SERVO DRIVE SYSTEM

Making its North American tradeshow debut is the AX8000 servo drive system from Beckhoff Automation, Savage, Mich., designed to meet high control speed and accuracy requirements while offering significant reductions in installation space.

This dynamic, multi-axis servo system features a highly modular design and includes various power supply modules, single and dual-axis modules and a capacitor module.

One cable technology (OCT), a 1-cable solution for motors and drives, is used to simplify connection and feedback systems, reducing the amount of required motor cabling and connectors by up to 50%.

The EtherCAT-enabled AX8000 compact drive system combines FPGA technology with multi-core ARM processors. FPGA-based control algorithms with multi-channel current control technology enable sample and response times of less than 1 µs for current control, as well as velocity control cycle times as low as 16 µs, depending on the configured switching frequency.

The AX8000 simplifies logistics and inventory management, for example, through the integration of a mains filter and brake resistor and through the use of fewer, more flexible system components. Due to the highly scalable motor current measurement, a comprehensive range of applications can be completely covered with just 8 A and 18 A modules, effectively reducing the required number of different module types.

Beckhoff Automation LLC
952-890-0000
www.beckhoffautomation.com

ADDED POWER TO PROCESSING, PLANT MANAGEMENT

Chicago-based JBT Corp. expanded its product portfolio to provide additional power to processing and plant management.

For case-ready meats, for example, JBT constructed a line that features the Frigoscandia ADVANTEC impingement freezer, the TVI GMS 500 single-cut slicer and the DSI 844 waterjet portioning system. JBT also highlighted its DSI J-Scan inspection system.

JBT’s automated systems division showcased the JayBoT, what is said to the industry’s smartest automatic guided vehicle, and the new i-Pal palletizer from industry partner CSi, Springfield, Mo., which together, give processors a fully automated end-of-line solution.

JBT Corp.
312-861-5900
www.jbtcorporation.com

PROPRIETARY PRINTING PROCESS FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

Atlanta-based Printpack debuted a proprietary printing process that allows for photochromic ink to be hidden within standard graphics and remain invisible until exposed to sunlight.

This process represents what is said to be the first time photochromic ink has been applied to a flexible film.

Printpack Inc.
404-460-7660
www.printpack.com

LABEL PRINTER THAT PRINTS COLOR LABELS ON GLOSSY MEDIA

Food and beverage manufacturers can now achieve high-end graphics on a wider range of label media with an ink technology enhancement launched by Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, Calif.

Using a variation of Epson’s UltraChrome ink, which is known for its instant drying capabilities, the ColorWorks C7500G label printer prints color labels on glossy media at the high speed of the C7500. The new ink helps produce bright, vibrant colors that are almost photo-like in quality, and when combined with glossy label media, lend a premium look and feel to packages.

Powered by Epson’s PrecisionCore print chip technology, the robust, bench top printer is ideal for high-mix, low-volume applications that require a large number of label varieties. It comes equipped with ZPL II programming compatibility to allow direct plug-in replacement. The printer produces full-color labels from blank stock by automatically merging “color pre-print” images that are stored in the printer’s memory with existing unmodified monochrome data streams.

Epson America
800-463-7766
www.epson.com

SIMPLIFYING QUALITY CONTROL

A&D Inspection, San Jose, Calif., plans to simplify quality control thanks to its newest checkweigher, the AD-4961 Series. A newly designed digital load cell and an ultra-high-speed processing module deliver precision weighing and measurement at .08 g. Plus, its standard digital inputs and outputs provide high degrees of user flexibility, allowing for HMI interfacing or the connection of external devices, as well as future expansion to the system. Additional features include a high-visibility touch-panel color LCD screen with a user-friendly interface, including an audio guidance support function; easy upload of product images; enhanced protection from dust and water to IP65 standards; and a modular design, which allows for quick installation or relocation. Plus, the AD-4961 Series checkweigher boasts the ability to reach speeds up to 320 pieces per minute.

A&D Inspection also launched the AD-4971 Series metal detector, which provides companies with in-line quality assurance systems. This metal detector allows end users to conduct high-sensitivity detection on a wide range of food and beverage product types. It features a phase tracking function that minimizes product phase and provides consistent high-sensitivity inspection. In addition, it’s been designed to IP65 standards and uses a USB drive to make product identification quick and easy. The module features a high-visibility touch-panel LCD color screen with a user-friendly interface and optional audio guidance support function. It boasts the ability to hold up to 1,000 different product types, divided into 10 distinct categories.

A&D Engineering
800-726-3364
www.andweighing.com

STEEL-CONSTRUCTED CONVEYOR WITH DETECT/REJECT CAPABILITIES

Multi-Conveyor, Winneconne, Wis., built a mild steel-constructed conveyor that provides gap registration and bent tip detection for tubed products. 

The camera/vision system has the ability to either enlarge or shrink an area of rejection, and can detect and reject any tubes that are missing a nozzle altogether.
 
If a bent tip is detected, a stainless-steel box-in-box reject pusher guides the tube into a reject shoot.  Box-in-box pushers alleviate pinch points for operator safety. The detection and rejects are operated by a smart relay.
 
Meanwhile, two Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 40 VFD's regulate line speed based on parts per minute to coincide with the tube feeder, camera detection and reject system.

Multi-Conveyor
800-236-7960
www.multi-conveyor.com

CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTER

Hitachi America Ltd., Tarrytown, N.Y., launched the UX Series continuous inkjet printer, which incorporates the same low-pressure ink return system used in previous Hitachi series printers to effectively reduce air mixing with ink, thus minimizing solvent evaporation. 

The UX also added a new cartridge-type system, making ink replacement clean and simple and eliminating the need to pour fluids. In fact, the ink and makeup cartridges can be used right up until the last drop of fluid. 

The UX Series printers are available in two models, can print up to 6 lines and incorporate an improved, modern user interface with a full 10.4-inch color touch-screen panel, complete with icon-based graphics indicating ink levels and signaling when to replace the cartridges.

A new ergonomically-designed print head allows for improved printing of gable-top containers such as milk and juice cartons.  The printer’s cabinet is rated IP65 for harsh environments, and operates in temperatures ranging from 0-50°C.

Hitachi America Ltd.
800-448-2244
www.hitachi-america.us

CASE SEALER, CASE PACKER, ROBOTIC PACKER

A-B-C Packaging, Tarpon Springs, Fla., introduced the M236 case sealer, designed to deliver performance to 15-25 cpm lines. Inside its solid 8-foot-long frame is a metering roller feed that accepts cases back-to-back or spaced and automatically aligned with changing line speeds. The powered minor flap tucker ensures positive inner flap closing and the outer flaps are closed by contoured flap folders that fold the flaps squarely even when running cases with poor or undefined scores. Installation is simplified using the adjustable footpads to align to conveyor height, and changeover can be completed in minutes with only three simple adjustments.

The Model 300 case erector is a mid-range machine for 15-25 cpm production lines. Key production features include an ergonomic, low-level KD magazine that is easy to load and includes automatic stack indexing that frees the operator for other tasks. The top-feeding KD magazine accommodates warped and band-marked cases and the cam-operated erecting arm over-opens cases by the outer flaps to ensure reliable inner flap folding. A mechanical main drive powers the walking beam case transfer that positively squares cases as they travel. The Model 300 also includes clear sliding guards as standard equipment that offer high visibility and protect plant personnel by stopping the machine when opened. Maintenance is simplified with easy access, exterior-mounted motors, sealed bearings, water eliminator, non-contact sensors and case backup eye.

A-B-C also unveiled the first of a line of robotic packers for flexible packages. The Model 600 offers maximum flexibility to run multiple package styles with a variety of infeed options, making it a good choice for packagers looking to upgrade from hand packing or moving from another package style. It is equipped with a high payload 2-axis robotic arm that can be programmed for virtually any packing configuration. The operator station offers complete control in a clear and concise interface, including set-up, operation, real-time and historical status reports, maintenance alerts and fault detection for troubleshooting. Typical changeover time is less than 10 minutes.     

A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.
800-237-5975
www.abcpackaging.com