Pack Expo 2004: Innovations deliver packaging advances

Chicago, IL— Focusing on packaging and converting machinery, materials, packages and containers, and components, this year’s Pack Expo International 2004 , Nov. 7-11, at McCormick Place, is expected to draw approximately 50,000 attendees to more than 1,600 companies exhibiting in more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space. Meanwhile, the co-located Food Processing Machinery Expo features more than 350 exhibitors in more than 100,000 square feet of space. New events at Pack Expo 2004 include:

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) pavilion, which includes technologies for upgrading conventional packaging lines into RFID-enabled lines capable of applying multi-pack, case and pallet tags online, as well as advances in tag presence verification, writing tags, and validating tag data.

Showcase of Packaging Innovations, which features packages from a selection of leading packaging organizations.

Packaging Security Resource Center, which focuses on protecting packaging operations against of bio-terrorism, counterfeiting and product adulteration.

Confectionery pavilion, which features the latest developments in processing and packaging technology, and is offered jointly by the Food Processing Machinery Association and the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute.

Food Safety & Sanitation pavilion, which helps food and beverage manufacturers keep abreast of the latest developments in food safety and sanitation.

Solutions scintillate Thousands of innovations from hundreds of manufacturers are highlighting Pack Expo 2004. Some if the most significant, touching on both the packaging and control and automation realms, include:

Ametek Test & Calibration Instruments uses load cells or handheld digital force gauges for precision load measurement with accuracies of www.ametek.com Booth N-4670

Bosch Rexroth Corp. reports its GenNext technology is the result of decades of innovation in motion for packaging machinery. GenNext connects multiple control and motion products from various disciplines to make packaging machines faster, more productive. and safer. www.boschrexroth-us.com Booth N-4629

Cognex is demonstrating its In-Sight 5000 series vision sensors and ID readers, which meet IEC specification for shock and vibration, and achieve an IP67 (NEMA 6) rating for dust and wash-down protection, without the need for a separate industrial enclosure. www.cognex.com Booth N-5708

Legend Line Scan (LS) vision system from DVT Corp. is a new scan camera with a wider range of inspection capabilities. Legend LS features a 2K linear sensor yielding images up to 18,000 lines per second for applications, including unwrapping cylindrical objects for label in-spection, and scanning an object for a high-resolution image. www.dvtsensors.com Booth E-7061

Elau is highlighting the first commercialized machines to use its latest PacDrive automation systems, which include extensive software libraries and development tools, controllers from 4 to 99 axes, HMI panels, and servos. www.elau.com Booth E-7523

LR Mate 200iB/5WP six-axis robot from Fanuc Robotics has a slimmer arm than previous versions, further enhancing its reach and minimizing interference. Brakes on all axes pro-vide enhanced motion control. The wrist moment capability has increased 33%, and maximum al-lowable payload has increased 67% (from 3kg to 5kg). www.fanucrobotics.com Booth N-4645

Festo ’s Clean Design valve terminal (CDVI) uses PP for the housing, stainless steel screws, and chemical-resistant PVC for seals on its multi-pin connector. CDVI is available as 5/2-way, 5/2-way double pilot, and 5/3-way valves, and as a 2 x 3/2-way valve. CDVI also features an integrated fieldbus connection. www.festo.com/us Booth N-5031

ifm efector is introducing its new fiber-optic controller designed for multiple sensing point applications in packaging machinery. The controller reduces excessive wiring for multiple fiber applications with a single cable. The LCD operator interface is used to program fibers with the controller’s pushbutton programming and user menu. The controller also performs and/or logic functions used in error proofing and inspection. www.ifmefector.com Booth N-4740

The six-axis EPL100 expert-palletizing robot from Motoman with NX100 controller offers multiple robot control capability of up to four robots and 36 axes, as well as integrated cell control. www.motoman.com S-1495

Pepperl+Fuchs reports its ML7 series subminiature photoelectric sensors have a pushbutton for rapid, one-touch setup, and are housed a compact 31x11x23 mm (1.2×0.4×0.9 in.) profile. ML7 also has two lens position options for side sensing and end sensing, as well as cross talk immunity. www.am.pepperl-fuchs.com Booth S-2840

Wago -I/O-IPC 758 Series integrates all standard PC functions, including network and fieldbus interfaces, into one unit, which enables decentralized control, sub-networking with popular fieldbuses, as well as recording, analyzing and data measurement. All components of Wago-I/O-System use Cage Clamp spring pressure connection technology. www.wago.com Booth N-5742

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com

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