Machinery: Page 420

Coding/marking

Scanning system reduces changeovers from 26-plus minutes to 70 seconds

Watch this demonstration by Sick, Inc., maker of sensors, bar code scanners and related equipment, to see how its RapCo closed-loop system automates manual changeovers from one size box or carton to another, reducing changeover time from 26 minutes or more to 70 seconds.

October 18, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

ABB JOKAB SAFETY: Light curtains and light grids

Single curtain or grid model works for all applications, eliminating the need to stock multiple versions for varying machine safety requirements.

October 18, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

Bush Brothers likes automated tracking of downtime

Bush Brothers and Co. is a family-owned company best known for its baked beans. But the Knoxville, TN-based firm also serves up some pretty sophisticated data acquisition and downtime tracking technology since implementing a Parsec software application called TrakSYS.

October 18, 2013

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

What NOT to overlook on form/fill/seal equipment projects

Here are a few areas that sometimes don’t receive sufficient attention on form/fill/seal machinery projects.

October 17, 2013

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Print-and-apply labelers are configurable

Print and apply labeling systems from EPI feature a modular compact design and can be configured to work in most packaging environments. Labeling systems are specifically designed for high-volume, automated print and apply labeling applications demanding reliability and around the clock operation.

October 17, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

B&R: Scalable safety integration for small applications

SafeLOGIC-X, a virtual safety solution from B&R, is now available for small, cost-sensitive applications and provides safe I/O and drive technology to integrated diagnostics, safe line integration, and safe machine options.

October 17, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

ABB: Power protection devices

ABB’s Power Conversion business has released the PCS100 UPS-I and PCS100 AVC power protection devices to the North American market.

October 16, 2013

Secondary Packaging

Stretch hooding protects sparkling wine

In order to transport palletised beverage cartons to the central warehouses and distribution centres of its customers, the German market leader for sparkling wine, Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellereien GmbH, Freyburg (Unstrut), decided to equip two of its production locations with stretch hood M high-capacity packaging systems.

October 16, 2013

Converting equipment

Packaging helps consumers say 'hello' to new oral care line

Suppliers partner to speed ‘seriously friendly oral care’ products to market in innovative packaging that employs shapes, colors, and recycled materials.

October 15, 2013

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Automatic blister packaging machine features robotic product loading

FAB series fully automated blister machines from Starview are available with six or eight-stations and standard sealing areas of 14 x 18 and 18 x 24 inches. Blister feeding, card feeding and finished package unloading are included. Integrator ESS provides robotic pick and place.

October 15, 2013

Robotics

Dual-robot control offers a seamless PLC and robot integration

Dual-robot control with MLX100 Robot Gateway from Yaskawa Motoman enables controlling and programming Motoman robots entirely within the ControlLogix platform, eliminating the need for an additional controller or language. With MLX100, robots are programmed through the same PLC ladder logic code that is widely used for controlling equipment such as filling machines, packaging machines and conveyors.

October 15, 2013

Conveying & accumulation

Spiral conveyor handles small loads

Spiral conveyor from Ryson features a 5 in. slat and is ideal for small pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food products. It has a small footprint and can replace gripper elevators. It is capable of 20 ft. elevation changes.

October 15, 2013