Section 6: Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Labels are applied to the container crooked.

1. Check for container taper. Some containers such as wine bottles may have a slight taper that will cause the label to be applied crooked. You may be able to apply your label straight if you angle the container idler roller to correspond with the angel of the taper. For example, if you normally apply labels to the bottle with both sides of the container idler roller in the third notch from the drive roller, try putting one side in notch three and the other side in notch four.
2. Roll Guides should also be positioned very close to the roll, but not squeezing any part of the roll (so the roll has very little play side-to-side between the guides).
3. It may take several labels to allow the label stock to “straighten-out” or “settle-in” where it will run for the duration of the roll. It will “settle-in” quicker if you make sure to get the label stock loaded relatively square to the roll.
4. For larger heavier rolls make sure that the roll is positioned on top of the Roll Guides with the magnetic portions facing in. This will minimize the chances that the heavy roll will push the guides out of place.
5. For lighter rolls make sure the Roll Drag Arm is in place as described in the manual. If you do not have a Roll Drag Arm please contact tech support.

Tapered bottles.

Many wine bottles have a slight taper to them. Using the normal procedures outlined in the manual will cause the labels to be applied crooked. You may be able to apply your label straight if you angle the container idler roller to correspond with the angel of the taper. For example, if you normally apply labels to the bottle with both sides of the container idler roller in the third notch from the drive roller, try putting one side in notch three and the other side in notch four.

Motor stalling on labels 6" (15.3 cm) or wider.

For label stock 6” (15.3 cm) and wider, it may be necessary to reduce the speed of the Label Applicator. The AP360e/362e includes a half-speed mode that generates more power from the motors for wider label stock. To activate this mode, hold down the Foot Switch while switching on the unit. The AP362 will remain in this mode until it is deactivated. To deactivate this mode, hold down the Foot Switch again while switching on the unit.

AP360e/362e is running slow.

See Section 6.2. Make sure the foot switch is not depressed at any time during the boot up sequence.

Small diameter containers.

Small containers such as chap stick containers which are close to the edge of the minimum allowed diameter specification (0.6") will occasionally get pushed off the rollers by the oncoming label. To solve this problem add pressure to the arm by hand while applying labels on extremely small containers. This will prevent the label from pushing the container off the rollers.

There are bubbles or wrinkles in the label.

Wrinkles or bubbles can appear on the applied label if the container is not completely round, is not smooth or has bumps or ridges. To minimize bubbling or wrinkling with such bottles smooth the labels by hand as the container rotates around. For this procedure you must apply labels with out using the container pressure arm.

Maintenance

Label edges fold over or catch on the sensor as they are applied to the container.

1. Over time adhesive from the labels can build up on the sensor flag just above the container rollers. Periodically clean the top of the sensor with a Q-tip and alcohol.
2. Make sure the sensor is positioned in the middle of the the label.

Unclamp Liner Idler Roller.

When not in use, leave the Liner Idler Roller in the unclamped position. This will minimize the possibility that permanent indentations will be made in the Liner Drive Roller.

Lubricate bearings.

Primera recommends oiling the four bearings associated with the Liner Drive Roller and Liner Idler Roller. Oil these four bearings for every 50,000 containers labeled. They should only be oiled after the first 50,000 containers as they are lubricated with a special grease at the factory. One drop of any machine oil or motor oil for each bearing should be adequate. This mainte-nance is optional but will increase the life of the applicators for heavy users who use the applicator for several hours each day.

Clean Label Gap Sensor Flag.

Over time adhesive from the labels can build up on the sensor flag just above the container rollers. Periodically clean the top of the sensor with a Q-tip and alcohol.

Swapping/Flipping the label/container guide positions to accommodate narrower labels.

1Thumbscrew

2Guide Plate

3Locator Tabs

4Slot

5Nut

You can swap the positions of the container guides or the label guides to accommodate shorter containers or narrower labels.

Label Guide Instructions

1. Loosen one of the thumbscrews until it is removed. Hold your hand underneath guide plate to catch the nut as it falls.
2. Move the remaining guide to the opposite side.
3. Place the label guide back onto the guide plate so that the locator tab is inside the slot.
4. Place the nut on the underside of the guide plate so that the locator tab is closest to the locator tab on the label guide.
5. Insert the Thumbscrew and turn clockwise until it is tight.

Container Guide Instructions

1. Move one of the guides to the outer edges. Loosen one of the thumbscrews until it is removed. Hold your hand underneath guide plate to catch the nut as it falls. Access to the underside is only available on the far edge of either side.
2. Move the remaining guide to the opposite side.
3. Place the label guide back onto the guide plate so that the locator tab is inside the slot.
4. Place the nut on the underside of the guide plate so that the locator tab is closest to the locator tab on the label guide.
5. Insert the Thumbscrew and turn clockwise until it is tight.