Launched at the show was Marden Edwards' new back seal overwrapper, the TB85, which Marden Edwards says has features that will enable it to produce an excellent wrap on a range of carton sizes, including a fully adjustable lateral seal position that ensures seals are placed precisely where required.
Capable of handling cartons as small as 45x40x15mm up to a maximum of 300x200x85mm, the TB85 can operate at speeds of up to 60 cartons/min and is designed for applications requiring a top quality wrap such as cosmetics, toiletries and confectionery packaging.
Marden Edwards T: +44 (0)1202 861200 www.meinfo.co.uk
From case to pallet
Manufacturer and supplier of packaging and processing equipment for the food industry Hertfordshire-based D2 Food Systems introduced the Robypack, a new monobloc combined case erector, robot loader and palletiser.
The system reportedly offers a cost-effective, compact and flexible means of packing and palletising a wide range of products.
D2 Food Systems T: +44 (0)1582 622111 E: sales@d2foodsystems.com
Compact "all-in-one" inkjet coder
Sauven Marking launched what it claims is the market's first compact, "all-in-one" 70mm inkjet printer for box coding.
The Codajet 7000's printhead, control unit and ink supply are all integrated into a "shoebox-sized" single unit (dimensions are 297x210x150mm}.
Designed for coding onto cardboard boxes in industrial environments, Sauven says it believes the Codajet 7000 is the first 70mm printer to have its control unit and ink supply integrated into the print unit itself. No external communication cables or external ink tubing are required.
Control is via a single PCB, while ink is fed from a closed system positioned next to the printhead, reducing ink tubing and contributing to enhanced reliability. The unit can be fully operated and programmed from the print unit or from a remote computer and used as a standalone system, integrated in a network or in a master-slave set-up.
Standard software features include barcoding, logos, different text fonts, counters, date and time function, interactive choice of print message, and variable data on demand. There is a choice of 16 text heights and 10 separate font styles, over 30 lines of text, and a maximum print speed of 36m/min at 180dpi.
Sauven Marking T: +44 (0)1932 355191 E: info@sauvenmarking.co.uk
Rapid case packer
An automated case-packing system said to offer "previously unseen speeds" was the central focus on the Quin Systems stand.
Drawing on its extensive control and automation expertise Quin "analysed the production line inside out" and identified a significant bottleneck at the case packaging stage where, it claims, "slow manual intervention was the only way of packing multi-layer boxes".
The Quin Casepacker is based on the company's RTheta product handling technology, "specifically developed to provide exceptional levels of performance even in the most demanding applications while avoiding the costs and complexity associated with robot-based solutions".
Key claimed benefits include "exceptionally smooth" motion, a small footprint, and sophisticated remote diagnostic facilities.
Capable of 100 cycles/min (typically 70 cycles/min with a 2kg load), the casepacker is scaleable to match the range of movements required for individual applications.
Quin Systems T: +44 (0)118 977 1077 www.quin.co.uk
Easiweigh unveils crate de-stacking system
GSH Group member Easiweigh unveiled a crate de-stacking system for use with returnable plastic crates (RPCs).
Its fully automatic operation takes pre-stacked crates and delivers them to the packaging line at the touch of a button. The crates are returned to packaging companies on a palletiser in the same way they arrive at the supermarket, except that they are now empty.
The de-stacking system sits at the front end of the production line and unstacks the crates from the palletiser in preparation for the lining stage.
Designed to accommodate 60x40 RPCs, the system can either de-stack one-by-one or on a timer in tandem with other equipment, and can be used in standalone configuration or integrated with GSH's modular lining, filling and palletising systems or other packaging production lines.
GSH group md Neil Andrews says: "The new de-stacking equipment is a simple, innovative design that will solve a common problem, increasing production line efficiencies and reducing the need for manual operation. It offers users rapid return on investment."
GSH T:+44 (0)1733 202088 E: gsh@btconnect.com
New bagging and sealing machines
Supreme Plastics launched a series of "versatile" bagging and sealing machines designed for medium volume producers seeking a low-cost alternative to form/fill/seal equipment for packing products quickly and efficiently.
The company will distribute the Pronova 500 range in the UK for Swedish manufacturer Pronova AB.
Supreme says the machines provide enhancements to Pronova's original Joker packaging concept, with an improved design that builds in even convenience. The system works with a continuous chain of pre-formed bags, specially designed in a variety of styles to work with the equipment.
The chain is fitted with channels, allowing the bags to run along two fixed guide rods which, with no moving parts, support and open each bag at the point of filling. Before the bags leave the machine they are heatsealed to close.
The Pronova 500 machines feature new aluminium profiles for the machine stand, with the cables and cords inside neatly hidden inside. Each will work with accessories to create an integrated semi-or fully automated packing line.
Available options include loaders and conveyors for heavy products, product compression, top gusseting and thermal transfer printing. The full range extends from compact models primarily suited to manual loading of lightweight products to more robust units for automated in-line, high output operations.
Supreme Plastics T: +44 (0)1947 604161 E: info@supremeplastics.com
"High spec" entry level labeller
An entry-level label applicator, reportedly boasting features "only found on models costing twice as much" ideally suited to the food and beverage industries, was given its first public airing by Advanced Labelling Systems (ALS).
The compact ALS104 can handle labels up to 110mm wide and dispense at up to 25m/min. Its clear, descriptive display can be rotated by 360º for the optimum viewing angle or relocated away from the main labelling components, depending on whether the unit is labelling on the top, to the side or underneath a conveyor.
ALS says the robust aluminium construction lends itself to harsh environments and, as the casing's outer ribs act as a heat-sink, there is no need for ventilation holes, meaning the entire system can be "easily and inexpensively" upgraded to IP65 specification.
Incorporated as standard is an Automatic Product Speed Following (APSF) feature whereby, taking the input from a rotary encoder, the ALS 104 will adapt its dispensing speed instantaneously to match that of conveyor or web. This ensures labels are correctly positioned with the same high accuracy even during speed changes and on undulating lines.
Advanced Labelling Systems T: +44 (0)1844 213177 E: phil.donaldson@als-eu.com
JPEG caption: Marden Edwards' TB85 overwrapper can handle a wide range of carton sizes
Colour print pic: D2 Food Systems' Robypack is a combined case erector, robot loader and palletiser
Versatile counter from APS
Automated Packaging Systems' new automatic counting system, the AccuCount 200, is suitable for a wide range of items, including automotive parts, hardware and DIY, electrical objects, plumbing parts, hobby, craft and cosmetics items and disposable healthcare products.
It can count up to 2,500 packages/hour, with a bulk supply of product driven to a single-flow automatically counted and batched to a preset quantity. Pre-set quantity settings can be saved and recalled at any time.
Orientation channels funnel the product to a single flow for enhanced control of parts as they fall through the electronic detection eye. Once this registers the required number an overcount discharge funnel redirects parts into an isolated bin, preventing overcounting.
To further improve accuracy and productivity, a part profiling analysis assigns a value to each part. Any below this value in weight or size is identified as scrap and not counted.
Automated Packaging Systems T: +44 (0)1684 891400 E: nick.long@autobag.co.uk
