Applications:
Barcode labels with coating protection for compressor housings

The user

develops and produces among others: anti-blocking systems, electronic brake systems (EBS), stability controls (ESC), pneumatic suspensions (ECAS), gear controls und compressors for cars and commercial vehicles.

Initial situation

For product liability reasons a 100% distinct marking of the compressor housings was needed that would satisfy the high requirements prevailing in the automotive industry. The barcode labels should be produced locally in a central area and some should be equipped with an additional surface protection.

Applications in car engine compartments are associated with high requirements for the labelling material. They have to be anti-ageing and UV-resistant. The temperature resistance has to be from –40° C to +110° C and withstand a heat intensity of up to 130° C for short periods. At the same time it is absolutely imperative that the material is resistant to water, engine oil, corrosion, premium petrol, diesel, 5% sulphuric acid, brake fluid, wheel rim cleaning agents, anti-freeze as well as high-pressure and steam jet cleaning.

Solution from ELTEX

A flexible material structure satisfies the high requirements perfectly. The transparent-matte laminate foil protects the imprint reliably and ensures unmistakeable legibility of the barcode. The surface protection is provided with a practical handy tap to enable easy handling. After the coating process, this section is simply removed.

The label printing system ELTEX 7500 proved to be the ideal solution for the central production of large quantities with diverse formats. The consumables are supplied as continuous roll material. The continuous foil is printed in a thermal transfer printing process and is subsequently laminated and die-cut.

Faulty labels are immediately sorted out after coating and removed since a scanner registers the legibility. Laminates either with or without coating protection are used depending upon the product version.

Every consumable foil roll supplied by ELTEX is equipped with a label which indicates the customer parts for the material. These labels are scanned before production commences.

In this way it is ensured that the correct material is used for each type of appliance. An automatic run at the end of the production ensures additionally that even the label printed last passes into the production process without any loss of serial numbers.