Controls & Machine Components

PHD: Pneumatic thruster slide

The Optimax Series OSD Pneumatic Thruster Slide from PHD, first in the company’s Optimax Series, is a robust linear actuator available in ¾-in., 1 1/8-in., and 2-in. bore sizes, and offers standard travel lengths ranging from 1-in. to 10-in.

March 4, 2014

Machinery: Page 409

Operational Excellence

WestPack 2014: Fabricator/converter for medical market

Company fabricates and converts materials for the medical market, including disposables. Focus on medical packaging, as well as the design and development of new product to specify correct materials and parts. Specialize in body-worn devices for stick-to-skin applications. Company also does lamination, die-cutting, and laser-etching for microfluidic applications, specialty packaging, and cleanroom converting.

March 1, 2014

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

WestPack 2014: Capping Machine

Magna Capper is an automatic inline capping machine that applies and torques closures onto containers at speeds to 60 cpm. Track feeds cap to machine. Floats cap onto bottle, allowing for fewer crossthreads. Uses servo technology for repeatable, consistent running. Incorporates a user-friendly Allen Bradley touchscreen.

March 1, 2014

Flexible packaging

Flexible pack merchandises like a rigid container

Formed from ‘exoskeleton’ rollstock on a vf/f/s machine, the PrimaPak combines benefits of a rigid container with the cost and sustainability advantages of flexibles.

February 28, 2014

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

WestPack 2014: Touchscreen system

Makes it easier for customers with validation needs. Demonstrates how machine seals pouch, then date-code, all in one step. Prevents operator from selecting incorrect setting, maintaining validation repeatability.

February 27, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

WestPack 2014: Automation products

Drive- and control-based products, including Sercos bus system designed for safety; open core engineering tool that connects IT and PLC systems. Offer API programming interfaces, so software designers can develop solutions for machine control. Also, a demonstration of Android app that simulates motion that helps machines connect with one another on the floor to a higher-level control system.

February 27, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

GE Intelligent: High-performance communications modules

GE Intelligent Platforms announces three new PACSystems RX3i modules that provide infrastructure OEMs and systems integrators with communication protocols as “in rack” solutions.

February 26, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

WestPack 2014: Mounts, valves, and manifold products

Stepper-control needle mounts for greater capabilities; electronic valves used in concentrators and respirators; manually actuated valves, push-button valves for greater application uses. Can supply valves and fittings, as well as a manifold as a fully-tested, plug-and-play unit.

February 26, 2014

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Almac adds low-volume blister line to co-pack capabilities

Almac adds low-volume Klockner blister line to bridge gap between clinical and commercial co-pack operations

February 25, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Schneider Electric: Premium integrated motors

Lexium MDrive® integrated motors are now available in an even smaller size with the release of NEMA 17 motor products, completing the premium brand MDrive® update that already includes NEMA 23 & 34 motors.

February 20, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

AutomationDirect: Small NEMA motor stepper gearboxes

AutomationDirect’s new SureGear™ PGCN series of stepper gearboxes is an excellent choice for stepper and other motion control applications requiring a NEMA-size input/output interface.

February 19, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

New interface tool tightly integrates robots and packaging machines

Generally speaking, when a robot made by a robotic OEM is integrated into a piece of packaging machinery like a case packer or cartoner, the robot comes with its own controller while the packaging machinery components are controlled by a PLC. The two controllers must interface for the total system to function.

February 19, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Applied Motion Products: Step motors for DC powered drives

These motors are available in single or double shaft versions with additional encoder or encoder and cover options.

February 14, 2014