Secondary Packaging

UF project meshes bar code and RFID technology

Research at the University of Florida on a productivity-tracking system for manual case packing is receiving an RFID-enabled boost using a multifunctional device.

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components: Page 238

Coding, Printing & Labeling

RFID one-on-one with Kevin Ashton Part 1

RFID Antenna exclusive: RFID authority Kevin Ashton, co-founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Auto-ID Center and now vice president of marketing with RFID reader vendor ThingMagic, provides insights and observations in this exclusive interview conducted in December. Part 2 concludes next month.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

SATO America, Inc. Unveils New Class of Powerful and Intelligent Barcode Printers

Fast, intelligent Web-enabled GTe Series sets the standard for industrial barcode printers

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Packagers to benefit from ISA--OMAC merger

ELAU, with ties to ISA and OMAC, already sees a convergence in the Make2Pack initiative, integrating best of breed automation solutions across the supply chain.

December 31, 2004

Controls & machine components

How to build more saleable machinery

A January 10 visit to Westpack, sponsored by Canon Communications, included a stop at the booth of Omron, a provider of manufacturing automation and control solutions. In a conversation about packaging machinery OEMs and the machine characteristics that add value in today’s manufacturing environment, the Omron brain trust offered these suggestions:

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

OMAC and ISA to merge

On January 17, the OMAC Board of Directors announced that it has started detailed planning activities which will lead to a merger with ISA (The Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society).

December 31, 2004

Labels

Cut heat shrink label costs by up to 80%

New high speed, high quality shrink labeling machinery uses roll-fed material in place of sleeves that cost 3-5X more.

December 31, 2004

Labeling

10 questions to ask your automation supplier

Standards may make it hard to tell controllers apart, but a functional specification makes it easy.

December 31, 2004

Conveying & accumulation

Tips to improve sterile packaging line efficiency

Want to reap the benefits of on-time production and eliminate preventable line problems? Here are tips to get the most out of your inspection systems, buffers, ergonomic stations, and robotic systems.

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation: Controller/motion module

Rockwell Automation has introduced a new module that combines an Allen-Bradley® 1756-L6x family ControlLogix® controller with a Sercos interface™ motion module.

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Bosch Rexroth Corp.: Controls platform

Visual Motion 10 from Bosch Rexroth is a fully-reusable motion-control platform. It allows OEMs and end users to retain their initial programming investment, while a newly integrated, IEC 61131-3 compliant, multi-tasking PLC allows for combined motion and logic on a single hardware and software platform.

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Enhanced motion controller

Delta Computer Systems is now shopping RMC70 Series motion controllers with analog feedback capabilities. The AA(x) versions include a single-axis module with 1 analog control output and 1 analog feedback input, or a 2-axis version with 2 outputs and 2 inputs.

December 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Servo Magnetics Inc: Brushless DC motor

The new 000-0326 high-performance brushless DC kit motor from Servo Magnetics is designed for low-voltage applications where an efficient, high-torque motor is required.

November 30, 2004