More exclusive video from interpack 2008!

Issue #2 of our video report from interpack features fascinating machinery, from gargantuan robot arms making rainbow packs to a case erector that runs incredibly smooth and silent.

Interpack 2008: the machines take center stage!

As these videos attest, the halls of interpack held no shortage of innovative machines. U.S. visitors that Packaging Automation met largely mentioned the proliferation of automation, of servo machines, and expressly noted the spread of robotics.

ELAU alone counted some 240 machines equipped with its servo-based automation system, many taking advantage of the company's robotics capabilities and intelligent servo modules.

Our video coverage includes many companies offering ELAU-enabled robotics at interpack, including Canada's Nuspark Engineering, Italy's Cavanna, and Germany's Pester Pac and Theegarten Pactec. In this issue alone are Italy's Senzani and IMA, plus Germany's Oystar A+F and Wächter.

Where is the big growth in robotics? In primary and secondary packaging, product orienting, and value-adding operations such as the rainbow pack line described in the following story.

But there were so many other breakthroughs in packaging automation.

In this issue you'll see another example of PRB's complete changeover to ELAU as its automation partner, high speed gravimetric filling technology from OPTIMA, case erecting and packaging systems from IMA and Buhmann offering totally automated servo changeovers, sustainable tube packaging from Norden, patented cartons from ACMA and much more.

View our first interpack video report.

Video: Oystar A+F: the ultimate tray packing robot?

It's actually quite compact, seeing as it replaces 4 separate machines and the conveyors connecting them. But massive is still the best description for the three twin-delta robot arms running Oystar A+F's SetLine end-of-line packaging system. Mounted on top, the big ELAU servo motors powering the robots could be seen from aisles away.

SetLine is designed to pack various shapes and sizes of single cups, cup sets and bottles into trays or cases, with the ability to sleeve the primary packages into multipacks. Quick-change format parts are provided for the different cup types and sizes.

The modular design can stand alone or be directly integrated with a filling machine and tray erector.

The end result is a ballet of continuous motions at rates up to 30,000 bottles or 43,000 cups per hour, with a range of pack patterns and sleeve configurations possible.

Video: Breakthrough: OPTIMA's gravimetric filler

They said it couldn't be done, and before the advent of ELAU's intelligent servo modules, it wasn't possible according to OPTIMA .

The new OPTIMA WF X-9 weighing filler is a high speed rotary system that performs 100% gravimetric filling instead of the conventional volumetric filling with downstream check weighing.

The enabling technology is ELAU's proven ability to operate multiple servos on rotating carousels using a single cable. It's the same technology behind the invention of servo rotary cappers and labelers.

Combined with continuously rotating load cells that compensate for centrifugal forces, the servo-driven shut-off flaps provide precise, independent control for each vibratory filling head.

Video: IMA offers totally automated servo case packer

Recent research sponsored in part by ELAU suggests a much higher incidence of packaging lines with multiple changeovers per day—some 37% of respondents.

And in the Packaging Line Performance workshops that ELAU co-sponsors, participants learn the impact of just four 30-minute changeovers per day—10 hours of lost production per week.

In this spirit, IMA demonstrated the CP50 side-loading case packer with 9 servo axes by ELAU at interpack. Why so many servos on a case packer? To completely automate format changes.

Video: Pester Pac's compact, small batch side loader

Designed for economical small batch production, Pester Pac Automation's UVP2-k side loading servo case packer is 1 full meter shorter in length than their previous model to fit in space-restricted installations.

To save space, the 2.6 meter long system features a carton magazine incorporated into the machine and direct insertion of cartons into the case from an integral stacker. The new UVP2-k is automated with 6 ELAU servos for smooth and efficient product handling.

The new side loader is a GMP-compatible, cantilever design for pharmaceutical applications. Integrated marking and vision systems are available.

The new Pester side loader packs single cartons or collations and adapts to case sizes up to 450mm W x 320mm L x 320mm H through a simple format adjustment.