University of Adelaide – Engineering Graduate Project
- Evaluate the key factors impacting on label application.
- Determine best method of label application ie wipe down blade material and design.
- Design and integrate an automated control system to remove the manual component of the set-up process to achieve consistent and rapid change over from one production run to the next based on label dimensions and bottle type.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 pandemic, this project is now on hold. We reassessed the graduate program with the University before our WPA meeting in July 2020. We anticipate this project will more than likely be pushed out to 2021/2022.
Non-Conformance database
We in the final stage of developing a web-based non-conformance register to gather and disseminate information on non-conformances experienced across our member sites. The system will be integrated with existing email systems for the purpose of sending and monitoring alerts.
We have also factored in programming the workflow requirements and the provision of meaningful reports. As you know this is of great assistance in providing feedback to suppliers and drives the discussions at our Forums.
This project will continue.
Peel adhesion trial
In 2017 we undertook the first label application pressure test trial, using Tekscan technology across 9 member sites to observe whether application pressure (psi) played a role in the overall adhesion of label to bottle surface on automated bottling lines.
The next step was to develop an Australian and New Zealand wine industry agreed test method that will measure the level of tear, providing a benchmark to use in situations where there is a dispute over label application either during or post bottling.
The Peel Adhesion trial comprises 3 production runs (winter, spring and summer) at 3,000 bottles per run. To reduce the variations that may occur in performing the Peel Adhesion trial, it is important that we use the same bottling line for each production run and, where possible, one label operator. A control label has been printed and supplied by MCC for this trial. Each label has five different strip finishes and has an adhesive free zone for the purpose of fitting tear test equipment.
The labels are 25mm in height in accordance with the FINAT test so that our peel test results can be directly compared to the FINAT peel adhesion test. What we are varying in the trial is the application pressure. We are deliberately adjusting the wipes to provide a range of pressures from 0 to 55 kpa.
These labels have also been shared with UPM Raflatac for comparison with their peel test results.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 pandemic, this project was on hold as member sites are working to Government legislation. Non-essential staff members work from home and only essential bottling personnel are on site under stringent staff separation and cleaning regimes. This trial has now recommenced Spring 2020.
www.sizemeup.com.au
The site has been expanded to include OI glass produced for the New Zealand market and we are currently in the process of adding Cospak glass. Both the WPA and SizeMeUp™ websites are getting a little facelift to link into social media, such as LinkedIn
This project will continue.
New Zealand Wine Packaging Forum
Wineworks NZ put their hand up quickly to ask if the Association would present a synopsis of information from our three previous Forums. A half-day event was held in the Marlborough Convention Centre in Blenheim on 28 November. Industry sponsors were represented by a large screen tv area in the reception hall, running the video presentations from the 2018 Forum and stage banners showing logos. With over 130 attendees from across the NZ wine supply chain, it was a great turnout and very well received.
