Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Proficiently packed Pringles

Weighing just 8 g and resting on two ‘feet’ instead of a flat bottom, P&G’s single-serve Pringles package is automatically filled and case-packed on custom-built gear.

March 31, 2002

Leaders (UNIVERSAL TAXONOMY PW): Page 1607

Containers

Creative cooperation at Valvoline

By getting a little creative with its suppliers, the Valvoline Co. was able to overcome budgetary constraints that could have prevented a badly needed equipment upgrade.

March 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

The packaging supply chain--what's next?

A new collaborative mentality fortified by the latest IT tools is reshaping the packaging supply chain.

March 31, 2002

Protective/transport packaging

Packaging to reduce, reuse, and recycle

When this Nashville-based, electronic-device manufacturer began looking for different ways to protect its fragile switches and circuits, engineers chose a greener, more natural protective packaging design.

March 31, 2002

Flexibles

Poucher evolves to meet Avail's needs

A six-up poucher at Avail Medical is upgraded with custom features and added controls to increase production utilization. See in-plant video

March 31, 2002

Containers

A.R.C. counts on faster fastener bagging

From nuts to bolts, each week A.R.C. bags 500ꯠ lb of fasteners that are individually counted by high-accuracy optical-based systems. See in-plant video

March 31, 2002

Protective/transport packaging

'Beautifully Engineered' faucet packaging

Delta Faucet redesigns its packaging using preprinted boxes that include product photography to help instruct users. Inside, a new thermoformed tray stabilizes parts.

March 31, 2002

Flexible packaging

Avail's upgrades up close

What did Avail Medical get for its $180ꯠ investment—comprising all costs including shipping—in its most recent machine improvements for a vertical form/fill/seal machine? In short, plenty.

March 31, 2002

Conveying & accumulation

Vf/f/s system nails bag counts

< A.R.C. Fastener Supply, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, operates a stand-alone Bagmaster[tm] vertical form/fill/seal bagger for kits containing identical pieces. The bagging system includes a 14-head Bilwinco combination netweigher for which Batching Systems, Inc. (Prince Frederick, MD) is the exclusive North American distributor. Started up in late 2000, the system handles bag counts ranging from 50 to 500 parts.

March 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Electro Cam Corporation: PLS simplifies PLC setup

Electro Cam (Roscoe, IL) has introduced a PL-1746-C02/C03-R1-S Plug-in Module for Allen-Bradley PLCs that has the ability to turn on outputs based on a product-present input signal from sensors such as photocells or proximity switches.

February 28, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

SICK, Inc: Safety light curtain

C4000 is a safety light curtain with a self-contained, noncontact control that combines high resolution with a small size. From Sick (Minneapolis, MN), it features a small-profile cross section with protective heights ranging from 300 mm to 1꼀 mm (1’ to 6’).

February 28, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Pepperl + Fuchs: Ergonomic buttons

Pepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH) palm buttons are an ergonomic alternative to mechanical push buttons. A slight touch activates the button, helping to reduce repetitive motion injuries.

February 28, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Phoenix Contact Inc: Safety relays

A line of devices that helps provide safety in packaging machinery is available from Phoenix Contact (Harrisburg, PA). The PSR safety relays are used in emergency stop circuits, safety door applications, and two-handed control systems.

February 28, 2002