As a forward-thinking manufacturer of environmentally friendly wood fibre insulation systems, Naturheld has equipped its state-of-the-art production facility with Matthews V-Series for marking: High-quality print images are realised on sensitive surfaces under demanding environmental conditions.
Naturheld GmbH & Co. KG represents a new generation of eco-friendly insulation materials that are both high-performance and resource-conserving – and what's more, „Made in Germany“. As a specialist in wood fibre insulation boards, the company develops and produces unique solutions for modern timber and solid construction, as well as for energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings. The stated goal is sustainable building materials that meet the highest building physics requirements while actively contributing to climate protection. Founded in 2022, Naturheld is part of the JRS Group, headquartered in Rosenberg. This internationally active corporate group has been a leader in the processing of plant-based fibres for decades and stands for sustainable technologies at the highest level. As a subsidiary, Naturheld, based in Grafenwöhr, Bavaria, benefits from this strong network.
In 2022, a state-of-the-art production facility was also established there. The company worked closely with various machine manufacturers during the planning phase to develop production solutions that meet the special requirements for manufacturing wood fibre insulation boards. To achieve clear, consistent markings on their products, the decision-makers implemented a tailor-made solution using Matthews Marking Systems' V-Series drop-on-demand inkjet printers and the Mperia controller.
The challenge
The labelling of building materials not only serves for product identification and traceability of the environmentally friendly wood fibre insulation systems, but also contributes to brand awareness, as the manufacturer is prominently visible on construction sites for a temporary period. Each Naturheld insulation board is marked with the brand logo, the product designation (including type and bulk density) as well as the date and time of manufacture, in order to meet all quality control and traceability requirements. When Naturheld began planning for the state-of-the-art production facility in Grafenwöhr, it was clear that a robust labelling solution was needed that would operate precisely and reliably under the challenging conditions of dust and wood fibres. This solution had to integrate seamlessly into the existing production line and function in continuous four-shift operation with minimal maintenance.
The solution
The decision for Matthews Marking Systems was made due to positive experiences within the industry. Peter Härtl, Technical Site Manager at Naturheld, coordinated the technical design and integration together with Matthews and other system partners. The company chose the V-series drop-on-demand inkjet printers from Matthews Marking Systems to meet very specific marking requirements. The customised solution includes an Mperia-12″-IP54 controller, six V-Link and V-series-32-nozzle printheads each, and two ink supply units. The SCP-620 (Black) ink is used.
The V-series proved to be the optimal solution for Naturheld's requirements for a variety of reasons: The V-series printheads are characterised by an innovative nozzle design which ensures reliable performance even under extreme conditions. The robust construction is combined with high flexibility, seamless scalability and simple maintenance: The system enables versatile printing options from above, below or the side, with the tiltable printheads ensuring optimal adjustment to print height and resolution. The Mperia controller allows for effortless expansion and integration into existing systems. Integrated rinsing valve systems significantly facilitate cleaning and maintenance, especially in these dusty environments.
The implementation of the V-series required close collaboration between Naturheld, Matthews Marking Systems and the machine manufacturer Anthon. The Matthews technical sales team worked directly with Naturheld and Anthon to ensure seamless integration of the marking system into the production line. This involved repeated adjustments to the solution to achieve the perfect fixture design and optimal height settings.
Thanks to efficient communication, the installation was completed in just a few days. Following the plant's commissioning, the Matthews team conducted training for Naturheld's lead users and plant managers directly on-site, instructing them on the system's operation and maintenance. The system's ease of use and user-friendliness enabled the trained staff to easily pass on their knowledge to the entire team.
The results
„We've been active for a year now,“ reports Härtl, „and I can say that we are very satisfied and look confidently to the future, that the marking solution will continue to convince us.“ The application of the V-series is also linked to clear advantages in the long term: the system convinces with reliable performance even under the most extreme conditions. „In our extremely dusty environment, it's not unusual for an inkjet nozzle to get blocked or the print image to become unclear. However, the Matthews printhead does its job reliably at all times,“ emphasises Härtl. Overall, the V-series from Matthews Marking Systems has met Naturheld's marking requirements to its full satisfaction, even under demanding production conditions, and has made a significant contribution to increasing the company's efficiency and profitability.
Particularly noteworthy is Matthews„ commitment as a reliable partner. “Matthews impresses with collaborative partnership as well as reliable communication and coordination,„ Härtl emphasises. “Expert staff were always available for queries, and we received immediate assistance. Everything simply worked perfectly." For further products from the manufacturer's portfolio, for which, for example, outer packaging is required for transport, comprehensive solutions from the labelling specialist are also available.
