With the rapid growth of the food, household product, and packaging and printing industries, compliance and traceability requirements for product packaging keep getting stricter. On packaging lines, bottom labeling often becomes the bottleneck. Manual flipping and labeling is time-consuming and cannot guarantee quality. In recent years, advances in automatic labeling technology have been driving bottom labeling toward higher efficiency and integration.
Pain points of conventional bottom labeling and industry trends
In conventional packaging lines, bottom labeling usually relies on operators flipping the product and applying labels by hand, or on complex robotic flipping mechanisms. This has clear drawbacks: first, manual flipping easily scratches product surfaces, and label positions vary, affecting overall packaging appearance; second, after labeling, products must be moved separately to a coding station, which is cumbersome and complicates the line layout; third, for small-batch, multi-batch orders, manual changeover is extremely inefficient.
The industry trend is therefore shifting from standalone labeling to integrated labeling and coding and to direct application without flipping. Optimizing equipment structure so products can be marked on the underside while traveling forward is a core direction for packaging equipment upgrades.
Lowered no-flip technology and integrated labeling and coding
To meet this need, lowered no-flip labeling technology emerged. Take the WZ-129 bottom labeling machine from Wanzhi Automation: its innovative design places the labeling mechanism below the conveyor belt, so products traveling forward on top are labeled on the underside automatically, eliminating manual or mechanical flipping entirely.
In specifications and performance, this type of automated equipment is highly flexible. Throughput ranges from 20 to 80 PCS/min, accommodating everything from small-batch sampling to high-volume continuous production. Labeling accuracy stays at ±1 mm, ensuring flat bottom labels without wrinkles. The machine also supports custom engineering: standard models handle products up to 300 mm wide, and special sizes can be handled by widening the conveyor and extending the frame.
Even more notable is the technical integration of labeling and coding. The machine can integrate a coder or inline inkjet printer to print traceability information such as the production date, batch number, and barcode directly onto the label while labeling, greatly simplifying line layout and improving overall packaging efficiency.
Line upgrade selection criteria and applications
Drawing on Wanzhi Automation’s industry experience, companies upgrading bottom labeling lines should focus on several selection points: first, assess product size and machine fit, confirming that the conveyor width and positioning structures meet current workpiece needs; second, clarify traceability printing requirements and plan where the inkjet or coding module will be integrated; third, examine how easy the machine is to adjust, choosing equipment with a separate touch-screen control panel and visual parameter adjustment to reduce changeover time.
Today these automated bottom labeling solutions are widely used for bottom marking in food containers, household product cans, paper gift boxes, and wooden panels, becoming an important part of raising packaging line automation.
FAQ
How does a bottom labeling machine ensure flat labels without wrinkles?
Mainly through the conveyor belt guide and positioning structures, which keep products centered as they pass through the labeling zone, together with stable pressing pressure for flat bottom labels without wrinkles or offset.
Can the machine print the production date and barcode while labeling?
Yes. An optional coder or inline inkjet printer can be integrated to print information at the same time as labeling, meeting integrated product traceability needs.
If product sizes exceed the standard range, can the machine be customized?
Yes. The conveyor width and positioning structures can be custom-built. Standard models handle products up to 300 mm wide, and special sizes can be met by widening the conveyor and extending the frame.
Written by Wanzhi Automation