Controls & Machine Components

Comtrol Corp.: PLC/serial device connectivity

The DeviceMaster® UP from Comtrol is the first device server designed to act as a “universal translator,” enabling connectivity between any PLC and any serial device residing on the factory floor using the Profinet, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus/TCP protocol.

May 31, 2005

Trends: Page 596

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

Mechatronics looms large

Jerry Butler, production manager at food manufacturer ARC-diversified of Cookeville, TN, says a new skill set is required to deal effectively with today’s packaging machinery.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Package security--action replaces talk

Drug firms start RFID tagging, and anti-counterfeiting tactics expand as packagers get more aggressive to protect brands.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Make2Pack's powerful friend in Cincinnati

Make2Pack, which aims to tightly integrate processing and packaging from a controls and automation standpoint, gets P&G’s strong backing.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

The charter (sidebar)

Sponsored by the World Batch Forum and the OMAC Packaging Workgroup, the Make2Pack initiative has the following charter: “The Make2Pack project will develop conceptual models and terminology for industrial automation that can be consistently applied to the total manufacturing process.

May 31, 2005

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Automation software makes real-time adjustments

With an industrial PC operating as its main controller, this blister-pack machine recalculates cam tables with each cycle.

May 31, 2005

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

Controls package brings servo benefits to bagger

An ‘off-the-shelf’ as opposed to proprietary controls solution brings multiple benefits to this maker of vf/f/s baggers.

May 31, 2005

Flexible packaging

Servos and robotics solve pouch-packing challenge

Stand-up pouches in three different sizes are automatically case packed at speeds to 90/min by this 12-axis, servo-controlled, robotic case packing system.

May 31, 2005

Digital Transformation

Smart Package: Electromagnetic-powered packages ahead?

New technology permits materials whose power derives not just from solar energy, but from the full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.

May 31, 2005

Conveying & accumulation

Versatile, high-definition inkjet coder from ATInfo wins for Faribault Foods

AUTOPRINT® system adds flexibility needed in growing contract packaging operation, eliminates clean-up ritual

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

IMI Norgren, Inc: Pneumatic valves

Norgren offers its new range of plug in subbase valves designed with flexibility and configurability. The VS Series fulfills the requirements of a variety of markets such as packaging, paper and printing, materials handling, machine tools, and the automotive industry.

May 31, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

SKF USA: SKF USA: Profile rail guides

SKF® profile rail guides from SKF Motion Technologies provide precise positioning, smooth operation, high load-carrying capacity, high stiffness, and unlimited stroke for a variety of linear-motion applications.

April 30, 2005

Controls & Machine Components

Hitachi America, Ltd.: Micro variable-speed drives

Hitachi L200 series micro variable-speed drives are equipped with side-by-side mounting capability, built-in timing logic and analog input math (PLC) functions, DIP-switch hand-off-radio, and RS485 Modbus RTU communication interface.

April 30, 2005