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| The source for the latest
Packaging news and product information.
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June 18, 2009
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World's
First High-Speed Motion Analysis Microscope
The new KEYENCE VW-6000 Series Motion Analysis Microscope is the world's
first microscope with 24,000 frames/sec. magnified video capture. Its
portability, built-in LCD monitor and light source allow recording in
the laboratory or on the factory floor. The VW-6000 automatically tracks
moving objects in recorded footage to quantify speed, acceleration,
distance, angle, and other measurements. A Time Advance function records
continuously moving targets at fixed intervals. Editing and analysis is
performed directly on the controller.
More
info.
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Recycling on the Rise for Glass
Packaging Industry
Following the release of U.S. EPA data, which showed the glass
recycling rate rose three percent from 2006 (25.3%) to 2007 (28.1%), the
glass industry has set its recycling goals for the future. The Glass
Packaging Institute (GPI) recently announced its goal of using at least
50 percent recycled glass in the manufacture of new glass packaging by
2013. According to the EPA's benefits calculator, the energy savings
from using 50 percent recycled content in glass packaging in the U.S.
would be enough to power more than 45,000 households for an entire year.
"This is certainly a powerful statement by the glass industry about its
intent to work with other stakeholders to improve cradle-to-cradle
recycling," said Rich Crawford, GPI's Board Chairman, and president of
Global Glass Operations for O-I. "Like glass itself, this recycling goal
is good for consumers and families as well as the environment."
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Tetra Pack Video Highlights
"Environmentally Friendly" Recycling Process
As the recyclability of packaging materials becomes more closely
tied to sustainability, some packaging industries are taking great pains
to convince consumers of their material's recyclability. Tetra Pack
recently released a video—made in Brazil with English
subtitles—highlighting a new recycling process involving induction
heating that separates the paper, plastic and aluminum layers of Tetra
Pack packaging. This process is supposed to be environmentally friendly
because it increases the recycling of aluminum that would otherwise be
thrown in the trash. However, in order to separate the layers, the
induction coil must be powered with a high frequency current (requiring
high amounts of energy) and the plastic must be melted away from the
aluminum, releasing methane gas. According to the U.S. EPA, methane is a
potent greenhouse gas and is worse for the environment than carbon
dioxide. Methane emissions can be used as an energy source, as the Tetra
Pack video suggests, but they are also large contributors to global
warming.
The Tetra Pack video can be accessed by clicking here.
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Tips for Combining Automation
Technology with Lean Manufacturing
Bosch Rexroth is offering tips on how to use automation technology
as a tool to help solve lean manufacturing challenges. Developed with
lean manufacturing expert Jamie Flinchbaugh, Rexroth's "Lean
Manufacturing and Automation Technology" puts to rest the myths about
the roles of automation and lean and focuses more on when it makes sense
to consider automation solutions to lean manufacturing problems. "Lean
Manufacturing and Automation Technology" is episode number eight in
Rexroth's lean manufacturing podcast series, available for listening or
free download from the company's website.
Click here.
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Bag Gripper
XENIA, OH: A specialized EOAT is often used to palletize woven
plastic or paper bags containing many products including grain,
chemicals, dog food, minerals and plastic resins. Because a vacuum tool
may not secure these bags well due to air leakage, stainless steel
fingers are used for both strength and their ability to withstand harsh
manufacturing environments. The bags are presented to the robot on a
roller conveyor allowing the custom spaced fingers to lift upwards
between the rollers and secure the bag against the optional top
compressor plate. When in position, the fingers open and the bag is
positioned on the pallet. Most palletizing cells will require in-feed
conveyors, a pallet feed system, safety guarding and a robot properly
sized for reach and payload. Features include aluminum frame
construction to reduce overall weight and add life to your robot;
stainless steel fingers for strength and harsh environments; and
customized finger pitch to match your roller conveyor. --- SaS
Automation
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Palletizer Stacks Products Without Cases for
Reduced Corrugated Consumption
TARPON SPRINGS, FL: Packagers looking to reduce their corrugated
consumption now can automatically palletize small packages, and build
end-aisle display pallets with the Model 72A palletizer from A-B-C. The
palletizer has a custom infeed that orients, collates and feeds the
product to the stainless steel staging table that ensures smooth product
transfer. After the sweep-bar guides the layer to the pallet stack, each
layer is tightened and squared by A-B-C's exclusive four-side squaring
device that ensures a secure, cohesive layer. In the past, these types
of packages were palletized manually, because automatic solutions could
not form the tight pallet loads that are required for pallet stability.
While some robotic palletizers are utilized for palletizing small
packages, the unique challenges of these products made it difficult to
create tightly formed layers and pallets with robotic systems. A-B-C's
palletizing solution allows packagers to benefit from the speed and
efficiency of automatic operation with a traditional palletizer while
providing tight, secure pallet loads for optimal transfer throughout the
distribution system. The combined infeed, staging, and the final
squaring all contribute to successfully creating the tight pack for
these products. --- A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.
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Ultra-Thin Wall Clear Plastic Packaging
Tubes
ST. LOUIS, MO: Cleartec Packaging has recently tooled up on a full
line of ultra-thin wall clear plastic packaging tubes and containers.
Ultra-thin wall tube packaging is recommended for cost-savings in high
volume applications where minimal protection is required. Some
applications include calendars, apparel, wall graphics, candy &
confections, art & craft goods or any other products that require a
package that has a customized look, while remaining low in cost. Various
styles of closures are available that feature standard or hanging
capabilities. Tubes are also available as a Sealed Bottom Clear Plastic
Tube, where a clear bottom is permanently adhered into the tube. These
ultra-thin wall tubes are available in numerous diameters and are
produced to the length you require for your application. --- Cleartec
Packaging
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 RAVAS USA, LLC - iForks, New
Generation Scale Forks for Forklift Trucks
RAVAS, The Mobile Scale Company, introduces iForks, the first
completely wireless scale forks for forklift trucks, reach trucks and
narrow aisle trucks.
 For other free Packaging Equipment
& Supplies product demos, visit www.industrialproductdemos.com.
View product videos for Bagging Equipment, Case Sealers, Labeling
Equipment, Labels, Marking Equipment, and more!
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Copyright 2009
New Equipment Digest Magazine
Penton Media, Inc.
1300 East 9th Street
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 216-696-7000
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