Sure, there's 1.2 million sq' of exhibits to check out in the five-day extravaganza known as Pack Expo 98. But attendees will also have a chance to take in a variety of seminars and conferences before and after the show. To help you plan your Pack Expo week, here's a preview of what you can expect.
Robotics
Robotics companies see major gains in packaging and palletizing. To educate packaging professionals about new robotics applications, the Robotic Industries Assn. is sponsoring the third annual Robotic solutions for packaging and palletizing workshop November 10-11 in Chicago.
Held at the University of Chicago's new Gleacher Center near north Michigan Ave., the program begins Tuesday with registration at 7 a.m. At 8:15, Jeffrey R. Reicher of R.A. Jones & Co. presents An unbiased look at how to select packaging automation. Next is Intelligent robotic packaging systems, by Ray Lilly of Adept Technology. Finishing the morning is PaR Systems' Steve Stegora with Selecting the right palletizing solution.
After a break, Ernest Neilson of RAM Center presents Robotic case loading and palletizing. He's followed by Supporting the robot you buy, by Jim Keely and Phil Fink, U.S. Postal Services.
Next is Integrated systems for multi product unit load assembly, by Dave Abair of Reis Machines. Michael Ehr, Fanuc Robotics North America, presents Packaging and palletizing in the food industry to wrap up the Tuesday session.
Wednesday begins with RMT Engineering's Robert Hattin and Ultra-large warehouse palletizing. Mark Senti, GSMA-Parish, presents Robotic technology for pharmaceutical and medical applications. Next is Machine vision: Expanding the capabilities of robotics, by Mark Helman of Cognex Corp.
Following a break is New advances in palletizing robotics, by Sunil Gupta of Fanuc Robotics North America. Next is Case packaging stand-up bags: A case study, by William Goodman, Goodman Packaging Corp. Jeff Young and Mike Perrault of Midmac Systems present Robotic integration: How to guarantee success. Finally, Jean-Pierre Rasaiah of Applied Manufacturing Technologies explores Benefits of using simulation in packaging and palletizing systems.
