Traditional trendsetter
Kuemmerling is Germany's number one in the small-bottle segment. The semi-bitter herbal liqueur enjoys 85% brand awareness and a success story that now spans ninety years.
While the beverage recipe has remained unchanged, production has undergone continuous modernization. The coding and marking technologies have just been updated: Laser and inkjet systems from REA JET have been integrated into the production lines. The company's marking systems are among the most technologically innovative in the world.
The main Kuemmerling plant in Bodenheim near Mainz produces various spirits brands of the Henkell & Co. group, such as Fürst Bismarck and Jacobi 1880. The fully automated plant meets all ISO standards and is IFS certified. Bottles and outer cartons are marked with REA JET Systems for quality control. This means that the entire production process can be traced at any time, one of the basic requirements for maintaining the high standards.
Simple integration
To mark the typical Kuemmerling miniature bottles, the latestCO2 Laser REA LASER CO2 CL IP65 was integrated into a Krones filling line. The narrow design was decisive for this. But it was REA JET's open interface technology with the consistent use of XML for the data structure that fully convinced the export-oriented company. State-of-the-art digital interfaces enable communication with the production host computer.
Clear identification
A carousel guides the glass bottles past the laser. The coding and marking system, especially developed for operation in humid environments, marks an impressive 36,000 bottles per hour with the batch identification. The time taken for the marking process is displayed on a continuous basis. The laser technology enables razor-sharp marking of surfaces with maximum reproducibility of the marking quality. It generates individual, abrasion-resistant and forgery-proof markings on glass, ensuring security through unique identification.
The laser is supplied with cooling air from an external blower included in the scope of delivery, which means that there is no need for cost-intensive cooling with compressed air or high-maintenance water cooling. This energy-saving aspect and other advantages convinced Kuemmerling: The technical manager emphasizes that the decision in favour of the REA JET system was based on technical and commercial considerations. In addition to the simple integration and low operating costs, the option of two-line marking was also a decisive factor.
Alternative sought
Further maintenance-free systems from REA JET were installed at Kuemmerling for marking outer cartons. The devices previously used for this were based on piezo technology and required a high level of maintenance. The print heads had to be flushed regularly. Each rinsing process caused considerable contamination of the environment due to the design. Cleaning and the regular replacement of wearing parts caused additional costs. The quality of the print was also unsatisfactory and it was not possible to vary the print height.
A clean affair
The cardboard boxes are now marked in high-resolution and contact-free using the latest generation of REA JET HR inkjet printers. These systems guarantee optimum marking of the surfaces, can be used flexibly, are maintenance-free and cost-effective. A print height of up to 50.8 mm is possible at a speed of up to 300 meters per minute. The REA JET HR does not require any solvent-based inks or solvents and is therefore also suitable for sensitive sectors such as the beverage industry. Ink consumption can be optimized using versatile setting parameters. Thanks to HP printing technology, consistently precise marking results are guaranteed without wearing parts such as filters. The REA JET HR printer is economical in terms of consumption and is ready for immediate use even after a long period of downtime. This makes it not only a clean, maintenance-free and cost-effective alternative to service-intensive piezo printers, but also for widely used continuous ink jet systems (CIJ).
Future-proof system
Kuemmerling is increasingly marking goods with 2D Codes in addition to EAN Codes and has therefore opted for the REA JET HR. The future-proof system impressed with its modern software and free updates. DataMatrix codes are currently conquering all industries, as they require significantly less space to display information than barcodes and can also encode more relevant data. In addition to article and serial numbers, for example, they can also encode the date, production plant or manufacturing plant or customer number.
Optimizing logistics
From production to delivery - at Kuemmerling, coding is an important basis for the automation of all processes. The containers can be identified at any time using the code, which enables them to be traced and speeds up processes. The focus here is on the machine-readability of the marking, as inadequate marking is difficult or impossible to assign. Therefore, coding has to comply with industry standards. Compliance with such standards helps to achieve high first-pass reading rates and thus saves time and costs, both for the manufacturer and the retailer. Code verification systems from REA VERIFIER are used to analyze the print quality of codes. The marking is then optimized together with the customer until it meets the specifications. This increases the first-pass reading rate, promotes automation and maintains competitiveness.
Revolutionary simplicity
REA JET has developed a new, common operating concept for its laser and inkjet coders. Kuemmerling is delighted with the clear menu navigation and ease of use. All functions can be controlled via a web browser. Graphical installation settings, marking parameterization and print job management are carried out via integrated remote control from a central computer. You are informed online about the device and job status and therefore have to intervene much less frequently directly on the production line. Because every Internet user knows how a web browser works, the application is easy to understand. The integrated web server is already part of REA JET's standard equipment.
Customized solutions instead of mass-produced goods
REA JET's in-house development and production department realizes individual applications such as the combination of different marking products. As a full-service provider, the company can supply hardware, software and consumables and can therefore realize customer-specific requirements in addition to standard solutions. The modular structure of the technologies facilitates flexible adaptation to a wide range of requirements. Kuemmerling benefits from perfectly harmonized products from a single source.
Innovation ensures competitiveness
Innovation is a tradition at Kuemmerling. The fresh appearance of the successful brand is flanked by the continuous modernization of production. With the updating of the marking technology by the specialists from REA JET, a further step has now been taken towards a successful future.
