Machine and method for its operation

A method of operating a labelling machine, the labelling machine comprising:

• a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising a label stock comprising a web and a plurality of spaced labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web;
• a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the web;
• a motive means,
• a controller, and
• a sensor comprising a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, wherein the receiver portion of the sensor further comprises a plurality of receivers;
• the method comprising:
• the motive means propelling the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support;
• the transmitter portion and the receiver portion receiving a portion of the label stock therebetween;
• the plurality of receivers each producing a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of the label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path;
• the controller monitoring each of the sensor signals produced by the plurality of receivers;
• and
• the controller selecting one of the sensor signals produced by the plurality of receivers based on said monitoring of each of the sensor signals produced by the plurality of receivers.