Photoelectric sensors reliably detect opaque objects in automated assembly, packaging, printing, and converting industries every day. Clear objects, however, present a challenge, because they neither block nor reflect large amounts of light. Retroreflective sensors can be a good choice to detect objects made of clear materials. When a target object is transparent, such as a…
Smart Vision Sensors from Datasensor
Sunnyvale, CA — Smart vision sensors from Datasensor are the answer to all your machine vision applications. Providing a quick solution for packaging lines, food and beverage industries, automotive and electronics plants, the SVS series combines sophisticated technology with an extremely simple configuration. Unlike other brands, SVS vision sensors don’t require hours of training to…
SKF’s New LLT Profile Rail Guides
New SKF® “LLT” profile rail guides integrate a unique “all-around” sealing system and unprecedented design features to protect against contaminants, increase repeatability, provide smooth-running performance, and promote longer service life requiring minimal maintenance. These guides ideally suit linear motion applications in the material handling, injection molding, packaging, medical device, printing, and woodworking industries, among others.…
Leaping into Global Markets
Exporting offers a huge upside potential, but many small companies still find that many challenges arise when they first stretch beyond national borders. When PCT Engineered Systems redesigned a product and targeted Europe, technical issues, certification and cultural understanding were among the challenges that arose. During its first 20 years, PCT rarely sold outside the…
New Packaging Podcast Supplied by Schneider Electric
Trying to differentiate your packaging machinery? Change the status quo! Schneider Electric is the world’s leader in purpose-built packaging machinery solutions. From the industry’s most innovative motion control solutions from our packaging specialist ELAU to the tried-and-true power protection solutions from Square D, we offer our customers local support and product availability in more than…
Background Evaluation Sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs
TWINSBURG, OH — Pepperl+Fuchs Dura-Vue™ MLV12 Series Photoelectric Sensors are now available in diffuse mode with background evaluation. Dura-Vue background evaluation sensors provide a sensing range from 50 mm to 150 mm, with a 4 mm light spot that enables these sensors to detect even the smallest targets. They are engineered to detect all targets…
Sensor Ensures Proper Package Sealing
When sealing packages, the standard practice is to measure temperature, time output, and air pressure input. But not force (lb-F) output. This practice can be a cause for concern because under or over-pressure during the sealing process can affect the look and function of the packaging. Atlas Vac addressed this issue with its patented Force…
Stainless Steel Resolvers from AMCI
AMCI realizes the need for extreme-duty sensor feedback in harsh industrial environments, and in response, has developed a family of stainless steel resolver transducers. Options include 303 or 304 stainless steel housing and shaft, and a variety of mounting styles. The IP67 rated product line comes standard with either a 1/4″, 3/8”, or 5/8” stainless…
SICK’s W15 Photoelectric Sensors
Minneapolis, MN ‚– SICK announces the launch of its W15 Photoelectric Sensors. These high-performance sensors use SICK‚’s third generation custom ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) chip that incorporates OES3 technology to provide exceptional background suppression at an extended range. OES3 technology enables the W15 to ignore stray background reflections, detect multi-colored/shiny objects without false trips, and…
ICR Plus Linear Rod-style SmartActuator from Tolomatic
HAMEL, MN ‚– The ICR Plus linear rod-style SmartActuator from Tolomatic is a fully programmable integrated actuator for complex industrial motion-control applications requiring 100 percent duty-cycle performance. The ICR Plus integrates a programmable digital drive, servomotor and actuator in a compact all-in-one package to deliver maximum flexibility for low- to medium-force applications. At half the…
Stainless Steel Motors Come Clean
In recent years, sanitary washdown requirements around the world have tightened in the food processing and packaging industry. FR Drake is a leader in developing automatic food-loading machinery in the frankfurter industry. The Waynesboro, Va., company builds loading equipment that prepares individual frankfurters for packaging by lining them up in rows just before they enter…
Solid-State Relays from Eaton Corporation
PITTSBURGH, PA — Eaton Corporation announces the availability of a family of solid-state relays designed for customers who require relays with a high level of reliability, long service life, significantly reduced electromagnetic interference and fast response. Typical uses for solid-state relays include equipment requiring high cycling rates, low acoustical or electrical noise or high vibration…
Designing Packaging Machines for Sustainable, Cradle-to-Cradle Life Cycles
BySandy HoldenMarket Development ManagerGlobal OEM TeamRockwell Automation Darren ElliottGlobal Technical Resource ManagerOEM Business SolutionsRockwell AutomationMilwaukee, Wis. Using advanced automation technologies today will surely help accommodate tomorrow’s packaging designs. As the cost of raw materials, energy, workers compensation, and product liability continue to impact bottom lines, more packaging companies are looking for new ways to practice…
Schneeberger’s P3 Linear Motor Actuator
Schneeberger Inc. announces the P3 linear motor actuator. The P3 is a robust, linear motor stage designed for the automation, packaging, paper converting and semiconductor industries. Features and benefits include: • High speed and acceleration. “up to 5 m/s @ 10g” • Integrated coil / carriage for optimized thermal performance • 2 encoder options allowing…
Plastic Conveyor Chains from iwis
Munich, Germany – At this year‚’s Hannover Fair, Iwis has presented a new range of chains for the beverage and packaging industries. Sold under the Flexon brand label, the newly developed Flat Top chains and Modular Belts can be used for conveying almost all types of piece goods and are particularly well suited for use…
Opto 22 SNAP IO4AB Learning Center
Opto 22, developer and manufacturer of the award-winning SNAP PAC System(tm) family of programmable automation controllers, I/O, and accessories, has announced the release of the SNAP IO4AB Learning Center, a comprehensive system that provides all the hardware, software, and instrumentation required to learn how Opto 22’s intelligent distributed I/O can quickly and easily connect to…
Schober USA Adds VentCut Line to Microperforation Systems
Cincinnati, OH — Schober USA has added the VentCut line of products to their micro-perforation needling and cutting equipment. Specially designed for micro-cutting applications, VentCut enhances ventilation, moisture release and expansion capabilities of agricultural and consumer good packaging as well as technical materials. They are ideal for produce packaging, plastic “floating row covers”, wallpaper, bakery…
PCs and EtherCAT Add Flexibility to Wrapping Machines
The packaging industry increasingly incorporates PC-based control and industrial Ethernet into their equipment. Not to lag behind on a trend, in 2005 engineers at shrink-wrapping machine builder Conflex Inc., Germantown, Wisc., initiated the redesign of each machine in the product line. Conflex uses Beckhoff CX1020 Embedded PCs with TwinCAT, handling all PLC functions and motion…
ifm efector Introduces New 3D Image Sensor
EXTON, PA — ifm efector inc. introduces a new 3D Image Sensor for object evaluation. The compact sensor uses time-of-flight distance measurement to identify the height of any object in the field of view. An integrated 64 x 48 pixel array — in which each pixel represents a time of flight measurement — defines the…
Special-purpose Conveyor Chains from Iwis
Munich, Germany – Chain manufacturer Iwis introduces grip chains with wear- and corrosion-resistant clamping elements. The special-purpose conveyor chains are used for gripping, collecting and transporting thin-walled, large-surface materials, for example in the packaging, food and beverages and electronics industries, in circuit-board production and in metal processing. Sensitive materials, such as packaging foils, thin-walled sheet…
Robot Grips Packages Gently
Bags and pouches can be difficult to grip, especially when the contents create an uneven surface because of their shape, hardness, or frozen condition. Although carbon graphite robot arms powered by dynamic servos can achieve incredible speeds, they also generate enough g-force to knock the bag from the gripper. With more than 40 years of…
ORMEC Systems Corp. Goes International
ORMEC Systems Corp., traditionally a North American supplier of motion controllers, drives and motors for automating the most sophisticated converting, assembly and packaging machinery has branched out across the world. Over the past two years ORMEC has established authorized distributors covering the European countries of France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.…
Rugged IEC Ejector Handles from Elma
Fremont, CA ‚– Elma Electronic Inc has new features to its IEC handles for VME and other applications. The Elma IEC ejector handles now come in a simple one-piece solution. Previous versions had up to 14 pieces and were more complicated to assemble. The new handles are more durable and rugged. With fewer parts, they…
Standard-Knapp’s New Smart Operator Interface
Portland, CT‚â€â€Standard-Knapp introduces the new smart Operator Interface. This graphically-driven interface can be customized to each Standard-Knapp machine, and utilizes color touch-screen technology to offer a new level of intuitive machine control. Through computer-aided fault recovery, it reduces Mean Time to Recover (MTR) and increases efficiency for challenging 24/7 applications in the food and beverage…
SNAP PAC System Helps Reconcile Disparate Control Systems
Increasingly, wood processing producers are investing in higher technology equipment to effectively transport and process wood into woodchips and usable wood fiber for manufacturing pulp and paper products, animal bedding, and other goods. For systems integrators, though, this trend means engineers must reconcile disparate control systems. Wood processing companies increasingly use high technology equipment to…