This lineup of filling machines, bagmakers, casepackers and more are sure to round out any line in need of a solid piece of machinery.

Heat and Control’s Ishida Atlas-222 bagmaker now comes with durable ceramic anvil knives. Developed for machine tools and parts requiring high resistance to abrasion, high temperatures and corrosion, these knives are made from a proprietary ceramic-metal alloy. They’re also backed by a three-year warranty.
Heat and Control, Inc.
Hayward, Calif.
800-227-5980
www.heatandcontrol.com

Hinds-Bock introduces filling machines for heat-sealing horizontal vacuum formers. Models SP-64 and SP-160 are used over form/fill/seal equipment and feature a long-reach positive shutoff spout with an adjustable blowoff element to maintain a clean seal zone and accurate fills. Models 2P-64 and 3P-32 are used over horizontal vacuum formers, positive shutoff spouts and difficult applications such as agitated hoppers, diving spouts, traveling spouts and heated or cooled machines.
Hinds-Bock Corp.
Bothell, Wash.
877-292-5715
www.hinds-bock.com

Charles Ross & Son releases its new line of explosion-proof control panels, designed to be mounted close to the mixer in a hazardous area and wired to a variable frequency drive that is installed outside the mixing room. The operator station includes a digital readout for speed and cycle time in a new interface and more compact design.
Charles Ross & Son Co.
Hauppauge, N.Y.
800-243-7677
www.mixers.com

The Delta-style case packer from BluePrint Automation is newly engineered with automatic changeover, using the company’s signature three- and four-axis Delta robot to case pack snack bags and other flexible packages. The new design mechanically simplifies the system, providing a smaller footprint and a virtually hands-free changeover between different product and case sizes. This case packer also eliminates “fine tuning” that typically takes place after a changeover, providing equipment that bounces back to maximum efficiency after the changeover process is complete. It also eliminates costly change parts, maximizes case utilization and packs small bags at more than 130 beats per minute.
BluePrint Automation, Inc.
Colonial Heights, Va.
804-520-5400
www.blueprintautomation.com

Dematic launches the RapidPick system, a new solution for high-performance split-case order fulfillment. The RapidPick system uses the goods-to-person design-delivering split-case items to an operator in a configuration that allows pick rates of up to 1,000 line items per operator, per hour. Only one SKU is presented to the operator at a time, in the desired sequence. This system is compact and typically uses a 30-65% smaller footprint than other systems. It’s made up of modular mechanized components-replenishment stations, pick stations, racking and the inventory staging buffer module.
Dematic
Grand Rapids, Mich.
877-725-7500
www.dematic.us/rapidpick

Spiroflow Systems expands its line of conveyors to include DYNAflow tubular chain drag conveyors. Material is moved by heavy-duty discs connected by articulated metal links (chains) equipped for heavy-duty applications. The discs can be made from a variety of materials including steel and cast iron, which enables them to operate at temperatures up to 482oF. The chain drag conveyors are also totally enclosed, resulting in dust- and contamination-free handling. They require minimum energy consumption, can handle hot, cold, wet, dry, hygroscopic or temperature-sensitive materials, produce minimal noise and will not separate blends, among other benefits.
Spiroflow Systems, Inc.
Monroe, N.C.
704-291-9595
www.spiroflowsystems.com


*Photo courtesy of Heat and Control, Inc.