Latest and Greatest Come to Las Vegas

EXHIBITORS WILL UNVEIL CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES.

Speed and security appear to be two of the main constants in the wide variety of exhibitor introductions scheduled for PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Here is just a sampling of what to expect from this year’s show.

Since the early 1970s barcodes have been one of the most visible security and traceability features packaging has to offer. SATO America of Charlotte, N.C., will provide show attendees a first look at its latest class of speed-enhanced industrial thermal barcode printers. Featuring the SATO Embedded Basic Language (SEMBL), the new GTe printers offer users the flexibility to create and load customized and stand-alone programs into the printer. With SEMBL, the GTe can interface with external devices such as keyboards, barcode scanners, scales, or input/output modules directly, as well as process received data in stand-alone mode, without any connection to an external PC.

Pepperl+Fuchs of Twinsburg, Ohio, will showcase its new DK12-11/124/136 Contrast Sensor, geared toward providing reliable reference mark detection in a compact and rugged metal housing. Featuring a three-color light source, the DK12 is adaptable to the most difficult contrast applications and features highly visible LED’s for visual status diagnostics, remote or potentiometer “teach-in,” a powerful “4-in-1” output and an adjustable M12x1 quick disconnect.

Once seals are in place, Packaging Technologies & Inspection LLC of Tuckahoe, N.Y., offers inspection machinery to detect seal defects and flaws. PTI will showcase its newest Seal-Scan technology for pouches, which effectively eliminates inefficient manual inspections, at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The one-step seal inspection technology is ideal for flat or stand-up pouches made of any type of material, such as foil, plastic, film, paper, printed or non-printed, color or transparent. Testing is entirely non-contact, requires no water or coupling material is non-destructive to the package or product, and requires no sample.

With many packagers running almost 24/7, long changeovers and downtime represent money lost. Exhibitors will be offering a variety of new machinery and components aimed at making every minute of the day as productive as possible. Jacobs Automation , of Loveland, Ohio, will provide a first look at its PackTrak component for packaging motion control. Based on a patented concept, PackTrak independently controls multiple carriages moving on a racetrack-shaped path, offering faster changeovers, increased speeds, increased productivity, reduced maintenance, a smaller footprint and improved sanitation. According to Jacobs, any process that uses circulating lugs, seal heads, pucks, belts, chains etc. can be upgraded to PackTrak technology.

Circle Packaging Machinery Inc . of De Pere, Wis., will feature the V22S Dry/Solid Products pouching machine for speeds up to 500 packages per minute. Drive and control systems by Allen Bradley increase speed and efficiency on this full servo vertical machine. The control system minimizes operator changeover time and is available for many dry/solid product applications.

All-Fill Inc. of Exton, Pa., has taken into consideration that some automated fillers are reaching prices unaffordable for smaller companies and will debut a cost-effective automated filling solution. The Model B-350e, while not as expensive as some comparable auger fillers, combines similar innovative design and versatility for filling powders, granules and liquids, as well as improved PLC controls. The B-350e features a menu-driven control program, an off-the-shelf integral PLC control and operator interface and a three-speed fill motor drive system. Other characteristics include adjustable recycle time, five product memory storage, high performance clutch/brake control with encoder and coast compensation and universal filling accessories.

The new model NEHHLP Low Profile Unscrambler System by New England Machinery , Bradenton, Fla., is designed for user-friendly operation, minimal maintenance and ease of changeover. The unique, low-profile configuration places the container-sorting bowl at floor level, allowing easy access and operator vision. This versatile unscrambler can handle numerous container sizes and shapes at speeds up to 625cpm. The small footprint saves valuable space, and the vertical faceplate allows for fast, simple adjustments, changeover and maintenance.

Palace Packaging Machines Inc. of Downingtown, Pa., will use the show to highlight its latest entry into counting and sorting loose bulk products. Its new pouch/packet/sachet feeder singulates pouches, and accurately counts and inserts them as single or multiple counts into boxes, bags and containers. Suitable for all types of environments and speed requirements, the system can be expanded as needed for a range of potential applications, including condiments, gravy/sauce, drug tablets, sugars, syringes, bolts and nuts, frozen foods, teas, salsa and pasta.

The SK6000-BF6 by SUREKAP, Inc. of Winder, Ga., will make its debut at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The fully automatic, straight-line, six-spindle capper is quiet, offers quick changeover and features a new, non-vibratory, high-speed belt feeder. The system accommodates most 400, 410 and CRC caps from 24mm to 58mm at high speeds. To enhance the convenience of operation, the latest model includes a stainless steel floor-level hopper for product loading. Other key characteristics include a small footprint and dust covers to maintain a clean cap sup.

With an eye on the big-box retailer and club store markets, Lantech of Louisville, Ky., will unveil its new Pallet-Grip load locking system. The patent-pending stretch-wrap containment system improves load containment and reduces the chance for damage on double-stacked loads, winged pallets or those carrying barrels, pails or rolls that lead to severe inboard load conditions. Available as a retrofit or option on new machines, Pallet-Grip attaches a load to the pallet with bottom wraps of film that have been twisted into a cable along the lower six inches of the web. This tightly wound film cable is wrapped with 50 percent higher wrap force as it is secured below the deck of the pallet, while the remaining film web stays above the deck and secures the load.

Lantech will also introduce a new C-300 case erector, using a proprietary design that holds the case square and erect throughout the process. The efficient C-300 will even erect and tape case blanks with unglued seams or irregularities that usually jam other machines.

National Instrument Company of Baltimore, Md., will introduce a viable tool for the unscrambling, cleaning, filling and capping of containers with its new integration system. Single operators input the parameters needed for a particular product size into programmable servomotors and the integrated equipment is ready for production of the fill/finish process. Designed specifically to meet the individual requirements of each customer, NIC equipment is also functionally arranged based around a customer budget.

My PACK EXPO Goes Live at PACK EXPO
Las Vegas

My PACK EXPO, the new Web-based show experience tool developed by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) to support PACK EXPO attendees, will be live and available to all registered attendees during this year's PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

Since its debut in July, more than 6,000 registered PACK EXPO Las Vegas attendees have tapped into the power of My PACK EXPO to personalize their tradeshow experience.

PMMI is expecting 20,000 attendees at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. At past shows, attendees would use the Product Locators to search for product information and supplier locations. This year, the attendees will be able to save their own unique searches and access their own, personalized My PACK EXPO Web site repeatedly throughout the three-day event.

Onsite at the Las Vegas Convention Center, all registered attendees will be able to continue personalizing the show, setting up onsite meetings, searching for new products and networking with other packaging professionals through the more than 50 My PACK EXPO terminals that will be spread throughout the show’s North and Central halls.

“By extending My PACK EXPO and bringing the tool onsite to PACK EXPO Las Vegas, we are continuing to allow our visitors to make the show relevant to them,” notes Chuck Yuska, president of PMMI, the producer of PACK EXPO events. “All of the personalized searches, meetings and networking opportunities that attendees have spent time and effort to create, will be available to them to tap into.”

Since July, more than 19,000 searches for new product information have been performed by registered attendees. From these searches, more than 9,000 one-on-one meetings were set up between attendees and exhibiting companies, making the attendees’ onsite experience as beneficial and value added as possible.

“We are truly impressed with the packaging community’s embrace of the technology,” says Tom Egan, director of marketing for PMMI. “The attendees who use the My PACK EXPO tool are able to enhance their experience and add value to their time onsite.”

In addition to locating suppliers and the products they manufacture, hundreds of attendees leveraged My PACK EXPO to set up one-on-one meetings with other attendees.

“One of the goals of My PACK EXPO is to try and bring packaging professionals together via the network so that they can meet and discuss business issues,” adds Egan. “We’re pleased with the response with so many attendees establishing their own network with other show attendees. My PACK EXPO is truly a first for the packaging industry.”

KIOSKS ARE THE KEY ONSITE

Onsite at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 17 kiosks, each with three computers, will serve as the link between the more than 20,000 attendees and the 1,200-plus exhibiting companies. These kiosks will be able to support product and company searches, map out a route to supplier booths and even set up in-booth meetings.

“The power of the My PACK EXPO tools will continue onsite,” says Yuska. “What will be new is that we take the tool a step further from just a simple directory to a business tool that can serve as an onsite assistant for attendees.”

There will be one main area called the “My PACK EXPO Center,” positioned between the entrance to both the North and Central halls. Show staff and packaging experts will be available at these primary areas to support the onsite needs of the attendees.

“If an attendee isn’t quite sure of what they are looking for, these packaging professionals will be able to guide the attendee to the correct supplier,” says Egan. “And the My PACK EXPO kiosk will bring up the exhibiting companies, map out their location and deliver detailed product information to support their experience at the show.”

For the first time in the show’s history, the kiosks will serve as the primary source of information about the show rather than a large, bulky printed directory.

“At the last show, more than 11,000 directories were not used by show attendees,” reports Yuska. “This was the biggest indication that the Internet and a tool such as My PACK EXPO was the key to future shows. This was one of the primary reasons PMMI introduced My PACK EXPO to the packaging community.”

PMMI is printing an Exhibitor’s Pocket Guide that will include a list of exhibiting companies, their booth locations and a map of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

 

Packaging Hall of Fame Welcomes  3 Industry Veterans

Class of 2005 to be inducted during PACK EXPO Las Vegas.

Toshio Arita

Ray Tucker

Donald Reichert

Three veteran packaging professionals—Toshio Arita, Ray Tucker and Donald Reichert—will be inducted into the 2005 Packaging Hall of Fame during ceremonies to be held at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2005.

Arita is a consultant, educator and Japanese editor for the Packaging Strategies newsletter; Tucker is director of engineering and research for Bush Brothers and Company; and Reichert is the former president of A-B-C Packaging Machine Corporation. Summaries of their contributions can be found online at www.pmmi.org. The three were among 17 nominated for the honor.

“Through their leadership and significant contributions to the industry, the three men being inducted into the Class of 2005 Packaging Hall of Fame are truly deserving of the recognition,” says Ben Miyares, vice president for industry relations for the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute and coordinator of the commission that selected the honorees.

The Class of 2005 Packaging Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at an awards reception at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on Monday, September 26, the opening day of PACK EXPO Las Vegas. The show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, runs through Wednesday, September 28.

Individual tickets for the induction ceremony are available for $50. To purchase tickets contact Anna Kostrzewa, PMMI program coordinator, at 703-516-0649 or anna@pmmi.org. Tickets will also be available on site at the PMMI booth CC-60.

Corporate sponsorships are also available at the $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 levels. Companies purchasing a sponsorship will receive 10 tickets to the reception and awards ceremonies. Net proceeds from the sponsorships will be used for the design and construction of a permanent Packaging Hall of Fame memorial at Michigan State University's School of Packaging. Contact PMMI at 703-243-8555 to lend your support to the Packaging Hall of Fame.