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Positive I.D. featuring the A-Class printing solution identification labels for home improvement
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Product Data Management Systems
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries
- Consumer Goods
- Retail
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Track & Trace of Assets
Services
- System Integration
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
Wilsonart, a manufacturer of decorative laminate and acrylic solid surfaces, faced a significant challenge in keeping up with the increasing demand for sample chips at home improvement centers. The company needed to modernize its sample chip production line to minimize label waste during changeovers and reduce the total cost of ownership. The existing system, which had been in place for over a decade, relied on DatamaxO'Neil printers, but it required an upgrade to meet the growing demand and improve efficiency.
About The Customer
Wilsonart is a leading manufacturer of decorative laminate and acrylic solid surfaces, catering to the home improvement industry. The company produces a wide variety of sample chips in different colors and materials, which are distributed to home improvement centers for consumers to make informed decisions about their kitchen and bath surfaces. With a dedicated full-time production line, Wilsonart runs its sample chip line virtually non-stop to meet the high demand for these samples. The company has a long-standing relationship with DatamaxO'Neil printers, which have been used for over a decade to apply identification labels to the sample chips.
The Solution
To address the challenge, Wilsonart partnered with Code-in-Motion, an Irvine, California-based company that had designed their original sample labeling solution in the 1990s. Code-in-Motion developed an advanced print-apply system using six Datamax-O'Neil A4212 printers. These printers are specifically designed for high-performance print and apply applications, making them ideal for Wilsonart's sample chip line. The new system features innovative design elements such as stainless steel hardware components, a modular electronics card cage, a field-installable thermal transfer ribbon assembly, a remote control panel, and a full graphics display. The system also includes a unique vacuum-cup pick-and-place mechanism that minimizes label waste during product changeovers and ensures accurate label application.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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