Operational Excellence

First Person: Comparing/contrasting medical device and food packaging

In this Q&A, Randall Troutman, Account Manager, Printpack Medical, addresses standards, materials issues, sustainability, and workforce development.

April 7, 2014

Machinery: Page 406

Controls & Machine Components

Beckhoff: Multi-touch panel PCs

Delivering multi-touch functionality and automation capability with an ARM Cortex A8 processor, the compact, fanless CP26xx series of Panel PCs from Beckhoff Automation is suitable for use in PLC and motion control of small to medium-sized machines.

April 4, 2014

Material handling

Public trust part of the life sciences supply chain mix

Complexities in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biologics supply chain surpass any other industry, except nuclear power. Million-dollar pallets, toxic oncology meds, longer shipping channels—even the public trust, are part of the mix.

April 3, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Rockwell Automation: Programmable logic controller

Extended Micro800 PLC family now offers more features and options to allow machine builders the scalability required for more cost-effective machine control.

April 3, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Bell-Everman: Sealed linear stages for harsh operating environments

A new line of ballscrew- and linear-motor-driven sealed motion stages has been developed by Bell-Everman, Inc.

April 3, 2014

Coding, Printing & Labeling

New look and laser coding for Baileys

Diageo produces up to 7 million cases of Baileys cream liqueur each year. A striking new design featuring pressure-sensitive labels is aimed squarely at the brand’s 'adorers.'

April 2, 2014

Secondary Packaging

Hybrid servo system brings positioning accuracy to palletizing

The L7 palletizer has standard AC motors and a machine control code accessed on a familiar PLC interface. But servo drives in place of VFDs bring big benefits.

April 2, 2014

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

PC-based control brings performance boost, cost reduction

Getting its new vf/f/s system ready in time for Pack Expo Las Vegas was a challenge, but Matrix managed just fine. A bit of strategic retooling included One Cable Technology and EtherCAT.

April 2, 2014

Coding, Printing & Labeling

On-case inkjet printer saves time, labor, and materials

Switch from hand-applied p-s labels expands flexibility and provides opportunity to print more data on much larger shipping case panels.

April 2, 2014

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Automation at Nestle brings back baby food line

A range of shelf-stable, microwavable, ready meals for babies and toddlers showed promise a few years ago. But packaging operations had to be optimized to make it viable.

April 2, 2014

Operational Excellence

Cube matters

Packaging professionals know that geometry matters.

April 2, 2014

Material handling

A Washington perspective on healthcare packaging

Visits to PDA, USP, RAPS, and CPSC reveal what works "Inside the Beltway."

April 1, 2014

Secondary Packaging

Multipacker boosts seafood company's productivity up to 75%

Chicken of the Sea installs new multipacker and two tray shrink packers that provide changeover versatility, operate at 95%-plus efficiency, and have resulted in a 20% reduction in manpower.

March 28, 2014