Trends: Page 614

Controls & machine components

Robots on the rise

Because they’re smaller, faster, stronger, and a tad less costly than in previous years, expect to see robotics occupying an increasingly important role throughout the packaging function in the next few years.

June 30, 2004

Secondary Packaging

Sentry: first with all OMAC Guidelines

Sentry’s new family of tray, pad, case packing and film overwrapping machines is the first designed in the US around the OMAC Packaging Guidelines

June 30, 2004

Contract Packaging

CMPA selects new management company

The Contract Manufacturing & Packaging Assn. (CMPA) selected Landon, Farrey & Associates (LF&A) as its new management company.

June 30, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

National Instruments: Interface link

The MXI-4 high-speed serial interface link from National Instruments is compatible with the latest PCI standards found in high-performance servers and workstations.

June 30, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Laser measurement sensor

ZX laser measurement sensor system from Omron has a single amplifier unit that supports 11 different sensing heads interchangeably, eliminating the need to purchase unique amplifiers for each sensing head.

June 30, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Packaging Services Expo gains CMPA approval

UPDATE: The Packaging Services Expo recently accepted support by The Contract Manufacturing Packaging Association, a national, not-for-profit trade association for companies that offer contract manufacturing, packaging, and related business services.

June 30, 2004

Labeling

Campbell Soup selects vision system for soup cans

Campbell Soup Co., Newark, NJ, has announced that it selected the MVS-8500 vision system from Cognex Corp. to ensure proper labeling of all of its canned soups.

June 30, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

A center for excellence

Dr. Ken Ryan is director of the Center for Automation and Motion Control at Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN. He’s also the chairman of OMAC Packaging Workgroup’s PackLearn group. Here he talks about establishing a center for excellence in packaging automation technology.

June 30, 2004

Secondary Packaging

Smooth performer

O/K Intl’s Superpacker’s improved communications set in motion faster, smoother case packing.

June 30, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Servo Magnetics Inc: Brushless DC motor

Servo Magnetics offers a compact, low-inertia, 12-volt, 2-wire brushless DC motor that is designed to facilitate drop-in replacement of a conventional brush motor.

May 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

IMI Norgren, Inc: Multi-position airless cylinder

Norgren has extended its range of actuator solutions with the launch of its new multi-position airless cylinder. Moves loads to 22 lb and operates at high speeds.

May 31, 2004

Controls & Machine Components

Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion and Assembly Tech.: Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion and Assembly Tech.: Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion and Assembly Tech.: Linear motion component brochure

Bosch Rexroth has published a 14-page color brochure called “Precision in Motion” from its Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies business unit. Brochure provides an overview of the company’s linear motion products, including a description of components.

May 31, 2004