking for the grade identification process.  Meeting all requirements (and more) we installed our MPERIA®  V-Series system managing multiple print heads across 3 separate areas of the production line. The V-Series technology is proven in extreme operating environments, so was the perfect solution for all marking processes at the plant.

Key to the decision-making process and placing their business with Xact was the unrivalled flexibility and mark quality the V-Series system provided the business despite the harsh operating environment.

Other advantages included;

  • The facility to manage all marking processes across multiple production lines from one user interface provides seamless control, helps to eliminate operator error, as well as reducing hardware at the line and associated investment costs
  • The future-proof modular design of the system provides the flexibility to add print heads, as well as managing in-line labelling systems, to fall in in line with future expansion at the plant
  • A wide range of ink types and colours, with the flexibility to add/change inks should the customers’ or their end-users requirements change in the future
  • Unrivalled throw distance (head to product) ensures the marking process and legibility of the codes and colour marking processes are unaffected by variances in the presentation of the ingots during the manufacturing process.
  • Our long-term expertise in the industrial sector gave added confidence in moving forward with Xact as it was essential the proposed solution could withstand the harsh operating environment of the manufacturing process, where amongst other conditions the heads are subjected to extreme temperatures and steam.

About the MPERIA® VIAjet V-Series Printing System

The MPERIA® VIAjet V-Series printing system represents the latest and most robust industrial ink-jet marking technology available, ensuring dependable long-term performance and reliability in the most demanding operating environments.  The system provides exceptional versatility and print quality for the application of variable product information and traceability codes, as well as barcodes, logos and graphics onto both porous and non-porous materials.

Typical applications include the coding & marking of Construction Products, Chemicals & Fertiliser, Industrial Packaging, Automotive Products, Foams, Plastics & Films, Paper & Pulp. The capability to operate in these sectors means that more basic applications are also suited to the V-series printer.

Click here for more on the VIAjet V-Series System

Click here to watch a video on MPERIA® and the benefits it could bring to your business.

For further information about MPERIA® and our range of printing technologies, please call Xact on 0151 479 3020 or email info@xactpack.co.uk

Join Us Live At The National Fruit Show 2020

Join us LIVE at the National Fruit Show next Thursday 22nd October! Come and chat to us – we’re talking all things Fresh Produce! Chat to us about our grading, packing and sorting solutions for all fresh produce. Visit our Virtual Booth! All you have to do is register here: https://nationalfruitshow.org.uk

Our Compostable Range

As a world leader in fruit and vegetable packaging, our partners Giró have developed a whole range of compostable products for maintaining a sustainable world.

This range is composed of clipped bags produced with net and labels, and thermalwelded bags produced with net and film. Both types are 100% compostable.

Furthermore, these compostable bags can be produced with their respective original machines: CA-9S and CA-10 clippers for compostable clipped bags and GirBagger and GirBagger Speed ​​Line welders for compostable thermalwelded bags.

For further information about our Net packing, please call Xact on 0151 479 3020 or email info@xactpack.co.uk

Net Packing & The Environment

Our net packs are amongst the most sustainable on the market.

The unique breathability and visibility of the net pack allow the produce to maintain all it’s natural features with the advantage of having an extremely lightweight pack. Our products are not only 100% recyclable, but they contain recycled material. We also offer compostable net solutions as part of our range.

Please click here for more information.

For further information about Net packing, please call Xact on 0151 479 3020 or email info@xactpack.co.uk

Concrete Info! Xact’s MPERIA® VIAjet V-Series Printing System…..The Most Trusted and Reliable Solution Across the Construction Industry

A leading UK manufacturer of concrete blocks required a robust and reliable in-line printing solution to meet their product identification, traceability and QA processes. The installation of our MPERIA® VIAjet V-Series printing system delivered on all key requirements…….and more!

Key to the decision-making process and placing their business with Xact was the unrivalled flexibility our MPERIA® system provided the business, such as the ability to manage the marking process across both block lines from a single interface with the facility to expand the system in the future.

Other factors influencing the decision-making process were;

  • The customer stipulated it was essential the proposed system could provide a large high quality print format to ensure clear visibility of the codes when blocks are stored in the yard
  • Our V-series systems are proven as the most industrial printing technology on the market, so the tough operating conditions of the plant (dust, vibration, variable operating temperatures etc) were no issue to long-term performance and reliability
  • Our years of expertise within the industrial sector, in-particular our knowledge of coding & marking construction products, provided added confidence for the customer to move forward with Xact.

About the MPERIA® VIAjet V-Series Printing System

The MPERIA ViaJet V series printing system represents the latest and most robust industrial ink-jet marking technology available, ensuring dependable long-term performance and reliability in the most demanding operating environments.  The system provides exceptional versatility and print quality for the application of variable product information and traceability codes, as well as barcodes, logos and graphics onto both porous and non-porous materials.   

Typical applications include the coding & marking of Construction Products, Chemicals & Fertiliser, Industrial Packaging, Automotive Products, Foams, Plastics & Films, Paper & Pulp. The capability to operate in these sectors means that more basic applications are also suited to the V-series printer.

Click here for more on the VIAjet V-Series System

Click here to watch a video on MPERIA® and the benefits it could bring to your business.

For further information about MPERIA® and our range of printing technologies, please call Xact on 0151 479 3020 or emailinfo@xactpack.co.uk

Automatic Handling Solutions

The demand for automating handling processes and being more efficient is becoming more prevalent. Using our automated packing systems and robotic automation will not only save you money by reducing operator costs, you will increase the quality, efficiency and consistency of your set up.

We provide everything from stand-alone robots to full automated systems embedded in existing production lines. Our solutions comprise ‘Robot Palletising’, ”Stacking’ and ‘High Speed Pick and Place’.

All our solutions have an integrated process control built with the latest robotic software, product and pallet handling conveyors. Covering all industries and providing full service and support, there has never been a better time to discover how our systems could work for you.

For more information click here:
https://xactpack.co.uk/automated-robotic-solutions/

Call today on 0151 479 3020 for more information.

Go Bananas for our new Automatic Taping Machine!

We are delighted to introduce our new automatic taping machine – the Rev Condor! This machine will automatically place a durable and fully recyclable paper, PP or compostable adhesive tape around bunches of bananas! The new packaging is 100% recyclable and is a more sustainable alternative to plastic bags used in the sector. The Condor is suitable for taping leeks, celery, coconuts, pineapples and small watermelons.
Packaging with a minimal tape is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of packaging this type of produce and not only that, the minimalist packaging but it also maintains the product quality as they can ripen in their natural state. The tape packaging can be used for branding.

For more information click here:
https://xactpack.co.uk/product/prepack/automatic-packing-machinery/automatic-taping-machine-bananas/

Call Xact today on 0151 479 3020 for more information.

Dual Handle Pack, Ultra Lightweight, 100% Recyclable, No Metal Clip!


The new ‘Dual Handle’ net bag is our lightest ever package weighing only 3g!  Not only that, but this attractive looking packaging is 100% recyclable, has a useful easy to carry handle (on one or both sides).  Produced with the GirBagger or the GirBagger Speed Line

The Dual Handle Pack is suitable for a wide variety of produce including citrus, avocados, apples and onions.   

Click here to read more: https://xactpack.co.uk/product/prepack/net-pack-styles/dual-handle-pack/

Call Xact today on 0151 479 3020 for more information.

 

GirBagger Speed Line – The Best Net Packing Machine Ever Made

The Worlds most versatile machine makes up to 10 different net bag styles.

The new GirBagger-S is an improved version that has been developed after 15 years of experience and 3.000 units sold worldwide, and sets a benchmark in the horticultural sector.

Giró presents a bagger that overcomes the GirBagger reputation range as a key element in the packaging lines.  The new GirBagger Speed Line achieves outputs up to 36 bags per
minute, in 1kg Ultrabag packs.  The increase in speed compared to the previous generation of GirBagger packaging machines reaches up to 30%. The use of consumables (net, film and labels) in high capacity reels, allows autonomy of up to 2 hours of uninterrupted operation.

Versatility
It is not necessary to invest in a machine for each type of package that you want to make. The GirBagger-S can make up to 10 different types of packaging. Thanks to the scalability of the design, optional kits can be added to adapt the bagging machine to the need of the customer. A moderate initial investment in a basic model can be complemented in the future to obtain a more versatile packaging machine.

GirBagger bagging machines are suitable for the packaging of multiple fruits and vegetables of different nature and quality such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, avocados, apples, potatoes, onions, mangoes, etc. It can be equipped with up to three different labelling systems: by thermal transfer, printing of thermal adhesive labels or by the donation of pre-printed adhesive labels.

Reliable and Easy to Operate
An industrial machine must be a reliable element in the production chain. It should not cause problems to those who must operate it. The new GirBagger-S has been designed with the mentality of being a machine of great reliability, robust and easy to operate and maintain. All the critical elements and devices have been carefully studied, designed and manufactured to avoid productive failures and stoppages. The large 10” full colour touch panel incorporates step by step operator guidance system to enhance the user interface by make it easy and intuitive.

Everything Under Control
Knowing the behaviour of the machine at all times is key to planning packaging properly. The new GirBagger-S is equipped as standard with a GirControl integrated in the machine itself. The GirControl is an application that allows real time monitoring to know all the production statistics. It also offers detailed information of all the stoppages and breakdowns. By connecting the machine to the local network or the Internet, it is possible to manage the GirControl information from any other computer, without the need for any other device or intermediate element. Only if you have several machines is it advisable to us an external GirControl unit that allows the integration of all the data to know the performance of the entire production line.


A Solution for Every Need

There is a GirBagger-S model for every need depending on the type of packaging that you want to produce. In addition, the modularity of the GirBagger-S range allows adding kits after the acquisition of the machine to be able to make other types of containers. Shortly, soft versions for delicate fruit will be released.


For further information please contact Xact on 0151 479 3020 or email info@xactpack.co.uk

Giro Systems: Sustainable Packaging. How to sell fresh produce without harming the environment!

There is ever increasing concern about conservation and the environment. At Giro, the world leader for fresh produce packaging, there is a responsibility to provide solutions. The net package is one of the most sustainable that can be found among other consumer products and in particular food ones. The unique breathability and visibility of the net package does not only make the produce inside keep their natural properties, but they are displayed to the consumer in their best light, the most natural state possible. The current net bag weighs between 1.8kg and 10g to fit 1kg of fruit, a lot lower ratio in comparison to most packages in the food industry. The net bag has a lower carbon footprint when compared to other packages e.g. paper or cardboard.

Plastic and recyclability
The recyclability of plastic is undoubted from the technical point of view. Any thermoplastic can be re-melted and take other forms and uses through the known transformation techniques. However, the recyclability of a material does not only depend on the technical possibility but there is also a social education to properly separate household waste and organise the collection, selection and recycling systems and processes. These are key aspects in order to understand that packages, or plastic in particular are not the problem but the key is the legislation in a circular economy and an appropriate education.

We could say that, from a purely technical point of view any thermoplastic is recyclable and from an economical point of view it is recyclable when there is a suitable system to collect, classify and recycle. In many cases, since the classify-recycle and plastic obtaining process for new applications has not been established for economic reasons, energetic valorisation is the chosen one, in other words, the use of plastic collected as fuel for the production of energy. For this reason, the recyclability of thermoplastics depends on the systems and legislations in place.

Are Biodegradable or compostable materials the solution?
Biodegradable and compostable are different terms. Both biodegradable polymers and the compostable ones are decomposed by the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungus and seaweeds.

The main difference between both terms is in the deterioration time and conditions. Overall, a compostable material has a greater degradation by the environment than a biodegradable material.

A compostable material is always biodegradable but not the other way round.

To consider a material as compostable it should not leave fragments that last more than 12 weeks in the residue, it must be degraded within a determined time and proportions to established conditions, it cannot contain heavy Metals or toxins and the resulting compost must allow the growth of plants in a similar way to the one would grow in natural conditions. The mentioned requirements make compostable materials can be discarded in the organic waste bin and processed, a posteriori, in the composting plants for the production of compost.

Are these materials the ultimate solution?
Biodegradable/compostable plastics provide new opportunities, but also raise new risks and threats.

The lack of clear labelling or marking for consumers, as well as an appropriate collection and treatment of the waste, could aggravate the problem of the presence of plastic in the environment and create problems for recycling.

Due to the origin of renewable sources (corn, potato, rice, etc.) if there is substitution, largely of current plastics by these materials, it could jeopardize the food safety of producing regions and influence in the price rises of these agricultural raw materials.

The technical characteristics of packages produced with these materials are lower to the ones obtained with current plastics.

Bio/compost plastics are around 3 to 4 times more expensive than their counterparts obtained from the oil, for this reason, in many occasions the market does not want to assume this cost difference.

As a world-wide leader of fruit and vegetable packaging, Giró is currently in the final stages of development of a new range of compostable products for customers wanting this as an alternative. According to what is explained in the previous points, these materials are not the main sustainable solution advised by Giró. Our recommendation is in line with the recommendations of the European Commission that states: “A sector of intelligent, innovative and sustainable plastic where the design and the production fully respect the needs of reuse, repair and recycling”.

EcoGiró: Giro’s solutions for Sustainability and the Environment
Giró has outlined three proposals for sustainable packaging alternatives, two of them based on lightweight recyclable plastic containers and the third based on compostable materials.

The recyclable solutions allow a wide range of packaging typologies and the thermoplastic materials are polyolefins.

The compostable solution uses certified compostables. Nowadays, it is possible to produce compostable clipped bags, but in the future, it will also be possible to produce compostable thermal welded bags. Compostable bags must be deposited in an organic compostable container after use.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PDF

For further information please contact Xact on 0151 479 3020 or email info@xactpack.co.uk