Robotics

Precision Motion Using Pneumatic Actuators

Enfield Technologies introduces its pneumatic actuators for precise motion control at it booth. The concept allows for pneumatic actuators to work like electric drives while suporting high loads and reducing machine footprint.

November 23, 2012

Leaders (UNIVERSAL TAXONOMY PW): Page 909

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Emballage 2012: Day three

A seven-layer coextruded Le Creuset look-alike, a PET jam jar for a Marks & Spencer brand of jam that can withstand thermal processing at 95 degrees C, some impressively crisp printing of QR codes on shrink bundling film, and a tool-change twist on a blow/fill system.

November 22, 2012

Secondary Packaging

Tight, secure packs ensured with shrink bundler

PACK EXPO 2012: Eastey Enterprises’ EB35A automatic in-line sleeving system produces either a Bull’s-eye or natural closure on trayed, individual, or multipacked products. A self-centering, chain-driven mechanism ensures the seal is formed at the center of the product, while a two-chambered shrink bundling tunnel turns out a tight, secure package.

November 21, 2012

Sustainability

Material-reduced Kellogg's club-store pack gets graphic punch

The StrataGraph division of Great Northern Corp. supplies Kellogg's with a laminated SBS solution for its club-store packs of Pastry Crips that offers enhanced package graphics, while reducing material use and providing superior structural strength.

November 21, 2012

Protective/transport packaging

Corner, edge protector results in sustainable, temporary rack display

PACK EXPO 2012: Great Northern Corp.'s Laminations division has employed its VBoard edge-protection product to create the preformed PalletTop display for applications requiring a sturdy, industrial solution. VBoard laminated paperboard is made from recycled, recyclable materials.

November 21, 2012

Secondary Packaging

Stretch hooder for pallets

Latest control technology on this stretch hooder from Beumer provides optimal efficiency, and the protection afforded by the stretch hood format keeps pallet loads of product protected even if they are stored outside.

November 21, 2012

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Heat-sealing machine with six stations

PACK EXPO 2012: Sonoco Alloyd’s Aergo™ 6 heat-sealing machine is NFPA 79-compliant and is equipped with one heat-seal station, one eject station, plus two open-load stations that can be used to accommodate up to two feeders for easier material loading.

November 20, 2012

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

Medical packaging heat sealer

PACK EXPO 2012: The Packworld USA PW5400 Touchscreen with TOSS technology is a heat sealer for medical packaging, R&D, and production applications. It has the ability to seal and cut bags up to 72 inches and can be converted as needs change.

November 20, 2012

Secondary Packaging

New software for palletizing robots

PACK EXPO 2012: This family of robots is designed to handle a variety of payloads, and ABB's Robot Studio Palletizer Powerpack software eliminates writing of code for the robots.

November 20, 2012

Sustainable Packaging

Emballage 2012: Day one

Gorgeous 4-L kegs of Heineken sold at retail, a light-as-a-feather ISBM PET container for dispensing hand soap in institutional settings, and a new PET tray for chilled meat and fish that’s compelling from a sustainable packaging standpoint—all this and a whole lot more were on display at Emballage 2012 on day one.

November 20, 2012

Controls & Machine Components

Replacing pneumatics with servos can improve motion control

Contributing Editor James R. Koelsch of Automation World recently published a story about packaging machinery that relies on servos as a substitute for pneumatics. I re-post it here in the hope that you find it as intriguing as I did.

November 20, 2012

Sustainability

Weis Markets to use 100% recyclable PET MAP trays for meat

Working with custom thermoformer, the grocery chain embarks on development of first closed-loop recyclable meat tray.

November 19, 2012

Sustainable Packaging

Plastics recycling innovators recognized

The American Chemistry Council honors KW Plastics, Safeplay Systems, and Sony Electronics for developing innovative products using PCR plastics.

November 19, 2012