Peacock Bros. delivers a Tip Top labelling system.

Tip Top Australia’s newest facility in Sydney NSW is one of the smartest designs in automated supply chain systems ever developed. The bakery, product packaging, order packing and dispatch systems are all installed into this single building integrated with automated machinery that assists the entire production process.

Part of this new installation included 12 product finishing and packing lines automatically controlled via a central production management system and capable of filling orders on-demand. Peacock Bros. were called in to design and supply a solution that would automatically print and apply barcode labels onto the completed crate stacks on each of the 12 lines.

Tip Top needed the printer applicators to communicate directly with the inventory management computer system and print and apply the crate stack contents as the stacks are completed. It was found that only the Weber brand of printer applicators with the latest Zebra Technologies PAX4 print engines could perform this task sufficiently.

Peacock Bros. have the expertise in custom label applicator installations and printer networking making them the ideal choice of supplier. Peacock Bros were also contracted to produce and supply customized stands that would enable each applicator to be placed within a compact conveyor system.

Working directly with Tip Top’s software and conveyor company, 12 printer applicators were delivered that would print and apply barcode labels with the unique contents and dispatch details of each crate stack on demand. The customized stands fitted the applicators neatly between the conveyor lines without creating obstructions.

Each Weber Printer / Applicator receives information from the central computer that includes product type and quantities, which customer is to receive the delivery and what loading bay section the stack is to be held in. This information is translated and printed onto a barcode label which the applicator automatically applies directly to the stack the instant it is completed. The automated conveyor system then scans each stack as it travels past and guides the stack to the designated loading bay section for that delivery.

Minimal handling and intervention is required for this whole process with the central computer completing most of the instructions to automated equipment as required to complete the task. The solution works perfectly and provides the final automated functions needed to complete the supply chain system.

Mr. Steve Doughty, Tip Top’s General Manager of Specialty Engineering Projects commented, “We are very pleased with the applicators and Peacock Bros. delivered everything on time and provided excellent service, everything is working as we hoped it would”.

Peacock Bros. are the exclusive distributor of the Weber automated printer applicators in Australia and New Zealand and can supply and install automated labelling systems for all types of applications. Peacock Bros. also offer full local service and preventative maintenance for Weber systems as well as being an Australian manufacturer of barcode labels and supplies.