Richard A. Bahr
President & CEO
MGS Machine Corp.
Most new packaging equipment can improve your line’s Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) compared with that of existing, less modern lines. In almost every case, machine manufacturers have stepped up their offerings in machine diagnostics, rapid/repeatable changeovers, and flexibility. Sure, all manufacturers’ offerings are not the same, but you will find most new equipment to be more efficient than past machines.
Aspect Automation, a manufacturer of automation equipment, and Stäubli North America, a manufacturer of robotics systems, have worked with Wako Laboratory Automation/Kalypsys to build a new environmental toxin screening system for installation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. The system will allow NIH to test millions of compounds quickly, using a variety of cell-based or biochemical assays. Able to run multiple screens simultaneously, the Aspect/Stäubli system can operate continuously (24/7) within a laboratory environment.
A panel of respected professionals from leading consumer packaged goods companies will face the industry press at Pack Expo International 2010 to offer their opinions on the latest developments in packaging.
As companies adapt to just-in-time inventory practices and require the ability to flexibly accommodate different packaging and materials, changeover has become increasing critical. Rapid and repeatable change-over systems support line efficiency and production throughput, as they reduce machine downtime.
The annual MD&M East and EastPack shows will be co-located in New York City from June 7–10 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The show is scheduled to be co-located under one roof with Atlantic Design & Manufacturing, Automation Technology Expo East, EastPack, PLASTEC East, and Green Manufacturing Expo East. At EastPack 2010, participants can find new equipment, technology, and materials to lower costs, reduce waste, and increase efficiencies.
Parker’s Electromechanical Automaton Division (Rohnert Park, CA), has launched a new blog. The blog, hosted at www.parkermotion.com/blog.htm, is authored by product managers, engineers, and other Parker automation-solutions experts and will augment the company’s information resources for customers and distributors.
John Guite, marketing manager, regards the blog as a problem-solving tool. “As we add more useful information, we will include how-to’s and things we've learned over the years in motion control,” Mr. Guite says.
Aspect Automation and Preco Inc. will exhibit at the upcoming ATX East trade show in New York City June 8-10, 2010. Aspect will host Preco in Booth 2905 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Preco will demonstrate its Rotary Converting Platform, which processes web widths from 7 to 13 in. at a maximum speed of 300 feet per minute, and provides precision servo registration on all die cutting stations. The modular design can incorporate rotary die cutting, laminating, continuous laser cutting, and island placement.
During its Technology Showcase held March 31–April 1, Delta Industrial demonstrated new processes for web converting, packaging, and digital print finishing. Delta was joined by partners including 3M, Hewlett Packard, MGS Machine, LasX, International Financial Services, Innovize, Cognex, DMS Inc., and Rotometrics. The two-day, customer-focused open house attracted over 120 visitors from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, and the United Kingdom.
Mnemonics Inc. (Mount Laurel, NJ) has launched AVIA Infinity, a highly flexible and effective tool designed to extend the dimensionality of automated proofreading to multiple-page document inspection. This product offers the highest level of error reduction on high-value documents, coupled with significant time savings that reduce the process from weeks down to hours — particularly in the fields of pharmaceutical, medical devices, and finance.