Ravenwood Packaging unveiled its latest linerless innovation at this year’s IFFA. The Nobac 5000 Auto (linerless label applicator) featured alongside the VR Inspection System. Both machines were on demo throughout the show.

The Nobac 5000 Auto and VR system can be stand-alone technologies or seamlessly integrated for the faultless application and inspection of linerless labels across a diverse range of foods including meat, fish, plant based proteins, ready meals, salad pots, desserts and fresh produce.

The Nobac 5000 Auto is now the ninth addition to join the diverse and world-leading range of Ravenwood linerless applicators. Building its core foundation on the Nobac 5000 linerless label applicator range released in 2020, the new Nobac 5000 Auto is a customer optional addition that automates switching between products, pack sizes and label size, thanks to its motorised adjustment of top lay belts, infeed guides and height adjustment. Operators, factory management software and or weigh-price labellers can select pre-programmed tray sizes to allow the machine to move automatically, to new positions freeing up time for the operator to load labels.

Joining the 5000 Auto will be Ravenwood’s VR Inspection System which offers unrivalled brand and consumer protection. Directly after the packs have been labelled, the VR will then inspect to identify errors and reject any packs where faulty labels are detected. The VR does this by optical vision inspection. Faults are largely due to poor quality print and inaccuracies, but the VR analyses even further and will check for label position, quantity and orientation for guaranteed consistency across all packs. Furthermore, even small print such as barcodes, use-by dates and traceability codes are also inspected. In fact, all printed information. The process offers complete peace of mind, alleviating the need for manual analysis which can lead to faults going unchecked.

David Gooding, Ravenwood’s commercial director, says, “It’s great to finally be getting back to normal in attending events in person. I know that the team is really looking forward to both the show itself and the launch of the 5000 Auto. ”

He adds, “It will also be the first time we have exhibited at IFFA so we are hoping it will prove to be a great success and the first of many for Ravenwood.”

IFFA takes place every 4 years and is the world’s leading trade fair for the meat industry with the 2022 show opening up to the alternative proteins markets. The show is very well established with this year marking IFFA’s 71st anniversary. The show covers the entire supply chain for processing, packaging, selling and distribution and offers a great platform for networking opportunities across a global scale. Around 900 exhibitors will be in attendance from over 40 countries. IFFA will run from May 14-19, 2022.