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Focus on Packaging

| By Gerald Ondrey

Herma US

Label applicator with enhanced IoT capabilities

The Herma 500 Label Applicator (photo) is an internet-of-things (IOT)-enabled machine utilizing realtime metrics to optimize production efficiency and consistency, even in a multi-factory setting. Capable of achieving labeling speeds up to 200 m/min, the Herma 500 can handle label widths between 80 and 320 mm and roll diameters from 300 to 600 mm. The Herma 500 is also exceptionally fast, with a maximum speed 70 ft/min higher than its predecessor. A maximum speed of 650 ft/min can be reached. — Herma US Inc., Fairfield, N.J.

www.herma.us

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacuum technology for dust-free filling of fine powders

With the Velovac vacuum technology, the bagging of fine powders (particle sizes smaller than 200µm, bulk density of 10–450 g/L) takes place in a completely enclosed vacuum chamber. In this chamber, an atmospheric vacuum is generated through which the product is sucked into the vacuum bags. Any escaping dust is removed by suction and immediately redirected into the bagging process. In this way, none of the valuable product is lost. In addition, this process is particularly gentle on the product. Depending on the compaction potential of the material to be packed, a maximum product compaction of up to 400% is achieved, says the company. — Greif-Velox, Lübeck, Germany

www.greif-velox.com

Presto Ecoa Lifts

This stacker features powered lift and drive

The PowerStak family of high-performance, fully powered stackers (photo) offer significant performance advantages over manual stackers and significant cost savings versus forklift trucks, says the company. Because PowerStak features both powered lift and powered drive, operation is nearly effortless for any operator regardless of their size or physical strength. Compact design, low overall weight, and quiet operation allow them to fit into a wide variety of work environments, including warehouses, loading docks, manufacturing and assembly work cells, retail and more. All models feature an ergonomically designed control handle that puts all functions, including lift, lower, forward and reverse, within easy reach. Redundant design allows all controls to be accessed by the operator’s right or left hand. PowerStak Stackers are available in multiple configurations, handling capacities from 1,000 to 3,000 lb and lifting heights of up to 150 in. — Presto Ecoa Lifts, Norton, Mass.

www.prestolifts.com

 

 

Steel King Industries

These load stops ensure perfect pallet placement

This manufacturer of material-handling products recently introduced its new bolted Pallet Load Stop Option (photo). Designed for heavy-use applications, the Pallet Load Stop provides an added layer of protection for personnel safety and inventory loss. The pallet stoppers allow perfect placement of pallets – providing a fixed 6-in. flue space for pallet rack applications. The pallet safety stops allow for ventilation and provide space for fire-suppression sprinklers above the racks to penetrate product stored in racks. The new bolt-together pallet-load-stop design provides users with the flexibility of either a 3- or 4-in. set back using the same clip. Bay widths of 96, 108 and 144 in. are stock items. — Steel King Industries, Inc., Stevens Point, Wis.

www.steelking.com

 

Verti-Lift

This packaging-line lift has an integrated scale and conveyor

Integrating the height adjustment of a scissor lift with digital weighing and conveying functions makes the Scissor Lift Table (photo) an optimal solution for a packaging line filling station. The system has lifting capacities of 2,000–6,000 lb. Manual turntables can also be added for improved operator ergonomics and product positioning. A variety of conveyor tops are available. Optional accessories include accordion skirts, oversized platforms, platforms with beveled edges, pit-mounted, portability package, PLC control, foot-pedal control, high-cycle and external power units. The lifts are also available in pneumatic designs. — Verti-Lift, Inc., Louisville, Ky.

www.verti-lift.com

 

 

 

 

Sterling Systems & Controls

A system for packaging and unloading bulk bags and more

The new Bulk Bag Packaging Systems (photo) can fit a wide range of bag and container sizes and can handle filled capacities from 100 to 4,400 lb. The Bulk Bag Packaging Systems include an adjustable upper frame to accommodate square and rectangular containers. Heavy-duty weighing controls are built to withstand the rigors of industrial use. Easy loading and bag discharging is accommodated with bag loop holders. Inflatable fill heads assure dust-tight filling, even with fine powder materials. The system can also accommodate drums and totes, and can be customized to include a wide range of options for automatic and manual filling applications. — Sterling Systems & Controls, Inc., Sterling, Ill.

www.sterlingcontrols.com

 

 

 

 

The L.S. Starrett Co.

Video-based measurement system offers increased speed

The new generation of HDV300 and HDV400 bench-top Digital Video Comparators (photo) boast a number of enhancements. CNC (computer numerical control) motion on the new HDV systems is said to be significantly faster than predecessors, enabling even greater user measurement throughput. At 10 mm/s, speed on the Y-axis has tripled, and X-axis speed has almost doubled at 45 mm/s. In addition, improved LED ring lighting provides a more consistent illumination. The computer and M3 controller in the new systems are located inside the HDV housing, resulting in a clean design with minimal external wiring and connections. — The L.S. Starrett Co., Athol, Mass.

www.starrett.com

 

 

Schütz

Maximum protection for demanding filling products

Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and drums from this company’s Foodcert and Cleancert lines ensure comprehensive material, product and process safety. The company is now offering these IBCs with a liner system (photo) with U.N. approval, thus ensuring maximum quality protection with minimum effort. The Ecobulk Foodcert + Aseptic fully meets the specific requirements in the food, pharmaceuticals and toiletries industries; it effectively excludes contamination risks along the entire supply chain, extends the shelf-life of the filling products and ensures consistent quality from filling to emptying, says the company. The liner is made of top-grade LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film; a special folding technique minimizes air and allows it to unfold and align itself automatically in the inner bottle during filling. The gradual unfolding of the liner also means that contact between the filling product and the ambient atmosphere is kept to a minimum. The result is 99% less exposure to oxygen than in a standard IBC, says the company. — Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA, Selters, Germany

www.schuetz.net

Marchesini Group

Inspection technology keeps filling under control

Together with its partner SEA Vision, this company recently introduced the SV (photo), a semi-automatic machine for the inspection of liquid, lyophilized or powder products in ampoules, vials and cartridges or pre-filled syringes. The SV is equipped with brushless motors for fast rotation (before inspection) and slow rotation (during inspection) to guarantee complete and efficient product control. The containers are conveyed to the inspection station where the operator inspects them through a magnifying lens. The rejected products are automatically collected in trays. The machine can operate in line with other units or factory-set to be loaded and unloaded in trays with customized dimensions. It can be configured as multiple inspection stations placed sequentially or in parallel according to user requirements. Capacity ranges from 1 to 1,000 mL. The machine can handle up to 100 pieces per minute. — Marchesini Group S.p.A., Bologna, Italy

www.marchesini.com

 

Coval Vacuum Technology

This vacuum gripper is a cobot’s best friend

The role of collaborative robots (cobots) is to collaborate with operators in order to enhance versatility, eliminate repetitive tasks, prevent MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) and boost productivity. However, to realize their full potential, these cobots need efficient tools. To meet this challenge, this company is launching a range of gripping tools, with the CVGC series of carbon vacuum grippers (photo) being the first product series to be launched. The CVGC carbon vacuum gripper is not just an adaptation of an existing product, but a plug-and-play product designed 100% for various cobot models. Its design features seamlessly integrate with cobots to take advantage of their greatest strengths: lightweight (<1 kg for the smallest model) thanks to a carbon-fiber construction; quick assembly and disassembly, without special tools, to promote the cobot’s versatility; operator protection via a flexible peripheral foam; compactness, with a function block housing the vacuum generator, control cartridge, vacuum switch and silencer; versatility, with a foam gripping interface suitable for a range of workpieces and available in three dimensions. — Coval Vacuum Technology, Inc., Raleigh, N.C.

www.coval-inc.com

Romaco Group

A semi-automatic case packer for serialized cartons

The Promatic PAK 130 case packer downstream of the Promatic PTT (photo) provides secure aggregation of serialized cartons. These semi-automatic machines in the PAK product family are thus in conformity with the rigorous standards for the manufacture of tamper-evident pharmaceutical packaging. On the Promatic PAK 130, both the grouping, aggregation and stacking steps and the insertion of the cartons into the cases are fully automated. The only manual steps with the semi-automatic machines are case erection and placement into the hopper by the operator. The filled cases are generally removed by hand. The Promatic PAK 130 currently achieves a maximum output of up to five cases per minute. A system for closing the carton flap with adhesive tape can be installed as an option. The case packer has a compact, ergonomic design with a very small footprint and is easy to clean and quick to retool. — Romaco Group, Karlsruhe, Germany

www.romaco.com