iry, the largest family-run dairy in Scotland which counts most of the major high street retailers among its customers, had already invested in a Eurokett labeller from Advanced Dynamics Ltd, but turned again to the specialist in labelling, feeding and wrapping solutions when it installed a new line to boost output at Bridge of Allan farm.The dairy chose the Matrix, the latest addition to the Eurokett range of high quality labelling equipment, and specified increased throughput. To meet the customer’s requirement, Advanced Dynamics developed a new drives and control system for the applicator head and stabilising belt so that it could run at the faster speed demanded.
This successful upgrade to higher throughput, coupled with the Matrix’s renowned flexibility, enables labelling of traditional, jerrycan plastic milk bottles at around 150 per minute, which is providing a cost-effective solution for Graham’s Dairy, as well as a more compact labelling set-up at the farm for an operation that runs from 5am to midnight daily.
Graham’s Dairy’s production manager, Andrew Renfrew, said: “As soon as we put the Eurokett Matrix in it made a significant difference to production. The equipment is very robust, easy to operate and user friendly. Between them the Euroketts are currently churning out around 100,000 labels a day on plastic bottles, ranging in size from 250ml to three litres.”
Advanced Dynamics is the sole UK distributor of the Matrix range, the successor to the highly accurate and flexible Eurokett Junior 115 label applicator. The Matrix boasts the very latest in stepper motor drive technology for unrivalled accuracy, reliability and ease of control, making it ideal for labelling high volumes of bottled milk.
On developing the Matrix’s controls and drives, Advanced Dynamics’ managing director, Malcolm Little, said: “The cornerstone of our success is delivering what the customer wants. The technology is not changing on how the label is applied to the bottle by the Matrix - the mechanics stay the same - but developing the controls and drives of the applicator head and stabiliser belt so that the machine can run at even greater speed is a major step up.
“Now the Matrix offers the same simple, standard speed flash labelling, but if necessary can operate at an even higher speed placement with maintained accuracy, which is ideal for the dairy industry where labelling needs to meet tough regulatory standards.”
The Matrix can be incorporated into the whole range of labelling systems for the dairy industry, including top, base, side and wrap around, and is easily integrated into primary wrapping systems.
Graham’s Dairy produces around 380,000 litres of milk per day at its Bridge of Allan site, along with cream, butter and ice cream. The Eurokett labellers are now an integral part of the company’s on-site packaging system, which allows the milk to be despatched for supermarket shelves as quickly as possible.
Last word goes to Mr Renfrew on the service from Advanced Dynamics. He said: “We are very demanding of our suppliers. The Matrix has been trouble-free and the service from Advanced Dynamics is very good. I would certainly recommend them to others in the dairy industry.”
