Flow wrapping

Servo technology--the source of Merlin's magic

A four-axis wrapping machine becomes easier to build, install, and troubleshoot now that mechanical components have been replaced by servo-based alternatives.

April 9, 2011

Machinery: Page 527

Controls & Machine Components

Nestlé makes packaging a strategic priority

Profitably proud of its controls technology in process automation, Nestlé now sees bottom-line opportunities by paying more attention to packaging line efficiency.

April 9, 2011

Conveying & accumulation

Hamburger assembly, packaging gets synchronized

Kepak Group, one of Ireland’s leading food processing companies, is now benefiting from a new assembly and packaging line for its Rustlers brand of microwavable hamburger-and-bun products in which every individual unit responds flexibly to the product flow in the upstream and downstream sections of the line.

April 9, 2011

Controls & Machine Components

Red Lion: Software used to program dual line display meter

Red Lion’s free Crimson® 2.0 software can now be used to simply program the company’s dual line display panel meter, PAX2A.

April 8, 2011

Controls & Machine Components

AutomationDirect: Safety light curtains

Two series of AutomationDirect’s safety light curtains (active optoelectronic protective devices) provide human protection and product/machine safety where risks cannot be eliminated by machine design and the process might require frequent and open access during operation.

April 8, 2011

Controls & Machine Components

Siemens Industry Inc: Quick-release mechanism protects cables

Siemens’ Speed Connect is a quick-release mechanism that protects against vibration shakeout on its Motion-Connect® line of power and signal cables.

April 8, 2011

Controls & Machine Components

Omron Electronics LLC: Safety interlock switch

The D40Z Safety Interlock Switch from Omron Scientific Technologies is a compact, non-contact interlock switch that delivers category 4 safety protection.

April 8, 2011

Controls & machine components

Banner Engineering Corp.: Intuitive touchscreen vision sensor

The iVu Plus touchscreen vision sensor from Banner Engineering stores up to 30 inspections and distinguishes among up to 10 patterns with a new sort sensor function.

April 8, 2011

Controls & Machine Components

Schneider Electric: PLC for HVAC/R machines

Schneider Electric’s Modicon M168 PLC uses flexible architectures, customized design and SoHVAC software to help OEMs and end users to remotely monitor energy consumption, machine shutdowns, and other problems, improving performance, optimizing costs, and speeding time-to-market for HVAC/R machines.

April 8, 2011

Labels

Shrink sleeve label--graphics and info

The newest product from Barn Dad Innovation Nutrition relies on a full-body shrink sleeve label to carry gorgeous graphics at the same time that it contains valuable information and nutrition facts.

April 8, 2011

Coding, Printing & Labeling

USDA awards Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. first Certified Biobased Product Label on its Renewable Thermo

Renewable thermoformed produce packaging developed by Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. has earned the industry’s first U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label, part of a new voluntary labeling program to help purchasers choose products made with biobased commodities.

April 7, 2011

Conveying & accumulation

Hamburger assembly, packaging gets synchronized

Kepak Group, one of Ireland’s leading food processing companies, is now benefiting from a new assembly and packaging line for its Rustlers brand of microwavable hamburger-and-bun products in which every individual unit responds flexibly to the product flow in the upstream and downstream sections of the line.

April 7, 2011

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Everyone's looking at you, kid

Call me paranoid if you must, but there certainly seems to be a trend toward increased quality control demands on packaging manufacturers.

April 7, 2011