PACK EXPO 2019 review: packaging trends to grow snack and bakery businesses
Benchmark Automation displayed its InFlight FT Loader, a non-contact feeder ideal for high-speed continuous motion loading of products that cannot be backlogged and sticky or fragile products, as well as the Kleenline and Southern product lines.
Bosch Packaging Technology had a focus on sustainable packaging approaches at this year’s PACK EXPO. Primary packaging is mainly concerned with: the use of monomaterials in comparison to conventional films, and using paper packaging as an alternative to plastic. For secondary packaging, the focus is on both reducing packaging material waste and increasing the recyclability of packaging materials. Bosch introduced its SVE 2520 DZ VFFS with a polyolefin film for better sustainability. The material is suitable for a wide range of products and achieves an output of up to 100 Doy Zip bags per minute.
With the Elematic 2001, Bosch also provides a secondary packaging system capable of processing slightly bent or recycled cardboard. Consequently, what machines previously sorted out as rejects can now be used thanks to the larger tolerance range. Bosch demonstrated the machine at the show via virtual reality.
Coesia discussed “Customer Centric Innovation” approach, highlighting how it works with customers to develop packaging lines to specific requirements, providing a single supplier solution across all required areas. At PACK EXPO, nine of its 21 companies were present. The group discussed its FlexLink standardized palletizing cell, which is compact, quick to install and easy to configure. The use of a collaborative robot significantly reduces the footprint by over 50 percent compared to cells with industrial robots. No fence system or cage is needed.
Also, its FlexLink X70X, a clean and efficient conveyor for food production. The new stainless steel conveyor system’s design follows a forward-thinking approach to increase cleanliness, minimizing dirt pockets and maximizing rounded surfaces for better drainage.
Epson discussed its new Moverio Assist remote assistance and inspection solution. Its Moverio smart glasses let customers address difficult repairs and work tasks out in the field in a cost-effective manner. Moverio Assist enables “see-what-I-see” real-time collaboration between remote experts and on-site personnel to accelerate repairs with fewer mistakes, leading to increased productivity, improved customer satisfaction and reduced travel costs. Leveraging the Moverio Assist app and the Si-OLED display technology on the Moverio smart glasses, Moverio Assist allows field technicians to view instructions, photos, PDFs and videos in high quality while communicating with remote company personnel in real-time.
Eriez highlighted its Rare Earth magnetic separators powered by Xtreme RE7, as well as its Xtreme Metal Detector Enhanced Platform. The new and improved Xtreme RE7 magnet circuit has proven to be 13 to 40 percent stronger than other magnets on the market today in head-to-head pull tests. The Xtreme Metal Detector EP has the ability to ignore signals generated by certain products that can cause false positives while still detecting the smallest of metals in challenging products.
Eriez ProGrade tubes, grates and liquid line traps are also available with the Xtreme RE7 Rare Earth tube circuit. The magnetic separators remove weakly magnetic fine ferrous contamination to ensure ultimate product purity and equipment protection. Eriez continues to offer ProGrade products in lower-powered models for customers with less-stringent separation requirements. Eriez designed its ProGrade line of magnetic separators for budget-conscious customers who need quick solutions to difficult processing challenges.
GEA discussed how next-generation thermoform packaging technology can help bakers and other food processors increase productivity and profitability. Thermoformed packaging is relatively inexpensive, yet resilient and highly tamper-resistant, providing a high level of protection for products. And processors must always focus on the efficiency of the production line and how best to optimize throughput in a way that doesn’t compromise on safety or quality. GEA emphasized that the only way to fully understand what advances are needed is to engage with customers and collaborate.
One of the solutions GEA has deployed was designed to motorize unwinding systems for top and bottom films and to synchronize them with the machine’s advancing cycle. In combination with a brand-new web tensioning system, this facilitates controlled unwinding and simplifies and secures the film path.
INFICON showcased its new Contura S600 leak detector, which reliably and cost-effectively tests larger products, products sold for bulk retail, foodservice and large-format Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and flexible packages. Capable of detecting both gross and fine leaks, the system helps food manufacturers extend shelf life, prevent recalls and returns and reduce waste.
Massman Automation Designs introduced its new compact HMT-Mini top-only case sealer. It incorporates an innovative modular construction that allows specific features of the sealer to be changed out, enabling users to meet growing production demands by replacing modules rather than by investing in a new sealer. It top-seals cases using either glue or tape at speeds of up to 1,500 cases per hour. An optional, more-advanced sealer incorporating extended compression can seal at rates of up to 3,000 cases per hour. The fully automatic sealer features heavy-duty construction and speedy changeover to new case sizes. The system’s transparent enclosure offers increased visibility of the operation. The HMT-Mini seals standard cases up to 18 inches long, 16 inches wide and 16 inches deep.
Mettler Toledo talked about its Profile Advantage Metal Detector. It delivers up to 50 percent improved sensitivity to detect smaller metal contaminants when inspecting products that are wet, hot, chilled, cooling or packed in metallized film. Multi Simultaneous Frequency & Product Signal Suppression technology deliver the peak detection sensitivity with zero false triggering. The easy-to-use touchscreen is icon-driven with product clustering and allows single setting operation to drive productivity. Condition Monitoring and automatic balance control combine to deliver a long-term stable operating platform to improve performance and maximize uptime.
Mitsubishi Electric Automation showcased its portfolio of smart packaging solutions combining simplified and scalable control architecture, advanced predictive maintenance capabilities built into their products, engineering efficiency of designing and programming systems, truly integrated robotics for a competitive advantage. As part of these themes, they were previewing their next generation MR-J5 servo with advanced predictive maintenance, and enabled for TSN, as well as their industrial strength cobot with simple programming for ease of use.
ProAmpac showcased their R-1000 recyclable rollstock line, their ProActive Sustainability line, and Signature Surfaces, which can be combined with glossy graphics or a clear window to create an eye-popping display. Signature Surfaces include Paper Touch, Soft Touch, and Registered Matte.
Rockwell Automation discussed how its Independent Cart Technology is the next evolutionary step in product-transfer operations. By removing many of the limitations of traditional fixed-pitch conveyor systems, the technology offers machine, line and plant designers a virtually unlimited number of motion profiles to vastly increase flexibility. Delivering more effective line balancing, faster transfer speeds and the removal of dwell-time bottlenecks, among others, Independent Cart Technology offers agility to quickly adapt infrastructure to changing product and market demands. They system has fewer moving parts than conventional systems resulting in less wear, lowering maintenance costs cutting downtime. All iTRAK and MagneMotion programming is undertaken in a single, integrated programming environment and can be controlled by a single Logix programmable automation controller.
Rockwell Automation developed a series of videos to demonstrate its MagneMotion, Precision Rail System and Precision Locator.
SICK, Inc. is offering a new, comprehensive indoor localization portfolio. With coordinated sensors and analysis tools, large amounts of data can now be evaluated purposefully and fields of action can be displayed in factory processes or logistics. Indoor localization makes it possible to manage complex networks, create transparency and ensure speedy production. Read rates for bar codes or RFID at stationary read locations determine the performance of the system. Assets in a factory can be tracked continuously using localization solutions—known as indoor GPS—and their space-time coordinates can be continuously recorded and stored. Having this data yields complete transparency about all important movements on the shop floor.
At PACK EXPO, Signode featured two technology pairings that underscore its ability to seamlessly integrate optimized transit packaging solutions that improve product integrity, enhance packaging efficiency, and increase worker safety. These included the H. BOHL orbital stretch wrapper and Little David Case Sealer SP-304, as well as the Octopus Compact 20 automatic rotary ring stretch wrapper.
SOMIC showcased its ReadyPack for packaging products in open cases, trays, wraparound cases, folding cases and display cases. The ReadyPack prioritizes an attractive return on investment. It features reduced size, simple design and fast availability. SOMIC can preconfigure the machine as both a tray packer and wraparound packer. As a tray packer model, it can be exapanded into a wraparound packer in the future. Depending on the product, ReadyPack has a collating capacity of 160 products per minute. As a tray packer, it will case up to 18 packaging units per minute; the wraparound model delivers 12 units per minute.
Thermo Fisher Scientific discussed its Sentinel 3000 multiscan metal detector and its checkweighers. The new multi-frequency metal detector integrates onto the checkweigher frame to reduce the size of the required footprint, maximizing floor space. The Thermo Scientific Sentinel 3000 multiscan metal detector is the smallest model in the line of Sentinel metal detectors and mounts on the frame of Thermo Scientific VersaWeigh and Versa GP checkweighers. New Versa checkweigher software incorporates the capability to operate the checkweigher and metal detector from one screen, with improved usability and reduced training time. The Sentinel 3000 metal detector features multiscan technology, which allows users to select up to five frequencies from 50 to 1000 kHz and scan through each frequency at a rapid rate. It effectively acts like five metal detectors in one. Multiscan is designed with improved sensitivity to identify contaminants that are up to 30 percent smaller in volume than previous Thermo Scientific technologies. The Sentinel 3000 metal detector is designed for a wide range of food applications, including bread.
The focus this year at Pack Expo underscored tna’s objectives to build and enhance its existing customer relationships and emphasise on our core strength as a single-source solutions provider. This objective was reinforced with the presence on key team members from tna at Pack Expo, including CEO Jonathan Rankin and pertinent members of the North America team. tna’s capabilities in key applications like French fries, potato chips, gummies, and pellets were demonstrated through an immersive interaction experience, leveraging augmented reality technologies, creating visual representation of processes, allowing producers to design optimised and error-free operations, thereby improving productivity and efficiency. The use of AR systems instead of shipping equipment around the world is more sustainable, supporting tna’s efforts in reducing its carbon footprint.
UNIBLOC showcased its sanitary premium lobe pumps, including Mini Pumps for low flow, its Unibloc Gear pump, Compac series, Quick Strip series, and more.
Zip-Pak unveiled new innovations at PACK EXPO 2019. Safety-Lok is a child-resistant, press-to-close zipper, a production-efficient and cost-effective solution to keeping contents fresh, while also protecting children from potentially dangerous products. It has a hermetic seal that maintains package integrity extends shelf life. The tabbed profile provides resistance for younger children, yet it’s proven to provide easy accessibility for older consumers challenged by CR packaging. It is compliant with CFR Title 16 Part, 1700 standards. ValvPak is also available in a child-resistant slider option, featuring a one-step opening from any position.
PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO hit an unprecedented trifecta this year, breaking records for number of exhibitors, total exhibit space and total attendees, according to show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. By the show’s close on Wednesday, Sept. 25, preliminary numbers revealed that more than 2,000 exhibitors covering nearly 900,000 net square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center convened with over 31,000 attendees; an eight percent increase from the 2017 show.
Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the show addressed trending issues such as sustainability, efficiency and product safety, bringing together solutions from 2,000-plus exhibiting companies on the almost sold-out 900,000 net square foot exhibit floor.
PACK EXPO opened with projections that the U.S. packaging machinery market could surpass $11 billion for the first time. Based on the newly released State of the Industry US Packaging Machinery Report Infographic by show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, packaging machinery shipments could reach $11.2 billion.
“Our goal with PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO has always been to provide a first-class trade show experience that meets the needs of the current industry climate,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “As the packaging market grows, so do our shows, providing endless opportunity for exhibitors to present their solutions to attendee challenges. It’s the only place this year to see such a diverse collection of innovations under one roof.”
With 2,000-plus exhibitors convening together with nearly 30,000 attendees across 900,000 net square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the largest PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO to date met industry needs that show no signs of slowing down.
Illustrating findings from PMMI’s State of the Industry U.S. Packaging Machinery Report, the infographic shows the value of domestic shipments of packaging machinery rose 6 percent to $8.7 billion in 2018 – and are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 4 percent through 2024.
The next event in the PACK EXPO portfolio is PACK EXPO East (March 3-5, 2020; Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia). Now in its fourth edition, the three-day event will feature 400 exhibiting companies and span 100,000 net square feet, providing the opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas with 7,000 peers. The location in Philadelphia presents a unique opportunity for the CPG-rich mid-Atlantic, allowing much of the east coast the chance to drive or train in and see the latest in cutting edge technology and insights. Visit packexpoeast.com for information and registration for the upcoming show.
See above for a slideshow wrap-up of snack, baking, and equipment companies that attended this year.
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