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The new Fallas Automation R700 Adabot™ robot is designed to pick products on the fly at high speed. Its ability to track the product and pick on the fly contributes to the speed. So do the arm’s carbon fiber construction and the controller’s ability to execute 10 times faster than a PLC. And in this case, it’s not a ‘black box’ robot controller, but an open architecture PacDrive™ automation controller from ELAU.
Pneumatic Scale Corporation’s SC Servo Capper is ideal for pharma, personal care, cosmetic and other quality-intensive applications. Consistency, tighter torque control and the feedback systems to monitor performance are inherent benefits of well-executed servo technology.
The new Blister Express Center 500 from Uhlmann (PACK EXPO Booth N-5102) is said to be the fastest single-lane blister line in the world with consistently integrated processes and a completely continuous operating mode.
Packaging flexibility is a key enabler of consumer marketing strategies. These include smaller, low calorie portion packages and user friendly cartoning solutions that help retailers make their shelf space more productive.
Associated Packaging Equipment Corporation (Booth S-535) will launch a quick changeover version of its Polystar® inline rollfed labelers at PACK EXPO. Incorporating PacDrive™ servo-driven star wheels, web transfer and worm infeed, the latest Polystar machine combines positive control of containers with touch panel format changes.
According to ELAU technology evangelist Tom Jensen, modular software design benefits packaging automation for the same reason that World Batch Forum (WBF) recommends modularity in process automation. His presentation at the WBF 2006 Forum in Atlanta demonstrated that when implemented with ISA-88 (IEC 61512) principles in the IEC 61131-3 international standard automation programming languages, modularity becomes a powerful tool for both machine builders and users.
Italian packaging machine builders introduced a range of new, ELAU PacDrive-equipped machines at IPACK IMA in Milan in 2006, the result of a record year of growth for ELAU Systems Italia in 2005.
The 6000 F-6 robotic tray-loading system from Paal uses servo positioning accuracy to collate tubes and place them into plastic trays at speeds to 200 tubes/min.
Newtec Labelling S.R.L. produces a complete line of linear and rotary automatic labelling machines for cylindrical and shaped containers in glass, plastic or foil, with label application by wet glue, self-adhesive and hot melt. The company’s beverage experience spans wine, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, liqueurs and dairy.
Finpac introduced its new SHM HS 9-axis servo shrink labeler, which combines high production speeds with quick changeovers and ease of use. The new design takes advantage of integrated motion and logic control in a single program running in an ELAU PacDrive C400 automation controller. PacDrive also enables Finpac’s remote diagnostic capabilities and modular software design to reduce its customers’ Total Cost of Ownership.
Kappa Herzberger, specializing in high speed packaging machinery for the beverage and food industries, is the largest company in the Kappa Packaging Group with over 100 subsidiaries and turnover of over 3 billion Euro. At drinktec, the company announced its merger with Smurfit-Stone, creating a global packaging powerhouse.
FEGE Machine Speciales introduced the patented TRAINTRONIC lane divider at drinktec, a PacDrive-automated system capable of batching unit containers between two conveyor lines at line speeds up to 150 meters per minute, the equivalent of 100,000 products per hour.
Pester USA introduced ‘pac robot’ modules using ELAU’s new PacDrive robotic software library to expand the flexibility and throughput of pharma, cosmetics and food packaging lines.
Stiles Machinery introduced the new family of Waechter case erecting and pick-and-place modules using ELAU’s PacDrive servo technology to handle a wide range of formats without costly change parts.
Bottlers value P.E. labelers for their 50,000 bottle/hour single-station performance, fast changeovers and reliability. P.E. has delivered over 4,000 automatic labeling machines worldwide for soft drinks, mineral water, food, wine, spirits, chemicals and more.
Typically, robots are capable of handling either heavy loads at low cycle rates, or very limited loads at high cycle rates. TwinLine, a twin-axis robot for high flexibility in final packaging, combines speed and payload capacity.
At the Stiles Machinery booth (PELV C-5534), see the new family of Waechter case erecting and pick-and-place modules using ELAU’s PacDrive servo technology to handle a wide range of formats without costly change parts.
Uhlmann Packaging Systems (PELV Booth N-9412) introduces the world’s fastest thermoformer, the Uhlmann B1880, with an unequalled output capability of 1300 blisters per minute. Launched in the US at the company’s first annual pharmaceutical blister technology roundtable just prior to PACK EXPO, the B1880 was the recipient of a 2005 VDI Red Dot award for excellence in design.
Pester USA (PELV booth N-10328) is introducing ‘pac robot’ modules using ELAU’s new PacDrive robotic software library to expand the flexibility and throughput of pharma, cosmetics and food packaging lines.
PFM Packaging Machinery (PELV booth C-826) will introduce its new Scirocco Flow Packer with Vision System Robot, configured for pharmaceutical packaging. The solution includes a cross-sealing system that increases the Scirocco’s speed to 200 ppm by optimizing sealing temperature, pressure and dwell to maximize the sealing portion of a cycle.
MG America (PELV booth N-9707) will feature MG2’s new GSL20 horizontal case packer, complementing the recently introduced GTL30 vertical case packer. Both are mechatronic designs automated by ELAU’s PacDrive system and designed for maximum reliability, high speed, ease of use and maintainability.
PFM Packaging Machinery has introduced its new Scirocco Flow Packer with Vision System Robot, configured for pharmaceutical packaging. The solution includes a cross-sealing system that increases the Scirocco’s speed to 200 ppm by optimizing sealing temperature, pressure and dwell to maximize the sealing portion of a cycle.
Waechter (Hall 13, D14) has introduced a new family of case erecting and pick-and-place modules using ELAU’s PacDrive servo technology to handle a wide range of formats without expensive change parts.
SOMIC (Hall 13, Stand D04) demonstrated the highly modular WA 414-w/3 wrap-around packer for display cartons, folding boxes and trays. Highly adaptable, it is a universal design that’s being used to pack metal cans, pouches, candy bars and more.
Cavanna’s Cartesio robotic division demonstrated its new vertical cartoning concept for candy, energy and cereal bars, the G35. A robotic island consisting of three robotic arms streamlines display carton forming, transfer, product collation and closing, along with a patented product insertion device.
Highlights at pester pac automation (Hall 15, Booth B32) included two new robots. Pester, known for its pharmaceutical end-of-line packaging expertise, is creating a new range of applications in cosmetic and food packaging for which these robots are equally well suited.
By hitching its wagon to that increasingly bright star called servo technology, P&G gains flexibility, increased capacity, and better utilization of equipment assets
