Kick off 2026 with a competitive edge at PACK EXPO East. Register now!
Get a jump on your 2026 goals at PACK EXPO East. Put projects in motion, accelerate timelines and solve challenges—all in one trip to Philadelphia.

Auto-adjusting friction feeder

NEWS FROM PACK EXPO: InLine Automation (Minneapolis, MN) claims its Vortex™ friction feeding systems are the first to eliminate the need to adjust for variations in thickness of the product or leaflet being fed.

Pw 15377 Inline Automation Web

Using 7 different auto-adjusting features, the Vortex eliminates time-consuming and skill-dependent operator setup and testing for product changeover. Unlike traditional friction feeders that use high friction forces to pull product off the bottom of a high-pressure product stack, the Vortex uses a patent-pending, low-sheer feeding technique that gently lifts the product into the feed and separation area. This means that the Vortex is not sensitive to the amount of product in the stack. Technique results in high reliability by eliminating feed errors associated with material thickness variations. Ideal for collating with perpendicular feeds. Feeds traditional products as well as flat, rigid items. Full-featured servo version starts at $12꽤, about half the cost of competing models, according to the company.

Annual Outlook Report: Sustainability
The road ahead for CPGs in 2025 and beyond—Packaging World editors review key findings from a survey of 88 brand owners, CPG, and FMCG readers.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Sustainability
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce