PACK EXPO 2021 round-up: A return to in-person conferences
Bartelt, a ProMach company, showcased its IM Series Horizontal Form/Fill/Seal Poucher. This intermittently driven pouching machine features a single leading-edge bag clamp design that maximizes the pouch opening for filling. Recent updates have eliminated springs in favor of magnets in the design. This machine offers capabilities for a versatile range of pouch size and styles.
Brenton, a ProMach company, debuted its new RT1000 Top-Load RSC Robotic Case Packer that brings a higher level of efficiency to established consumer and commercial packaged goods providers. The modular case packer system brings several attractive features to customers who are looking to add automation to more efficiently manage their packing needs and sustain their business growth. The RT1000 accommodates a wider range of products, and the ability to quickly program them into the system on the fly without outside assistance via a simplified HMI.
Buhler highlighted the new manufacturing capabilities for edible dessert cups, designed to eliminate waste for select applications, now available in a variety of sizes. Buhler representatives also discussed details of its new BuhlerVision, its remote, hands-free maintenance support system powered by the latest web-based smart glass technology and augmented reality software. The system connects operators with Buhler experts remotely, reducing travel time and costs, and providing a solution to help minimize downtime.
Colborne Foodbotics discussed work with Yeaman Machine Technologies packaging systems. Yeaman Machine Technologies provides automated cartoners, pre-made pouch fill and seal machines, case packers, and other custom packaging solutions. The machines are built with simplicity at the root of the design, including easy changeovers and maintenance. The machines are also ruggedly built for continuous operation in harsh environments. The partnership between Colborne Foodbotics and Yeaman Machine Technology now brings customers complete systems, from processing through packaging and to the dock for shipping and receiving. Machines are available in a variety of lengths for a customized fit.
The Cold Pressure Council (CPC), a PMMI council, discussed its ongoing work to lead, facilitate, and promote industry standardization, user education, and consumer awareness of high-pressure processing (HPP). The Cold Pressure Council also promotes networking among professionals using this processing technology. CPC offers use of the High Pressure Certified mark for eligible products. CPC leadership, including Jeff Williams, chairman of CPC and CEO of Universal Pure CEO, as well as Sam Mudgal, global product developer and Lisa Wessels, CMO, both of JBTAvure, highlighted key areas of advancing HPP development, including plant-based analogues, pet foods, and more. CPC also highlighted new industry technologies, such as the FlexiBulk system from JBT-Avure, which allows for simultaneous processing of individually packaged and bulk products, including, cans and reusable bags, bottles, and cartons.
CRB discussed its ongoing work as a provider of engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions for snack and bakery facilities, including its end-to-end design and construction ONEsolution delivery. Company representatives noted currently attractive project dynamics include facilitating schedule optimization, creating an appealing work environment through facility amenities, and improved abilities to evaluate total cost of ownership for facility features.
Doran Scales highlighted its FC6300 SS Formula Control Scale with included formula control software. The scale provides real-time data for real-time control to help lower ingredient costs, eliminate bad batches, find efficiencies, and more. Its ionSuite software saves scaled formulas as digital records. The software lets operators have total control at every step of the production process, from formulation through packaging and traceability.
Dorner discussed aspects related to its newly redesigned AquaPruf series of conveyors. AquaPruf conveyors replace a conventional gearmotor with a new iDrive2 motorized roller option. The iDrive2 is a gearless, oil-free technology roller that provides a food-safe compact footprint. AquaPruf curve conveyors provide a tight turning radius with improved chain strength, powering three curves with one gearmotor. A new spiral-cam threadless belt tensioning and tracking system enhances conveyor control, streamlining operation while minimizing downtime. A new tail-height adjustment mechanism provides easy access to modify operation and aid in product transfers. Redesigned AquaPruf conveyors improve upon cleaning times with the new quick-removal side mount gearmotor package, which allows the side mounted gearmotor to be removed in less than a minute for cleaning inside the conveyor. All AquaPruf conveyors feature tool-less disassembly, with complete disassembly in less than three minutes for cleaning.
Evanesce unveiled its new sustainable packaging technology. Addressing the growing plastic pandemic, scientists and experts at Evanesce have engineered a patented technology that produces cost-competitive, 100 percent plant-based, and 100 percent compostable sustainable packaging. Its booth featured its patented Evanesce Molded Starch technology along with its high-quality line of PLA (Polylactic Acid) compostable products, including straws, hot and cold cups and lids, plates, bowls, cutlery, gloves, and resealable bags.
FANUC America exhibited a wide range of automation solutions for picking, packing, fulfillment, and palletizing. These included its CRX Collaborative Robot (“cobot”), which demonstrated case palletizing; its high-speed SCARA robots; its DR-3iB/8L Food Grade Delta Robot, which picked randomly oriented pieces of chicken from a continuous infeed conveyor; and its high-speed tote picking with iRVision 3DV/400 sensor, which can be used as a fixed or robot mounted 3D vision camera. FANUC also exhibited its M-410iC/110 Palletizing/Depalletizing with HMI robot.
Harpak-ULMA discussed its augmented reality (AR) solution for visually guided training, maintenance, operations, and more, developed in partnership with PTC. The company noted AR is making it possible to quickly train or provide expert guidance to today’s snack and bakery workforce, providing the information they need at the right time and with the correct context. Through its AR solution, Harpak-ULMA can aid with predictive maintenance, guide customers through the correct series of processes to get a machine back up and running, perform a product line changeover, or be alerted to a performance issue to improve throughput. Harpak-ULMA see the AR value proposition as delivering significant productivity gains—up to 60 percent—in human labor improvements, depending on the specific application.
JBTAvure showcased its patent-pending FlexiBulk machine, which can high pressure pasteurize (HPP) both individually packaged products and food and beverage bulk products simultaneously, allowing for filling HPP’d product in multiple container options, including cans and reusable bags, bottles, and carton. Its fill speed is up to 55 gallons per minute. The increased capacity is due to improved packing density (90 percent for liquid bulk fills), resulting in better throughput. Its ability to use multiple eco-friendly containers reduces plastic waste in the environment, and the HPP reusable bags can be recycled.
JLS Automation highlighted features of Peregrine, its next-generation robotic cartooning system. The vision-guided, high-speed system easily loads flexible bags, flow packs, and other primary packages into tri-seal and other types of cartons. In addition, the flexible system minimizes changeovers while meeting production needs for small batches. It also has a supremely compact footprint. The Peregrine is ideal for several markets, including snack and bakery.
KUKA discussed several new automation and robotic solutions, including the KUKA Robotics CUBE Palletizing Cell, and its KUKA.Sim 4.0, a major enhancement of its modular digital simulation software package. This latest version facilitates accurate planning, programming, safety configuration and more through digital twins of the automation processes. KUKA also showed two new robots: the KR 3 Delta hygienic robot and its new KR 6 SCARA robot, a light and fast 4-axis robot.
Mettler Toledo Product Inspection demonstrated a variety of inspection systems for food processing at PACK EXPO, including two x-ray inspection solutions, a Gravity Flow metal detector, a V31 oriented line vision inspection system, and a C35 AdvancedLine checkweigher. The metal detector can remove all types of metal contaminants from bulk, free-flowing produt. The checkweigher is rated to IP69 and proven resistant to most caustic detergents and high-pressure cleaning. In addition, a new load cell, FlashCell, was demonstrated on a C35 checkweigher. Systems with FlashCell are now able to process products more quickly and reduce product giveaway through greater weighing precision.
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Fresh-Lock, by Presto Products Co., showcased its expanded portfolio of closures at PACK EXPO. It unveiled its first compostable closure, and also highlighted the brand’s newest addition to its 8000 series of sustainable closures. The pictured zipper here, Fresh-Lock zipper style 8425, is a small but versatile 10mm closure designed to meet challenges associated with mono-layer recyclable films, ink splitting associated with digital inks, and dry, flowable product applications. It works seamlessly with vertical form/fill/seal processes and is ideal for granular and powdered goods, snacks, pet, and lawn care products in small- to medium-sized pouches, and it is 100 percent recyclable as a component in a PE recyclable package. The enhanced, easy crushing locks require less heat for sealing, which helps protect recyclable films from distorting while allowing for faster converting cycles.
Regal Beloit Corp. introduced its Time Saving axial groove (TSAG) in the inner ring bore on its Sealmaster Unitized Spherical Roller Bearing (USRB), allowing users to easily remove it and permitting the ability to reuse the shafting with minimal cleanup. Other developments included enhancements of its industrial powertrain, as well as the launch of its new Power Transmission (PT) app for iOS devices. The company also announced its Tag-It program for asset management, part of its IoT offering. The Tag-It program creates a path for continuous facility improvement by enabling faster maintenance and simplifying the maintenance process. Users can also use Perceptiv diagnostic services for remote monitoring, to increase equipment reliability and maximize production.
Schubert North America presented its lightline Cartonpacker to the public for the first time in America. Company leadership discussed Schubert’s recent growth, especially in the U.S. and Europe, driven by the preconfigured lightline series, among other factors. The company reported that development of sustainable packaging solutions and a strong focus on consulting are aiding growth. Schubert notes its North American business had $82 million in North American sales in 2020. Hartmut Siegel, managing director, Schubert North America, also said the company is expanding its investment in the North American market through acquisition of land adjacent to its existing offices in Charlotte, NC, with the intent to construct a new facility for final assembly of Schubert machines for the North American market.
SideDrive Conveyor debuted and discussed its new hygienic spiral conveyor, featuring edge-driven belt technology from Intralox. Conveyors can be configured in curves, spirals, with turns, multiple inclines and declines, or straight without any transfers. The company’s drumless/cageless spiral conveyor designs enable easy access for cleaning. Other sanitary design features include a stainless steel frame with smooth welds that allow debris and water to wash away and sloped surfaces to prevent standing water and eliminate bacteria contamination. Its modular belting, drives, rods, and sprockets made with USDA-compliant plastic stand up to high-pressure washdown environments.
Signode showcased some of its new automation solutions for packaging, including enhanced StorFast AS/RS capabilities, which feature a full range of robot-based depalletizing, palletizing, and material handling solutions. Signode also showed its new PackPoint automated packaging line with robot integration and its stainless steel general purpose strapping machines for the food industry.
SOMIC America demonstrated its newest version of the SOMIC ReadyPack for retail-ready packaging applications. Available as a tray or wraparound packer, ReadyPack collates, cartons, and closes like other SOMIC mechatronic units, but at a slower rate by design. It provides output of up to 160 products per minute, with a cartoning capacity of up to 18 units per minute as a tray packer, and 12 per minute for a wraparound unit. It has a small footprint of 70 square feet.
Syntegon presented its latest processing and packaging solutions, with a focus on intelligent robotics and automation technologies. The company discussed its newly developed automated pick-and-place platform, Syntegon RPP. Its modular and highly flexible platform automates process steps such as handling, feeding, and loading for a wide range of products. Company representatives noted these features can help compensate for bottlenecks on the line—and personnel shortages. Syntegon also showcased its Sigpack TTMD topload cartoner with integrated Delta robots, as well as the flexible Kliklok ACE carton former, where users can choose between glue, lock-style, or ultrasonic sealing, shown with sample paper trays that can replace the plastic trays commonly used for cookies.
tna showcased its new robag series at PACK EXPO, including the tna robag 3e, which features ergonomic improvements. Featuring a new CXE integrated display controller, smart diagnostic tools and intuitive time-saving components, the system is capable of delivering up to 250 bags per minute with wastage as low as 0.1 percent, alongside enhanced serviceability. tna also introduced its 3D virtual factory, which can show a 3D image of a plant by using Google Earth, and then allows customers to see where their plant equipment would ideally be placed.
VDG (Van der Graaf) walked booth visitors through the benefits of its streamlined VDG Drum Motor, which has all drive components enclosed inside the drum for a safe, efficient, and space optimized belt conveyor drive solution. Company representatives related that operators can reduce energy expenses by 30 percent per drive, and that all components of the VDG Drum Motor are designed for 80,000 hours of continuous operation before maintenance, minimizing downtime, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing production. Its IronGrip feature extends belt and system life by eliminating lagging delamination. This design transfers load forces more efficiently than standard rubber lagging. VDG noted the all-316 stainless steel SSV Sanitary Series drum motor features an IP69K sealing system for up to 3,000 psi washdown pressure—and cuts washdown time by 50 percent, reducing water consumption and minimizing downtime. VDG also discussed its whitepaper, “Advancements in Drum Motor Technology for Belt Conveyors,” which provides background for its motor design, including specifications, industries served, market opportunities, and design benefits.
Westrock exhibited its BoxSizer packaging, which can be used for frozen meals and soon frozen appetizers, as well as fresh baked goods, and its EnShield Natural Kraft paperboard. The paperboard serves up food in a way that appeals to consumers, by resisting grease and oil stains by providing the same protection as poly-coating.
Wexxar Bel, a ProMach company, unveiled its new Flex E Pack system, integrated with Shuttleworth’s product delivery technology to demonstrate a fully functional packing cell. The Flex E Pack is a modular engineering solution that provides end users with the flexibility to integrate a case former, product delivery conveyor, work cell, and sealer that best meet their applications—all while reducing labor costs. The company noted this integration with Shuttleworth gives PACK EXPO attendees an example of the possibilities of incorporating different types of product delivery systems into a Flex E Pack solution. The Flex E Pack system used a Wexxar Bel WF20 Fully Automatic Case Former that can form up to 20 cases per minute, along with a BEL 250 Fully Automatic Case Taper.
Wire Belt Company of America discussed its open-mesh stainless steel conveyor belts, such as its Compact-Grid belt, designed to offer superior support for small products. The belt’s 70 percent open surface area makes it easy to clean and offers exceptional flow-through properties for heating, cooling, and coating operations, including glazing and enrobing. Compact-Grid’s no-slip positive drive helps the belt run straight and true even under heavy loads. Wire Belt Company of America also highlighted its Ladder-Track ladder conveyor belt commonly found in bakeries. Its open design provides efficient operation with minimum maintenance while facilitating easy cleaning.
PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 took place September 27–29, 2021, and for many, it was their first return to in-person conferences.
The conference had over 23,000 attendees, 1,500 exhibitors, and more than 740,000 square feet of exhibit space, making it the largest trade show in the U.S. in 2021 as of yet.
“In a word, PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO was a success,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “Exhibitors and attendees alike were energized by the number of people who attended and more importantly the business conducted from the moment we opened the doors on Monday.”
PMMI heads east for the next event in the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, with registration officially open for PACK EXPO East (March 21–23, 2022; Pennsylvania Convention Center). Now in its fifth edition, the three-day event returns to Philadelphia after a record-breaking PACK EXPO East 2020 that featured 7,100-plus attendees and its largest show floor to date.
Check out the above slideshow of booths that SF&WB visited.
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