Conveying & accumulation

A new record for distributed control

Music distributor Valley Media cuts downtime by more than 50% on its newest labeling/sortation/collating line. A network of micro PLCs controls the line as well as gathers performance data to speed troubleshooting.

September 30, 1998

Conveying & accumulation: Page 104

Conveying & accumulation

Packaging power struggle

When operators override control logic and take control of the line, how should the packaging engineering department react?

September 30, 1998

Flexible packaging

PMMI expects growth in machine spending

Packaging machinery spending by U.S. manufacturers this year will likely rise by up to 3% more than it did in 1997. Strong investment is expected from personal care and household/industrial chemical markets.

August 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Displaying a concern for retailers' needs

Fremont custom-designs a new type of display-ready, film-wrapped shipper around the needs of supermarket customers. A new case-packing/shrink-wrapping line makes the design a production reality, paid for by materials savings.

August 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Caito says, 'We'll do it ourselves'

This Indianapolis produce wholesaler is breaking into a whole new market segment as it brings its 12-oz Fresh Line fruit bowls to supermarket produce departments in the Midwest.

August 31, 1998

Sustainability

Integrated manufacturing is the island way

Management at this start-up water marketer decides that the only way to assure bottle availability and top quality is to blow its own PET bottles in-line with its brand new filling line.

August 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Supplier news: Relocations, expansions

Heat and Control's (Hayward, CA) new Packaging Demonstration Center in Hayward, CA, is open for product testing. It features multihead weighers, checkweighers and a complete line of product distribution and feed conveyors.

August 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Tray packer shrinks changeover time

Tray packing/shrink wrapping line for canned vegetables provides 55-tray/min speeds along with fast, no-tool changeover for Furman Foods.

July 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Paper companies wax eloquent about wax separation process (sidebar)

'Reverse-cleaning' separates wax from fiber

July 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Lakeport likes can filling flexibility

This Ontario brewer designed a can filling line that accepts sizes from 8 to 32 oz. Secondary packaging can be corrugated trays, paperboard or plastic ring carriers.

July 31, 1998

Cartoning

Adhesives help Chelsea Milling stick to quality

Two hot melts and one cold-glue adhesive are instrumental in allowing this Michigan miller to package more than a million cartons every day. Bundling and tray packing have been upgraded, too, and ink-jet printing of corrugated shippers is a big improvement.

July 31, 1998

Conveying & accumulation

Force Control Industries, Inc: Indexing drives

Series II CLPC(TM) indexing drives are inexpensive, high-performance alternatives to servo motors in single- and multi-revolution indexing applications requiring high cycle rates or high torque with precise stopping accuracy.

June 30, 1998

Flexible packaging

The power of packaging on display at FMI

Hot Bowls, packaged apple slices and fresh spinach that can be microwaved right in its clear film package were among the highlights at this year's FMI show.

June 30, 1998