Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

'Plug & play' robots require no safety guarding

Ed Mullen of Universal Robots demonstrates how the company's UR5 six-axis robot can be easily programmed via a touchscreen tablet or by simply grabbing the robot arm showing it the desired path of movement, for a pick-and-place application. Universal Robots' force control feature allows the robot to grip and handle objects of different dimensions and flexibility without crushing using variable force.

October 3, 2013

Leaders (UNIVERSAL TAXONOMY PW): Page 843

Protective/transport packaging

Replace corrugated partitions in big-box stores

Displayed by Hexacomb was a bulk pack concept that replaces corrugated partitions and cases when it comes to shipping. Layered system is especially suitable for big-box retailers.

October 3, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

Motor/drive combo capitalizes on recent trends

Gen 2 integrated motor and drive from Bosch Rexroth capitalizes on recent advances in the automation bus and on the advent of safety technology. Said to be the only integrated motor and drive where it's capable of tying in local I/O.

October 3, 2013

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Power up your packaging line

SmartLase C series offers the right configuration for each industry, always providing a solution whatever the rate, size and substrate of the product (wide choice of lenses, scan heads and laser sources). SL C150, SL C350 and SL C350 L are designed for markets such as frozen food, chocolate confectionery and dried process food that need to code paper-based containers. SL C150 S and SL C350 S are designed to code on PET, reducing the risk of piercing containers, even lightweight thin-walled bottles.

October 3, 2013

Secondary Packaging

Top-loading case packer

Top-loading case packer puts standup pouches into a top-load case in either upright or lay-flat orientation. Does up to 200 pouches/min. Taper closes cases shut.

October 3, 2013

Operational Excellence

New shipment service announced at 'Cold chain' event

Healthcare companies can choose from tiered service levels for the transport of cold chain products.

October 2, 2013

Containers

Multipacked and ready to go—and grow

Out our way, small travel/trial/sampler packs are enjoying a growth spurt of sorts.

October 2, 2013

Controls & Machine Components

Pneumatic-based motion system keeps MAP machine productive

UltraSource partnered with its pneumatics solutions partner to ensure that critical motion actuation systems offer the highest performance and reliability.

October 2, 2013

Sustainability

New casing strategy cultivates economy and ecology

Organic grower reinvents its shipper packing operations to minimize material usage and waste byproducts.

October 2, 2013

Secondary Packaging

New high-speed inline palletizer is first of a new generation

The HL7200 high speed palletizer from Columbia Machine incorporates industry-leading safety package, ultimate flexibility and highest performance level in a robust and reliable palletizer that is easy to operate.

October 2, 2013

Thermoform/fill/seal

Convenient plastic containers bring oat-based products to market

Whether it’s PP sheet that runs through a form/fill/seal machine or a PET bottle being filled by a co-packer, packaging is the key to convenience in oat-based foods market.

October 2, 2013

Secondary Packaging

Frozen beef patties go robotic

Since Ivor Karan established his feedlot in 1974, Karan Beef has seen steady growth. Now the firm’s top-quality beef products are benefitting from robotic cartoning.

October 2, 2013

Sustainability

How TPEs benefit consumers, brands and Mother Earth

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) provide ease-of-use, brand differentiation and sustainability benefits, Sharon Derbyshire of PolyOne told Pack Expo 2013 attendees.

October 2, 2013