Trends: Page 646

Controls & Machine Components

CTC Parker Automation: PC-based I/O

CTC Parker Automation (Milford, OH) has added a new Ethernet buscoupler to its MachinePoint™ line of remote I/O. The module utilizes Modbus TCP/IP for data transmission at 10/100 Mbps between control and machine components.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

AutomationDirect: AC drives

The new GS series of AC drives from AutomationDirect (Cumming, GA) includes the GS1 mini AC drive at 1/4 to 2 hp, 115 VAC/230 VAC input, 230 VAC output, and 3 to 10 KHz carrier frequency.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

PackML and 'Plug and Pack' explained

If each packaging machine speaks an agreed-upon vocabulary that's specific to packaging, the following benefits are possible.

August 31, 2002

Conveying & accumulation

Multivac Inc: Vacuum packaging brochure

Multivac (Kansas City, MO) offers a trifold brochure outlining the benefits and features of its new B500 Vacuum Chamber Conveyor Belt machine that the company says optimizes productivity for packagers of bulk products.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Hoffman: Hoffman: Hoffman: Servo drive

The Ecodrive DKC 16 servo drive from Bosch Rexroth’s Electric Drives and Controls Div. (Hoffman Estates, IL) is well suited for packaging machine applications.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

OMAC Packaging Workgroup: "Plug and pack" update at Pack Expo

Important updates on the “plug and pack” guidelines from the OMAC (Open Modular Architecture Controls) Packaging Workgroup will be discussed at Pack Expo 2002.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Q&A: Using servos properly

Dave Lutz, senior packaging engineering specialist for General Mills, says machine builders should apply servos properly or shouldn’t bother applying them at all.

August 31, 2002

Flexible packaging

Companies

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP (Houston, TX) relocated its worldwide headquarters from downtown Houston to 10001 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, TX.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Money talks (sidebar)

Reviewed by OMAC

August 31, 2002

Secondary Packaging

Money talks

OMAC-sanctioned financial comparison of third-generation servo-driven cartoner with older, all-mechanical version proves the “cheaper, better, faster” mantra.

August 31, 2002

Controls & Machine Components

Networks progress amid obstacles

A recent survey reveals some progress toward networked packaging lines and automated data acquisition, but obstacles remain.

August 31, 2002

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Wraparound case packer is in control

A single control platform controls all of Kisters Kayat’s machine functions. Plus, a programmable limit switch permits high-speed gluing.

August 31, 2002