Controls & Machine Components

lpha gear drives, Inc: Alternative to pneumatics

Alpha Gear Drives (Elk Grove Village, IL) has introduced a high-precision, low-cost linear and rotary actuation system called Ternary. Available in linear (TLS Series) and rotary (TRS Series) motion, the Ternary products provide increased control, flexibility, accuracy and reliability, all at reduced cost compared to pneumatic actuators.

November 30, 2000

Leaders (UNIVERSAL TAXONOMY PW): Page 1673

Controls & Machine Components

Phoenix Contact Inc: Inline modular I/O

The most significant feature of the Inline family of automation (I/O) modules from Phoenix Contact (Harrisburg, PA) is the integration of signal conditioning and full network communications into small, modular housings.

November 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Diagraph, An ITW Company: Supply catalog

Diagraph® (St. Louis, MO) offers Diagraph Direct, a full-color catalog of marking and shipping equipment and supplies. Catalog contains stencil machines, stencil board, stencils, inks, rollers, brushes, markers and more.

November 30, 2000

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Organic alcohol?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in the process of finalizing its labeling regulations for organic food products. It expects to complete the task by the end of 2000, which will be followed by a 12 to 18 month implementation period.

November 30, 2000

Flexibles

Atlantis starts-up seven-layer film line

A new seven-layer cast coextruded film line is debuting at Atlantis Plastics, Custom Films Division, Atlanta, GA.

November 30, 2000

Closures

Prize figures are 'capped'

from InterBev 2000: Antarctica brand guarana beverage from Brazil-based Ambev has a toy prize inside the hollow 'cap' that tops the shrink wrapped 8-oz PET bottles. Each patented, ring-shaped Cap Container contains one of 40 different Pokémon™ figures.

November 30, 2000

Flexibles

Sporty pouch will be a U.S. first

from InterBev 2000: Following more than two years of development, Hydrade Beverage Co., Dallas, TX, unveiled in New Orleans its 500-mL stand-up pouch for the sports drink category. Intended for on-the-go use, the pouch has a laminated PET/foil/PET/PE structure and a resealable fitment for convenience. Sourced and contract filled overseas, it will debut in four varieties in the U.S. in early 2001.

November 30, 2000

Filling/capping, dry

Regal solution protects bottles

Chalone Vineyard of Napa, CA, is the first to benefit from a new molded fiber technology called PulpFusion. Regale claims it can reduce costs by 80% and lead time by 90% compared to other molded fiber technologies.

November 30, 2000

Contract packaging

Getting a handle on salsa packaging

In April, Frito-Lay rolled out its Tostitos™ brand salsa in a 28-oz plastic jug that features an integral handle and a wide-mouth closure. According to David Miller, senior technologist with Plano, TX-based Frito-Lay Corp., the multilayer polypropylene bottle is coextrusion-blown by Continental Plastic Containers (Irving, TX) and incorporates an ethylene vinyl alcohol barrier.

November 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Raymond Communications: Laws update

Raymond Communications (College Park, MD) has released its year-end "State Recycling Laws Update.” The 130-page edition is in its ninth year and covers 32 recycling issues.

November 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

The Intl. Fresh-cut Produce Assn.: Research projects

The Intl. Fresh-cut Produce Assn. (Alexandria, VA) has completed “Fresh Focus 2000: Consumer Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Fresh-cut Produce.” Survey represents the first definitive information on the fresh-cut industry available, according to association.

November 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Theft prevention

Westvaco (New York, NY) has created a new, wholly owned subsidiary that provides solutions to prevent brand theft. Westvaco Brand Security, Inc.

November 30, 2000

Flexibles

Flexo ink

Cartoncure™ flexo ink for folding cartons is said to promote adhesion on vinyl, PE coated board and other film substrates. Developed by Akzo Nobel (Manchester, England), ink benefits include lower viscosity, anti-penetration, anti-static and higher color strength.

November 30, 2000