PACK EXPO Las Vegas SHOW DAILY—Wednesday, Sept. 29th by PMMIMediaGroup

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

SHOW DAILY PACK TO THE FUTURE P.22 | INNOVATION STAGE P.28

NEWS BRIEF Masks required at the show

In accordance with statewide requirements in Nevada, everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) must wear a mask indoors at PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 and on all public transportation, including show shuttle buses, taxis and monorail. The show’s PACK Ready health and safety commitment also requires all attendees, exhibitors, vendors and staff to complete a self-screening each day prior to entering the venue regardless of vaccination status. SD

Columbus McKinnon acquires Dorner

Dorner Mfg. (Booth C-1455) becomes an operating company of Columbus McKinnon (CM) with its April 2021 acquisition for $485 million. The deal advances CM’s objectives “by providing a new platform in the specialty conveying space while leveraging our combined leadership position to create greater scale as a preeminent provider of intelligent motion solutions for material handling,” says David Wilson, CM president and CEO. Dorner staffing and locations remain unchanged. SD

Certification aids diversity

The Women’s Business Development Center, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), has certified PAXXUS (Booth SL-6256) as a Women’s Business Enterprise. “We are proud to expand the representation of women in the manufacturing industry and delighted to be able to provide our customers with a more diverse supply chain,” says Dhuanne Dodrill, CEO of PAXXUS, a supplier of flexible packaging for the global healthcare market. The certification process confirms the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. SD

It’s a great place to work

Domino Amjet (Booth C-3825) makes the 2021 list of the Best Places to Work in Illinois. This is Domino’s sixth acknowledgement in the Medium Employer category (100-399 U.S. employees) in the state awards program. SD

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Looking forward to 2022

Syntegon PACK EXPO 2021 Show Daily Cover Corner Ad 1.indd 1

Today is the last chance to find solutions in Las Vegas.

e made it. After nearly a year-and-a-half The location in Philadelphia presents a unique apart, the industry came back together opportunity for the CPG-rich mid-Atlantic, allowthis week as a community and networked, ing much of the east coast the chance to drive or started conversations that will lead train in and see cutting-edge technology to future business and found packand insights. Your whole team can ataging and processing solutions. tend, get up to speed on the most recent As we begin the last day of advances and investigate the best soluPACK EXPO Las Vegas and tions to give your company a competitive Healthcare Packaging EXPO, we advantage. have to acknowledge the 1,500EXPO PACK México returns to plus exhibitors and tens of thouMexico City, June 14-17 at Expo Sansands of attendees that made this ta Fe México, with the most extensive the largest packaging and processpackaging and processing event in Latin ing show in the world this year. America showcasing the latest solutions PMMI Vice President Laura Thompson. Looking ahead to 2022, registration is official- in packaging and processing machinery, materials, ly open for PACK EXPO East (March 21-23, 2022; containers and other related goods and services. The Pennsylvania Convention Center). Now in its fifth edi- show will once again offer a comprehensive education, the three-day event returns to Philadelphia after a tion program and networking activities, including the record-breaking PACK EXPO East 2020 that featured long-awaited debut of the Packaging and Processing 7,100-plus attendees and its largest show floor to date. Women’s Leadership Network education session. (Continued on page 4)

4 finalists win TE Awards

Thrive in a fast-changing work world

PPWLN breakfast speakers outline tactics for success.

he Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network (PPWLN) held its 2021 networking breakfast yesterday with a crowd of about 500. The morning started with the introduction of a video, which is designed to raise the profile of the PPWLN and its efforts to support women in the industry, and it will be widely shared through PMMI channels. Keynote Speaker Tracey Noonan, co-founder and CEO of Wicked Good Cupcakes (now owned by Hickory Farms), talked about her experience turning a hobby into a business and growing from a home

(Continued on page 4)

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Canovation (Booth N-9612) won TE Awards in the Food/Beverage and Personal Care/Pharmaceutical categories for its CanReseal® technology.

ttendees at PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO have picked four winners in the Technology Excellence (TE)Awards competition. The awards recognize innovative technology that has not previously been shown at a PACK EXPO or Healthcare Packaging EXPO. Voting opened at 9 a.m. on Monday and closed yesterday afternoon at noon. (Continued on page 4)

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TAKE A JOURNEY

through the evolution of packaging and processing NORTH HALL, Booth N-11030

Intelligence, beyond the mark. What if the software that runs your printers FRXOG UXQ WKH ZKROH OLQH PRUH HI÷ FLHQWO\" Optimize packaging operations, improve performance and achieve compliance.

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Bottle Filling Systems

FILLING

CAPPING

LABELING

T R AY PA C K I N G

V I S I T U S AT

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C-1823

T U R N K E Y C O N TA I N E R F I L L I N G S Y S T E M

Our Other Packaging Solutions 1 . 8 3 3 . 4 PA X I O M

PA X I O M .C O M Bagging • Wrapping • Cartoning • Erecting • Packing • Palletizing

NEWS BRIEF NEWS BRIEF

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 4

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

(Looking forward to 2022 continued from page 1)

Engage Technologies ranks as top workplace

Engage Technologies, the parent company of Squid Ink Manufacturing (Booth C-5000), Eastey (Booth C-5200), American Film & Machinery (AFM) (Booth C-5300) and Cogent Technologies, has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Recognition is based on employee opinions, measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. “We are continually striving to make Engage Technologies a great place to work, and being named a top workplace in Minnesota shows that we are on the right path,” says David Mylrea, CEO of Engage Technologies. SD

Allpax doubles space

Allpax Products, a ProMach product brand (Booth C-3429), moves to a new 86,000-sq.-ft. facility in Covington, Louisiana. Each functional area has room to expand and there’s dedicated space for factory acceptance tests. Two lift cranes traverse the manufacturing hall to move retorts and automated systems quickly, efficiently and safely. Improved manufacturing flow has cut fork truck traffic 70%, saving time and enhancing safety. SD

Spee-Dee turns 40

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery (Booth C-2607), a second-generation family-owned company, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1981 when Jim Navin acquired the Spee-Dee cup filler business from Franklin Electric, the company added auger fillers with a 1989 acquisition. The firm transitioned to servo motors and programmable logic controllers in the 1990s. In the 2000s, it developed checkweighers based on electromagnetic force restoration weighing technology. After purchasing its current 48,000-sq.ft. facility, it expanded its research and engineering department, which led to innovations in high-speed rotary filling, vacuum tooling for dust-free fills and hygienic design standards. Meanwhile, the workforce has grown from four to 95. SD

NCA hosts lounge

The Candy Bar Lounge (Booth SU-7201), sponsored by Syntegon Packaging Technology (Booth C-2800) and hosted by the National Confectioners Association (Booth SU-7201), provides a spot for confectionery industry attendees to network, gain insights and recharge during the show. SD

Marks 2 decades

E-PAK Machinery (Booth C-4629a) is celebrating its 20th year in business. Led by its founders, the privately held company specializes in liquid fillers and related equipment. Brands include Change Parts, Crandall International by Oden Machinery and Oden Machinery. SD

Finally, our flagship PACK EXPO event returns to McCormick Place in Chicago with PACK EXPO International, Oct. 23-26, 2022. It will be the world’s largest packaging trade show in 2022 and a must-attend event for anyone in the packaging and processing sector. I sincerely hope PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO provided you with ac-

tionable business opportunities, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our future events. For more information on the entire PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, visit www.packexpo.com. Laura Thompson Vice President, Trade Shows PMMI SD

(Thrive in a fast-changing work world continued from page 1)

kitchen to a 15 x 9-ft. cupcake shop to a 21,000-sq.-ft. operation shipping cupcakes everywhere and generating $38 million in annual sales. She spoke of the importance of mentoring, saying “Thank you” to co-workers and demonstrating that their work is important. Despite interest from customers, Noonan was hesitant to ship cupcakes because products she ordered from other purveyors tended to arrive smashed, melted or stale. A food show her husband watched sparked the solution: packing cupcakes in mason jars for shipment. “We had an opportunity,” she said. “[The jars] were a differentiator.” She concluded, “Think about the opportunities that come to you. Don’t be afraid to work. It’s worth it. Don’t think you’re too old or not smart enough. You have the ability to do something great. Find something you can do better and solve a problem.” Stephanie Neil, editor in chief of OEM magazine, senior editor of Automation World, then moderated a panel discussion about “The New World of Work” and how to thrive in a fast-changing world where manufacturing is being transformed by digitalization and automation, the push for diversity and gender parity and the need to attract the next generation workforce. Panel members included Noonan and three other executives, Yolanda Malone, vice president of Global RD Foods at PepsiCo; Sharron Gilbert, PPLWN co-chair and president and CEO

Medtronic wins People’s Choice

Keynote Speaker Tracey Noonan stressed the importance of seizing opportunities.

of Septimatech Group (Booth C-4236); and Jan Tharp, PPWLN co-chair and president and CEO at Bumble Bee Seafoods. Sponsors for the event included Emerson (Booth SL-6307), ID Technology (Booth C-3214), Morrison Container Handling Solutions (Booth C-1851), Plexpack (Booth C-2936), Septimatech and SMC (Booth C-5233). Convened by show organizer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby), PPWLN works to recruit, retain and advance women’s careers in packaging and processing through online and in-person events, information-sharing and networking. For more info, visit www.PMMI.org/ppwln. SD (4 Finalists win TE Awards continued from page 1)

he attendees have spoken. The 2021 People’s Choice Award goes to the ClosureFast™ single card-hoop assembly from Medtronic for 60 or 100cm lengths of devices for the treatment of varicose veins. The design improves device protection, offers a 47% smaller footprint and an 80% reduction in weight. Additionally, a switch was made from polyethylene terephthalate to natural high-density polyethylene. The package was chosen from 24 winners in the AmeriStar Package Awards Competition, sponsored by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) (Booth C-1253). SD Jim George, director of Education for IoPP, shows off the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

The winner of the TE Award in the General Packaging category is Simpl-Cut® from P.E. Labellers (Booth C-3122).

Hiperbaric (Booth SL-6271) won a TE Award in the General Processing category for its HPP In-Bulk technology.

Bagging & Wrapping

V I S I T U S AT

BOOTH

C-1823

VERTICAL FORM & SEAL

PREMADE POUCH FILLING

O R I E N TAT E D P R O D U C T S

F LO W W R A P P I N G

H O R I Z O N TA L F O R M & S E A L

PICK & PLACE

Our Other Packaging Solutions 1 . 8 3 3 . 4 PA X I O M

PA X I O M .C O M Weighing • Filling • Capping • Labeling • Cartoning • Erecting • Packing • Palletizing

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

NEWS BRIEF

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Au revior but not good-bye Pat Reynolds retires from Packaging World.

Yamato moves HQ

On the heels of its 100-year anniversary, Yamato (Booth SL5949) is moving to a new 96,500-sq.-ft. building in Grafton, Wisconsin, with dedicated space for demos and factory acceptance tests and room for expansion. SD

CPA expands RFQ tool

CPA, The Association for Contract Packaging and Manufacturing (Booth C-1255), joins forces with the European Contract Packaging Association to expand the capabilities of its free request for quote (RFQ) tool. The tool now helps brand owners locate contract packaging and contract manufacturing services in Europe, as well as in North America. To securely submit an RFQ, complete the form on www.contractpackaging.org/RFQ. SD

JBT buys AutoCoding

With the acquisition of AutoCoding Systems, JBT (Booth C-5244) gains packaging line automation software that integrates inline devices such as coders, scanners, labelers, checkweighers and inspection equipment. Automating setup and control minimizes human intervention and reduces manual inspection and downtime for line configuration. Although usable across JBT FoodTech’s portfolio, the software fits particularly well with JBT’s Proseal tray-sealing business. SD

Open automation tech group

Beckhoff Automation (Booth SL-6149) joins The Open Group and its Open Process Automation™ Forum, an international collaboration of end users, system integrators, suppliers, academia and standards organizations that are working together to develop specifications for using open process automation technology in next-generation process control systems. Open systems ensure that automation meets standards of true heterogeneity and provide intrinsic security, multi-vendor interoperability and an easy pathway for systems migration. SD

Drum motor debuts

The IntelliDrive™ permanent magnet drum motor from VDG (Booth SU-7462) cuts costs with onsite diagnostics, 40% better energy efficiency and greater belt speed selection without loss of torque compared to a conveyor drive with standard induction motor. Patented IronGrip™ lagging increases belt traction 40% and improves belt tracking, lengthening the lifespan of the conveyor belt and overall system. SD

he conclusion of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO marks another ending. After nearly 40 years covering advancements in the packaging of consumer goods, Patrick Reynolds, vice president, editor emeritus at Packaging World (Central Lobby) is retiring. Packaging World is the flagship brand of PMMI Media Group (PMG), a division of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby). Under the tutelage of PMMI Packaging Hall of Fame Editor Arnie Orloski, Reynolds was a founding member of the team who launched Packaging World in January 1994. Reynolds began his packaging journalism career in 1983 with Packaging Digest; 10 years later he joined Summit Publishing for the launch of Packaging World. In 2002, he was promoted to editor in chief of Packaging World. During his 16 years at the helm, he reported on countless developments in packaging equipment, materials and technology. An active participant in the global packaging community, Reynolds was a sought-after speaker and also a member of the International Packaging Press Organisation—a group he values for the friendships he’s made and the travel opportunities it afforded. In 2018 Reynolds became vice president, editor emeritus of Packaging World and in 2020 he was inducted into PMMI’s Packaging & Processing Hall of Fame. “Pat is an exceptional editor and a much-valued colleague,” says Jim Chrzan, PMG’s vice president, Content and Brand Strategy. “He has an insatiable curiosity about packaging and shared his excitement

in a way that appealed to a wide variety of readers over the years. Pat enriched our company with a wealth of industry knowledge and an editorial vision; his daily presence will be missed . . . The good news is that he’ll still be facilitating our annual Patrick Reynolds, vice president, editor emeritus at Packaging World. “PACK EXPO Innovations Report” in the January issue of Packaging World and some occasional special assignments.” Joe Angel, president of PMG and publisher of Packaging World, is happy that Reynolds’ retirement is more of an au revoir than a goodbye. “Having worked with Pat for 37 years, I’ve come to know him as a trusted colleague and friend and will miss our day-to-day interaction. Pat was an integral part of Packaging World’s success when we first launched and then guided us editorially in the following years. His knowledge of the packaging function, his skill and editorial credibility were critical in defining Packaging World as a publication of integrity and value. Pat was a professional who knew how to support and inspire his co-workers with grace and enthusiasm. I wish him much happiness in this next chapter, which fortunately will include a few projects with PMG.” For more info, visit www.PMMIMediaGroup.com. SD

SHOW DAILY 2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas Publisher PMMI Media Group Editorial Director Hallie Forcinio Associate Editors Kari Moosmann and Barbara Rook Production Manager Mary Thorne Art Director Debi Friedmann IT/Production Support Manny Dominguez Photographers Miles Boone and George Burns Advertising Sales Management Joseph Angel, President, PMMI Media Group Wendy Sawtell, Vice President, Sales, PMMI Media Group

IN STOCK AND READY TO PACK The perfect solution for companies who have an immediate need for packaging machinery and to package their products.

Our IN-STOCK equipment program helps our clients meet their deliveries and adapt to a marketplace where packaging equipment is required on demand. We currently have IN-STOCK machinery for Vertical Form Fill and Seal Machines, Multi-head Scales, Pre-made Pouch Machines, Flow Wrappers and Stick Pack Machines. Please contact our packaging experts. We are ready to help you reach that next level of success!

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Featured IN-STOCK Machinery Neptune Rotobagger Pre-Made Pouch Machine

Neptune Ecobagger Pre-Made Pouch Machine

The Neptune RotoBagger Series Machines are designed for automatically opening, filling and sealing pre-made pouches, which can operate on variety of bag styles, including 3 or 4 sealed, pillow, stand up DOY, gusseted, quad sealed, and square bottom bags with zipper or without.

Our new Neptune EcoBagger has speeds up to 20 cycles per minute (1200 per hour). This bagger can do up to 13.7” wide bags. It’s compact, fully servo and easy to use. Optional automatic servo bag width change.

Pack 520 Flow Wrapper

Pack 520 servo flow wrapper is powerful, versatile and a technologically advanced packaging machine for companies looking for a high quality product to optimize their packaging processes with a high level of production performance, up to 120 ppm. Plan IT Packaging Systems also offers fully automated feeding and flow wrapping systems up to 1000ppm.

Multi-Head Weighers 10, 14 and 20 head Multi-Head Weighers are available for quick delivery. It can be integrated to any packaging machinery such as VFFS, HFFS, Pre-made pouch machine, Automatic baggers, Jar line etc.

5 Lane Stick Pack up to 200ppm

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WEIGHING – BAGGING – WRAPPING – CARTONING – CASE PACKING – PALLETIZING Visit booth C-4343 to Learn More About Our Machines

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QUAD SEAL

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 8

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Converting pouches to decks

Trex approves TruRenu pouch for NexTrex recycling program. We’re serving up delicious, affordable lunches daily. Tasty favorites for less, right on the show floor. Where: In the North Hall near PACK to the Future When: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, Daily Sponsored by:

Booth N-26005

C O M P L I M E N TA R Y

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE SCHEDULE View shuttle routes on packexpolasvegas.com, or in the official show app.

ROUTES 1–8 Shuttles run every 15-20 minutes Inbound

Return

Monday, 9/27

7:00 am – 11:00 am

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, 9/28

7:00 am – 11:00 am

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, 9/29

7:00 am – 11:00 am

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

A courtesy drop off will be provided at the South Hall between 7:00 am-11:00 am. All boarding will take place in the North/Central Bus Loading Area.

SPECIAL SERVICE TO THE AIRPORT Direct Service from LVCC North/Central Hall to McCarran Airport Every 30 minutes Monday, 9/27

NO SERVICE

Tuesday, 9/28

12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Wednesday, 9/29

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Official Transportation Sponsor Booth N-26005

For hotel shuttle information or ADA transportation, please call 725-777-5998. Accessible equipment is available during scheduled shuttle hours. Please request ADA service at least 20 minutes in advance of desired pick up time.

he TruRenu stand-up pouch from Glenroy (Booth SU-7925) could spend its next life as part of a deck. Trex, a maker of composite decking, recently qualified the pouch for its NexTrex® Recycling Program, an initiative focused on sourcing, collecting and qualifying polyethylene (PE) film materials for use in its decking materials. One of the largest recyclers of plastic film in North America, Trex reclaims and repurposes more than 850 million lb. of PE waste and reclaimed wood scrap annually through a number of commercial partnerships and community programs. Among its largest sources of recycled plastic material are grocery stores and other retailers who partner with Trex to dispose of shopping bags and PE film used to wrap products and pallets. Earlier this year, Trex introduced the NexTrex package testing and labeling initiative to help brands inform consumers that the packaging can not only be recycled, but upcycled, into Trex decking. To qualify for the certified NexTrex label, product packaging must be made of PE and pass three stages of testing to ensure that it meets the criteria for use in the Trex manufacturing process. Trex tests packaging for free and provides a report assessing three key areas: package/film recyclability; risk/impact of product contamination; and effect/risk of “look-alike” package contamination. To meet the latter criteria, a majority (at least 75%) of competitive (l-r) Steve Nichols, Kate Mankiewicz and Sara Januszewski celebrate the Certification of Acceptance that will turn TruRenu packaging in the marketplace must pouches into Trex decking. be made of PE in order to avoid confusion with non-recyclable material. Once packaging is validated, a Certification of Acceptance is issued and the brand becomes authorized to use the NexTrex Recycled Packaging Label. “Qualifying for the NexTrex program adds both perceived and tangible value to our flexible packaging that our brand partners can . . . pass on to consumers,” says Evan Arnold, vice president of Business Development for Glenroy. “We are confident that this affiliation and certification will drive consumer participation in recycling and have a positive impact on reducing plastic waste—one pouch at a time.” Glenroy’s TruRenu stand-up pouch has passed Stage 1 of the NexTrex testing process, meaning the virgin packaging material has been determined to be made of PE and meets the company’s general recycling standards. Ultimately, however, recyclability through the NexTrex program depends on its “in-use” contents. For instance, one of the first companies to adopt TruRenu packaging was Walex Products, which recently introduced the first-ever store-drop-off recyclable stand-up pouch in its industry. Its pouch houses biodegradable septic tank treatment pods that pose no risk of contamination to the recycled material, qualifying it for the NexTrex label, which is promoted on the product packaging. “Highlighting NexTrex certification on product packaging allows brands to inform consumers about how to easily and responsibly dispose of packaging material, while also promoting their commitment to sustainability,” explains Dave Heglas, senior director of Supply Chain Excellence for Trex. “With the NexTrex label, consumers know exactly where their recycled plastic is headed and that it will one day find new life as a beautiful Trex deck.” For more info, visit www.glenroy.com. SD

Vertical Conveying Simplified

Ryson makes a full line of spiral conveyors that can satisfy most vertical conveying needs. Ryson Spirals need less floor space than conventional conveyors and are faster and more reliable than any elevator or lift. Unit Load Spirals convey cases, totes and packaged goods smoothly on our slat style belts and come in 9 standard slat widths ranging from 6” to 30”. Available in powder coated carbon steel, stainless steel, washdown and freezer versions Mass Flow Spirals handle full and empty bottles, cans and jars in mass up to 2000 units per minute. Available in 4 different slat widths ranging from 6” to 20”. Narrow Trak Spirals are super compact and designed to handle your smaller loads. Our new 6” and 9” wide nesting slats can end-transfer small cartons and packages or side-transfer small bottles and containers in a single file or in mass at speeds in excess of 200 FPM.

High Capacity Spirals are in response to our customers need to go higher and handle more weight. They can handle double the weight capacity of our regular spirals at speeds up to 200 FPM. The new WT Model comes in a slat width of 30” and 36” and can provide an elevation change of up to 35 feet with only one drive. Multiple Entry and Exit Spirals allow loads to enter or exit the High Capacity Spirals at intermediate elevations. New special induction and divert conveyors have individually adjustable conveying surfaces to match the spiral pitch, assuring a smooth and reliable operation. Quality and service come first at Ryson. We are the number one spiral manufacturer in the USA. For application assistance or more information, give us a call or visit www.ryson.com.

RYSON INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Visit us in Booth C-4540

A MEMBER OF APOLLO GROUP

www.ryson.com 3 0 0 N ew s o m e D r i ve • Yo r k t o w n , VA 2 3 6 9 2 • P h o ne : ( 757 ) 8 9 8 - 1530 • F a x : ( 7 57 ) 8 9 8 - 15 8 0

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

OMAC awards first John Kowal scholarships Program honors a champion of automation.

MAC – The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (Booth C-1152) recognized the first recipients of a John A. Kowal Memorial Scholarship yesterday at its General Session held at PACK EXPO Las Vegas. Patrick Wojtera, an Automation Engineering Technology student at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), and Tyler Ebert, an Electrical Engineering student at Ohio University, each received an award of $5,000. With the scholarship, “John’s legacy will live on

through the students who share his quest for knowledge and passion for the industry,” says Stephanie Frisque, Kowal’s widow. Wojtera is majoring in automation and smart systems and involved in many extracurricular and volunteer activities, including student recruitment, co-op information sessions and Institutional Quality Assurance Process, a quality assurance process required of all publicly assisted universities in Ontario. In his co-op job as an automation specialist, he has programed human/machine interfaces and programJohn Kowal

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mable logic controllers for multiple machines. His goal is to work in the automation industry, ideally with conveyors. Ebert is active in two student professional organizations: Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, where he served as pledge class president and professional development chair, and the IEEE Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society. He also has gained considerable hands-on experience in intern and coop positions, including designing and implementing control logic for a milk-powder handling system and creating a functional specification and operator interface for film extrusion die thickness. OMAC established the scholarship program to honor John Kowal, director of Business Development at B&R Industrial Automation (Booth C-4709), who passed away on July 8, 2020, after a long bout with cancer and to encourage and support the growth of careers in automation. Kowal, one of OMAC’s founding members, championed automation for more than two decades. “As one of the most influential figures and vital contributor to the automation and packaging industries, John’s legacy lives on through this scholarship,” says Bryan Griffen, a long-time friend and collaborator and director, Industry Services at PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby). “John was a tremendous contributor to the automation and packaging industries, and in particular to OMAC,” he adds. Applicants for the scholarship must be a third-or fourth-year student majoring in electrical engineering/automation or related areas who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the industry and an interest in packaging automation. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

JOHN A. KOWAL May 28, 1958 - July 8, 2020

Kowal was one of the most influential figures in packaging automation during the past two decades. In the ’90s, he authored a book on personal computer vs. programmable logic control. Joining the servo division in the late 1990s of what is now Bosch Rexroth (Booth C-5214), he evangelized the potential for servo control for the packaging machinery

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 12

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

(l-r) Stephanie Frisque, widow of John Kowal; Bryan Griffen, and OMAC Chairman Ron MacDonald of Nestle; present one of the first John A. Kowal Memorial Scholarships to Tyler Ebert. Patrick Wojtera (lower right), the winner of the second $5,000 scholarship, joined the ceremony virtually.

TAKE A JOURNEY THROUGH THE EVOLUTION OF PACKAGING AND PROCESSING We are going PACK to the Future in the North Hall, Booth N-11030 This curated exhibit includes nearly 30 pieces of historical equipment, materials and photographs spanning 250 years. Jump into the future by attending riveting sessions on advancements in the industry on the PACK to the Future Stage:

g The latest trends in pharmaceutical and cannabis packaging

g Wireless factory automation communication

g Innovative sustainability initiatives g Smart packaging g Artificial intelligence and more!

industry at a time when there was resistance to the new technology. As part of this effort, he was instrumental in propelling the then-sleepy OMAC organization into the packaging community, giving it a sense of purpose and vitality that put it on the map. In 2002, Kowal was tapped to join Elau, a privately held German servo control manufacturer that wanted to take on entrenched competitors in the highly competitive U.S. motion-control market. He spearheaded what was considered to be one of most audacious marketing programs in the field of packaging automation at that time. Elau rapidly grew its presence in the U.S. until 2005 when it was acquired by Schneider Electric (Booth C-5422). Kowal moved on to B&R in 2010 and handled marketing for its global automation business. Throughout this period, he became an increasingly active and influential member of PMMI, serving on its board of directors and various committees including Global Marketing, Strategic Planning, Membership and Business Intelligence. “With his unique way of demystifying controls and automation technology, John taught me a lot about advanced packaging machinery. He’ll be missed,” comments Pat Reynolds, vice president, editor emeritus at Packaging World (Central Lobby). For more info, visit www.omac.org. SD

Guide helps achieve circularity Downloadable recycling guide gives design advice.

global Packaging Design for Recycling Guide, developed by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) (Booth C-1141), ECR (Efficient Consumer Response) Community and Austria’s FH Campus University of Applied Sciences, is available for download. Design for recycling is part of circular product design. Its goals are resource conservation, the longest possible service life, material-identical recycling (closed-loop recycling) or the use of renewable materials. Circular packaging should therefore be designed and manufactured in such a way that it can be reused and/or that the raw materials used can be reused to a large extent as secondary raw materials after the use phase (recycling) and/or consist of renewable raw materials. The Packaging Design for Recycling Guide is a starting point to understand best practice examples. It will be continuously updated and adapted to changes in collection, sorting and recycling technology, as well as to future material developments. For more info, visit www.worldpackaging.org. SD

REPACKAGING THE FUTURE ONE INNOVATION AT A TIME

From engineered fiber-based primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, to automation that optimizes your supply chain, our innovations are reshaping the future of packaging and enabling you to meet your operational goals without compromising productivity.

Thanks to these industry leaders for their support helping to make 2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas better for everyone.

The Exhibitor and PMMI Member Lounges, sponsored by Lenze Americas (Booth C-1602) provide a quiet spot to take a break.

Aisle banners, sponsored by SMC (Booth C-5233), help everyone find their way around the show floor.

Bimba Manufacturing (Booth SL-6153 ) sponsored hotel key cards this year.

Shorten the walk between North/Central and South Halls with a golf cart ride, sponsored by Dorner (Booth C-1455).

Tour the world of award-winning packages at The Showcase of Packaging Innovations® (Booth N-9720), sponosred by WestRock (Booth C-2023).

Lanyards were sponsored by ORBIS (Booth SU-8001), (l-r) Bob Klimko, Samantha Goetz, Ashley Krysik and Lucas Birch.

Rockwell Automation (Booth C-4742) supports next-generation packaging professionals with sponsorship of the Future Innovators - Robotics Showcase (Booth N-9820).

FIRST RECYCLABLE

BARRIER MATERIAL

INTRODUCING

™

PA C K A G I N G E X P E RT S • AT B O O T H # N 9 3 1 4 •

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 16

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THE SHOWCASE OF INSPIRATION See award-winning packaging from around the world—the next great idea for your brand may well be on display!

Partners focus on traceability

Rockwell and Kezzler offer end-to-end Cloud-based solutions.

partnership between Rockwell Automation (Booth C-4742) and Kezzler, a Cloud-based product digitization and traceability platform, helps manufacturers trace products from raw material sources to pointof-sale or beyond using Cloud-based supply chain software. The advanced track-and-trace platform supports easier regulatory compliance and improvements in product quality, safety and sustainability. As a result, it’s particularly well-suited for industries like life sciences, food and beverage and consumer packaged goods that must comply with regulatory requirements. Rockwell’s supply chain capabilities and Kezzler’s traceability technologies help customers connect suppliers, manufacturing, logistics and consumers into one real-time traceability platform. Kezzler’s Cloud-based solution provides integration flexibility and ease of access to existing systems of record that incorporate a wide range of technologies from immutable ledgers (blockchain) to traditional databases.

ABRE—Brazilian Packaging Association AIMCAL—Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators AMEE—Asociación Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje FPA—Flexible Packaging Association FSEA—Foil and Specialty Effects Association IMDA—In-Mold Decorating Association IoPP—Institute of Packaging Professionals PPC—Paperboard Packaging Council ProFood World’s Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards RPA—Reusable Packaging Association The Tube Council WPO—World Packaging Organisation

Visit our sponsor, WestRock in booth C-2023.

“Tying upstream and downstream data together creates true end-to-end traceability, with a single data repository for each product.”

—Christine C. Akselsen

The two companies also can create unique identities that can be used to digitally identify and track products from creation to consumption. For example, Rockwell and Kezzler can provide the data needed for manufacturers to aggregate total environmental footprint per manufactured product. This data can then be used for evidence and improvement or be shared directly with consumers through the product, allowing a brand owner to use sustainability practices as a competitive advantage. The partnership fits well with the recently announced acquisition of Plex Systems. Once that deal closes, Rockwell anticipates integrating the Cloud-native factory floor track-and-trace capabilities of Plex with the end-to-end capabilities of Kezzler, providing supply chain visibility and management capabilities that are both broad in scope and deep in functionality. “Our partnership with Kezzler will provide greater supply chain transparency to enhance safety and quality control measures, ensure regulatory compliance and meet ESG goals with Cloud-based technologies that are easy to implement and easy to use,” says Matt Fordenwalt, vice president and GM of Rockwell’s Systems & Solutions Business. “By combining our technology and expertise with Kezzler’s, we can quickly design and deliver a serialization solution customized to meet specific business requirements with advanced Cloud-native software.” Rockwell and Kezzler have already created traceability solutions for customers like FrieslandCampina, one of the world’s largest dairy companies. By creating unique QR codes on each of its Friso infant formula products, the company now can track its products from farmer to consumer. Consumers also can scan the codes to check authenticity and learn more about the product and its origin. “Together, we can help manufacturers connect all points of a product’s journey, beginning with its inception and ending with its point-of-sale, consumption or even where it’s recycled,” says Kezzler CEO Christine C. Akselsen. “Tying upstream and downstream data together creates true end-to-end traceability, with a single data repository for each product.” Kezzler is joining the Rockwell Automation Digital Partner Program, a centralized resource for best-in-class digital solutions designed to help customers as they guide and simplify digital transformation within their manufacturing operations. For more info, visit www.rockwellautomation.com. SD

Wherever you are and whatever your industry, there’s a PACK EXPO event to provide solutions you need today and the inspiration for tomorrow.

March 21–23, 2022 Philadelphia, USA

June 14–17, 2022 Mexico City, Mex.

Oct. 23–26, 2022 Chicago, USA

packexpoeast.com

expopackmexico.com.mx

packexpointernational.com

June 13–15, 2023 Guadalajara, Mex.

Sept. 11–13, 2023 Las Vegas, USA

expopackguadalajara.com.mx

packexpolasvegas.com

Visit the PMMI Booth in the Central Hall Lobby or the Future Trade Shows Booth in the South Upper Lobby for more information or to reserve your booth today!

Produced by:

Visit packexpo.com

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Association partners support show Groups provide unmatched expertise in many specialities.

he Association Partner Program returns to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO with many familiar faces and some new key organizations. The program connects leading associations dedicated to advancing the packaging and processing industry with PACK EXPO attendees and exhibitors, bringing significant resources, insights and expertise to the most comprehensive packaging event in the world this year. “The PACK EXPO Partner Program connects our attendees to leading associations from all segments of the packaging and processing industry,” says Laura Thompson, vice president of Trade Shows, at PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby), the organizer of the PACK EXPO family of shows. “With more than 30 partners this year, making it our largest partner program to date, the breadth

and depth of industry knowledge brought by these partners is unrivaled and is an invaluable resource to attendees and exhibitors participating in the show.” This support is a sign of the industry’s excitement to reunite with the more than 1,500 exhibitors that are spread across four expansive halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

INTERNATIONAL PAVILIONS

• Adepta (France) (Booth SU-7846) • Confederation of Danish Industry (Denmark) (Booth SU-7716) • Expotim International Fair Organizations (Turkey) (Booth SU-8220) • Italian Trade Agency (Italy) (Booth SU-8159)

Students show off robot creations Rockwell support gives students the PACK EXPO experience.

t the Future Innovators – Robotics Showcase (Booth N-9820), FIRST robotics teams from Las Vegas area high schools demonstrate the robots they have designed and built. Forming part of the new, interactive PACK to the Future Exhibit (Booth N-11030) in the North Hall, demonstrations take place daily at the event sponsored exclusively by Rockwell Automation (Booth C-4742).

For more info, visit www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www.HCPElasvegas.com. SD

2021 ASSOCIATION PARTNERS Adhesive and Sealant Council (Booth C-1243)

Flexible Packaging Association (Booth C-1341)

AIM North America (Booth C-1247)

Foil & Specialty Effects Association (Booth C-1344)

AIMCAL – Association of International Metallizers, Coaters, and Laminators (Booth C-1347) AIPIA, the Smart Packaging Association Australian Institute of Packaging Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association CANAINCA Cold Pressure Council (Booth C-1354) Composite Can & Tube Institute (Booth C-1351) CPA, The Association for Contract Packaging and Manufacturing (Booth C-1255)

Foundation for Supply Chain Solutions (Booth C-1252) Independent Bakers Association (Booth C-1248) In-Mold Decorating Association (Booth C-1346) Institute of Packaging Professionals (Booth C-1253) Instituto Argentino del Envase (Booth C-1146) International Dairy Foods Association (Booth C-1352) International Society of Beverage Technologists (Booth C1251) Koelnmesse

National Confectioners Association (Booth SU-7201) OMAC – The Organization for Machine Automation & Control (Booth C-1152) OPC Foundation (Booth C-1149) Paperboard Packaging Council PLCopen (Booth C-1150) Processing & Packaging Machinery Association Reusable Packaging Association (Booth SU-8201) SNAC International (Booth C-1349) Start Up CPG The Tube Council World Packaging Organisation (Booth C-1141)

Show attendees have a chance to meet students and discuss their robot creations.

This year more than 50 students, aged 14 to 18, are participating. Students not only have the opportunity to display their robotic creations, but also tour the show floor to learn about the breadth and innovation within processing and packaging. “We are excited to be the exclusive sponsor of the Future Innovators - Robotics Showcase and to continue our contributions to the PMMI Foundation this year,” says Steve Deitzer, vice president Consumer Products Industry, Rockwell Automation. “To be able to contribute to and support the development of future generations for this essential industry has always been the driving force behind our sponsorships during the PACK EXPO shows. . . . we look forward to continue supporting the industry for years to come.” In addition to its exclusive sponsorship of the Future Innovators - Robotics Showcase, Rockwell Automation also made a $10,000 direct donation to the PMMI Foundation (Central Lobby), earmarked for additional support for the participating teams. Each team receives grant money as well as travel assistance and food and beverage during their visit to the show. For more info, visit www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www.rockwellautomation.com. SD

Save Compressed Air in Pneumatic Systems Reducing Your Energy Costs and Overall CO2 Emissions Compressed air is one of the top energy costs in many plants due to excess consumption and large leaks. In a typical facility, up to 30% of the generated compressed air can be wasted from leakage within a pneumatic application. Emerson’s AF2 Smart Flow Sensor continuously monitors the flow of air to detect leaks and optimize air consumption in near real-time so you can achieve lower energy costs, reduce CO2 footprint and improve the overall energy efficiency and sustainability of your facility. Visit booth SL-6307 to learn more about Compressed Air Leak Detection and Consumption Optimization in Pneumatic Systems www.Emerson.com/Packaging

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 20

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Recyclable mailers serve eCommerce

Consumers feel good about packaging that goes in their cubside recycling bin.

Time to rethink end of line palletizing Introducing our new palletizer, combining productivity, flexibility, and simplicity. 1. The RI20 control system focuses on usability and intuitiveness. The operator is in full control of the palletizer – for straightforward, easy installation and configuration.

o meet growing demand for more sustainable shipping envelopes, Georgia-Pacific, parent company of Georgia-Pacific Corrugated (Booth N-9708), has expanded production of its curbside-recyclable paper padded mailers. New locations in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, and McDonough, Georgia, expand availability of the mailers in the Northeast and Southeast. Georgia-Pacific also is adding a third production line at its first mailer manufacturing site, which opened in 2020 near Phoenix, Arizona. Georgia-Pacific’s expertise in paper making and paper-based packaging and support from its research and development team, have contributed to the company’s success in its first manufacturing location and served as drivers in the expansion plans.

2. A non-bolted installation allows for mobility, meeting the growing demand for flexibility in production. 3. Thanks to an advanced safety system and two pallet positions, the operator can exchange a full pallet without stopping the palletizing process. Setting the new standard for end-of-line robotics. Email us at info.us@ȋexlink.com or visit us at ȋexlink.com to find out more about the RI20.

Visit FlexLink at

Booth #4400

All-paper-fiber padded mailer is curbside recyclable and appeals to consumers seeking “greener” eCommerce packaging options.

“The response to the functionality and recyclability has been very favorable from key customers like Amazon and from consumers,” says Adam Ganz, vice president–Commercial Development at Georgia-Pacific, who leads the mailer business. “We are eager to expand the availability of this more sustainable alternative to non-recyclable, dual-material mailers. This investment demonstrates our commitment to increasing sustainable solutions for the rapidly growing eCommerce segment.” For more info, visit www.gppackaging.com. SD

Filling & Sealing Automation

End-of-Line Packaging Automation

Complete Automation Solutions

BOOTH: C-5222

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

PACK to the Future debuts

New show feature takes a look forward and back.

he look forward comes on the PACK to the Future Stage (Booth N-9830). Daily sessions focus on future advancements such as sustainable solutions, smart packaging, artificial intelligence, digital heat-sealing and wireless automation communication. The nearby PACK to the Future Exhibit (Booth N-11030) takes a look back, exploring how packaging developed as civilizations and trade evolved and how industrial and scientific revolutions led to rapid innovations and mass production. Nearly 30 historic packaging machines dating from the 1890s to the 1990s are on display, surrounded by imagery supplied by consumer packaged goods companies, museums and packaging equipment companies, including one-of-akind displays, packages, photographs and videos. Highlights of the PACK to the Future Exhibit include: • Roby the Robot, the first dedicated packaging robot invented by Gerhard Schubert, courtesy of Schubert Group, parent company of Schubert North America (Booth SU-7651). Roby was introduced to the market in 1981 and used to package pralines and chocolates. • Omron (Booth SU-7537) has played a role in the evolution of the programmable logic controller (PLC), an increasingly vital component in packaging machines since Modicon introduced the first PLC in 1968. • One of the first liquid filling machines, dating from the early 1900s, courtesy of Septimatech Group (Booth C-4236). • An early cartoning machine built in 1922 by R.A Jones (Booth C-4400) to package crayons. • One of the first automated glue labelers for the pharmaceutical industry manufactured by NJM, a ProMach product brand (Booth C-3514, SL6501) and sold to Abbott Labs in 1937. • An historic auger filler from All-Fill (Booth C-2203). • An early checkweigher/x-ray inspection combo from Anritsu Product Inspection (Booth SL-6319). • Early examples of the digital revolution in packaging machinery, including a carton former from Kliklok-Woodman, now Syntegon Packaging Technology (Booth C-2800), and an Ishida multihead weigher from Heat and Control (Booth C-1623). This area of the show floor also features the Showcase of Packaging Innovations® (Booth N-9720), sponsored by WestRock (Booth C-2023), and the Future Innovators–Robotics Showcase (Booth N-9820).

The session schedule for the PACK to the Future Stage is outlined below. Other educational opportunities on the show floor include: the long-running Innovation Stage (Booth C-2051, C-2058, C-2151) program, including the first Processing Innovation Stage (Booth N-24020) sessions (see schedule, p. 28). Updated schedules may be found on the show website or via the PACK EXPO Las Vegas/Healthcare Packaging EXPO App. For more info, visit www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www:HCPElasvegas.com. SD

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 NEXT GENERATION INDUSTRIAL LIDAR SENSING TECHNOLOGIES COMING TO PACKAGING

10:30–11:00 AM

The packaging industry has used photo sensors and camera technology for years, but there are many applications where the technology doesn’t work well due to insufficient area coverage, measurement accuracy or lighting. Next generation LiDAR technologies, derived from self-driving cars, are now available to the industrial market. This will allow more applications to be solved with simple LiDAR sensors, which can cover a large area and work in any environment. Tony Rigoni Dir, Industrial Mkt Development & Alliances Quanergy

SEEING THROUGH WALLS: HARNESSING AR FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

11:30–12:00 PM

Augmented reality (AR) was once a Hollywood fantasy. Now, it’s enabling industrial operators to peer inside machines and diagnose issues from a safe distance. Discover how one innovative machine builder uses AR to cut maintenance time by up to 50% and maintenance costs by up to 20%. Chanakya Gupta EcoStruxure Mktg Mgr John Partin Packaging Segment Business Development Mgr Schneider Electric SD

OMAC presents remote access guide Seven action steps ensure successful and secure implementation.

90-page guide, published by OMAC-The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (Booth C-1152), defines best practices for secure remote access to plant equipment. Based on the work of a group convened in September 2020, the free, vendor-neutral guide discusses technologies, barriers and risk reduction. With input from 37 leaders from the automation ecosystem—manufacturing companies, original equipment manufacturers, system integrators and automation vendors—the report balances requirements of end users, plant operators, information technology (IT) departments and hardware/software suppliers.

To expand the guide, OMAC is now hosting a second workgroup that will create an addendum focused solely on cybersecurity and areas of remote access that require protection. “While defensive technologies will evolve and improve over time, this workgroup will review the mechanisms used today for remote access and identify areas for improvements,” says Spencer Cramer, OMAC board member and CEO of ei3, a specialist in secure manufacturing connectivity and meeting facilitator. The new workgroup plans to focus on methods for connecting remotely and configurations that provide protection from cyberattacks.

The methods include: • Direct VPN • Converged network • Cell modem access • Black Box • External managed secure network • Technician access. The workgroup also will discuss how to help those in operational technology have more meaningful discussions with IT and security teams. The addendum is scheduled to be published in January 2022. For more info, visit www.omac.org. SD

WHERE CPG COMPANIES STAND CURRENT USAGE

29.4%

evaluating

23.5%

21.6%Las Vegas 2021 PACK EXPO

implementing

SHOW DAILY

piloting

MAIN DRIVERS DOWNTIME can be financially CATASTROPHIC.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

PREVENTION of an entire batch LOSS.

Predictive maintenance: A necessity

CPG fiPACKAGING rms adopt technology to prevent downtime, product loss. MACHINERY DOWNTIME

COMPARED TOmore OTHER OF toMACHINERY which aims solve the age-old problem of costly redictive maintenance has become than TYPES a catchword for the packaging and processing plant downtime, which can incur millions of dollars industry. It’s grown to an impactful necessity of lost output. New business models are needed to ensure that for consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, according to the Packaging and Predictive Maintenance predictive maintenance delivers on its promise of white paper produced by PMMI, The Association optimizing equipment performance for CPG comoriginal equipment manufacfor Packaging andlikely Processing slightly to fail Technologies (Cen- panies, while ensuringextremely likely to fail moderately likely fail turersto(OEMs) get the revenue they need to stay in tral Lobby). Of all the possible digitalization initiatives, in- business. The most promising candidate for this, as cluding Big Data analytics, cobots, digital twins and highlighted in the report and white paper, is MaEXTREMELY LIKELY SUFFER DOWNTIME as a Service (MaaS), which involves pricing others, predictive maintenance is the most likely toTO chines be of interest for CPG firms. As the newly released based on performance goals set between an OEM labelling, form, than a and end user (such as the number of cases palletized). infographic, “Predictive Maintenance: More If there is one single problem could hinder Buzzword,” points out, 29.4% of CPG companies decorating, and that coding. fill and seal. are evaluating the technology, 21.6% are piloting it the widespread adoption of an MaaS business model for predictive maintenance, it is the aversion that and 23.5% have already implemented it. Avoiding downtime and preventing product loss many end users have to connecting their machines are the major drivers pushing manufacturers toward to the Cloud and allowing remote access. According to another PMMI white paper, Trends implementing predictive maintenance. Due to the nature of packaging machinery, packaging lines are in Adoption of Remote Access: Moving Forward During 30% more “slightlyHARDWARE likely” to fail than other types of Covid-19, 29% of CPG respondents do not allow equipment. Some types packaging access their integrators. facilities. However, 27% Using of smart sensorsmachinery to collect are useful any dataremote for OEMs and in system more prone to downtime than others. For example, permit certain OEMs or service providers to mainform/fill/seal machinery, labeling, decorating and tain a dedicated connection to specific equipment. BENEFITS As both white papers indicate, cybersecurity is coding equipment are rated as “extremely likely” to Reduced downtime and increased machine lifetime. suffer downtime. the biggest barrier to adopting remote access techPredictive maintenance is being touted now be- nologies and fully taking advantage of predictive cause it is the lowest hanging fruit that can be har- maintenance options. That said, all parties agree that, REVENUE as a middle result of the global pandemic, industry has vested from another much-talked Shifting to MaaSabout pricingconcept models,inoffering ground for end users andthe OEMs. industry—digitalization. Sometimes referred to as shown a willingness to respond to remote access and Industry 4.0, digitalization is quite nebulous as its forging partnerships between suppliers and end usscope is broad and CYBERSECURITY its cost can be challenging to jus- ers would go a long way to overcoming the barriers. validfor concern and maintenance, key barrier to allowing access. Forremote more info, www.PMMI.org. SD tify. This is not theAcase predictive

30.6%

16.3%

22.4%

13.3%

14.3%

IMPLEMENTATION

MOST USEFUL DATA TYPES 36.8% RUN-TIME

28.6% CURRENT/VOLTAGE DRAW

24.7% SPEED

22.1% PRESSURE

23.4% ASSET TEMPERATURE

Successful predictive maintenance programs rely on smart sensors to gather data about machine fucntion including run time, power consumption, speed, pressure and asset temperature. PMMI connects consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, PMMI Media Group and PMMI Business Drivers. Learn more at pmmi.org and packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.

SEE US AT

BOOTH

#SL-6359

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Bakery automates packaging

All-in-one system combines process steps, adds bypass.

ne of the largest family-owned bakeries in the U.S., J. Skinner Baking, produces more than 300 million pastries a year, including popular Danish strip cakes, commonly known as “Danish.” When the bakery needed to automate the packaging of its handmade delicacy, it installed a modular all-in-one system from Schubert North America (Booth SU-7651). It can pack up to 160 Danish/min. J. Skinner Baking employs more than 500 people at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, and other locations in Nebraska and Texas. Its products are distributed at retail and foodservice outlets, as well as through co-packing services throughout North America. One of the bakery’s specialties is laminated dough, which includes the Danish strip cakes (laminating refers to the art of creating a perfect dough by repeated rolling and folding instead of kneading). “Although most of our products are made by hand, we are naturally aware of the enormous importance of new automation technologies in the baked goods sector,” says David Skinner, managing director at J. Skinner Baking. He adds, “These play a major role in the continuous improvement of our high product quality. An important step has therefore been investment in automation technology for our packaging process.” With the Schubert equipment, the company has integrated its final packaging processes on a single packaging line.

A bypass avoids sheet jams in the event of an unforeseen machine stop, increasing the flexibility of the line.

A SCALE FOR ANY APPLICATION Inspection Systems

Tray Filling Solutions

Automatic Weighing Solutions

Gentle Handling Options Booth SL-5949

Always the best way to weigh.

Find your scale at YamatoAmericas.com After quality control, F4 robots insert individual Danish into a clamshell.

21.07.46 Pack Expo Las Vegas Daily Show Ad 4.5x6.25.indd 1

8/5/21 10:45 AM

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

To this end, the Schubert experts developed a customized solution that could be installed on the available line without restricting the existing production processes. An integrated bypass enables time- and cost-efficient handling of unplanned machine downtime. Schubert’s all-in-one packaging solution combines several process steps. First, the removal of freshly baked products from the baking sheets in the so-called “depanner” via the subsequent feed to the picker line, where the cakes are picked from the belt and placed into clamshell packaging. From the picker line, feed belts pass the clamshells directly into two identical case packers for loading into shippers.

ALL-INCLUSIVE LINE

The modular system consists of four packaging machines. The baked Danish feed directly from the oven to the Schubert line. Each baking sheet carries four coffee cakes. An F2 robot brings the baking sheets into the system and places them on a stepping chain for transport to the transfer area. There, the Danish are removed from the sheets by an NC unit and placed on the outfeed conveyor by another F2 robot. A third F2 robot transports empty sheets to an existing washer. After removal from the baking sheets, the cakes are decorated and fed to the Schubert picker line via a spiral cooler. There, a spreading unit separates the cakes for individual quality control before F4 robots place each pastry into a clamshell. “This step is not about perfect positioning. In fact, it gives the system a high degree of flexibility and adaptability for future product changes,” explains Julian Conway, sales account manager at Schubert North America. The clamshells containing the Danish are then sealed, labeled and inspected on existing equipment before being packed into cases of various formats by the two Schubert case packers.

PLAYING IT SAFE

A unique add-on is the integrated bypass function for removing the Danish from the baking sheets in the event of an unforeseen machine stop. “We hadn’t even thought of such a bypass function when we first presented our ideas and wishes to Schubert,” Skinner recalls. “But once Schubert made us aware of the benefits of an integrated bypass system, we immediately recognized the added value.” To avoid a traffic jam of sheets in the event of a fault, the bypass allows the sheets to continue to move smoothly through the machine at a higher level. The new Schubert line significantly increases the degree of flexibility while guaranteeing maximum production reliability. For more info, visit www.schubert.group. SD

LINE FACTS AND FIGURES •Compact machine layout •Danish strip cakes packed at 160/min. •97% eﬃciency of the picker line •98% eﬃciency of both case packers •Integrated bypass function

An F2 robot slightly lifts four coffee cakes fresh from the oven and places them on the outfeed conveyor.

The clamshells containing the Danish are loaded by two identical Schubert case packers.

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Showcase presents winning packs

12 groups participate in 2021 edition of popular gathering spot.

he 2021 edition of The Showcase of Packaging Innovations® (Booth N-9720), sponsored by WestRock (Booth C-2023), offers an opportunity to see award-winning innovations from around the world, including the honorees in the Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards, sponsored by ProFood World (Central Lobby). In the AmeriStar section of the The Showcase of Packaging Innovations, the winner of the People’s Choice Award is on display. For this recognition, show attendees voted for their favorite among the winners in this year’s AmeriStar competition, which is organized by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (Booth C-1253). Located in the Containers and Materials Pavilion in the North Hall, The Showcase of Packaging Innovations features award winners from 10 other organizations. “At WestRock, we connect people to products through deep partnerships built to solve customer challenges,” says Patrick Lindner, chief innovation officer and president of Consumer Packaging for Showcase sponsor WestRock.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE 2021 SHOWCASE OF PACKAGING INNOVATIONS ABRE (Brazilian Packaging Association) Asociación Mexicana de Envase y Embalaje Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (Booth C-1347) Flexible Packaging Association (Booth C-1341) Foil and Specialty Eﬀects Association (Booth C-1344) In-Mold Decorating Association (Booth C-1346) Institute of Packaging Professionals (Booth C-1253) Paperboard Packaging Council ProFood World (Central Lobby)

The Digital Application of the Year honored Mars M&M’s NFL package for the Green Bay Packers. As part of a series of packages sent The Digital to stores during the Application of the Year 16-week NFL season, winner combines digital printing and AR technology to provide an the carton featured interactive experience for consumers digitally printed prior and a turnarond time that allowed packs and current game sta- printed with Sunday’s football scores to arrive in stores on Wednesday. tistics as well as the Packers’ record that week within the division. Highlights of the 65th annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards competition, organized by the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) (Booth C-1341), include the Shield Pack® clear, high-barrier aseptic IBC (industrial bulk container) liner from Amcor Flexibles North America (Booth SU-7244, SU-7254), which captured a Gold Award for Technical Innovation. Another noteworthy winner won a Gold Award–Sustainability for an industrial compostable coffee pod lidding and mother bag for Maxwell House Coffee Canada. For more info, visit www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www.westrock.com, www.placon.com. SD

Reusable Packaging Association (Booth SU-8201) The Tube Council World Packaging Organisation (Booth C-1141) Custom medical package from Placon, a WorldStar winner, protects product sterility and handles easily yet meets all operating room protocols.

One winning package on display is a custom design from Placon (Booth N-9314). It received a WorldStar award in the Medical and Pharmaceutical category from the World Packaging Organisation (Booth C-1141). The sterile sealed inner and outer tray features a Tyvek® lid, which can be peeled back to access a sterile tube. The outer and inner sterile barriers have a unique grip feature on the edges for more secure handling when wearing medical gloves. The sterile tube uses Placon’s non-abrasive BargerGard® polyurethane to create a secure package for medical screw implants and other implant/instrument assemblies.

The tube design allows medical personnel to hold the tube without product contact prior to when the implant is needed during the surgical procedure. Each tube has an open-and-close top that allows access to the screw or device instrument inside. The sterile polyurethane tube prevents puncture or abrasion of the sterile barrier. Also on display are winners of the 77th Annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council. In that contest, WestRock received 18 awards, including Rigid Box of the Year and Digital Application of the Year. The Rigid Box of the Year award honored a carton for Jung & Wulff Luxury Rums. The premium package features a perfectly flat foldover face panel and is designed to highlight and securely display the craft spirits. Winner of Rigid Box of the Year honors, this carton for premium rum is designed to prevent a 12-in. face panel from bowing. It features a pull-out handle, antique map graphics, gold stamping and engraving to highlight the brand’s 1883 origins.

The multilayer Shield Pack structure safeguards contents against moisture, oxygen and environmental contamination, while extending distribution range, reducing transit failures, improving product quality and maintaining product color and vitamin retention.

The Gold Award–Sustainability from FPA recognizes the circular design for coffee pod packaging. Sustainable elements include renewable inputs, a no-separation pod design to ensure easy consumer disposal into the organics collection and compostable lidding film and barrier structure of mother bag.

ASEPTIC FILL FINISH BLISTER PACKAGING BLISTER TOOLING

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Compact, cost effective, low-volume production, requires minimal training and maintenance.

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LABELING LINE INTEGRATION REBUILDS/UPGRADES ROBOTIC PALLETIZING SERIALIZATION

Horizontal cartoner with a small footprint and quick, no-tool changeover. Rugged frame build is ideal for three-shift per day operation. Serpa designed to be user-friendly and low-maintenance.

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WASHING

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Innovation Stage adds processing sessions

ducational opportunities, a central tenet of the PACK EXPO family of shows, take the form of several show-floor programs, including the ever-popular Innovation Stage (Booth C-2051, C-2058, C-2151, N-24020). The multi-track schedule features more than 50, 30-min. sessions focused on breakthrough technologies, best practices and case studies. Nearly one-third of the sessions are devoted to sustainability topics. New this year is the Processing Innovation Stage (Booth N-24020) with about a dozen sessions organized by the editors of ProFood World. Presenters rank as subject matter experts and represent a cross-section of exhibitors such as Beckhoff Automation (Booth SL-6149), Emerson (Booth

SL-6307), Markem-Imaje (Booth C-2232), Mettler-Toledo (Booth C-1814), nVenia, A Duravant Company (Booth C-4425), Siemens Digital Industries US (Booth SL-6356), Specright (Booth SL-7356), Syntegon Packaging Technology (Booth C-2800) and WestRock (Booth C-2023). Session descriptions, times and locations are listed on the following pages. Updated schedules may be found on the show website or via the PACK EXPO Las Vegas/Healthcare Packaging EXPO App. Other educational opportunities on the show floor include the first PACK to the Future Stage (Booth N-9830) (see schedule, p. 22). For more info, visit www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www:HCPElasvegas.com. SD

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 USING QUANTITATIVE LEAK TEST DATA TO ENHANCE CERTAINTY OF SHELF LIFE

10:00–10:30 AM Innovation Stage 1 | C-2051

See how simple it is to leak-test packages (even compostable packages) nondestructively and create quantitative leak-rate data, which can be combined with a simple, fast, comprehensive quantitative gas concentration gas analysis to calculate real shelf-life projections. Bill Burnard Package Integrity Sales & Business Development Mgr, North America INFICON

ENABLING FREEDOM OF DESIGN BY LEVERAGING WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES

10:00–10:30 AM Innovation Stage 2 | C-2058

industry. Gain a perspective on the evolving innovation needs of brands and how they are being fulfilled by coman and co-pack services. See how supply chains and sourcing are morphing to meet new challenges with strategic co-man and co-pack partnerships. Ron Puvak Exec Dir CPA, The Association for Contract Packagers & Manufacturers

THE FUTURE OF SNACK PACKAGING

11:00–11:30 AM Innovation Stage 1 | C-2051

COVID-19 changed the way consumers shop for snacks, including shifts in package size preference and how they buy their snacks. Learn how changing demand has increased the need for further automation at the packaging end of the line and demonstrate how snack manufacturers can double current levels of performance with a single system. Teri Johnson VP, North America TNA North America

Rethinking traditional design methods and constructs for unconstrained concepts that leverage effective machine design is challenging and can involve some risk. Learn how to overcome some of those challenges and mitigate risk with well-tried and proven non-traditional HOW OEMS CAN USE MACHINE technologies like wireless I/O and machine pneumatics. DATA TO ADD SERVICES Nathan Eisel 11:00–11:30 AM National Product Development Mgr Innovation Stage 2 | C-2058 SMC See how data from any machine source is used in conjunction with a rules-based system to provide machine HOW MARKET FORCES ARE monitoring and predictive machine performance RESHAPING THE CONTRACT management for the machine builder/OEM. Adding PACKAGING/MANUFACTURING intelligent maintenance and monitoring to an OEM’s INDUSTRY AND THE BRANDS IT smart machine initiative provides a platform for adSERVES ditional recurring revenue streams or Machine-as-a10:00–10:30 AM Service revenue models. Innovation Stage 3 | C-2151 Ed Garibian Learn how the rapidly evolving contract packaging CEO (co-pack) and manufacturing (co-man) industries. AcLLumin cording to the Contract Packaging Association’s 2021 State of the Industry Report, contract organizations are INNOVATIVE PACKAGING adding value as consumers and market-driven needs in- SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE fluence the packaged goods supply chain. Understand FUTURE how labor trends have accelerated or altered views on 11:00–11:30 AM automation. Discuss how consolidation, acquisition Innovation Stage 3 | C-2151 and internal investments are changing the nature of the Discover the industry’s 2021 trends in flexible pack-

aging. Stay at the forefront of the industry’s changing business landscape and one step ahead of your competition by learning about the technological achievements that will take the lead in our future. Prepare for the challenges facing the industry, which are redefining business, without getting stressed from experiencing unknown and unexpected changes. Dimitris Gkinosatis Group Business Development Dir Flexopack

CURBSIDE-RECYCLABLE MAILER

12:00–12:30 PM Innovation Stage 2 | C-2058

Discuss the current sustainability landscape from the perspective of a diverse set of stakeholders (brands/ retailers, NGOs, government/regulatory and consumers) and learn about a curbside-recyclable mailer. David Brabham Mgr, Sustainability Strategy Adam Ganz VP, Commercial Development Georgia-Pacific Corrugated

PACKAGING AUTOMATION TAKES FLIGHT WITH FLYING MOTION TECHNOLOGY

12:00–12:30 PM Innovation Stage 3 | C-2151

Explore how controls engineers and plant managers can use flying motion technologies to enable Lot-Size-1 production. Learn from real-world examples how these technologies transform packaging machines and lines with adaptive manufacturing concepts that deliver groundbreaking levels of flexibility and throughput in production. Jeff Johnson Mechatronics Product Mgr Beckhoff Automation SD

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C-2800service, we o fully-automated Frompackaging standalone systems, equipment backed to fully-automated by expert after-sales packaging service, systems, we backed by expert Booth after-sales packaging need. are your Stopone by Booth sourceC-2800 for every to packaging see live machine need. Stop runs,by presentations, Booth C-2800 to see live machine runs, presentations, ur experts. We and look demos, forward andtotomeeting talk with inour person! experts. We look forward to meeting in person!

PACK EXPO Sept 27-29, 2021 Las Vegas Booth C-2800

Booth Exhibits: arton former • New: Kliklok ACE topload carton former c pick-and-place with Pack Syntegon 403HERPP wrapper robotic andpick-and-place Kliklok ITC integrated with Pack topload 403HE cartoner wrapper and Kliklok ITC integrated topload cartoner • New: ystem, standalone horizontal Bag-in-box wrapper, packaging and bag system, sealer standalone horizontal wrapper, and bag sealer • Plus: uid, Case Packing, And Pharma, more: Confectionary, and Service info Liquid, stations Case Packing, Pharma, and Service info stations •

syntegon.com/food Formerly Bosch Packaging Technology

Syntegon PACK EXPO 2021 Show Daily Ad 5.indd 1

8/30/2021 11:01:42 AM

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

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PallayPack marks 20th year New machines count gummies, fill or clean/sort containers.

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s it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, PallayPack (Booth SL6719) continues to expand its portfolio of liquid filling and tablet counting equipment. Targeted primarily for life science, beverage and confectionery applications, all of the Canadian company’s machines are constructed of pharma-grade stainless steel and easy to clean and maintain with hygienic design features such as smooth corners and screw-free assembly. A user-friendly operator interface simplifies operation and each machine is ready for remote connection and support. In addition to manufacturing its own machines, PallayPack offers equipment from Rota, Pharma Packaging Systems, Tofflon and OMAG. It also frequently integrates packaging lines and has managed projects for tablet counting, vial packaging, liquid filling, powder filling and freeze drying processing, as well as inline or monobloc configurations into bottles, vials, pouches, syringes and ampules.

NEW MACHINES

Three new machines are characteristic of the company’s offerings. A counter for makers of nutraceutical or candy gummies is designed to expand as sales rise with single, dual or quad stations. A bulk product elevator carefully feeds the unit, which counts accurately even when individual gummy weights vary. Other features include a patent-pending system to eliminate clogs in funnels and a contact part cleaning cart to streamline cleaning. CleanSort 50 and 120 model unscramblers dive into invertFor life science, household chemical ed glass or plastic bottles to clean containers before feeding them downstream. and chemical applications, a fully configurable high-speed machine fills liquids, tablets or powders into bottles or vials and applies droppers, rollerballs or spray caps. Pick-and-place action plugs and caps. The system handles one, two or four containers per index and offers an integrated labeler with vision inspection. Other quality-supporting features include 100% in-process control and servo torque. Gummy filler offers an integrated labeler with vision inspecAir nozzles on CleanSort 50 and tion. Other quality-supporting features include 100% in-process control and servo torque. 120 model unscramblers dive into inverted glass or plastic bottles to clean containers before feeding them downstream. Units are rated at 50 and 120 bottles/min., respectively. Minimal change parts and a quick-change design cut downtime. For more info, visit www.pallaypack.com. SD

XXX MJOFTQFY DPN Filler handles liquids or powders and moves one, two or four containers per index. .

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

BOO VISIT TH US US- AT 834 6

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Machine produces variety packs

THE TIME HAS COME TO TURN THE INDUSTRY UPSIDE DOWN!

Compact, automated system runs 100+ cases/min.

onsumer demand for variety packs continues stronger than ever, but assembling custom variety packs is such a disruptive, labor-intensive process, the task often is outsourced. One brand owner decided automation could solve the problem and asked Aagard (Booth SL-5919) to build a fully automated variety packaging machine capable of producing 4,000 product combinations while meeting speed requirements, flexible changeover rates and a multitude of other specifications. An on-demand approach to case packing with speeds up to 100 cases/min. was needed. The deadline was tight too. With these constraints, current automation wasn’t the right option. Traditional use of robotics and automation would have taken a huge amount of space and costs would have been three to four times greater.

THE SOLUTION

After multiple iterations, the fully automated Myrias™ variety case packing system was born. Not only is the machine designed to fit tight floor space requirements, it’s capable of run rates of 100 cases/ min. and quick changeover. The Myrias variety case packer relies on the iTRAK® system and gantry robots from Rockwell AuSix depalletizing stations configured for man-operated or AGV tomation (Booth C-4742) and is forklift receive full cubes of product in WIP trays. capable of assembling 4,000 configurations. With a single touch of a button on the human/machine interface, flavor mapping changes are automatic. The gantry robots pick the pattern, and the iTRAK® components adjust to accommodate the product’s fit. Six depalletizing stations receive full cubes of product in work-in-process (WIP) trays. The machine loads one to six flavors into stand-up retail-ready display trays or cases with layer card divider sheets. Case count options range from 12 to 96. Material handling is performed by a traditional forklift or automated guided vehicle (AGV). A carefully designed human/machine interface makes the Rockwell’s iTRAK system allows flexible changeovers and dynamic motion changing between indexing and continuous-motion profiles. machine easy to operate, another important requirement for the brand owner. For more info, visit www.aagard.com, www.rockwellautomation.com. SD

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Pie maker focuses on quality

Checkweigher helps maintain standards, maximize yield.

or 97 years, Table Talk Pies has never wavered in its commitment to produce the highest-quality pies. That promise has helped it grow from a two-man bakery to a leading producer of pies with more than 300 employees across three automated facilities. In 2019, Table Talk installed a C33 PlusLine checkweigher from Mettler-Toledo Hi-Speed (Booth C-1814) on a new packaging line. By detecting and rejecting over- and underweight packages, Table Talk maintains its product quality standards and maximizes yield. “When you’re as committed to quality as we are, checkweighing is an absolutely essential step,” says Brian Clough, automation engineer at Table Talk. “The primary purpose is to ensure we always give our customers the amount of pie we state on the box, while also minimizing our product giveaway. Plus, checkweighers can recognize upward and downward trends in weight, which might indicate an incorrect adjustment or equipment failure upstream that needs to be addressed. The bottom line—our C33 checkweigher helps keep things running smoothly. “We’ve relied on Mettler-Toledo product inspection systems for years, so we went directly to them when we needed a new checkweigher,” Clough continues. “They build accurate, low-maintenance workhorses that can keep up with our long hours. The C33 is one of Mettler-Toledo’s latest models and a newer version of our older checkweighers. Our sales rep, Mark Stewart of Flo-Dynamics, recommended this technology, and we’re very happy with it. Not every

The C33 checkweigher at Table Talk Pies detects and rejects over- and underweight packages.

checkweigher can keep up with our 250 pie/min. line speed, but the C33 doesn’t even break a sweat.” Capable of running at speeds up to 300 packages/min., the C33 PlusLine checkweigher inspects products from 7g to 7.5kg in size while maintaining an accuracy of up to +/- 0.05g. Table Talk’s C33 unit inspects 4-in. pies that have been flash frozen for transport and packed in paperboard clamshells. Packages that don’t pass inspection are automatically removed from the line with a pneumatic reject device, also from Mettler-Toledo.

Table Talk Pies’ C33 PlusLine checkweigher helps maintain product quality standards and maximizes yield.

“The C33 is simple to use with an intuitive user interface,” reports Peter Bailey, production lead supervisor at Table Talk. “All our Mettler-Toledo checkweighers have similar software, so our operators can switch between the different machines with no additional training. When we installed our new checkweigher, we were able to download the product settings from one of our older Hi-Speed checkweighers and upload them onto the C33, even though it is a different model.” “It’s also easy to clean and maintain,” adds Michael O’Connell, maintenance manager at Table Talk. “We do a light spray washdown daily and check a few parts like the bearings and belt tension, then we’re good to go.” “Our C33 is equipped with an optional TCP/IP communication capability, so we can connect it to our plant-wide network and send weight data directly to our central personal computer,” says Erica Alfaro, QA supervisor at Table Talk. “We haven’t had the chance to set up this feature yet, but we’re excited about its potential. Monitoring and documenting real-time weight data facilitates our continuous improvement program, since it helps optimize our processes and ensure we’re always putting out a high-quality product.” “All our Mettler-Toledo Hi-Speed checkweighers, including our new C33, operate consistently day in and day out,” Clough concludes. “Even six days a week at 20 hr. a day, it has no problem keeping up with our demanding production schedule. The C33 is a great little system all around. We definitely plan to go to Mettler-Toledo again the next time we need a checkweigher.” For more info, visit www.mt.com/pi. SD

THANK YOU TO OUR

SPONSORS ² 0 §À 0 w 0 ª ׂ ᑹ ِ ׂ ᒁ LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Please join us in thanking our sponsors for their support of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021.

*As of August 02, 2021

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Live EXPO PACK México returns

In the meantime, Enlace EXPO PACK ties industry together.

lans are proceeding for an in-person EXPO PACK México ( June 14–17, 2022, Expo Santa Fe, Mexico City). It follows a highly successful virtual substitute in 2021, Enlace EXPO PACK ( June 8–9, 2021), the year’s most comprehensive online event for packaging and processing in Latin America. Produced by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby) and presented in Spanish, the two-day online experience brought together more than 120 exhibitors, including 22 PMMI members, 7,500+ attendees and 25 diverse educational sessions, while allowing attendees to quickly and easily search the online Exhibitor Directory for product presentations, images, videos and marketing collateral on-demand. “Our goal with Enlace EXPO PACK was to provide a resource for Latin America and ensure that the industry remains connected until we can get back to in-person events in Mexico City next June,” says Laura Thompson, PMMI vice president, Trade Shows. “The lively engagement during the Enlace EXPO PACK Innovation Stage sessions and thousands of exhibitor showroom visits exceeded our expectations.” During the two-day live education program, sessions were viewed nearly 3,700 times. Content remains available for on-demand viewing through Dec. 9, 2021. The event kicked off with the Mundo de Expertos panel of brand owners from Natura, Nestlé and Unilever discussing new opportunities and innovations in sustainability. Next, Jorge Zúñiga, research analyst for Euromonitor International, presented consumers’ post-pandemic vision regarding sustainability. Finally, leaders from Algramo and TriCiclos shared experiences with the Circular Economy and the refill process becoming more widespread in the Latin American market. The Innovation Stage, an EXPO PACK favorite, featured 21 half-hour, exhibitor-led sessions on technology innovations and breakthroughs. Each session included interactive live chats where viewers could interact with speakers and each other. The most popular sessions covered augmented reality, traceability, sustainability and process improvements. Exhibitor Showrooms featured 200 on-demand product presentations in 11 product categories, including 95 product introductions. More than 25 companies participated in the EXPO PACK Verde program, showcasing sustainable solutions such as biodegradable packaging, new reduction processes, recyclable and biodegradable materials and technology to reduce carbon footprint. Another highlight, the Showcase of Packaging Innovations, sponsored by Domino Printing Mexico and KHS México, presented award-winning packaging innovations. For more info, visit www.enlaceexpopack.com.mx. SD

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Tomato sauces, like grandma makes WALDNER makes cooking and packaging processes possible.

elicious tomato sauces from Tomamore sell from refrigerated cases in southern Germany. Processing and packaging equipment from Hermann WALDNER, parent company of WALDNER North America (Booth C-1513) put the product on store shelves. Tomamore is a startup making inroads into the hotly contested ready meals market, scoring with fresh ingredients and organic quality. Walter Stauß, MD of the Ravensburg, Germany-based company, relies on the processing of fresh goods and an industrial process, which comes very close to the way “Grandma prepared it in Sicily.”

Inspired by a holiday in Sicily and the demand for ready meals, Stauß left his job at Mondelez and established a processing facility to produce Tomamore organic vegan tomato sauce. It’s sold in southern Germany from the refrigerated case.

PROCESSING AND PACKAGING

The initial contact by Tomamore to Hermann WALDNER came through an inquiry about packaging with a Dosomat. However, it quickly became clear that WALDNER Process Systems might also be considered for the challenging production of the sauces. After many discussions, both divisions of WALDNER were awarded the order. Christian Heinzelmann, Packaging Technology/Design at WALDNER Dosomat reported, “We were awarded the order due to the fact that we maintain control of the specially shaped containers from the filling line through to the end-of-line packaging process, thereby ensuring a secure and efficient process workflow. Our proximity to the factory for support, service and good straightforward communication were other factors important to Mr. Stauß. There was often a call and three hours later we were sitting down together and discussing the project onsite.”

Post-filling handling depends on robotic pick-and-place.

In-depth engineering knowledge and commitment convinced Stauß about Process Systems as well. He says, “There are no longer many manufacturers of batch cooking systems, and there are major quality differences between them. I quickly realized that there was a lot of ‘hot air’ with the other providers. When I consider all the challenges we had to overcome to handle unforeseen problems and coordinate process workflows, the system would still be standing idle today. With WALDNER, I immediately noticed that I was speaking to professionals, and that also turned out to be the case.”

GOOD TEAM WORK

On the WALDNER side, a team of engineers from Dosomat and Process Systems quickly came together to jointly design the system. “This was an unusual case, as we had very little in the way of specification. Mr. Stauß had a goal, but it was not yet clear which approach would achieve it,” reports Christian Heinzelmann. One thing was certain: The tomato sauce was to be filled into a triangular container with a round overall diameter. “While transporting the cups through the system, the containers were not allowed to rotate and needed to be held securely from filling to final packaging with the same orientation,” explains Christian Heinzelmann. “Therefore, we developed a special cassette system to transport the containers throughout the process and keep them facing the same way. With pick-andplace units supporting the transfer from system to system, the containers always remain securely in position with the same orientation.”

gether in a single container. That really is an innovation. Essentially an industrial-scale Thermo-mix,” explains Ohlinger.

PRAISE FROM THE CUSTOMER

The transition from cooking to the filling and packaging system runs smoothly, thanks to the collaboration between the engineers. Ohlinger explains: “Because we are supplying everything from a single source, the systems have the same valves and pumps and are synchronized with each other. That provides the customer with major benefits when it comes to holding spare parts. We also have the same software for all machines that is networked together, which leads to ease of operation.” Even the specially folded cartons for the containers come from a WALDNER machine. At the very last minute, Gerhard Heinzelmann, responsible at DOSOMAT for packaging, even came up with lids for these cartons. “The customer, and hence also us, received the information that the cartons needed a lid very late. In a night session, we then developed a solution with our MD, Mr. Karl Angele, and the customer to extend the system with an additional component,” reports Gerhard Heinzelmann. Angele gets to the heart of things when he adds: “We often have a moving target. That is what makes our work so exciting.”

COOKED LIKE GRANDMA MADE IT. . .

Klaus Ohlinger of Process Systems adds: “The claim that it ‘tastes just like Grandma made it’ is extremely important as it is always something very different when something is cooked on an industrial scale. On an industrial scale, this means 2 tons/hr., approximately 6,000 of the 350g containers/hr.” It was also a challenge to implement the new concept from Italy, where the onions and garlic are prepared separately, on one system. “To achieve this, we developed equipment that first sautés the onions evenly until translucent and then adds the other ingredients . . . and finally allows the entire mixture to cook to-

Triangular containers are filled on Dosomat equipment, also from WALDNER.

Stauß is very satisfied: “Interventions such as these show me to what extent I can rely on someone. Collaboration with WALDNER has always been good, regardless of how long and how exhausting the day sometimes was. The engineers and I, as the salesman, always worked together constructively and in a targeted manner. . . Tomamore was born in May 2015. No machine had been drawn at this time. The financing and subsidy from the state was clarified in the third quarter of 2016. And when it became clear that WALDNER was capable of making my ideas into a reality, there was no longer a problem with the bank: The name WALDNER is synonymous with reliability and quality. The ground was broken in March 2017, and in June 2018, we supplied the first tomato sauces. We really pulled out all the stops.” For more info, visit www.wnapt.com. SD

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Leading-edge technology trusted worldwide for superior product inspection and contaminant detection. Your brand is on the line, so you need equipment that’s better than good. Anritsu systems deliver performance, reliability and low total cost of ownership. Plus, we back our long-lasting equipment with unparalleled service and support. Discover what you’ve been missing. Learn how to advance your product quality and operational efficiency at anritsu.com/infivis.

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Motors and drives come together Deliver motion efficiency, performance, reliability.

o choose the right motor for your application, you need to consider more than just horsepower, speed and torque, of course. With electric motor systems accounting for about 70% of the electricity demand in industry, energy efficiency has long been a prerequisite that seemed, however, to be reaching its limits. Efficiency is being pushed further through full system optimization, but requirements are also increasing for improved hygiene, safety, connectivity, data availability . . . everything that will keep those motors and drives—and all the production equipment they keep in motion—from shutting down unexpectedly.

Motor and drive suppliers are creating products for a food and beverage industry that is on the move. “It’s an industry which I think is really more of a laggard in terms of automation and technology,” says John Parrott, vice president of U.S. Food and Beverage Market for Siemens Digital Industries US (Booth SL-6356). “Now we’re seeing a significant upswing in robotics, digitalization projects and how to manage the business remotely.”

FINDING NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCIES

In a recent international push urging greater adoption of high-efficiency motors and drives in industry and infrastructure, ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation (Booth C-4609) emphasizes the point that—despite rapid efficiency advances in the past decade—a significant number of automation systems in operation today consume much more power than required. Saving energy goes straight to the bottom line. There’s a limit to how efficient a standard induction motor can be made, which is why SEW-Eurodrive and others have moved to permanent magnet technology instead. Permanent magnet motors are 25%–30% more efficient than standard induction motors, according to Chris Wood, Food and Beverage Industry account manager for SEW-Eurodrive. “They’re not only more efficient, but they also have higher starting torques and bigger speed ranges,” he adds. In the past several years, there has been an emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of motors through testing and classification standards, but, these days, more importance is being put on understanding how the whole power drive system can work together for improved efficiency. SEW’s Movigear mechatronic drive system comprises a permanent-field synchronous motor, gear

Though this picture was initially taken as a joke during pandemic-related mask requirements, it actually illustrates the sanitation problems that can occur with the fans in electric motors carrying microbes to food processing areas. Photo: Courtesy of Van der Graaf.

unit and integrated drive electronics. The system improves efficiency not only through the efficiency of the motor itself, but through the energy optimization of the overall system, with expected energy savings of up to 50%. Focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions as well as energy costs, Coca-Cola HBC Austria upgraded one of its bottle transport lines—from shrinkpacker to palletizer—with a Movigear system, ultimately saving 75% of the energy consumed compared to its previous drive and control technology.

CLEANING THINGS UP

High-efficiency, compact and hygienic solutions are increasingly becoming requirements in the food and beverage industry, says James Chandler, key markets manager for Nord Drivesystems (Booth SU-7535). Nord’s IE5+ synchronous motors combine all three, providing a compact, energy-efficient motor in a hygienic design. For areas where motors and drives are likely to come in contact with food products, the industry has seen a push toward the use of more hygienic devices. Manufacturers are recognizing that standard motors often don’t cut it in food-processing environments. These motors cannot stand up to high-temperature, high-pressure cleaning methods prevalent in those environments, nor the caustic chemicals often used.

Standard motor and drive designs also provide plenty of food collection points, harboring bacteria and other contaminants. And the fans used in typical motors can spread those contaminants even further afield. One change ABB made to its NEMA motors a few years ago was to independently weld the feet on the bottom of the motors, enabling them to be cleaned more effectively and efficiently. “It helped to eliminate food collection points,” says Matt Rodebush, global food and beverage segment manager for ABB Motion’s NEMA motors division. He adds that the smooth contours of the motor, along with a rotatable, round conduit box, eliminate food-collection points that are common to competing conduit boxes. Encapsulated windings are another feature. “One of the biggest failures for food-grade motors is when condensation or water gets in,” Rodebush explains. “We fully encapsulate our windings. The windings are dipped into a solution that seals the winding from any water or contaminants.”

Yaskawa’s Singular Control powers multiple robots along with dozens of axes of automated motion with a single controller and a single programming environment. Photo: Courtesy of Yaskawa America.

Neugart is seeing a trend toward more hygienic gearboxes. “From our perspective, food safety and non-corrosive material is the most major requirement we face when we get requests from customers or partners in the industry,” says Daniel Weis, area sales manager for Neugart. “The challenge that our customers have is to find hygienic components that are truly hygienic. There are plenty of stainless-steel products out there, but they’re not truly food-grade.” Made with food-grade stainless steel, Neugart’s HLAE gearbox was designed for hygienic use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, Weis notes. It’s IP69K-rated, which makes it suitable for steam pressure washing and industrial chemical cleaners. “There are no corners and no flat space that any debris can sit on and dwell,” he says. “And the housing is electropolished, which makes it a non-stick surface. Water will always pearl off of it, and no bacteria can hang onto it. There are no indentations or manufacturing grooves that microorganisms can grasp.”

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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The EPCE compact electric cylinder, part of Festo’s Simplified Motion Series, provides an economical electric solution for basic end-to-end motion. In this application, two rods extend to adhere a cover to a package by applying a gentle/even brushing action. Photo: Courtesy of Festo.

VDG (Booth SU-7462), which has been making drum motors for more than 35 years, has seen a bigger push for sanitation in the past five years, according to Alex Kanaris, VDG’s president and CEO. A typical design has a square shaft where sprockets are mounted; then the motor belt runs on top of the sprockets. “The problem we saw is, if you have a product like protein debris falling in between the sprockets, it’s nearly impossible to fully sanitize it,” he explains. VDG has designed a drum motor that has a continuous profile, with no need for sprockets. “The benefit is that you can clean it a lot easier, and the debris doesn’t stay on the motor as much as the square shaft,” Kanaris says. “It takes a third of the time to wash it down as conventional motors.” Also, they don’t use a fan to cool the motor the way conventional electric motors do—an important point in sanitation—particularly considering COVID-19 concerns of spreading germs. “As a joke, I took a picture masking an electric motor to prevent forced air flow carrying microbes to process food,” Kanaris says. “Now we are conducting a study to find out how serious that problem is, post-COVID. It is serious. That problem doesn’t exist with the use of the drum motor.” VDG set up a conveyor to conduct a simple experiment, covering a piece of paperboard with sticky material to see how much cinnamon would be spread by the fan at the back of the motor. “The cinnamon went all over,” Kanaris says. “You can wash down the conveyor all you want. It can still be sucked out of the motor and delivered to the food.” There’s such a push for sanitary products that VDG plans to completely separate its stainless-steel production from its plants in Toronto and Michigan, Kanaris notes. “We’ll have totally sanitary drive production for food, somewhere in Florida,” he says. “Our sanitary products will all be produced in one place.”

Independently welded feet enable ABB’s food-safe motors to be cleaned more effectively and efficiently, helping to eliminate food collection points. Photo: Courtesy of ABB Motion.

KEEP IT SAFE

Though some might argue that safety has always been priority No. 1, the push continues to improve safety in food and beverage operations. “When we’re looking at food, one of the biggest topics for sure would be safety—not only food safety, but the safety of the people who come in contact with the motors and drives,” Rodebush says. One safety measure is provided with ABB’s Bluetooth-enabled drives, enabling maintenance workers to troubleshoot a system without necessarily having to open up the panels. “They can look at parameters on their phone or laptop,” notes Jim Neawedde, U.S. food and beverage segment manager for ABB’s drives division. “They can keep out of the arc flash area.” This also has the potential to keep workers out of other types of dangerous areas, whether in high locations or otherwise just difficult to reach, Rodebush adds. “They can look on the screen of their phone and see the health of the equipment without having to go out and put their hands on the product.” Siemens is seeing a lot more use of synchronous servo motors in the food and beverage industry, says Craig Nelson, senior product manager for Digital Industries and Motion Control, largely because of their safety integrated functionality beyond safe stopping, including safe limited speed and safe positioning.

copper in the winding as most of its competitors, Kling points out. “That means more torque. In the same package size, there’s maybe 20% more torque,” he explains. “It results in faster throughput, more parts/min., more product/hr. and, oftentimes, more precision.”

Digital Twins can be used to help optimize production lines, including motor and drive configurations. Photo: Courtesy of Siemens.

One customer palletizing frozen lasagna packages was able to benefit. “Our motor technology allowed them to use the smallest size motor to get the performance they wanted. This reduced the whole mass of the gantry to maximize performance,” Kling says. “And they maximized throughput performance because of the added torque density of our motors.”

SUPER SERVOS

Servos are important from a performance aspect as well, Nelson adds. “Nine times out of 10, if you’re looking for a performance machine, with a very fast speed, you’re going to be using permanent magnet synchronous motors,” he says. Randy Summervill, product marketing manager for Simotics motion control motors at Siemens Industry, points to the ability of permanent magnets to provide very dynamic and precise movements. That provides an assurance of safety, he says, but also enables applications that demand precision, such as putting a tamper-resistant seal on containers. “Servo control definitely continues to grow,” says Paul Kling, market segment manager for Packaging at Yaskawa America, Drives & Motion Division (Booth C-4040). Though food processing has historically used variable-frequency drive (VFD) technology, this is commonly migrating to servo control, which is more precise and has more data. “Every manufacturing plant wants data. When you get to servo control, you get access to much greater data from the motors and drives that make them attractive.” Yaskawa’s servo designs use almost twice as much

SERVOS REPLACE PNEUMATICS

The advancement of the technology is pushing traditional pneumatic applications toward servo motion control, particularly in the packaging space, according to Tim Sharkey, director of Product Market Management for Electric Automation at Festo (Booth SL-6132). “In the past, to introduce a servo drive to the machine, it added a lot of complexity—high-level programmable logic controllers (PLCs), lots of wiring, programming, commissioning. The cost was huge. To add six axes of servo, you were talking about $30,000,” he says. “Now we’re introducing products that are in the hundreds-of-dollars range. And they’re simple to integrate into the machine, control it and get the effect you like.” The servo technology can mimic pneumatic capabilities while providing improved performance, he adds. “We’re now able to apply servo drives and motion control and get much greater repeatability, improved noise and more flexibility.” Festo’s Simplified Motion Series consists of integrated drives that provide an electric alternative for simple movement and positioning tasks, filling a void in the market created by the move away from pneumatics, Sharkey says.

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 40

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 MORE INTELLIGENCE, MORE DATA

If food and beverage producers weren’t already looking for more intelligent insights from their motor and drive systems, the pandemic has certainly lit a fire under many of them. “One of the significant manufacturing drivers that COVID accentuated is the importance of a digitalization process,” says Siemen’s Parrott, pointing to the desire for advanced maintenance notifications and predictive capabilities. “More importantly, we can digitize the process. We can run offline simulation models.” Parrott is referencing Digital Twin concepts that could help evaluate the motor and drive system within a machine—running simulations to check

For its mobile craft brew canning lines, Wild Goose Canning wanted a configuratuion where the variable-frequency drive is mounted directly to the motor. Photo: Courtesy of Nord Drivesystems.

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the size of the motor, for example, or whether the design of the machine actually needs to be changed electrically or mechanically. In one example, changing the motor and drive configuration could ultimately affect the quality of snack chips being made by a manufacturer using Digital Twins to evaluate the machine configurations. “They’re running simulations offline of production to look at different variants of product as it comes out,” Parrott says. The Digital Twin also evaluates the best way to increase throughput and performance—providing an optimal state to maximize those parameters, Parrott adds. It moves beyond the dashboard of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). “Collecting basic data like vibration, temperature, current and flow is one thing,” he says. “But when you want to know when the motor is failing, or you need to do adjustments for the ‘golden run’ . . . here’s where machine learning is going to come in handy.” Smart sensors are instrumental in providing the data needed for predictive maintenance. “They can pick up vibrations and problems well ahead of when they become an actual issue,” ABB’s Neawedde says. “Manufacturers can move away from emergency breakdown situations and do shutdowns at their leisure.” Condition monitoring has been an important development for Nord control products, Chandler says, providing vital information for predictive maintenance. “Before, with preventive maintenance, end users would walk around and check the oil level of reducers or check bearing noise,” he says. “This type of information is still required, but automating the retrieval of information and providing predictive feedback electronically is more desirable.” Drive and status data are recorded periodically or continuously to optimize the operational safety and efficiency of equipment. Food and beverage manufacturers understand as well as anyone that machine uptime is critical. “A failure in any component of the machine results in costly downtime that can cost the company thousands of dollars an hour,” notes Edward Tom, low voltage drives product manager for Yaskawa America. “Not only is it important to have a drive that is reliable, it’s also important to have a drive that can provide data that can help drive informed decisions.”

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

palletizing operation mentioned earlier benefited from Singular Control for its multiple axes of motion in its gantry application, Kling says. For more info, visit www.new.abb.com/products/robotics, www.festo.com/us, www.nord.com, www.usa.siemens.com/packaging, www.trutechmotors.com, www.vandergraaf.com, www.yaskawa.com. SD Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2021 by ProFood World. Coca-Cola HBC Austria saved 75% of the energy consumed with its previous drive and control technology by installing SEW-Eurodrive’s Movigear mechatronic drive system. Photo: Courtesy of SEW-Eurodrive.

ARGUMENTS FOR A SINGLE SOURCE

Though any manufacturing operation is likely to have components and systems from a wide variety of vendors, several suppliers make the case that it’s not the best way to create an optimized motion system, advocating the importance of the motors and drives working together in a single system. “Our combined powertrain solution is how we go to the food and beverage market,” Neawedde adds. “We provide a motor/drive combination that is optimized for the customer’s needs and for the particular application.” A combination motor/enclosure unit has complete sealing for the back cover and cable gland entries and shaft sealing to comply with IP69K water pump use.

Partner With the Product Inspection Experts

Metal Detection TruTech Servo Motors & Systems (Booth N-28013) customizes systems that combine the motors with the drives and controls for the machine. In part, this means actually taking components out of the drive system—such as the gearbox, which TruTech views as a point of failure. “We look at a higher-torque, lower-speed unit that eliminates the gearbox. We’re taking parts out of the system to increase overall reliability,” says Karl Meier, executive vice president of TruTech. “The standard thinking process is: Let’s call up the usual suspects and figure out how to cobble a system together to make it work,” adds Ted Paskvan, TruTech’s president. “We look at how to minimize the number of components. We take it from $5,000 to $2,000, and it’s more reliable, more robust, longer life and fewer moving parts.” In an atmosphere where manufacturers are often piecemealing components together, it can be a challenge to coordinate the whole system, Kling notes. To help, Yaskawa has developed Singular Control, which unifies the control of servos, VFDs and robot mechanisms. This is important as the food and beverage industry installs more robotics. Singular Control powers multiple robots along with dozens of axes of automated motion with a single controller and a single programming environment. The same frozen lasagna

Serialization Solutions

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Checkweighing

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For ultimate brand protection, regulatory compliance, and an improved bottom line.

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

How do you choose the right system? Guide describes important features for x-ray inspection systems to maximize performance, ROI and OEE.

erhaps it’s been a while since you purchased an x-ray detection system. Or, this may be your first time. How do you choose the right system? This guide highlights what you need to know. It covers the less obvious aspects of cost and performance, and updates you on recent technology advances and trending sanitation demands. The following tips will help select a system that not only meets detection goals, but also maximizes ROI and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

KNOW THE COST AND LIFE EXPECTANCY OF REPLACEMENT PARTS

Most buyers today are savvy enough to know there’s more to the cost of x-ray equipment than the upfront cost. If you are upgrading from metal detection to x-ray inspection, you’ll want to factor in the ongoing costs of two expensive replacement parts: the tube (also called the generator) and the detector. To account for these ongoing costs, ask about the life expectancy and replacement cost for both parts before you buy. Similar to car buying, you will find some brands have longer-lasting parts than others.

UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERFORMANCE AND POWER USAGE

In choosing a system, it helps to understand how it works. The lifetime of an x-ray tube can be compared to that of a three-way light bulb. The x-ray tube will eventually fail after a number of hours of use. The power setting impacts x-ray tube longevity. At a higher power setting, the tube fails sooner. But, before you think about reducing the power setting to increase the lifetime of the x-ray tube, understand there is a trade-off. Reduced power means reduced image quality and poorer detection limits. From an engineering standpoint, optimizing machines for both high performance and low power use is exceptionally challenging. That is why most x-ray machine manufacturers specialize in either high-performance (i.e., finding the smallest contaminants) or low-energy, long-life systems. Machines with high detection capability normally use high amounts of energy and therefore have shorter lifetimes. Alternatively, machines using less power typically have poor detection rates. Until now. Anritsu - Product Inspection & Detection (Booth SL-6319) challenged its engineers to develop a solution to reduce power usage while maintaining the high detection level of its machines. Despite these divergent goals, the engineers succeeded in developing advanced long life (ALL) technology. Systems with ALL technology offer:

• An x-ray generator and detector with three times the life of conventional models • A more efficient cooling system • Lower power consumption • 20% reduction in lifetime costs. You no longer have to settle for high performance or lower power use—now you can have both. Currently, Anritsu is the only x-ray equipment maker to offer high performance at low power usage.

DON’T IGNORE THE VALUE OF SUPERIOR DETECTION CAPABILITY FOR REDUCING FALSE REJECTS

One misconception we often hear is the belief that a machine needs to be just “good enough” to meet your detection specification. Many buyers are unaware that performance capability beyond your specification is valuable. This is best demonstrated by an example.

In this example, three detection systems detect stainless steel at 0.7mm, 1.0mm and 1.5mm.

Consider the three detection systems that detect stainless steel at 0.7mm, 1.0mm and 1.5mm respectively. Let’s say your detection goal is to find stainless steel at 1.5 mm and greater. Assuming all other factors are equal (e.g., equipment cost, reliability), which system adds the most value to the food processor? a) System A b) System B c) System C d) All of the above offer the same value. On the surface it appears any of the above systems is a suitable detection solution. However, what many buyers don’t realize is that superior detection capability (such as with Systems A and B that detect smaller contaminants than your specification level) can be “converted” to improve a machine’s capability to reduce false rejects. How does that work? Superior performance capability enables the machine to be set at a lower sensitivity level and thereby reduce false rejects. Best Answer: Returning to the example, while you can meet your detection goal for stainless with System A, B or C, your capability to reduce false rejects is strongest with System A. System A is the

best answer due to its capability to not only hit your detection performance specifications, but also to significantly decrease false rejects.

WHY CARE ABOUT FALSE REJECTS?

With the continued trend of downward cost pressure in the industry, food processors are increasingly paying attention to line efficiency using measures such as OEE. Many production plants are adding OEE as a key performance indicator to their operational metrics. Boosting the yield of production lines by reducing false rejects is an efficient way to increase the output of an operation without the capital costs and space required to install additional lines.

WHAT DOES OEE HAVE TO DO WITH X-RAY SYSTEMS?

Maximizing OEE ensures current equipment is being used as effectively as possible and, therefore, can prevent the need for investing in an additional line. The OEE metric is comprised of three factors: machine uptime, process yield and speed. False rejects are a waste of good product. They directly impact process yield and thus OEE of the line. X-ray systems with superior detection capability (i.e., smaller than your specification) improve yield by reducing false rejects. In addition to reducing false rejects, superior detection capability provides flexibility to have a higher level of detection on an “as needed” basis. Imagine a scenario where you know something was accidentally dropped into a batch. Detection levels could be increased for a period of time to ensure the contaminants are found.

CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF EQUIPMENT DESIGN ON SANITATION OPERATIONS.

While performance and cost are the most important criteria in your decision, customers are increasingly requesting clean design. Customers are looking to streamline sanitation processes and eliminate hiding places for biological contaminants. Design features such as easy parts removal/attachment, easy-to-clean conveyors, one-touch removal of shield curtains and removal/attachment of rollers without tools can all streamline the cleaning processes. More efficient cleaning contributes to ROI. For more info, visit www.anritsu.com/infivis. SD Editor’s Note: This article is based on a white paper by Chris Young, business development manager at Anritsu - Product Inspection & Detection.

| AT11-20USA |

: Adaptive manufacturing revolutionizes packaging processes Shatter conventional design concepts with non-linear production down to lot size 1

XPlanar enables new dimensions of freedom in product and material handling: Levitating planar movers fly over flexibly arranged planar tiles accommodating nearly any track layout and path planning. Individual 2D transport at up to 2 m/s Processing with up to 6 degrees of freedom Transport and processing in one system Wear-free, hygienic and easy to clean Free arrangement of planar tiles enabling totally customized machine and process layouts Multi-mover control enables parallel and individual product handling Fully integrated into the powerful and standardized PC-based Beckhoff control system (TwinCAT, PLC IEC 61131, Motion, Measurement, Machine Learning, Vision, Communication, HMI) For use across all industries: assembly, packaging, food/bev, pharma, laboratory, entertainment, …

Scan to experience XPlanar in action

Levitating planar movers

6D motion

Scalable payload

Velocities up to 2 m/s

Individual product transport

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See XPlanar live! Booth SL-6149 Innovation Stage 3 | C2151 Wednesday, 9.29 | 12:00 PM

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Amazing Packaging Race returns Emerson sponsors the student competition once again.

t’s the last day of PACK EXPO Las Vegas and the co-located Healthcare Packaging EXPO. That means it’s time for the Amazing Packaging Race where student teams dash across the show floor in a quest to complete tasks set by approximately 20 exhibitors. Emerson (Booth SL-6307), featuring leading product brands such as ASCO, returns as the sponsor of this year’s race. The race concludes at the Emerson booth with the announcement of the first-, secondand third-place teams and awarding of prizes. “We are very excited to once again sponsor the Amazing Packaging Race,” says Jay Gatz, vice president, Marketing, Emerson Automation Solutions. “The race is a hands-on celebration and exploration of technology and innovation,” he continues. “Both principles are cores of Emerson’s heritage—and drivers of our continuing strong support of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education. The race unites college students from around the country to experience the best of the packaging industry.” “Over the years, Emerson has shown their commitment to providing educational opportunities for students in the packaging industry,” says Jim Pittas,

president and CEO, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby), and organizer of the PACK EXPO family of trade shows. “Their consistent sponsorship has made the success of this program possible, and we are grateful for their continued support,” he notes. In a cooperative effort between PMMI and the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) (Booth C-1253), PMMI will pay the membership fee for up to 100 Race team members who wish to join IoPP as a Student Member. Student teams will visit the following exhibitors to complete 10-15 min. pass/fail tasks as quickly and accurately as possible: • B&R Industrial Automation (Booth C-4709) • Baumer hhs (Booth C-5519) • Belden (Booth SL-6520) • BW Packaging Systems (Booth C-1800) • Dorner (Booth C-1455) • Duravant (Booth C-4230) • Fallas Automation (Booth C-2435) • FOX IV Technologies (Booth SL-6301) • Frazier & Son (Booth SL-6333) • Honeywell Intelligrated (Booth C-4436)

• IoPP (Booth C-1253) • Lenze Americas (Booth C-1602) • LinMot USA (Booth C-5506) • Morrison CHS (Booth C-1851) • OMAC - The Organization for Machine Automation and Control (Booth C-1152) • SICK (Booth C-2160) • Siemens Digital Industries (Booth SL-6356) • Starview Packaging Machinery (Booth C-3436) • Tri-Tronics (Booth C-1760) • WLS (Booth C-3518) Progress is tracked through Twitter accounts and by using @AmazingPkgRace and #PACKRACE21. For students unable to attend the race in person, PMMI is offering the Amazing Packaging Race– Scavenger Hunt. The virtual race allows students to answer a list of questions sent in advance from exhibitors. Virtual race participants will be entered into a $100 VISA® gift card drawing. Participating exhibitors donate $500 to the PMMI Foundation. For more info, visit www.emerson.com, www.PACKEXPOlasvegas.com, www.HCPElasvegas.com. SD

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2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

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Equipment makers collaborate

Effort boosts COVID-19 test medium production 20,000%.

imble is an understatement for most life science manufacturers producing COVID-19 test materials, personal protective equipment or treatment in 2020.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (Booth C-2200) snapped into action and began ramping up production of its viral transport media (VTM) tubes at the outset of the pandemic. Later they received orders from the U.S. government to scale production from 50,000/week to 10 million/week. VTM tubes filled with liquid medium are used to store and transport nasal swabs for viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In March 2020, the Thermo Fisher facility in Lenexa, Kansas, was already filling 10mL and 15mL conical tube configurations. The company ramped to 24/7 operation and retrofitted the lines to run faster at the outset of the pandemic, but it was clear that they needed new machines to meet demand. Considerations beyond speed included: • Some of the conical tubes are skirted, but the tubes without skirting do not stand up on their own • The medium has similar viscosity to water, but Jason Gourley, strategic projects, senior project engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, says, “From a filling perspective it’s very similar to water, but if it lands on a surface, drips or spills and begins to dry, it becomes sticky. If it’s not immediately wiped or cleaned, it turns into a goo, similar to spilled soda left to dry.” This didn’t cause issues with capping, but if a tube happened to spill and medium got on other components—such as the feed screws or labeler—equipment could bind up and cause downtime in cleaning. VTM lines also needed to be ramped up at Ther-

mo Fisher’s sites in Perth, Scotland, and Wesel, Germany. In both Perth and Wesel, the operation switches between filling VTM and saline, depending on current demand. Gourley explains, “It’s the same tube and cap, same fill size. The difference is the liquid itself, the labeling requirements and different pump settings.”

SPEEDY TIMELINE

When Gourley arrived in Lenexa from his usual Rockford, Illinois, facility in March 2020, the immediate need was to understand the process and determine where automation could increase throughput dramatically. Speed was key. The Thermo Fisher project team had vendors offering to drive components to the facility—instead of overnight or two-day shipping— because they knew every hour counted.

Gourley suggested working with Morrison Container Handling Solutions (Booth C-1851) for high-speed integrated lines. “I’ve worked with Morrison for about three or four years. They’ve done some screw feeds and integration with a line in Rockford,” he explains. The initial request to Morrison was whether they could create a smaller system within approximately a week. “They immediately hopped on it and followed through,” Gourley says. “They had a quote ready the next day, working through the night and everything.” Some projects take a step-wise approach to implementation. But Gourley says time didn’t allow for that in this case, noting, “This was all at once. We drew it out on a napkin one morning. The next morning, we were putting it together.”

After inspection, tubes are passed to an operator to fill 72-count boxes in Lenexa.

VTM tubes filled with liquid medium are used to store and transport nasal swabs for viruses including SARS-CoV-2.

It was difficult to nail down project specifics with a constantly moving target. “Every day something changed. One million per week was the initial goal and it was only going to be for about three or four months,” Gourley says. “Everything started out with, ‘Maybe. But could you do it?’ We had four on order and then the question came down from the government on how we can get 10 million a week and what would it take.” The original order for machine #1 was placed in early April and the first machine shipped in approximately five weeks. That included design from scratch to manufacturing, build/assembly and testing. A total of 14 systems shipped to Lenexa and two systems shipped overseas in the next 20 weeks. To put things in perspective, the normal quoted lead time for one system/line can be 20 weeks or more.

SYSTEM DETAILS

The Morrison systems allow Thermo Fisher to orient, contain, move and support the pointed conical tubes.

The Morrison systems allow Thermo Fisher to orient, contain, move and support the pointed conical tubes. They are handled from a dual feeder bowl to drop into the screws. R-Tech Feeders, based in Rockford, Illinois, supplied the tube elevators, feeder bowls and shuttle dropping mechanism for the tubes into the Morrison screws. The system then indexes six tubes at a time underneath the filling head,

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From a filling perspective, the medium is similar to water, but if it lands on a surface, drips or spills and begins to dry, it becomes sticky.

indexes along underneath the cap applicator and then into a spindle capper. APEX Filling Systems (Booth SU-8068) in Michigan City, Indiana, supplied the cap sorters and cappers. Fill and torque checks are performed every 15 min. There is also a no-cap sensor and crooked cap sensor at the discharge of the machine. If a cap issue is detected, the machine stops and alerts the operator to remove that tube; the operator is then able to reset and start the machine. Every second counts when running between 120-132 parts/min. (ppm). Tubes exit the machine in different orientations based on the machine and location. Machines #1 and #2 run pointed tubes, which don’t stand on their own. Machines #3 through #16 run skirted tubes that technically have the ability to stand, but Gourley notes that even the skirted tubes—moving at rate, with liquid—do not stand securely on their own.

Conveyors from Dorner (Booth C-1455) move tubes directly from the machine, out of the cleanroom to the labeling machine, autofeeding onto the labeler. There is still an operator to perform quality checks or interventions at the labeler. Label applicators are supplied by Missouri-based Pack Leader USA (Booth SU-7757).

tory acceptance tests (FAT) onsite at Morrison. The company performed/recorded virtual FATs for the European sites. He says, “For the first two, we developed/worked through a protocol and had it circulated for approval, so we knew what we were looking for. But we also had timeline restrictions—we already had the plane booked. There’s only so many tubes we could run and only so much time we had with the new system.” Both Perth and Wesel received their machines with only instructions, videos and the ability to call for support. Yet each site had its first machine received, installed and running at rate in five to six days. By then, Lenexa staff had installed about seven machines in the U.S., so they had plenty of lessons learned, videos, PowerPoints, instructions on the sequence and items to pay attention to. “We were a part of the complete build, the complete runoff and the complete disassembly in creating these specific systems. We went through rolls and rolls of blue tape, putting on notes, alignment features, noting all the dimensions, anything we learned from the first several machines. It is wild to think that we shipped machines around the world to sites that had never physically seen or run the equipment. A lot of thanks go to those receiving individuals for their patience and perseverance,” Gourley says. The company made use of Microsoft’s HoloLens program for live video feeds from the augmented reality headsets. “We were able to see their troubleshooting issues live, and they were able to live-view their machine during validation and ask as many questions as possible,” Gourley explains “We built up the files and everything to have immediately available, so if they had a question and they were viewing it right in their headset, I had the pictures, dimensions and videos available to pull right onto their screen and into their viewpoint to do a direct comparison.” One of the toughest parts of the remote work was not the machine integration itself, but the time dif-

ferences between sites—six hours to Perth and seven hours to Wesel. Which site worked during business hours and which worked off-shifts? “Everybody did everything. It was 24-hour support,” he says.

REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

The largest regulatory hurdle that they had to overcome was making sure they met all the CE mark requirements—mandatory for equipment in Europe to demonstrate safety conformance—for the Perth and Wesel units. Gourley says, “As soon as possible, we brought in a third party to fully understand the CE standards and additional safety requirements. We immediately started talking with both sites’ environmental health and safety teams to ensure that we were going to comply not only with CE, but also be aligned with their site safety expectations.”

20,000% INCREASE

After ramping up 20,000%, you might think it would be time to relax. The facility in Lenexa now has 14 lines installed with the capacity to produce 10 million VTM tubes per week. But the work continues. Thermo Fisher has ordered 14 more systems—four for Lenexa and 10 for Scotland. “A lot of credit goes to the teams at Morrison and supporting vendors to start from scratch and build 30 systems between March and the end of the year. It was really a team effort with a lot of credit to Thermo Fisher personnel—including the engineering and procurement groups—between R Tech, Apex and many subcontractors. There was definitely a lot of collaboration,” Gourley says. It’s too soon to really talk efficiency, particularly with the rapid increase in staffing and training, but they are averaging more than 100 tubes/min./ machine. Gourley explains, “The machines run very well and they’re well over the OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) that we were anticipating. Now we’ve gotten the initial kinks out of the way and the operators are a lot more familiar with the operation.”

REMOTE INSTALLATION

Travel restrictions adds another challenge. “Between Chicago and Lenexa, Kansas, there were still restrictions, but we had higher-level approvals due to the critical needs of the project,” Gourley recalls. For the sites in Europe, it was a different story. “For Scotland, we tried to go through the embassy and the government to get those supporting individuals onsite in Chicago around the 4th of July weekend, to review their machine at Morrison and to be a part of an installation in Lenexa. But we weren’t able to get approval prior to their machine arriving at their site,” he explains. Gourley and his colleagues performed all 16 fac-

Deemed Project Patriot, the $40-million facility is dedicated to VTM production and quality control and will serve a role going forward for flu and other viral products.

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Then tubes are passed to an operator who populates 72-count boxes in Lenexa. Each machine produces a lot of approximately 24,000 tubes every 3.5 to 4 hrs.—about a pallet and a half worth of material. At peak, with 12 machines running, it’s a pallet approximately every 4 min., so there’s considerable volume to handle, thanks to the new machines. Gourley comments, “The Morrison machines, along with the efforts of all of the other vendors, and all of the dedication of the Thermo Fisher individuals,

were key in enabling us to deliver on the federal government contract. Overall, we’ve met our commitment with a lot of hard work and with everybody invested 110% in making these test kits available for society.” For more info, visit www.apexfilling.com, www. dorner.com, www.morrison-chs.com, www.packleaderusa. com, www.thermofisher.com/productinspection. SD Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2020 by Healthcare Packaging.

Every second counts when running at a rate between 120-132 ppm.

STAFF AND FACILITY EXPANSIONS

Understandably, Thermo Fisher ran into space issues, especially as they looked at the supply chain to get tubes, caps and media to the machine. “Machine #1 is a much smaller footprint than Machines #2 through #16—it’s shorter in height, length and width to fit in the room. It’s still a screw feeder, but the cap delivery and exit are different,” he says. When they ran out of space in the existing facility, they needed to build out an entire second facility in Lenexa for filling lines, packaging and other functions. More than 300 employees were hired and the site is looking to hire 100+ more. Deemed Project Patriot, the new $40-million, 20,000-sq.-ft. facility is strictly dedicated to VTM production and quality control and will serve a role going forward for flu and other viral products. “When we signed the lease on May 18th, this was an empty shell, and by July 4th, our country’s Independence Day—our milestone for Project Patriot—the first production units coming off the line were achieved,” says Bret Johnson, vice president of global operations for Thermo Fisher’s specialty diagnostics business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Lenexa team learned a lot along the way, especially with Machine #1 since it was a completely new system in some ways for Thermo Fisher, Morrison and everyone involved. “For Machine #2 through, 16, we took a ton of lessons learned and worked to implement on the fly. We’ve gone back and implemented some on #1 also,” says Gourley. The collaboration between Morrison, Thermo Fisher and other vendors was key. He adds, “We were getting the Morrison machine ready on Monday, receiving vendor components on Tuesday, running the full system on Wednesday and FAT-ing and shipping on Thursday and Friday. At one point we shipped three systems in one week and one of them was international.”

NEXT STEPS

The team continues to investigate more streamlined processes and automation to help aid in inspection and packaging. Currently, operators perform a visual inspection for media content and cap, and check for wrinkles, damage and legibility of the label.

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Students earn scholarships

PMMI Foundation raises funds for next generation.

ach year packaging students benefit from scholarships administered by the PMMI Foundation. Recipients attend a PMMI Education Partner school and study engineering, packaging, processing, mechatronics or a related field and meet GPA and other requirements. Since December 2020, a number of students have received funds. Awards to date include:

CHUCK YUSKA SCHOLARSHIP–$5,000 Maribel Morales California Polytechnic State PMMI established this scholarship in honor of its former president and CEO of 28 years.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP–$5,000 Gaurav Aggarwal Rutgers

PROCESSING SCHOLARSHIP–$5,000 Suhayb Islam Rutgers

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP–$5,000 Daniel Tinnell Purdue

2021 SPRING PMMI SCHOLARSHIPS IN MEMORIAL OF CLAUDE S. BREEDEN, GLENN DAVIS AND ART SCHAEFER–$4,000 EACH Dennis Hange Wake Tech Community College Justin Kelley Hennepin Technical College Jon Kicker Alexandria Technical & Community College Seth Rickey Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Jenna Thro Dunwoody College of Technology Eligibility for these scholarships requires students attending a PMMI Partner School to have a record of past awards and recognition and industry involvement through internship and career development opportunities. “PMMI is proud to continue awarding these scholarships to promote the value of technical schools in closing the manufacturing skills gap,” says Kate Fiorianti, senior manager, Workforce Development, PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby).

PMMI MEMBER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIPS–$5,000 EACH Brooke Braun DePaul MEMBER: Provisur Technologies Conner Decker University of Maryland MEMBER: Decker Tape Products (Booth SL-5945) Clair Frain Loyola University of Chicago MEMBER: Frain Industries (Booth C-3700) Jacqueline Irvine UCLA MEMBER: Plexpack (Booth C-2936) Chris Krohn California State University Fresno MEMBER: ADCO Manufacturing (Booth C-2638) Gavin McDermott University of Florida MEMBER: B&R Industrial Automation (Booth C-4709) Ethan Moﬃtt Messiah University MEMBER: APX Seetech Systems

2020 BILL ZITO SCHOLARSHIP Max Klein Indiana State This scholarship was established to honor Bill Zito, a Packaging Hall of Famer and longtime employee of Enercon Industries (Booth C-2736), who strongly believed in the importance of education in the packaging field. Recipients are selected by Enercon and the PMMI Foundation from candidates who are juniors at a PMMI Education Partner school.

2020 MARK C. GARVEY SCHOLARSHIP–$5,000 Jesse Amponsah Rutgers PMMI established this scholarship to honor the memory of Mark Garvey, former president and CEO at Garvey (Booth C-3809) and a past chairman of PMMI and long-time supporter of packaging education. Each year, the Garvey family awards the scholarship to a PMMI Education Partner school that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the packaging industry. The school then designates a student recipient based on GPA, major, commitment to the packaging industry and extracurricular involvement.

Nathaniel Mulder University of St. Thomas

2020 FUTURE LEADERS IN PACKAGING SCHOLARSHIP

Michelle Saganich University of Notre Dame MEMBER: Rockwell Automation (Booth C-4742)

Purdue Northwest College of Technology This scholarship is awarded annually to an educational institution that prepares students for careers in packaging. The recipient school selects one or more students pursuing related degrees and distributes the funds to the student(s) to defray tuition and education-related expenses. It was established in 2011 in conjunction with Packaging World’s annual Leaders in Packaging marketing program where suppliers promote their expertise to the packaging community.

Joshua Navin Milwaukee School of Engineering Kyle Navin University of Wisconsin-Madison MEMBER: Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery (Booth C-2607) Jarod Parsons University of Wisconsin-Madison MEMBER: Optima Machinery (Booth C-1641) Alexandria Wall Purdue MEMBER: Solbern (Booth SU-7401) Adam Wolfe Elizabethtown College MEMBER: JLS Automation (Booth SL-6128) Zarren Zaﬁro Purdue University Northwest Member: Linmot USA (Booth C-5506) Recipients of PMMI Member Family Scholarships must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, career plans in packaging and processing and be an employee or immediate family member of an employee at a member company that is in good standing with PMMI.

Overall, the PMMI Foundation provides more than $200,000 in academic scholarships each year to students studying packaging, food processing, engineering and mechatronics at 50+ PMMI Education Partner programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. Since 1998, the PMMI Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to students. Fundraising events include the PMMI Foundation Golf Tournament at PACK EXPO Las Vegas/ Healthcare Packaging EXPO and The Amazing Packaging Race on the last day of PACK EXPO shows in Las Vegas and Chicago. The PMMI Foundation also accepts donations: Mail checks to PMMI Education & Training Foundation, P.O. Box 791042, Baltimore, Maryland 21279-1042. For more info, visit www.PMMI.org/foundation. SD

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New line runs faster in less space Equipment gently handles caramel wafers and teacakes.

homas Tunnock Limited, commonly known as Tunnock’s, is a family-owned baking business based in Uddingston, near Glasgow, Scotland. Founded in 1890 by Thomas Tunnock, the company is now one of the region’s largest employers and is renowned in the U.K. for its caramel wafer biscuits and teacakes. Sir Boyd Tunnock, the 86-year-old chairman and CEO of Tunnock’s and the grandson of Thomas Tunnock, sets high standards not only for the manufacturing of the company’s products, but also for the packaging of the products. In 2017, due to a steady growth in demand for its caramel wafers, Tunnock’s decided to invest in an additional production and packaging line to increase output. Having worked with Syntegon Packaging Technology (Booth C-2800), formerly Bosch Packaging Technology, for decades, Tunnock turned to the equipment supplier to provide the needed packaging equipment. “As quality and reliability are of highest importance to me, I always buy the best equipment,” he says. “I am happy with my Syntegon packaging lines, and that’s why I asked them to suggest a solution for our new caramel wafer line.” One of the requirements for the new line was that it have a smaller footprint than Tunnock’s existing equipment, due to limited space in a new packaging hall. In addition, machinery had to be easy to operate, clean and maintain for fast changeovers. Syntegon’s solution was a two-leg packaging system, with a Sigpack DFR buffer, two die-fold machines from Sapal, two Sigpack HCM horizontal flow-wrappers and a Sigpack TTMC case packer.

The Syntegon horizontal flow-wrapper multipacks individually wrapped wafers in units of four, five, six or eight.

BUFFER, LINEAR MOTOR ENSURE CONSTANT PRODUCT FLOW

Tunnock’s Real Milk Chocolate Caramel Wafer Biscuits come in one size: 94 x 29 x 20mm high. Packaging occurs after the caramel wafers are enrobed in chocolate and cooled to an appropriate temperature so they can be automatically handled and packaged. Once on the packaging line, the wafers are transported to a 90-degree-angled infeed conveyor and passed to a row aligner downstream. Rows are accurately aligned before moving on to the infeed of the DFR buffer. The rows are then accelerated for loading onto gondola shelves within the buffer. Misaligned rows are rejected beforehand by way of a pull-nose dump and a lateral reject conveyor. Suitable product rows are passed on to the shelves of the buffer’s gondola and move through the buffer to the discharge zone. Here, the rows are discharged on a first-in/first-out basis on two levels to the infeeds of the two wrapping legs.

Should either or both of the downstream legs stop running, the buffer will start to accumulate rows of products by moving the two triple carriages down. This increases the percentage of filled gondolas within the DFR buffer. Once the interruption is remedied, the downstream legs speed up to empty the buffer as quickly as possible. The DFR can accumulate products for up to 12 min. Each wrapping leg consists of a metal detector from a proprietary third-party supplier, a DPN7 single-lane aluminum foil wrapping machine from Sapal and a Sigpack HCM multipack flow-wrapping machine with Sigpack FIT intelligent infeed. In the first step, the wafers are wrapped singly in aluminum by the DPN7 die-fold wrapping machine at speeds up to 400 packs/min. After wrapping, the packs are discharged crosswise and evenly spaced onto the infeed of the Sigpack HCM multipack flow-wrapping machine. One of the reasons Syntegon says Tunnock’s chose the HCM flow-wrapper was the machine’s FIT infeed system, which uses XTS linear motors from Beckhoff Automation (Booth SL-6149), to assemble group packs rather than a traditional infeed with chains. This vacuum-free technology provides gentle handling for the wrapped wafers. It also enables a fast and continuous flow of product within the machine, where the packs are collated into groups of four, five, six or eight. After collation, movers emerge in the appropriate gap and push the groups to the HCM wrappers. Syntegon adds that the XTS linear motor technology also enables format changes at the push of a button, without the need to use tools or to apply or remove lugs. In addition, the machine supplier notes that continuous production is aided by fast and safe film reel changes, which are enabled by automatic film splicing.

EASY CHANGEOVER, HIGH-FLEXIBILITY CASE PACKER

The TTMC case packer can handle 20-, 30- and 40-count cases with fast and easy changeover.

After multipacking, the flow-wrapped packs are transported in two streams from the two flow-wrappers into one Sigpack TTMC case packer. The TTMC machine is based on Syntegon’s TTM platform, which Syntegon says was engineered for extreme flexibility for different formats and pack styles and offers a high degree of process safety. The TTMC case packer handles 20-, 30- and 40-count cases with fast and easy changeover. On Tunnock’s caramel wafer line, the TTMC uses two parallel infeed chains to index the multipacks into batches on edge before they are pushed out into a joint collating unit that forms and compresses rows of multipacks on edge. The collated rows are then lifted by an overhead robot and top-loaded into an erected regular slotted

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Individual caramel wafer biscuits are die-fold wrapped in aluminum foil.

case. Tunnock’s uses three case sizes, which hold 20-, 30- and 40-count multipacks. Once a case is full, it is transported out of the TTMC machine and passes through an integrated taper that closes and tapes the top flaps of the case. Designed for easy, toolless changeover, the TTMC case packer has lightweight, pre-formatted changeparts that are easily locked and unlocked to ensure the complete reproducibility of settings. “All of the components that have to be exchanged during a changeover are designed in a way that one person can handle them and do the format changeover in a very short time,” explains Syntegon Sales Manager Meyrick Hilton Long.

REQUIREMENTS MET

Installed in June 2018, the two-leg packaging line has an overall footprint that is 4M (approximately 13 ft.) smaller than Tunnock’s existing lines. “The new Syntegon packaging line is very compact,” reports Tunnock’s Project Manager Stuart Loudon. “It saves us valuable floor space and achieves excellent efficiency results at maximum flexibility. The machines are easy to operate, easy to clean and easy to maintain, which helps us to achieve a continuous product flow.” Along with the new line, Tunnock’s decided to take advantage of Syntegon’s training package for its operators and maintenance staff. Through a combined classroom and practical machine training program, Tunnock’s employees learned how to maintain and adjust the new equipment. In addition to the training course, Syntegon also provides support through its U.K. service hub in Derby, England. “After the installation, the support has always been very good as we worked very closely with the Syntegon experts,” says Loudon. “This is beneficial for both Syntegon and ourselves,” he notes. After several months of operation, Tunnock’s found that the production levels on the new line—at 650 packs/min.—repeatedly exceeded those achieved on its existing lines. “With the new line having the intelligent infeed system, we expect to generate a fast return on investment based on increased efficiency, quicker changeover times and reduced maintenance costs,” says Bill Gow, financial director at Tunnock’s. And the joint projects between Tunnock’s and Syntegon are not over yet. Sir Boyd Tunnock has decided to invest in two more Syntegon machines to support the company’s growth. “We are keen to take our production to the next level,” he explains. “Knowing each other’s business for more than 25 years is a great advantage and translates into an open and trustful business and personal relationship,” he concludes. For more info, www.syntegon.com, www.beckhoffautomation.com. SD Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2020 by Packaging World.

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All-Fill moves beyond auger fillers

Third generation spurs growth organically and via acquisitions.

midst the chaotic and almost uncertain state of manufacturing—caused by COVID-19, the generational workforce shift and the growing skills gap—All-Fill (Booth C-2203) is embracing the chaos and thriving because adaptation and risk propel them. All-Fill has supplied auger fillers to the packaging industry for more than 50 years. But during the past couple of years, the original equipment manufacturerer (OEM) has exploded in growth and capabilities. From facility renovations to acquisitions and a strategic branding move, All-Fill’s young management team is the definition of “new collar” manufacturing. Richard Edginton founded All-Fill in 1969 after working as a shop manager for Diehl Mateer, a U.S.based auger filler manufacturer. All-Fill gradually gained market share in the auger filler space and became an industry leader by the mid-1980s. In 1999, Glenn Edginton, Richard Edginton’s son, took over as All-Fill’s president and served in that position until 2014. While 90-year-old Richard Edginton still visits All-Fill every Wednesday to interact with employees, the company is now led by his grandsons Ryan Edginton, president and CEO, and his brother Kyle Edginton, executive vice president.

BLENDING TRADITION AND NEW SCHOOL TECHNIQUES

Since Ryan and Kyle Edginton started leading All-Fill in 2014, they have flipped the script on old-school, traditional manufacturing. Thanks to the new sales and acquisition approach, the company has gone from $18 million in annual revenue to more than $40 million during the past six years. “Because I’m 40, and Kyle is 38, we have an unbelievable opportunity,” says Ryan Edginton. “While our company is rooted in old-school principles and values, as younger guys that are now leading the show, we don’t have anything inhibiting us from growing. We are able to make decisions because it looks and feels right, and we get to offer a different perspective by pairing the technological marketing

aspect and aggressive sales techniques to cater to the culture of our buyers right now.” Ryan and Kyle Edginton don’t answer to a board of directors, which enables All-Fill to play big when it comes to acquisitions and sales. “We can be aggressive when it comes to price, lead time or rearranging the schedule because we are hands-on in running our company, and we control the . . . entire process,” Ryan Edginton says. “We manufacture everything under one roof, which gives us added flexibility.” It also gives them a unique approach. For example, being vertically integrated and manufacturing and stocking an excess of inventory precludes implementing lean techniques, a common practice manufacturers use to minimize waste and maximize productivity. “It would be virtually impossible for us to follow lean manufacturing guidelines, because if we did, we would lose our number one selling point, our aggressiveness and that ability to make decisions on the fly,” Kyle Edginton says. All-Fill receives many custom orders that frequently evolve past its original plans, which is why the OEM needs to adapt on the spot. “There are always things that are thrown your way, and our company culture has embraced the organized chaos,” Ryan Edginton says. “There is always a plan to follow from the start, but when it comes down to making the customer happy, sometimes you have to walk onto the floor and say, ‘We’re doing it this way now.’ We are always focused on how to keep making people happy to get the next sale. We are only as good as the next work that we book.”

CULTURE IS KEY

And All-Fill’s people get it. In fact, the OEM’s high retention rate reflects employee commitment and satisfaction. “You take care of your own,” Ryan Edginton says. “You have to understand what makes your company tick. When we interview someone, I let them know that we want All-Fill to be a place where they can have a career. We want them to be here for the long

In 2018, a $2.8-million renovation modernized all aspects of All-Fill’s headquarters in Exton, Pennsylvania.

haul like the people who have been here for 20, 30 and 40 years.” Many All-Fill employees watched Ryan and Kyle Edginton grow up. Being a family-owned business, All-Fill employees of all ages naturally feel like they work with their friends and family. And technically, they do. The OEM has built a dedicated workforce based on employee recommendations. And the people who have been at All-Fill from the beginning infuse the company’s new, progressive culture with tradition and loads of tribal knowledge. But working at All-Fill looks completely different than it did 20 years ago—not only in terms of higher revenue and expanded equipment offerings— but the building itself. Stepping into All-Fill’s Exton, Pennsylvania, headquarters feels similar to walking into a tech startup. In 2018, Ryan and Kyle Edginton embarked on a $2.8 million facility renovation that modernized all aspects of the office. The OEM replaced closed-off walls with open spaces and floor plans, glass windows and doors, and colorful accents and collaborative spaces that not only appeal to All-Fill’s people, but also the incoming workforce. “It helps us attract the younger generation because they walk in here and they can relate to it,” says Kyle Edginton. And while there was some resistance from the OEM’s employees at first, the renovation has boosted productivity, morale and collaboration. All-Fill employees also look forward to coming to work because they have multiple opportunities to learn different aspects of the business. “Sometimes people are hired to do one specific task, but when we make an acquisition, the opportunity opens up for somebody that was on one career path to shift lanes and, all of a sudden, have their own division to run,” Ryan Edginton says. “Our people want freedom and the opportunity to make a difference. So, we let them do their thing. You have to trust your employees. I think that’s also what makes our company so great.”

BEYOND AUGER FILLERS

And there have had multiple opportunities to shift lanes as the OEM has been on an acquisition roll. Offering more than the standard auger filler was always in All-Fill’s DNA, as the company developed its Alpha checkweighers product line early on. But the OEM really began expanding its offerings in 2011 when it acquired V-Line vertical/form/fill/seal machines (V/F/F/S) from Magnum Systems and rebranded the company as Avatar VFFS, paying homage to the original name of the company founded by Brian Klughardt. During the past 10 years, All-Fill has grown its V/F/F/S offering from $1 million in annual revenue to more than $6 million. “What we learned from that acquisition was that we need to have control and have these companies

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All-Fill manufactures its machines in-house.

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under the All-Fill roof,” Ryan Edginton says. “It is not easy to move a company and all of its operations across the country, but Brian taught our entire company about these V/F/F/S machines, and now it’s a great part of our product lines.” All-Fill then acquired Re-Pack labelers in 2018 and moved the operation from nearby Lansdale, Pennsylvania, to Exton—bringing along four full-time employees including the company’s founder, Rick Surprise. “It was 2018, and I was thinking about how else we could grow All-Fill,” Ryan Edginton says. “The company was doing about $30 million in annual revenue, and then we found Re-Pack and Palace Packaging Machinery.” In early 2019, All-Fill acquired Palace Packaging Machinery, which manufactured rigid bottle unscrambler machines. The OEM also relocated 12 full-time Palace employees to Exton. In addition to the business, All-Fill acquired Palace Packaging Machinery’s 35,000-sq.-ft. facility, which was located 10 minutes away in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. That facility just underwent a $2.2-million renovation and now serves as the home of Auger Fabrication, All-Fill’s sister company, which supplies new and replacement augers, conveyor screws, feeder screws and flight material for powder and bulk solids material-handling equipment. Eric Edginton, the executive vice president of Auger Fabrication, runs the new facility. “We knew from experience that we had to move Palace Packaging’s operation under our roof, but unlike most of the acquisitions, we acquired 12 employees, too,” Ryan Edginton says. “Suddenly, we had the challenge of assimilating these new employees to our culture here. It takes about a year for everybody to understand the All-Fill culture.” And in a big move in 2020, All-Fill decided to eliminate the names of all the brands they had acquired and developed in order to consolidate everything under the All-Fill name. “At first, we were hesitant to make such a bold change,” Ryan Edginton says. “But we realized that the brand equity was in the name All-Fill.” To the same tune of expanding its reach, the OEM recently opened an 8,000-sq.-ft. office for service and sales in Phoenix, Arizona, which is run by the Edginton’s cousin and All-Fill’s Executive Vice President Chris Trabbold. The Phoenix office was set up to better serve its customers and partners out West and provide quick delivery machinery. “The beauty of that building is that it has the potential to be anything we want it to be,” Ryan Edginton says. “I could see that possibly being a small manufacturing facility. But for now, 50% of the machines that we sell, we would consider them as stock. So, that facility will distribute our stock machinery to the West Coast.” So, what’s next for All-Fill in terms of acquisitions or new product lines? “It’s an interesting question because to be honest, these last two, most recent acquisitions kind of just fell into our lap,” Kyle Edginton says. “I don’t know what’s next, but I know what we need to do right now is get better at what we

Would Like to Thank Its Volunteer Leadership

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman of the Board

Emmanuel Cerf Vice President Polypack, Inc.

Business Intelligence Committee

Employee Development Committee

Quinn Martin Committee Chairperson

Septimatech Group Inc.

Rolando Pena Committee Chairperson

Pearson Packaging Systems

John Bialecki

Lako Tool and Manufacturing

Bill Anagnostopoulos

TDI Packsys LLC

Bill Bonaccorsi

Shorr Packaging Corporation

Alicia Cannon

Apex Filling Systems

Bradley Budde

Pillar Technologies, An ITW Company

Eric Dederichs

A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.

Steve Doud

R.A Jones

Patrick Carroll

IMA Dairy & Food USA

Laurie Landay

BW Packaging Systems

Joan Cozzoli-Rooney

Cozzoli Machine Company

Pat Mohan

ProMach, Inc.

Eric Cummings

Ross Controls

David Parker

Duravant

John Eklund

ProMach, Inc.

Bob Purciello

PDC International Corporation

Darren Fleming

Robatech USA Inc.

JR Roemke

Patty Andersen

ProMach, Inc.

Thomas Garvey

Garvey Corporation

Jeff Trask

WIPOTEC-OCS, Inc.

Vice President of Human Resources and After Market Services Delkor Systems, Inc.

Billy Goodman

Cama North America

Colin Warnes

ADCO Manufacturing

Lisa Hunt

Plexpack Corp.

Dustin Wescott

Pattyn North America, Inc.

Terry Kiesling

Omron

Paul Kling

Yaskawa America, Inc.

Chris Wilson

Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Dustin Lee

Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Neal Nordling

Multifeeder Technology, Inc.

Pat O’Connor

Columbia Machine, Inc.

Tom Sioui

Slideways, Inc.

Jose Villa

FoxJet, An ITW Company

Vice Chairperson

Immediate Past Chairperson

Pat Vincent Eleni Yianas

Mark Anderson President and CEO ProMach, Inc.

Nancy Wilson Committee Chairperson

Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Dave Adams

SICK, Inc.

Andrew Barrieau

Felins USA, Incorporated

Krista Combs

ProMach, Inc.

Karen Corliss

Barry-Wehmiller Design Group

Jacob Cox

Fallas Automation Inc.

Kim Doble

DTM Massman, LLC

Justin Jeanes

ITW Hartness

Jackie Sessler Committee Chairperson

BEUMER Group

Machelle Johnson

Pearson Packaging Systems

Lisa Barrieau

Felins USA, Inc.

Andy Karel

Valco Melton

FEMC

Tim Kelley

Tri-Tronics Company, Inc.

FANUC America Corporation

Neal Konstantin

PDC International Corporation

Nicolas Garrido

Garrido Printing Equipment Inc.

Patrick McDermott

B&R Industrial Automation Corp.

Claudia Hennig

Bizerba USA, Inc.

Chris Noble

Belden Inc.

Plexpack Corp.

John Partin

Schneider Electric

Intralox

Josh Powers

SMC Corporation of America

Michaela Kaufmann

Rockwell Automation

Dominic Trinko

Siemens Digital Industries US

Justin Kirkpatrick

Econocorp, Inc.

Peter Zafiro

Linmot USA, Inc.

Mike LaBelle

Duravant

Rick Nunez

PDC International Corporation

Brad Schulz

Festo Corporation

Wesley Garrett

Jackie Irvine Tim Jolly

President and CEO PMMI

nVenia, a Duravant Company

Emerging Leaders Committee

Aaron Dodds

Jim Pittas

Container Handling Systems Corporation

Future Workforce Committee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee - Chairman of the Board

Executive Committee - Vice Chairperson

Emmanuel Cerf

Executive Committee - Immediate Past Chairperson

Patty Andersen

Mark Anderson

Andrew Barrieau

President and CEO ProMach, Inc.

President and CEO Felins USA, Incorporated

Margie Custin

Jake Garvey

Sharron Gilbert

General Manager METTLER TOLEDO

Director of OEM Sales Garvey Corporation

President & CEO Septimatech Group Inc.

Matt Jones

Bruce Larson

Steve Mulder

Dave Navin

Vice President of Sales Dorner

Director of Business Development BW Packaging Systems

CPG Industry Manager Rockwell Automation

President & CEO Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Mike Odom

Martin Prakken

Jonathon Titterton

General Manager Kliklok LLC, a Syntegon company

Owner & CEO BluePrint Automation (BPA)

CEO, Coesia Americas & R.A Jones Coesia Group

Vice President Polypack, Inc.

Vice President of Human Resources and After Market Services Delkor Systems, Inc.

Greg Berguig Vice President PAC Machinery

Global Marketing Committee

Membership Committee

Nancy Wilson CEO Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Show Committee

Scott Shannon Committee Chairperson

Intralox

Jake Garvey Committee Chairperson

Garvey Corporation

Matt Jones Committee Chairperson

Dorner

Neil Anderson

PPM Technologies Holdings LLC

Alberto Bazan

Murzan Inc.

Alana Brown

BW Packaging Systems

Greg Berguig

PAC Machinery

Andrew Butler

Butler Automatic Inc.

Norm Buggele

Middleby Processing & Packaging

John Brown

Selig Group

Geoffrey Culbertson

Omni Technologies Inc.

Laura Fioritto

Dewayne Bruschi

SMC Corporation of America

Carney Daniels

Dyco Inc.

Syntegon Packaging Technology, LLC

Montserrat Cerf

Polypack, Inc.

Donald Edsall

Schneider Electric

Mark Jagels

ASCO

Nikki Johnson

Domino Amjet, Inc.

Rocky Marquis

MARQ Packaging Systems, Inc.

Tom McDaniel

ProMach, Inc.

J. Kismet Mikos

Nordson Corporation

Cheryl Miller

Multi-Conveyor

John Naunas

Shuttleworth, LLC

Amanda Peters

Duravant

Robbie Quinlin

BluePrint Automation (BPA)

Jason Stover

R.A Jones

Gary Tantimonico

PDC International Corporation

Nicholas Taraborelli

Paxiom Group

Janet Darnley Bill Kehrli

Kliklok LLC, a Syntegon company Cavanna Packaging USA, Inc.

Jeff Jendryk Jeff Kaveney

Spec Engineering Eriez

Marcus Kurle

CT Pack USA

Jorge Marin

Grupo Empac SA DE CV

Alan Major

Urschel Laboratories, Inc.

Woodrow Marsh

SMC Corporation of America

Tami Minond Dan Nasato

XPAK USA LLC Shuttleworth, LLC

David McCharles Mike Newcome

Pineberry Manufacturing JLS Automation

Mark Nordling

Multifeeder Technology, Inc.

Ajay Rana

ASCO

David O’Keefe

EDL Packaging Engineers

Jeff Raybon

SICK, Inc.

Scott Reed Laura Studwell

Pearson Packaging Systems Omron

Tony Toklo

ITW Hartness

Michael Wilks

BUNTING

Marc Wolf Scott Yurjevich

Matrix Packaging Machinery

Mike Stein

Signode

Mark Suchy

MASSMAN Automation Designs, LLC

Andrew Webb

Omron

Roger Toll

Marchesini Group USA Inc.

Robert Williams

Axon

Michael Tuohey

Piab Inc.

Ben Vlieger

Felins USA, Incorporated

Tim Wiersma

National Bulk Equipment, Inc.

BW Packaging Systems

Program Planning Committee Industry Relations Committee

Mike Odom Committee Chairperson

Kliklok LLC, a Syntegon company

Todd Abrahamson

ITW Hartness

Ian Borrell

Mpac Group

Patty Andersen Committee Chairperson

Delkor Systems, Inc.

Craig Francisco

Robex LLC

Mark Anderson

ProMach, Inc.

Juan Garrido

Garrido Printing Equipment Inc.

Serge Berguig

PAC Machinery

John Holmes

Festo Corporation

Jeff Bigger

MASSMAN Automation Designs, LLC

Emmanuel Cerf

Polypack, Inc.

Sharron Gilbert

Septimatech Group Inc.

Ed Howe

Enfield Technologies

Timothy Hudson

Honeywell Intelligrated

Bret Ranc Committee Chairperson

ProMach, Inc.

Dale Andersen

Delkor Systems, Inc.

Brian Barr

Heat and Control, Inc.

Bob Brotzki

Schneider Packaging Equipment Co., Inc.

Eric Carlomusto

Starview Packaging Machinery Inc.

Brian Hunnicutt

Zarpac

Margie Custin

METTLER TOLEDO

Bruce Larson

BW Packaging Systems

Dana Greenly

ASCO

Mark Lovelace

Dyco, Inc.

Tom Ivy

Drake Company

Kevin Mauger

NCC Automated Systems

Strategic Planning Committee

Dan Maeyaert

Fallas Automation, Inc.

Steve Mulder

Rockwell Automation

Thurman Melson

nVenia, A Duravant Company

Rick Pallante

Baumer hhs

Dave Navin

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Mark Navin

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.

Ryan Schuelke

Enercon Industries Corporation

Bruno Oberle

Kliklok LLC, a Syntegon company

Andy Stamp

Valco Melton

Martin Prakken

BluePrint Automation (BPA)

Derek Thomas

Emerson

Ole Rygh

Ryson International Inc.

Alan Shuhaibar

BellatRx Inc.

Glenn Siegele

Omega Design Corporation

Jonathon Titterton

Coesia Group

Mike Wagner

Rockwell Automation

Mike Orcutt Kevin Roach Mark Ruberg

Matthews Marking Systems Harpak-Ulma Packaging, LLC Beckhoff Automation LLC

Steven Shaw

General Conveyor

Nick Wilson

Morrison Container Handling Solutions

Dave Wineman

Ryson International Inc.

As of August 2021

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas 58

SHOW DAILY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

PACKAGE THE SUSTAINABLE WAY

Shaping the future: With sustainable packaging solutions

Safe and optimized packaging of medical products: with KOCH medplus

CONSUMER PACKAGING

HEALTHCARE PACKAGING

LOWER SOUTH HALL

6364

6601 All-Fill’s new facility design prioritizes open and collaborative spaces, accent colors and amenities that boost employee morale. September 27–29, 2021 Las Vegas, USA

www.koch-pac-systeme.com

already have. We’ve changed a lot over the last couple of years, and we now have a lot of moving parts.” Ryan Edginton adds, “We’re not actively seeking any more acquisitions, but with that being said, if something was to ever come up, we’re also never afraid to pull the trigger.” Having acquired a full suite of equipment that complements All-Fill’s auger fillers and checkweighers, the OEM also considers itself an integrator. The Edgintons see integration as a popular demand from customers today, and they say while they do integrate sometimes, they are more often selling product lines individually rather than complete systems. “We’re pretty much at the point where we have become a one-stop shop for any customer,” Ryan Edginton says. “There is so much opportunity out there for what we already have in-house right now.” And while All-Fill has many capabilities under

All-Fill employees work on the inside of a bulk hopper that feeds a PB Series bottle unscrambler.

one roof, the company also relies on its membership with PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (Central Lobby), to boost its connections, integrations, and partnerships even further. “We can go to PMMI meetings and PACK EXPO and build relationships with a capping company or . . . a film supplier for the labelers or V/F/F/S machines, and we can establish these relationships,” Ryan Edginton says. “If I’m putting together an entire line, and I need a capper, I can go to one of my contacts that I made through PMMI in order to get their equipment integrated with our lines.”

EMBRACING A FAIL-FORWARD APPROACH

Looking forward, the Edgintons are optimistic about how the industry will innovate as it adapts to the effects of COVID-19, specifically with data acquisition. “A lot of times, we’re selling our checkweighers with data acquisition technology, and we are actually feeding that back to remote computers and databases so that our customers can evaluate their production cycles,” Kyle Edginton says. “We see reporting real-time data as being one of the advances that are actually really beneficial to us and our customers.” When asked about the projects that the All-Fill team is most excited about, Ryan Edginton quickly chimes in. “The projects that we always remember are the ones that we initially fail on and then make work.” One application in particular was for a fish tank filter for Spectrum Brands. The filter sits on the back of an aquarium and captures all the waste from the fish. All-Fill was tasked with dispensing charcoal and black carbon into the frame of the filter and then ultrasonically welding it to capture the carbon inside. “When we first started doing this, the quality just wasn’t there,” Ryan Edginton recounts. “We visited

2021 PACK EXPO Las Vegas

SHOW DAILY

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

the customer at one point, and I remember the president telling me, ‘Ryan, thank you for coming down here, but you’re going to be leaving with your machine.’ But when you stick to it, you make it work, and you give the customer a reason to believe in you, it really makes you feel good. What makes you feel even better is when they come back and order another duplicate system.” For more info, visit www.all-fill.com. SD Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2020 by OEM.

SHOWCASE TARGETED SOLUTIONS

NORTH HALL PAVILIONS

The Processing Zone Back by popular demand! Find solutions for food and beverage processing, including homogenizing, mixing, blending, forming, sizing and coating equipment.

Ryan Edginton (left) and Service Technician Skyler Vandenbraak inspect bags exiting an A/1200 V/F/F/S bagger.

PACKage Printing Pavilion

Krones Process Group debuts

he Krones Process Group North America (Booth N-25006) makes its official debut this year in the Processing Zone in the North Hall. Established in the latter half of 2020, the group was organized to provide a more cohesive offering to the beverage, dairy and food industries in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. An evolutionary next step since the acquisition of Tampa, Florida-based Trans-Market in 2016; Rochester, New York-based Javlyn Process Systems in 2017; and Waukesha, Wisconsin-based W.M. Sprinkman in 2018, this holistic offering combines more than 165 years of industry experience in design and implementation of turnkey process systems,

including engineering, automation, installation, distribution and Lifecycle Service support backed by Krones’ expertise in processing, packaging and intralogistics technology. Last fall, W.M. Sprinkman consolidated its operations by closing its Waukesha, Wisconsin, headquarters and relocating to Krones headquarters in nearby Franklin, Wisconsin. Its production facility remains in Elroy, Wisconsin, with an additional production facility at its sister company, Trans-Market in Tampa, Florida. Other Krones Process Group North American offices remain at their current locations in New York, Florida, Texas and California. For more info, visit www.kronesprocessgroupna.com. SD

Explore the cutting edge of printing and converting technologies for achieving cost-effective customization, sophisticated labeling, coding, marking and smart packaging.

The Containers and Materials Pavilion Find new recyclables, bio-based materials, flexible packaging printable films and much more – and see award winning packages at:

SOUTH UPPER HALL PAVILIONS The Reusable Packaging Pavilion Discover solutions for increasing sustainability in your supply chain and learn about long-term benefits of switching to reusables in the Reusable Packaging Learning Center.