Controls & Machine Components

Omron Electronics LLC: Temperature/process controllers

Omron’s new E5AR 1/4 DIN and E5ER 1/8 DIN temperature/process controllers multi-loop models allow for integrated control of multiple zones or environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity.

June 30, 2005

Controls & machine components: Page 224

Flexible packaging

Trends in pharma validation

What do pharmaceutical companies need from technology providers and packaging machinery OEMs to make FDA validation run more smoothly?

June 30, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Filler/capper cleans easily, changes quickly

Balcony construction makes system easy to clean, while controls package simplifies frequent size change.

June 30, 2005

Cartoning

Curvilinear servo motor called 'the future of packaging automation'

A direct-drive, moving-magnet servo motor called PackTrak™ is similar to linear servo motors that have been available for some time now.

May 31, 2005

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Building flexibility into a machine's DNA

A key goal of the Make2Pack initiative—a joint effort by the World Batch Forum and the OMAC Packaging Workgroup aimed at better integrating the processing and packaging functions in manufacturing—is to get people to approach packaging machinery programming in terms of modular code or function blocks that can be reused and reimplemented.

May 31, 2005

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Enterprise transaction module

Online Development’s xCoupler™ enterprise transaction module for Allen-Bradley® ControlLogix® controllers provides two-tier data exchange between plant floor devices (sensors, actuators, drives, bar-code scanners, robots, RFID controllers) connected to the controller and enterprise servers.

May 31, 2005

Coding, Printing & Labeling

The go-anywhere power of mobile RFID

Experts say portable and wireless devices like handheld computerized RFID readers have their place in CPG operations.

May 31, 2005

Flexible packaging

Robots take over interpack 2005

A glimpse at some of the innovative new packaging machines introduced at the2005 interpack show.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Entry-level RFID

Schober USA has introduced an entry-level machine that places RFID transponders under preprinted labels, for a cost-effective RFID solution. Technology works with transponders in accordance with ISO specifications, in widths from 10 mm to 160 mm.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Beckhoff Automation: Enhanced stepper control

The new Beckhoff KL2531 and KL2541 stepper motion terminals are a compact and cost-effective I/O alternative to traditional stepper controls. These advanced drive technology Bus Terminals integrate a compact motion control solution for small stepper motors to 200 W, eliminating the need for remote amplifiers.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Comtrol Corp.: PLC/serial device connectivity

The DeviceMaster® UP from Comtrol is the first device server designed to act as a “universal translator,” enabling connectivity between any PLC and any serial device residing on the factory floor using the Profinet, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus/TCP protocol.

May 31, 2005

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Mechatronics looms large

Jerry Butler, production manager at food manufacturer ARC-diversified of Cookeville, TN, says a new skill set is required to deal effectively with today’s packaging machinery.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Package security--action replaces talk

Drug firms start RFID tagging, and anti-counterfeiting tactics expand as packagers get more aggressive to protect brands.

May 31, 2005