AUTOMATED CASE PACKING STATION

Motion Controls Robotics, Inc. (MCRI), Fremont, Ohio, partnered with Combi Packaging Systems LLC, Canton, Ohio, to launch a new automated case packing product called the Ergobot, an automated version of Combi's Ergopack ergonomic hand packing station. 

Benefits of the Ergobot robotic case packer include:

• Lean operations
• Increased throughput and reliability
• Vision technology to improve quality control and enable 100% product tracking and traceability
• Lot verification and serialization
• Easily accommodates variable pack counts
• Integrated case erection and taping
• Increased packing rates with multiple robots
• Multiple product packaging with manual or automatic robot tool change and menu-driven product selection

Motion Controls Robotics, Inc.
419-334-5886
www.motioncontrolsrobotics.com

Combi Packaging Systems, LLC
800-521-9072
www.combi.com

 

CASE SEALING SOLUTION

Using a knife to open cartons can cause product damage, as well as increase the risk of personal injury. That’s why Shurtape, Hickory, N.C., introduced the ShurSEAL solution with folded-edge technology, which eliminates the need to open cartons with a knife.

This carton sealing system combines Shurtape HP Series packaging tape with a PrimeLoc tape applicator to minimize the damage and danger associated with knife cuts. How it works is it folds the edges of the tape along the length of the carton, creating a secure, easy-to-open carton seal that allows the tape to be grasped and removed by hand, reducing the risk of product damage and work injury along the supply chain.

It also increases the strength of the tape edge to keep the seal intact, particularly at its most vulnerable failure point—the major flaps where the tape folds over the edge of the carton—to reduce the risk of the tape being nicked and broken.

Shurtape
888-442-8273
www.shurtape.com

 

COMPACT SPIRAL CONVEYOR

The new Spirex spiral conveyor from Nercon, Neenah, Wis., provides a compact solution to elevate or lower a variety of products in a production line. The system gently carries products between floors or machines or over aisles, taking up minimal floor space.

Designed with a uniform slope and a continuously moving tabletop chain, the Spirex conveyor ensures smooth operation without disturbing the product. This makes it ideal for fragile products like pies and other food items that cannot handle impact or gripping. Plus, it’s engineered to convey trays, cartons, boxes, pouches, plastic containers, bottles and bundles for the food and beverage packaging industries.

The Spirex conveyor operates at speeds up to 150 feet per minute, adapts to customer requirements, multiple lanes and slope and chain widths and features the flexibility for three different case sizes to be conveyed without any changeover.

Nercon
844-293-2814
www.nercon.com

 

FOOD-GRADE LUBRICANTS

Klϋber Lubrication, Londonderry, N.H., showcased its food-grade lubricants.

For example, Klüberfood NH1 CH 2 Plus oil series consists of synthetic high-temperature chain oils that incorporate special base oils to ensure reliable lubrication at high temperatures. With its special additives, these oils offer extremely good wear protection and show low evaporation losses and high oxidation stability for optimized re-lubrication intervals. Designed for lubrication of all drive, control and transport chains subject to high temperatures and loads, the oils are suitable for use in chain applications, in beverage can decorating, bakery ovens, as well as other high-temperature chain applications in the food industry.

Klüberfood NH1 4-002 is a food-grade lubricant available in an aerosol spray can. Used as a penetrating oil that protects metal machine surfaces by displacing water during washdowns, it also uses a special oil formulation that is odor and taste neutral to ensure food quality.

Klüber Lubrication North America L.P.
603-647-4104
www.klubersolutions.com

 

GABLE TOP CASE PACKER

Schneider Packaging, Brewerton, N.Y., exhibited its gable top case packer, a solid-body, stainless-steel case packer that provides optimum sanitation and consistent performance.

Designed for easy, accurate and rapid changeovers, this case packer quickly changes out from the 2-pack convenience case to the 3-, 4-, 6- and 8-pack cases.

Schneider Packaging Equipment Co., Inc.
315-676-3035
www.schneiderequip.com

 

STATE-OF-THE-ART CONVEYOR TECHNOLOGY

Interroll, Wilmington, N.C., showcased a lineup of state-of-the-art conveyor technologies and conveyor rollers that offer optimized protection against dirt and dust, low noise level and run-out tolerances and smooth surfaces for easy cleaning. 

Likewise, the drum motor uses only first-class materials approved by the FDA for sanitary design and fabrication of processing equipment for meat, poultry and dairy products and wet and high-pressure washdown situations.

Interroll also presented its newly redesigned carton flow beds and tracks, improved for faster picking operations, robust design, increased versatility and flexibility and easy installation. The improved design allows reduced shelf incline and increased overall storage capacity. Additional features include solid axle for smother product flow, 25% less slope for increased storage, pitch variability and load capacity of 30.72 pounds per square feet.

Interroll Corp.
910-799-1100
www.interroll.com

 

CASE PACKING, SHRINK PACKAGING, TRAY PACKING

Douglas Machine, Alexandria, Minn., introduced the new TriVex SL top load robotic case packer. The new TriVex SL utilizes a robotic loader to pack bags, pouches and cartons in a stand-up configuration into retail-ready display cases with 1- or 2-product facings. The vision-guidedTriVex RL incorporates a Delta III robotic loader with small footprint.

The Douglas Contour SPS-60 shrink wrap system is equipped with the company’s SmartSelect automatic changeover for multi-lane conveyors and infeed rails. It also incorporates Rockwell’s linear motor technology to more efficiently group and meter bottles, cans and cartons.

The Axiom IM horizontal case/tray packing machine provides gentle product handling at speeds up to 40 cases per minute with pack-pattern flexibility. Meanwhile, the DouglasInvex IM features speeds up to 25 cases or trays per minute, a simple and repeatable changeover, a sanitary frame design and stainless-steel washdown options.

Douglas Machine Inc.
320-763-6587
www.douglas-machine.com

 

HIGH-SPEED TRAY DENESTER

MGS Machine, Maple Grove, Minn., introduced the Vortex, a new high-speed tray denester that separates trays, clamshells, flanged lids, tubs and buckets from a nested stack and accurately places them, ready for filling, on a flighted or flat-belt conveyor at speeds up to 300 per minute.

Featuring a single-sided cantilevered design, 4-axis stepper motor system and full washdown capability, this screw denester offers easy installation, 5-minute changeovers and superior sanitation. The Vortex is ideal for a wide range of trayed products, such as bakery items, ready-meals, meat, poultry, seafood and fresh produce, and handles square, rectangular oval, round and pie-shaped trays, clamshells, lids, tubs and buckets made of plastic, polystyrene, paperboard and molded-fiber.

MGS Machine
800-790-0627
www.mgsmachine.com

 

MAIL ORDER FULFILLMENT SYSTEM

Automated Packaging Systems, Streetsboro, Ohio, introduced the Autobag850S, which marries state-of-the-art engineering and superior ergonomics to create a mail order fulfillment system with a small footprint. The Autobag850S runs bags up to 22 inches wide, and features innovative bag opening technology that grabs and securely grips the bag in load-ready position. An AutoTouch control screen provides quick access to job setup parameters, on-board diagnostics, data retrieval, performance monitoring and a help system with operator tutorials.

A compact thermal transfer imprinter is positioned in line with the next bag to be loaded and prints high-resolution graphics, text, barcodes and personalized data directly onto the bag. Plus, the Autobag850S fully integrates with customer databases for personalized 1:1 mail order fulfillment packing and shipping. Bag size changeovers are accomplished in less than five minutes with simplified threading and a new tension control system that automatically centers and monitors the film throughout the bagging process.

Automated Packaging Systems also introduced the AirPouch pillow separator for high-volume packing operations. Designed to work with the AirPouch Express 3 void-fill protective packaging system, this new pillow separator increases productivity by automatically dispensing just the right amount of pillows for faster packing. Features include an operator-friendly HMI control panel to preset the desired amount of pillows needed. The system automatically counts and separates void-fill air pillows that are inflated on demand. This allows the operator to focus on packing instead of counting. This new pillow separator runs at speeds up to 200 feet per minute and includes a variable height stand with angle adjustments for maximum operator comfort and efficient packing.

Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
800-527-0733
www.autobag.com

 
COLOR PELLETS FOR PLASTIC PACKAGING

Carolina Color, Salisbury, N.C., introduced new G3color pellets for plastic packaging.

Key attributes include:

• Said to provide the highest pigment-loaded custom colors in the industry.
• Can be used in all olefins and engineering resins.
• Lowers environmental impacts with a reduction in production energy, packaging materials and CO2 emissions.
• Supports Six Sigma/Lean production methods.

Carolina Color Corp.
704-637-7000
www.carolinacolor.com

 

12-LANE POUCH FILLING MACHINE

Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.), Marlton, N.J., demonstrated the Sanko model FR-3, a 12-lane pouch filling machine that’s capable of operating at fill speeds of over 230 cycles per minute.

The FR-3 is well suited to package soup concentrates, toppings and salad dressings, among other items, and can be set up for 3- and 4-sided form-fill-seal packaging of liquid products.

Because the machine is adaptable for each different package, it can be operated directly by a numerical control system. Change of bag length, adjustment of I-notch positioning, perforation and cutoff can all be made through a simple, intuitive touch-panel display. Other adjustments can be made in a similar fashion, even while the machine is in operation.

Standard FR-3 features include heat-resistant, lubrication-free bearings, non-backlash gears, an automatic film centering mechanism and a rotary connector for the attachment of a heater. Among the machine’s many available options are automatic side web tracking system and a liquid flow meter.

T.H.E.M.
800-322-8436
www.them.net

 

ROTARY SCREW VACUUM PUMP

Atlas Copco, Parsippany, N.J., showcased the new GHS VSD+ range of rotary screw vacuum pumps with variable speed drive. This range of variable speed drive oil-injected screw vacuum systems are said to reduce energy usage by up to 50%. It features low noise levels and reduced environmental impact due to ultra-high oil retention at all operating pressures, and conforms to energy management and environmental commitments according to ISO 50001/14001. This new vacuum technology suits an array of packaging applications, including food, beverage, general manufacturing, bottling and more.

Atlas Copco also exhibited the GA VSD+ range of oil-injected rotary screw compressors, which are also said to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%, yet allow for a compact footprint and low noise levels.

Atlas Copco North America
973-397-3432
www.atlascopco.com

 

METAL-FREE PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY

Amcor, Ann Arbor, Mich., debuted AmLite, the company’s latest innovation in metal-free packaging technology.

AmLite utilizes Amcor's extensive experience in high-barrier coating and film extrusion to create a lightweight, transparent material that offers excellent product protection, a strong seal and improved packaging appearance.

AmLite was developed using Amcor Barrier Coating, a micro-thin transparent barrier layer that is deposited on a base web. AmLite also utilizes special high-performance grades of PE or OPP sealant. AmLite can be used for a range of ambient wet and dry food products to create a variety of pack formats, including regular, stand-up and spouted pouches, flow packs, sachets and more.

AmLite ran on the new MVC1200 machine, built by Inever, a Spain-based Amcor partner. The MVC1200 machine is a new concept in VFFS4 side seal sachets, offering speed, efficiency and quality. Available in 900 mm and 1200 mm film reel, it is suitable for high-production output. The new MVC combines continuous technology and intermittent seal process, provides high-quality seals at high speed and is able to produce up to 120 strokes per minute per lane. The MVC is tailored for filling liquids and pasty products.

Amcor
734-428-9741
www.amcor.com