Exclusive video report—captured live at interpack 2008!

The gates of the Messe Düsseldorf opened on Thursday, April 24 with a host of new packaging machines characterized by advanced software, robotics and mechatronic innovations.

Packaging machinery buyers at interpack faced the daunting task of navigating through 19 different buildings. But you don't have to, thanks to what you're reading now. This is the first video online report, 'live' from interpack, brought to you exclusively by Packaging Automation, the online magazine.

Interpack only comes once every 3 years, and it's a massive undertaking. Many European OEMs save their big announcements for this show, so there's plenty to see.

In our first of 3 video reports, following are some of the innovative designs identified by the engineers at ELAU, Schneider Electric's packaging specialists and exclusive sponsor of Packaging Automation.

Video: OPTIMA scores sustainability hit with soft cans

It's a bag that thinks it's a can.

At interpack, the ELAU-enabled SoftCan Maker from OPTIMA produced Cyclero® cans, a head-turning 'can' formed from flexible roll stock.

Just in time to address sustainability in packaging, Cyclero reduces material consumption up to 80% compared to bag packaging with the same volumes.

Combining strong shelf impact with an environmentally desirable, easy opening and reclosing package, Cyclero also does what no metal can can do ­ provide a transparent product display!

Video: Cavanna integrates robotic cartoner and flow wrapper

Cavanna has delivered 50 of its Cartesio G35 'robotic island' cartoning systems since last interpack. New for 2008 is a continuous motion carton transport during the filling process, thanks to an additional degree of freedom on the pick-and-place robot arm.

Both the robotic cartoner and the downstream Zero5 flow wrapper operating at interpack leverage ELAU's open architecture automation technology to optimize integration and achieve perfect synchronization—without black box robot controllers.

Video: ELAU's new delta robot is fast, accurate

Crowds gathered to watch ELAU's latest delta 3 robot design, the Robot P3+, go through its paces. The 'pluses' in P3+ include an increased payload capacity and work envelope, Intelligent Servo Modules and new software integration with Cognex® vision systems.

Robot mechanics complement ELAU's robotic software library, giving packaging machine OEMs the ability to design elegant, highly synchronized robotic capabilities into their machines—instead of adding on third party robots and controllers.

Video: ACMA 32-head rotary liquid filler

Tool-less changeovers, modular design, easy to access and ultraclean—ACMA's new WM filling machine is the culmination of 25 years' experience in electronic net weight filling systems.

The ELAU-equipped WM filling machine can handle the most complex container shapes with extreme care and simplicity. Its external filling valves and pressurization/depressurization system guided by ACMA's patented VLS virtual level control system let it handle all liquids, from high viscosity to high density, efficiently and precisely.

The automated WM filler is said to reduce changeover times by 30-40% with no tools required, with filling efficiency of over 99%. Modularity, with a common base for most machines, means fast lead times as well maximum flexibility over the life of the machine.

Video: Pester robotic case erector & packer

Pester Pac Automation launched a new robot arm design for its 60 cpm, 8-axis servo case packer at interpack, among other new machines.

Using ELAU's robotic software functionality, the case erector and packer is ideal for personal care, cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging. The highly rigid, lightweight composite robot is powered by ELAU servos, as is the rest of the machine.

Video: Weber's newest slicer achieves <1% give-away

Weber's precise, high-speed 904 food slicer averages under 1% give-away—with 0.2% common. That's especially important in a time of record high meat and dairy prices and transportation costs.

The newest slicer in Weber's line is fast and efficient, too. The first 4-lane slicer in the industry and the first capable of 4-lane interleaving, the 2,000 rpm slicer produces 8,000 slices per minute—and the blade is simply a blur in the video.

First-pass on-weight is typically in the high 90 percentile, with yields of 96% plus. The system uses a vision system to check the beginning of each slice, even measuring and compensating for the holes in Swiss cheese, to determine the required thickness and assure on-weight slices every time.