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What is IML?

How in-mould labelling works: cycle steps, side and top entry, glossary and frequently asked questions.

What is IML?
Step by step

The cycle: mould opens, robot enters, label seats

Total cycle2.2s
  1. Pick labels

    Pick labels

    Labels are picked from the magazine by vacuum; a separate cassette per cavity.

    0.4 s
  2. Electrostatic charging

    Electrostatic charging

    The Simco-Ion generator charges the label so it stays in place in the mould.

    0.3 s
  3. Enter the mould

    Enter the mould

    The servo main axis enters the mould gap from the side; mould intervention under one second.

    0.3 s
  4. Take parts

    Take parts

    Parts are taken from the core side by vacuum grippers.

    0.3 s
  5. Place labels

    Place labels

    Labels are placed into the cavity side; the arm exits and the mould closes.

    0.3 s
  6. Stack

    Stack

    Parts are placed on the conveyor, counted and stacked.

    0.6 s
The difference

A plain container versus an IML container

Drag the slider. The same container with a label applied in the mould.

Yoghurt tub

Yoghurt tub — AfterBeforeAfter

Drag to compare

No separate printing line is needed; the label becomes part of the container.

Lid

Lid — AfterBeforeAfter

Drag to compare

The top label is applied in the mould and resists scratching.

Eight steps

How is an IML line set up?

  1. 01

    Product and label

    Container geometry and label format are defined.

  2. 02

    Mould

    Cavity count, cooling and label pocket design.

  3. 03

    Injection machine

    Tonnage, mould daylight, Euromap 67.

  4. 04

    Robot

    Side entry, EOAT and magazine selection.

  5. 05

    Static charging

    Profile according to label material.

  6. 06

    Vision

    Label presence and position check.

  7. 07

    Downstream

    Conveyor, stacking, boxing.

  8. 08

    FAT / SAT

    Acceptance tests and training.

Comparison

Side entry or top entry?

 Side entryTop entry
Mould intervention time0.8–1.0 s1.4–2.0 s
No ceiling height needed
Floor space beside machine3–6 m²0 m²
Take-out + placement in one entry
High cavity counts (12–16)Limited
Stack mould (SE-Twin)
Typical applicationThin-wall containers, lids, pailsTechnical parts, low cavity
Capacity

How much will your line produce?

Enter cavities and cycle time to see parts per hour, month and year. Carry the result to the quote form in one click.

Between 1 and 128

Between 0.5 and 120

Between 1 and 24

Between 1 and 365

Between 50 and 100

Per hour
9,415parts
Per day
207,138parts
Per month
5,178,461parts
Per year
62,141,538parts

Formula: cavities × 3600 ÷ cycle time × efficiency = parts per hour; monthly = yearly ÷ 12.

Estimate only; mould changes, downtime and scrap are covered by the efficiency rate.

Get a quote for this capacity

A–Z

IML glossary

B

Boxing / case packing
Placing stacked parts into cases; connected to the robot via Euromap 17.

C

Cavity
The void in the mould forming one part; a multi-cavity mould yields several parts per cycle.
Clamping force (tonnage)
The force holding the mould closed against injection pressure; defines the machine class in robot selection.
Commissioning
Bringing the robot into production through installation, connection, fine tuning and training.
Conveyor
The belt carrying parts from the robot release position to the stacking or inspection station.

Related product: DS-Conveyor Outfeed Conveyor

Core / mandrel (dummy)
The core on the EOAT carrying the label wrapped to the cavity shape and releasing it into the mould.

Related product: DM-Set Dummy and Mandrel Set

Cycle time
Total duration of one mould close-open loop; includes robot intervention, cooling and injection.

D

De-ionising
Neutralising unwanted static charge on the part or label with an ionising bar.
Dry cycle
The cycle time the robot completes with its own motions alone, without mould or injection.

E

Electrostatic charging
Applying static charge to the back of the label so it holds to the mould wall.

Related product: ES-Charge Electrostatic Charging Unit

End-of-arm tooling (EOAT)
The product-specific plate at the end of the robot arm carrying label cores and part grippers.

Related product: VG-EOAT Vacuum Head

Euromap 12
The older 32-pin version of Euromap 67; used with a converter.
Euromap 67
The 50-pin standard signal interface between the injection machine and the robot.

F

Factory / site acceptance test (FAT/SAT)
Acceptance tests at the manufacturer's plant before delivery and on site after installation.

H

Handle assembly
Automatic in-line fitting of the pail handle.

Related product: HA-Handle Handle Assembly Unit

Frequently asked questions about IML

The label is part of the product: it does not scratch, wash off or peel; no separate labelling line or adhesive is needed; being the same material as the container it recycles easily.

Mostly 50–80 µm PP; PE and PET based, metallic, holographic and embossed labels are also used by adjusting the static charging profile.

16 with the SE-450 and 2×8 on stack moulds with the SE-Twin.

The generator runs at low current in an interlocked cabinet with a discharge circuit; high voltage is cut when the operator opens a door. The CE declaration covers this circuit.

Was this guide helpful?

Describe your application; we get back within 48 hours with a preliminary quote and application analysis.

Your container, label and mould details are enough. You can also run a trial with your own mould at the İkitelli test centre.

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