Do you know the difference between a well-designed tape head and one that’s not? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Tape heads are one of those components within an end-of-line system that perform a very valuable role in preparing a package for transport, yet sometimes gets overlooked. Here are a few reasons why tape heads deserve your attention.
Simply put, the goal of a tape head is to apply tape to seal a box. That’s easier said than done at times, because no matter how strong the corrugated may be, or how well the box has been packed, if the tape head has not applied the tape correctly then the finished case will lack structural integrity. This of course can lead to damaged products and expensive comebacks for the manufacturer.
Tape heads need to be flexible to accommodate many different width, height and weight variations in boxes, as well as differences in corrugate materials. These factors together may call for different tensions to increase or decrease the tape application pressure to the packages. For example, if a box is made with recycled or lighter-weight material, the tape head may need to dispense tape with a lighter tension as to not crush the case, while an overfilled case with lots of memory may require tape applied at a higher tension for proper application.
Aside from the corrugated, the tape head must also work well with the tape. Thinner tapes have become more popular due to cost efficiencies, but they require a reliable tape head which is able to properly apply tape at lower tensions without breaking the tape. These are just a few of the many factors you need to consider when evaluating the tape head for your next end-of-line project.
Taking a proactive approach to tape head design, the DEKKA V3 Tape Head is engineered to work seamlessly with the packaging specifications companies are embracing today. Whether it’s the use of recycled or lighter corrugated, or thinner profile tapes, the DEKKA V3 Tape Head is a solid solution for today’s ever-changing packaging environment with these engineering features:
- Extended wipedown arms with an adjustable brush for greater product protection and case sealing
- Wipedown tension spring eliminates case crushing and tape breakages for better protection
- Wipedown tool-less tension adjustment for fast, easy adjustments and optimization when variations in tape or corrugated appear
- Reliable tape cutting on underfilled or recycled corrugated through increasing cutting trajectory and extended blade-travel distance
- Reduce tape breakage with a no-break tap advance that pulls along the center line of the tape roll
- One-piece polyurethane wipedown rollers for longer life with less maintenance
- Open-frame design with pictorial instruction to expedite tape loading in less than 20 minutes
The right tape head will integrate well into your end-of-line system and complement your packaging application. That is why it’s important to select one that’s designed for today’s dynamic, evolving packaging landscape. Dekka can help make that happen for you.