Packaging Equipment

NEW EQUIPMENT February 2012
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, February 1, 2012
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Warehouse scale software
Lisa McTigue Pierce, February 1, 2012
The new Versa Warehouse in-line scale control was designed for demanding distribution warehouse environments. It can weigh each package-corrugated cases, padded mailers, envelopes, totes and more-100+ times as it travels across the scale to deliver accurate weight data for packages up to 110 lbs without compromising line speeds. More
Robotic palletizing is a slick operation
Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor, February 1, 2012
A robotic palletizer at Consumers Co-operative Refineries Ltd. (CCRL) features unique end-of-arm tooling to automatically handle cases and pails of fabricating oils, as well as empty pallets, without operator intervention. The plant, which is located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, produces retail and industrial packages of lubricating oils ranging from 1- to 10-L bottles and 5-gal pails. More
CBW Automation robots aim to capture flip-top closure market
Heather Caliendo, January 31, 2012
While many claim that robots threaten to push U.S. manufacturing workers out of their jobs, one packaging industry supplier says automation keeps American companies competitive, leading to employment growth. More
Food conveyor belt
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 31, 2012
The company has released a solid-surface belt option for its DynaClean food packaging conveyor line. The ThermoDrive solid-surface belt is intended to offer the best features of modular plastic link belts, with the benefits of traditional flat belts. More
Vertical form/fill/seal
Posted by John Kalkowski, January 30, 2012
The Hawk Evolution vertical form/fill/seal has the smallest footprint in the industry for the bag size it will manufacture. It can make a bag up to 12" wide and 18" long. It uses a maintenance-free stepper motor designed to run for hundreds of millions of cycles with little to no maintenance. The machine will accommodate three bag styles: pillow bag, typically used in the potato chip industry; a gusseted bag; and a flat bottom bag, commonly used for coffee. It will run and seal just about any structure of polyethylene, laminated or metalized film, or foil. When a bag width change is needed, the Hawk is equipped from the film spindle through the pull belt mechanism with no tool change features. More
High failure rate on China packaging inspections
John Kalkowski, January 30, 2012
AsiaInspection, a provider of quality control services for businesses importing from Asia, announced figures that show 51 percent of food inspections conducted in China during 2011 failed. The fact that over half of all Chinese food inspections fail is even more alarming when compared to an average failure rate for non-food products of about 30 percent
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Software
Jack Mans, January 27, 2012
RSLogix 5000 software is for machine builders and manufacturers who require a compact control system. The software provides the elevated performance of an integrated control device and has motion capabilities on the IP/EtherNet network to the Allen-Bradley CompactLogix controller series. The combination of RSLogix 5000 v20 software and appropriate control system components enables users to upgrade from 200 to 10,000 I/O points via a single control platform. More
Adjustable steam tunnel
Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 26, 2012
The agile KST 80A-712 adjustable steam tunnel for shrink labeling and bundling operations is a dual-zone system with five rows of steam distribution tubes on each side. Each row is externally adjustable for steam volume, flow and rotary position; and regulating steam is key to ensuring consistency in pack appearance. More
Safco and UPS deliver eco responsible packaging to dental practices
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 25, 2012
Dental products supplier Safco partnered with UPS to optimize its shipment packaging for damage prevention, right sizing and materials content. As a result, its package damage rate decreased by more than 50 percent, and the company becomes the first in the U.S. to be certified under the UPS's Eco Responsible Packaging Program. More
Vented films
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, January 25, 2012
A new range of Tyvek vented films is available for high-speed flow wrap applications undergoing ethylene oxide (EtO) or steam sterilization. With vented films, manufacturers can now specify flow wrapping for the packaging of items such as gowns and drapes, and other medical products. More
Sustainability, cost control seminars added at WestPack
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 24, 2012
The packaging trade show—scheduled Feb. 14-16 in Anaheim—has expanded its educational schedule with seminars focusing on sustainability, and automation and cost control. More
Vertical form/fill/seal machine
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 24, 2012
The BP SiH vf/f/s machine is designed to provide users with an ultra-clean packaging solution. The machine frame is watertight, can be cleaned easily and resists corrosion, according to the manufacturer. More
PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, January 24
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 24, 2012
People, services, awards and news impacting the packaging industry. More
Tea packager installs Linx printers
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 23, 2012
Fair-trade tea manufacturer Clipper Tea recently installed four Linx 7300 continuous ink jet printers. The machines are being used to print "best before" dates and traceability codes onto boxes. More
Inkjet printer
Posted by John Kalkowski, January 22, 2012
The Linx CJ400 continuous inkjet coder offers a new design for easy use and economical operation. The compact and lightweight printer offers a color touch screen with on-screen help. The company claims it can go up to three months between printhead cleanings and does not require any factory air. It also is supported with an Easy-Change service module and Surefill fluid replenishment.

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Ethernet switches
Jack Mans, January 20, 2012
StrideTM Ethernet products line now includes industrial-grade managed Ethernet switches, designed with redundant power inputs with surge and spike protection and auto-crossover.The Stride managed Ethernet switches' proprietary Real-Time RingTM technology provides the fastest recovery of all the redundancy options on the switch. More
AIA Unveils Vision for the Future
Jack Mans, January 20, 2012
AIA, the global industry trade group for vision and imaging companies, recently unveiled its Vision for the Future-a new brand identity emphasizing AIA's commitment to advancing vision and imaging technology worldwide. The new brand identity premiered at the 20th Annual AIA Business Conference in Orlando on January 18, 2012. More
Bemis to close Newark factory, eliminate 124 jobs
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 20, 2012
The Calif. packaging plant has fallen victim to the employment cutbacks all too common to the Bay Area's manufacturing sector. The company plans to shift production from smaller plants like Newark, to larger facilities employing hundreds of workers. More
Top-load case packer
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, January 20, 2012
The DTL-240 high-speed, fully automated case packer is designed to pack various flat-bagged products into RSC/HSC cases or trays at speeds up to 240 products per minute, or 30 cases per minute. More