28 predefined lengths between 10 and 510 cm or individual lengths
Compared to plastic adhesive tape, the use of environmentally friendly paper-based wet adhesive tape saves around 50 percent in material. This means that the acquisition costs for a wet adhesive tape dispenser, which activates the adhesive applied to the paper tape by moistening it, redeem its costs within a short period of time.
However, conventional devices usually require special training for employees in terms of operation, maintenance and cleaning. The electronic wet tape dispenser NKSG-G from all4tec GmbH, which is classified as a low-value asset (GWG) under tax law, provides a remedy. In contrast to comparable devices on the market, the back of the NKSG-G is open, so that adhesive tape rolls of different diameters can fit inside. Using the intuitive control panel, 28 lengths between 10 and 510 cm can be selected and up to six of them can be dispensed in a predefined sequence via touchless gesture control or foot switch without impairing the workflow. In order to integrate the NKSG-G into existing processes, all4tec GmbH offers its customers the option of customizing the technical specifications of the tape dispenser.
The top dogs in the industry have long been leading the way: more and more retailers and shipping giants are switching from plastic to paper adhesive tape. Contrary to preconceptions that the latter is less resistant, the performance of paper tapes is in no way inferior to plastic tapes. The opposite is true, as all4tec managing director Holger Grave knows: “Polypropylene (PP) is only stable to a limited extent and therefore only suitable for lighter cardboard packaging. For heavy and large packages, you often use the more expensive polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which, however, quickly becomes brittle at low temperatures and can tear." Paper tape, on the other hand, has the advantage that, depending on the area of application, it can be made in different thicknesses, is underlaid with threads and provided with different adhesives, which are characterized by very high adhesive strength as well as temperature, light and UV resistance.
Nevertheless, many manufacturers and smaller shipping service providers are still unsure whether it is actually worth switching the packaging process to the more sustainable materials. The numbers speak for themselves: “Due to the immediate adhesive effect of high-quality wet adhesive tape, a single strip is enough to seal a package securely and without wrinkles,” explains Grave. “Compared to conventional plastic adhesive tape, consumption in daily shipping operations is therefore reduced by up to 50 percent.” In addition, paper tape is also tamper-proof, as it usually leaves visible traces when an attempt is made to open it due to the adhesive's stronger power. The package cannot be opened and resealed unnoticed. This provides legal protection for the retailer, especially when shipping to end customers.
Leaner workflow thanks to contactless operation
However, the required tape dispensers, which activate the adhesive applied to the paper by moistening it, are electronic devices that need to be operated, maintained and cleaned correctly. Employees must therefore be trained to dispense the adhesive strips at the correct length and carry out the necessary programming. With the NKSG-G, all4tec is now addressing precisely these problems, which often prevent companies from switching to paper adhesive tape as a packaging material from an economic perspective: “One of the most important differences between the NKSG-G and conventional devices is the operation,” explains Grave. “The automatic tape dispenser has a very convenient gesture control, which allows the next strip to be dispensed with just one hand movement and without contact.” Alternatively, there is also an interface for connecting a foot pedal, which can be used to integrate the wet tape dispenser into production and packaging lines, for example.
Regarding the length of the adhesive tape strips, 28 settings between 10 and 510 cm can be selected; in program mode, up to six different lengths can be output in a specified order. “For example, if I want to seal a series of boxes of similar dimensions with two short and one long piece of adhesive tape in the so-called H-bonding, I can use the intuitive control panel to set the output order 75 cm – 25 cm – 25 cm,” explains Grave. Although the feed speed is 50 cm/s, the electrical tape dispenser only causes a noise level of approx. 70 dB and can therefore be used in almost any operating environment. Since the NKSG-G can be seamlessly integrated into the workflow in this way, the workload on staff is also reduced and the entire packaging process is noticeably accelerated.
Customization possible
All sensitive components of the NKSG-G are located inside the robust metal housing, making it suitable for use in industrial environments. “With this in mind, it may initially seem surprising that the device is designed to be open at the back,” Grave adds. “However, this is an advantage, as it means that larger adhesive tape rolls with a diameter of up to 200 mm can also be used.” If required, the manufacturer can also modify the device, as recently realized for a large German automotive supplier. The company wanted to optimize its in-house packaging processes, but was using even larger rolls of adhesive tape than the standard design of the NKSG-G allows. The provider was able to design and implement the necessary changes within just two weeks; since then, the customized devices have been successfully used. “Our customer will now purchase a total of around 30 units of the specially modified adhesive tape dispenser,” concludes Grave.
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