Conveying & accumulation

Software brews line efficiency at Miller

Brewer sees quick payback on a multimillion-dollar investment in software that’s increasing output at six breweries nationwide. The software will be used for 57 lines, for cans, glass and plastic bottles.

May 31, 2000

Stretch wrapping/load stabilization: Page 19

Conveying & accumulation

Controls push speed limit

U.S. Sugar fills two 5-lb bags/sec with better than ±0.1% accuracy thanks to a state-of-the-art sugar-filling line powered by the latest in servo drive, PLC and networking technology.

February 29, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Unsaleable product costs reach $4.2 billion in '98

Packaging is often the problem when products and packages are diverted from retailers to reclamation centers. Credits issued are a growing cost for distributors and manufacturers, says a new report.

February 29, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Fit for filling 'round the clock

Aberfoyle Springs fills 500-mL PET bottles at a rate of 630/min seven days a week, in two 11-hour shifts each day. ‘We train our people like there’s no tomorrow.’

February 29, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Orion Packaging Systems: AC-drives on stretch wrappers

Long-lasting AC motors are being integrated into Orion’s (Memphis, TN) line of automatic stretch wrappers. The AC variable frequency drives are more energy efficient and more versatile than DC motors, which have brushes that tend to wear out quickly.

January 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Self-manufacture of bottles brings savings

In-house blow molding of 500-mL PET bottles is expanding in a big way at Aberfoyle Springs. Two blow-molding machines are in, and a third is on the way.

January 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Palletizers lift Marcal's efficiency

Robotic and in-line palletizers automate what had been primarily a manual process at Marcal Paper Mills’ Elmwood Park, NJ, plant. A two-year system payback is anticipated.

January 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Contract packager blends vf/f/s systems

Unusual integrated blending scale systems enable a California contract packager to fill as many as nine different individually quick-frozen vegetables into a single bag.

January 31, 2000

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Case packer provides Bacardi with rum on the run

A new case packer helps Bacardi Bottling package 10-count cartons of 50-mL rum miniatures into corrugated shippers.

December 31, 1999

Sustainability

Dow Corning sings praises of palletizer/stretch wrapper combo

Combo systems at the end of three silicone sealant cartridge packaging lines save space, money and materials at the company's Elizabethtown, KY, facility.

November 30, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

HMR package serves dual markets

Southern BBQ restaurant chain and mail-order business employs the same dual-ovenable CPET tray and attractive paperboard carton to introduce frozen dinners sold both in hospitals and grocery stores.

November 30, 1999

Cartoning

Renovation reaps rewards for yogurt maker

New cup filling, accumulating, coding, cartoning and case packing equipment help Stonyfield Farm double yogurt capacity at its Londonderry, NH, headquarters facility.

October 31, 1999

Flexible packaging

Equipment 'Powers' stick-pack production

Fullerton, CA-based ConAgra Grocery is among the first to use a slim stick pack, for its Sidewalk Caf/ instant cappuccino. Contract manufacturer/packager The Power Group packs the product on Japanese equipment.

October 31, 1999