BenchMax

BenchMax Label Applicator (https://greatengineering.com/benchmax/) will enable you to use any label (or 2) on any round container larger than 8 mm in diameter. With the Small Container Adaptor, the BenchMax makes it possible to label containers down to 8 mm in diameter. And the Orientation capability scans the container for a feature, to insure labels are applied in the correct orientation. Finally, you can adjust the rollers to apply labels to round containers with ridges or other features.

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:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZDGScvkRcA

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

info@colorlabelsolutions.com