Top gear on show

The total machinery market is on track to be worth £3.6 billion by 2015, according to global business information analyst Datamonitor, with packaging and processing equipment making up a significant part of that figure. Much of the best to be had will be at the PPMA Show, the UK’s major processing and packaging machinery exhibition that offers an opportunity to view, evaluate and purchase new kit that will lead to yet better productivity and profitability.

When the PPMA Show heads to Birmingham from 27–29 September, the event will bring with it a revitalised new look, thought-provoking seminars and a host of the most ‘groundbreaking’ machines to have hit the industry in the last year. Co-located with Interplas 2011, visitors can also gain entry to the UK’s leading triennial plastics industry event.

The more than 300 suppliers and service providers will include specialist manufacturer of metal detection products Detectamet (stand C6), showcasing its new ‘2 for 1’ food safe X-ray system for visible plastics in food and drink: the Detectamet Super XD Plastic.

Flexco’s (stand 96) display of belt conveyor fabrication equipment will include recent launches the Novitool Aero Press – an all in one splice press - and the Novitool Pun M mobile finger punch. The company’s experts will be on hand to talk about the latest enhancements to the Aero Press that include the quick valve release and increased bottom platen temperature control, which make the tool user friendly.

Yamato Scale Dataweigh (stand B21) will be showcasing its new multihead weigher, Dataweigh Omega. Aimed at the food, confectionery snack, powder and detergent sectors, it offers improved productivity by operating with greater speed and precision. The system benefits from new high frequency technology, which minimises loadcell vibrations, and a new digital filter for maximum speed.

Barcode label and mobile computer supplier Codeway (stand A27) is exhibiting labelling and auto-id technologies including Nice Label Windows software and Avery Dennison print engines and applicators. The company’s experts will also be able to give specialist advice on automatic identification and data capture technologies, including RFID. Codeway’s labels carry text, graphics and GS1 DataBar, as well as linear barcodes where production dates and serial numbers are required.

As an exclusive for the PPMA Show, Endoline Machinery (stand D30) is launching its complete packaging assembly lines with robotic pick and place systems as part of a partnership with ABB. The robot will form an integral part of the new packaging module and will be built into an Endoline conveyor system that will feed from a high speed case erector into a case sealer. It will be showcased using an ABB IRB1600 robot which is engineered to deliver maximum output from a smaller footprint. Endoline says it has witnessed a 30% increase in exports over a 12-month period, highlighting the rise in the demand for robots in the UK industrial sector.

Spiroflow (stand G16) is exhibiting its new, Cableflow Tubular Drag Conveyors, a ‘high-hygiene, quick-disassembly, easyclean’ Bulk Bag Discharger, and mobile Flexible Screw Conveyor with adjustable height outlet.

B & R Industrial Automation will look at how greater energy efficiency can be achieved through innovative motion control technology. Assessing a range of motion control hardware and software, visitors can find out how the company’s techniques, including motor size optimisation and power regeneration, benefit packaging equipment throughout the manufacturing production line.

As a new feature, the PPMA Show will celebrate young industry professionals in the packaging machinery market. The ‘Ones to Watch’ is open to individuals from across the UK aged under 35 and who have worked in the industry for more than four years. They will be honoured at an exclusive drinks reception and awards ceremony on the first evening of the event.

Back to the tour of the exhibition show floor, Newman Labelling Systems (stand E73) will be promoting machines for the pharmaceutical industry. The range starts with the entry level S100, which runs at speeds of 100 containers/min, while the VAL550 can reach up to 600/min, handling vials, ampoules, syringes, bottles and cartridges. Products are fully compliant with FDA cGMP requirements and can be supplied with validation documentation up to PQ readiness. They are compatible with the leading vision system equipment to accommodate the latest track-and-trace applications.

Domino (stand C11) will introduce its latest i-Tech intelligent Technology products to the UK market. The D620i 60W scribing laser and V220i cassette thermal transfer overprinter will sit by the recently launched A320i continuous inkjet coder, and M-Series print and apply labeller and C-Series outer case coder. Despite housing Domino’s ‘most powerful laser yet’, each component of the modular D620i is compact to be integrated easily on host machines, says the company. Also making its UK debut is the Domino V220i, said to bring a ribbon economy and savings of up to 60%.

Advanced Dynamics (stand E51) will be launching Pack Leader’s PRO Series of ‘affordable’ automated label applicators suitable for the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, home wares and food and drink sectors. The ‘exceptionally accurate and robust’ machines can be bespoke or integrated into a line for labelling a variety of container sizes, cartons and bottle shapes. They can label ‘the full range’ of package configurations, from the base to the top, at speeds of up to 40m/min. For top labelling, the PRO-215 can be moved around production areas and adjustable for any product size or shape. The PRO-225 top and bottom system can automatically label any shaped bottle. There is also the inline PRO-515 wraparound labelling machine and PRO-625 front and back labeller and the compact ELF tabletop versions.

PPMA first timer AutoCoding Systems (stand D17) has software solutions for the automatic setup and control of packaging line devices designed to eliminate the risk of packaging and coding errors. Inkjet printers, labellers, barcode scanners, and checkweighing equipment, irrespective of manufacturer, are set up with product specific data from a central database. The company will also exhibit standard solutions for managing off-line coding, outer case and tray-end label production, and the control of promotional labelling, and print management of stickers, sleeves, and other types of packaging.

Allen Coding Systems (stand A5) will display in the UK for the first time the Diagraph TJ1000 and TJ500 series of thermal inkjet printers and Platinum E Series all-electric labelling system, claimed to use 50% less energy than other pneumatic models. The stand will also feature a ‘low cost’ Icon laser coder, the entry-level 53LTi (intermittent) and 53LTc (continuous) thermal transfer printers, TP4100 multilane printer, and a Super Compact hotfoil coder, which uses digital technology, offers speeds to 800 prints/min.New from liquid filling and capping machine specialist Masterfil (stand E86) is a pharma and cosmetics range of four in-line and rotary models dedicated to consumer goods and over the counter medical products, such as shampoos, syrups, ointments and shower gel, from 10cc up to 1 litre.

To achieve effective CIP up to the exacting standards of multinational customers, a key design objective has been to minimise crevices in the systems. The servo system in semi automatic mode runs at up to 60-120 containers/min. It is capable of filling containers with heavy or difficult liquid such as face creams or thick gels, and it now offers both single and a duplex filling system. The rotary system, with up to 12 fillers and 12 cappers, runs at up to 250 containers/min.

Conveyor Systems (stand D11) will exhibit details of its modular conveyors and show how its bespoke systems work with OEM equipment to provide cost-effective materials handling. CSL’s customised design service can be viewed as CAD drawings or real-time video clips, to assess proposals for throughput and product sortation. Also on display, a space-saving spiral conveyor for packaged items of different shapes and sizes in a continuous flow between different floor levels.

Fortress Technology Europe (stand B76) will highlight its Phantom metal detectors aimed at the food and pharmaceutical industries. It will be the first showing in the UK for the Icon and Stealth detectors, and Contact Dashboard Software. The Icon delivers fast, accurate detection of metal contaminants, and detailed data collection. The ‘extra rugged’ Stealth has a modular design and fewer product parts for greater reliability. These will be joined by the Fortress Vector integrated conveyor system enhanced to meet new supermarket retailer standards. It now features an audible or visual alarm when there have been metal rejects, to help identify potential issues early.

Stemmer Imaging (stand G31) will show multipoint and single point intelligent inspection systems from Teledyne DALSA, and 3D smart cameras from LMI Technologies. The BOA single point inspection systems are robust, fully integrated intelligent vision systems designed for harsh environment factory floor deployment. The compact cameras come in colour and monochrome versions with a choice of resolutions. The BOA IDR version combines 1D barcode, 2D matrix and character reading and verification with pattern recognition in a single unit, for checking barcodes, ‘best before’ dates, lot numbers and logos.

Kawasaki Robotics’ first Delta arm robot for food and pharmaceutical packaging applications will be on show (stand C73). The new Y Series claims to be ‘best in class’ for speed and repeatability. Integrated with a vision system, it will illustrate ultra high-speed pick and place tasks. With a maximum payload of 3kg, it performs the standard industry TAC test of 25/305/25 in only 0.45sec. With a maximum payload of 1kg, the TAC test time reduces to just 0.27sec. An optional fifth axis can enhance placement capabilities within a large work envelope of 1,300mm on horizontal and 500mm on vertical movement.

A new coding technology from Herma (stand C75) integrates a Herma label and an industry standard CO₂ laser to give ‘excellent’ code contrast and quality. The Herma Laser Activated Material (LAM) involves a laser sensitive material embedded into the label at manufacture; no material is burnt away while coding so there is no dust and no need for extraction. Used with the Herma 400 label applicator, the system is said to give superior results and does away with expensive printing consumables.high speed bag palletising and a vacuum gripper that can handle up to five products at once.

Relative to increases in operational costs, says Fanuc Robotics, robots have decreased in price over the past 20 years. Fanuc robots start from around £16,000, and offer one-year returns on investment (ROI). One of its strategic partners Pacepacker Services (stand C70) will show the food grade Fanuc M-3iA pick and place system – an exhibition first for the machine in the UK. Set to increase standards in high speed packing for sectors including fresh produce, dairy and confectionery, the 6-axis 6kg parallel link arm robot is suitable for complex positioning and re-orientation during the pick and place cycle. Another show ‘first’ is Pacepacker’s Blu-Robot, a reconditioned robot palletising system aimed at low production or seasonal manufacturers who cannot justify the cost of a new system.

RA Rodriguez (stand G61) will highlight its ability to address a wide range of needs from the supply of a simple plug-and-play robot or compact drive through to a bespoke, multi-axis and programmable handling system. It is launching a conveyor roller development to the UK market, giving the food and beverage processing and packing sectors a cost effective alternative to stainless steel rollers. Visitors can also see the latest generation Universal Robot, a simple 6-axis robotic arm suitable for smaller UK manufacturers. A new, longer-reach version of this plug-and-play robot is scheduled for launch in mainland Europe later this year.

Yorkshire Packaging Systems (stand A40), a specialist in shrinkwrappers and sleeve wrapping systems for transit packaging, is introducing a biodegradable polyolefin shrink film. It will also unveil its high speed continuous side seal shrinkwrapper designed to work in tandem with biodegradable material. The latest model has an intuitive touchscreen control system, a new pack detection system and servo controlled motors to ensure faster speeds.

The accent is on cost control and sustainability, as Dover Corporation company Markem-Imaje (stand D10) features its latest liquid inkjet and thermal transfer coders. The 9232 inkjet printer is designed to deliver high quality date codes, logos, alphanumeric text, 1D and 2D barcodes and other product and traceability information at speeds of up to 6.6m/sec. An optional ‘ultra-rapid’ print mode is available for extremely high speed applications. Manufactured from 80% recyclable materials, it offers reduced power consumption and new RoHS-compliant Ketone and MEK-free inks. The company will also show its new SmartDate X40 thermal transfer coder suitable for printing large amounts of complex information on flexible packaging films at high speeds.

The peace of mind delivered by accurate, reliable and quality coding is the theme of Linx Printing Technologies (stand E31). Under the slogan ‘Relax! It’s a Linx’, visitors can explore laser and thermal inkjet technologies, and continuous inkjet case coding equipment, including the new Linx CJ400 that, with its Easi-Change Service Module, allows scheduled maintenance to be completed without the need for a trained technician or costly service calls.