A multi-purpose labeling system can include a conveyor, a visual analysis module, and a labeling assembly. The conveyor can move an object in a first direction. The visual analysis module can include an optical sensor directed toward the conveyor to generate image data depicting the object. The labeling assembly can be spaced from the conveyor in a second direction and include a printer, a labeling module, and an alignment assembly. The printer can print a label based on the image data, and the labeling module can have a labeling plate for receiving the label. The alignment assembly can include a lateral-motion module, a vertical-motion module, and a rotary module for moving the labeling module along or about the first, the second, and a third direction, and can place the labeling plate adjacent to an object surface.

Devices, systems and methods for labeling an item in a conveyor line are disclosed. An example labeling station comprises a labeling member with a label holder configured to hold a label to be affixed to the item. The labeling member is configured to move at least the label holder at a matching speed of the conveyor in a matching direction and to affix the label to the item. An example labeling method includes obtaining a multi-dimensional representation of the item, determining a label target position in the representation, and controlling a labeling station to affix the label at the label target position on the item.

A first aspect provides a labelling device for providing an object with a printed label. The device comprises a first transportation module, a labelling module comprising a label gripper and a gripper driving module for moving the gripper between a label pick-up position and a label application position, and a second transportation module. The labelling device further comprises a labelling processing unit arranged to instruct the first transportation module to transport the object to the labelling position, after transportation of the object to the labelling position, instruct the labelling module to have the gripper grip a label at the label pick-up position and transport the label to the label application position for application of the label to the object and after application of the label, instruct the second transportation module to transport the object away from the labelling position.

A first aspect provides a labelling device for providing an object with a printed label. The device comprises a first transportation module, a labelling module comprising a label gripper and a gripper driving module for moving the gripper between a label pick-up position and a label application position, and a second transportation module. The labelling device further comprises a labelling processing unit arranged to instruct the first transportation module to transport the object to the labelling position, after transportation of the object to the labelling position, instruct the labelling module to have the gripper grip a label at the label pick-up position and transport the label to the label application position for application of the label to the object and after application of the label, instruct the second transportation module to transport the object away from the labelling position.

The invention relates to a method for operating a labelling system which comprises a labelling device (1) having a feed assembly (2), a dispensing assembly (4) and an application assembly (6); wherein at least one of these functional units comprises a sensor assembly (8, 9, 10); wherein, in a labelling routine, a control assembly (11) activates the functional units in order to carry out the labelling process; wherein, in a monitoring routine, a monitoring assembly (12) captures the sensor data detected by the sensor assemblies (8, 9, 10), which data correspond to a sensor capture density specified for the corresponding functional unit; wherein the labelling system comprises a user interface (13). According to the invention, in a user-query routine, a user is prompted by the user interface (13) to input a state relating to a functional aspect of the labelling system, and the input state is transmitted to the monitoring assembly (12), which compares the input state with a specified state and, in the event of deviation, executes an internal response routine in which a sensor capture density, which is changed with respect to the previous sensor capture density, of at least one functional unit is specified; and, following the user query routine, the labelling routine and the monitoring routine are executed using the changed sensor capture density specified from the user query routine.

The invention relates to a method for operating a labelling system which comprises a labelling device (1) having a feed assembly (2), a dispensing assembly (4) and an application assembly (6); wherein at least one of these functional units comprises a sensor assembly (8, 9, 10); wherein, in a labelling routine, a control assembly (11) activates the functional units in order to carry out the labelling process; wherein, in a monitoring routine, a monitoring assembly (12) captures the sensor data detected by the sensor assemblies (8, 9, 10), which data correspond to a sensor capture density specified for the corresponding functional unit; wherein the labelling system comprises a user interface (13). According to the invention, in a user-query routine, a user is prompted by the user interface (13) to input a state relating to a functional aspect of the labelling system, and the input state is transmitted to the monitoring assembly (12), which compares the input state with a specified state and, in the event of deviation, executes an internal response routine in which a sensor capture density, which is changed with respect to the previous sensor capture density, of at least one functional unit is specified; and, following the user query routine, the labelling routine and the monitoring routine are executed using the changed sensor capture density specified from the user query routine.

A foil transfer device which transfers foil onto a sheet is disclosed herein. When a nip/release mechanism moves a first roller and starts causing a foil film to be pressed against a confined surface region on a sheet, located apart from a leading edge of the sheet, a controller executes: a first process of causing a conveyor roller to start conveyance of the sheet, while the first roller is positioned in a separate position; a second process of causing the conveyor roller to stop conveyance of the sheet before a foil transfer area reaches a transfer position; a third process of causing the nip/release mechanism to start moving the first roller from the separate position to a nipping position while the conveyance of the sheet is stopped; and a fourth process of causing the conveyor roller to restart conveyance of the sheet before the first roller reaches the nipping position.

Generation of a wrinkle is prevented when a sticker is affixed to an object. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller configured to control the articulated robot, and a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot. The suction tool includes a suction portion configured to hold a sticker and a pressing portion configured to affix the sticker to an object to which the sticker is affixed. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute an operation of inclining a suction surface of the suction portion with respect to a surface of the object and an operation of moving the suction tool along the surface of the object. The pressing portion presses the sticker against the surface of the object while the suction tool moves along the surface of object.

Generation of a wrinkle is prevented when a sticker is affixed to an object. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller configured to control the articulated robot, and a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot. The suction tool includes a suction portion configured to hold a sticker and a pressing portion configured to affix the sticker to an object to which the sticker is affixed. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute an operation of inclining a suction surface of the suction portion with respect to a surface of the object and an operation of moving the suction tool along the surface of the object. The pressing portion presses the sticker against the surface of the object while the suction tool moves along the surface of object.

Teaching including adjustment of an inclination of a suction tool with respect to an object is performed in teaching of a suction position of the suction tool. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller, a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot, a force sensor, and a storage. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute an operation of bringing the suction tool close to a sticker on a release paper in a teaching mode, an operation of adjusting a suction position of the suction tool and an inclination in a traveling direction (roll axis X) of the suction tool in peeling off the sticker based on a signal from the force sensor, and an operation of storing the teaching data including information about the adjusted suction position and the inclination of the suction tool in the storage.