The most efficient way to emboss Braille dots

BOBST GROUP is the worldwide leading supplier of equipment and services to packaging manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible materials industries. Founded in 1890 and based in Lausanne-Switzerland, BOBST has always been focusing on products that meet with current markets’ requirements. Developments are numerous in the folding carton industry as equipment has to be more and more versatile. In addition to the high sophistication of the boxes to be die-cut and folded, development continues in the addition of value to the box (embossing, hot foil stamping, holograms, Braille embossing, etc.)

The module named AccuBraille is among BOBST’s most recent developments. It took 18 months of R&D work with a team of 5 people to design an in-line solution to BOBST’s exacting quality standards. Integrated in a machine that folds and glues cartons, it embosses Braille dots. Compared to the Braille embossing of the cartons at the cutting and creasing stage, this solution brings advantages, which enables the converters to cope in a highly efficient manner in line with the European regulation on pharmaceutical packages.

Various production challenges 

Braille embossing creates various production challenges. When applied at the stage of diecutting, it induces costs caused by the constraint to buy as many embossing tools as there are cartons on a printed sheet. Consequently, users felt that it would be more cost efficient to apply Braille at the last part of the entire process, the folder-gluer, where the cartons are taken one by one. The AccuBraille module removes the need to emboss on the diecutter and brings several benefits:

-          the make ready of the diecutter is faster (no set-up of embossing tools),

-          the stops of the die-cutter are fewer (less cleaning of embossing tools),

-          less challenges on the folder-gluer since the boxes are embossed in the section following its feeder, and therefore improved run-ability of the gluer as the AccuBraille module is mounted after the feeder (no blanks stuck together),

-          the set-up of tools takes less than 5 minutes and no additional staffing is required.

It brings with it the possibility of applying embossing very close to the cut or creased edges and, therefore, more interesting design possibilities. It functions at normal production speed for pharmaceutical boxes (75,000 boxes/hour). The system works according to the Marburg Medium standard, with a maximum of 4 lines and handles materials ranging from 200 to 500 gsm.

It was introduced in March 2007 when 170 persons, all pharmaceutical packaging producers, from all over Europe visited a BOBST Open House. Live demonstrations showed the Mistral 80 A1 folder-gluer incorporating the AccuBraille module, which was working with a Cartonpack GT, end of the line packing solution integrating the optional full speed sampling device, a unit especially suited to products that require inspection checks. On this occasion, BOBST also showed a machine ordered by the “Blind Institute” from Lausanne and developed in 1915 by Henri Bobst to emboss Braille.

For detailed information, please contact Nigel Tracey – Marketing Director – nigel.tracey@bobstgroup.com