FRONTLINE: Braille Embossing on Folder Gluer

Colonial Carton, Clayton, NC, is the first in the U.S. to purchase a Bobst Alpina II 75-A2 folder gluer configured with a rotary Braille embossing system. It was developed at the request of Swiss pharmaceutical packager Rondo.

The system responds to a European directive requiring the name and medicine dosage to be placed in Braille on pharmaceutical packaging. Key concerns were where and how to place Braille dots. Braille embossing typically happens at the diecutting stage. Printing and embossing options increase costs and production time.

Alfred Kälin, Rondo's technical manager, says, “It is difficult to obtain consistency of embossing height, readability, accuracy and profile clarity with a platen press. The AccuBraille module (shown) achieves this.” He says it delivers embossed dots up to .00945” in height and can emboss one million boxes.

Another advantage, Kälin says, is it is flexible enough to allow the dots to be placed at .11811” from a cut, scored or perforated edge, which is impossible with other methods. www.colonialcarton.com