
MG America has introduced two coding and verification units for integrated serialization: The ACE-CT400 for cartons and the ACE-BT300 (shown) for bottles. Both can provide track-and-trace capabilities at the unit level. Positive indexing and transportation is incorporated in the design of both, with servo-driven belts providing accurate speed management and position control throughout the process.
The ACE-CT400 can handle cartons from 20x20x80 mm to 120x80x200 mm at a maximum speed of 400/min. Coding on the unit can be performed on either side of a carton and/or on top. Laser printing is also available. Carton rejection is performed via a servo-driven reject button, and tamper-evident flap seal dispensers are optional.
The ACE-BT300 can handle round, square, and rectangular bottles from 22- to 120-mm dia at a maximum speed of 300/min. Bottle coding can be performed either bottom-up or bottom-down. The machine offers single-point adjustment for complete format changeovers, and bottle rejection is performed via linear motor-driven shaft. It has a multi-camera system to verify Data Matrix codes printed on individual bottles as well as laser printing. The ACE-BT300 occupies one meter of floor space.