There are many reasons why the paper backing of the labels might break I have discovered. Here is my list (and I may edit this from time to time as I discover more ways label paper can break!):
Rips at the peeler plate in a nearly perfect line
- Plate angle is too harsh: try reducing the angle and making it more straight in line with the path right before it. So it could be angled too far towards the conveyor so reduce that angle away from conveyor direction which should straighten the path and reduce the intensity right there at the edge of plate at moment of peelage
- Peeler plate is too sharp: the actual metal of the plate may not be filed smooth enough
- Tension issue has driven the label path up or down and the top or bottom of paper is catching on corner of peeler plate and ripping instantly after cut begins
Snaps at Rewind Drive or Before
- The label backing was die-cut too deeply by printers and areas of weakness in backing paper have appeared and the general tension of machine is ripping it. There really isn’t much to be done, that I know of yet, other than try to reduce tension if you can without screwing up your label application
- The unwind assembly isn’t functioning properly, or the dancer arm is jamming somehow so the the rewind drive engine is pulling but the unwind assembly isn’t releasing the new labels so it snaps near the drive.
- The clutch/brake is too tight or seized: replace clutch or loosen tension (I guess). This one seems to really affect everything so try to avoid this one unless you’ve tried everything else.
Other Snap Location?
I haven’t seen it snap anywhere else yet, but I’m sure anything is possible. If you have some snap action somewhere else along the feed path be sure to let me know and we can share solutions here as notes for ourselves and others.