Automatic enamel rater

CMC-Kuhnke Inc. extended its line of can measurement and rating stations (MARS) with its new MARS-ENR. Capable of inspecting as many as four cans a minute, this fully automated enamel rater can be integrated into a production line to receive cans and testing instructions without operator intervention, or it can be installed off-line for a manual in-feed, if desired, the company says. The MARS-ENR can record measurement duration, measurement range, contact control, current limits and fill level control and automatically transmit the data to plant-wide data acquisition software, it says. In the event of an out-of-spec condition, or if statistical anomalies are discovered, several optional automatic responses, including warning lights, alarms and automatic signals to stop line production, are available to notify operators that corrective action is needed, it adds.

• CMC-Kuhnke Inc., 1060 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12204; 800/689-0661; cmc-kuhnke.com.

Enclosure coolers

ITW Air Management offers the Vortec Dual HazLoc Vortex A/C model 7570 for cooling large enclosures through a two-step cooling process, the company says. Capable of removing heat at up to 5,000 British thermal units an hour, the Underwriters Laboratories-certified unit operates in environments up to 175 degrees Fahrenheit while quietly cooling at 62 decibels adjusted, which is 78 percent quieter than typical vortex coolers, it says. A mechanical thermostat ensures that the unit is only used when needed, it adds.

• ITW Air Management, 10125 Carver Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242; 800/441-7475; vortec.com.

Updating the fleet

Noregon Systems updated its JPro Commercial Fleet Diagnostics software through the release of JPro Commercial Fleet Diagnostics 2013 v1, the JPro Next Step service information module, and JPro Tablet Fleet Service Kits (FSKs). The latest version of the fleet diagnostics software offers expanded coverage for the Haldex anti-lock breaking system, enhanced graphical gauges displaying the units and information sources on the key data points and data monitor screens, a new wizard for easy software setup, and links to Noregon support and sales within the application, the company says. The new JPro Next Step service, which is an added feature to the 2013 fleet diagnostics software, automatically ties diagnostic trouble codes to repair information, helping operators to troubleshoot problems with most heavy-duty diesel engines, including Cat, Cummins, Detroit Diesel, International, Volvo/Mack and Mercedes brands, as well as Eaton Fuller, Meritor Wabco, Bendix and Haldex transmissions, it says. Customers who purchase JPro software are offered three months of JPro Next Step at no charge along with three months of JPro support, it adds. For added mobility, Noregon now offers JPro Tablet FSKs in Samsung Series 7 Slate tablet and Panasonic Toughbook H2 models. Both models are equipped with JPro Commercial Fleet Diagnostics – Heavy Duty software and the JPro DLA+ Wireless Adapter Kit. By using the FSKs, operators can capture vehicle diagnostic information and transfer the detailed reports to a service center for expedited repair, the company says.     

• Noregon Systems Inc., 100 North Main St., Suite 2200, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101; 336/768-4337; noregon.com.

Steam separator

Spirax Sarco released its CS10 Clean Steam Separator with an enhanced surface finish. The 316L stainless steel steam separator was designed to overcome problems associated with wet steam and ensure that the correct quality of steam is supplied to the point of use, preventing damage to control valves and any inability to meet steam sterilization requirements, the company says. Engineered in accordance with the latest standard of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ BioProcessing Equipment guide for the biopharmaceutical, food and medical industries, it is designed to exceed the steam dryness value of 0.95 and features a removable internal baffle to facilitate periodic de-rouging and inspection, it adds.

• Spirax Sarco USA, 1150 Northpoint Blvd., Blythewood, S.C. 29016; 800/575-0394; spiraxsarco.com.

Eco-friendly doors

Aleco, a division of ES Robbins Corp., launched the new, eco-friendly NeoCor traffic door, which is made of 20 percent recycled paper content and is Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified as 100-percent recyclable, the company says. Ideal for pedestrian, push cart, pallet jack and light forklift traffic in dry environments, the NeoCor traffic door is two-thirds lighter than standard traffic doors and also offers heavy-duty steel jambguards, it says. The NeoCor traffic door also is easy to install and available in multiple colors, it adds.

• Aleco, 2720 East Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, Ala. 35661; 800/633-3120; aleco.com.

Business class trucks

Highlighting its Freightliner Trucks Business Class M2, Daimler Trucks North America LLC’s Freightliner trucks offer the M2 106 and M2 112, which both feature best-in-class visibility with a 2,500-square-inch windshield and have numerous manual, automated and automatic transmission choices, the company says. With a wheel cut of up to 55 degrees, the trucks can navigate narrow city streets or tight loading zones, it adds. The M2 106 and M2 112 also have been designed for easier maintenance and service, keeping downtime to a minimum. Adding to the value of ownership, Freightliner’s customer support offers a network of more than 300 dealers across North America and a 24-hour assistance hotline that will keep customers operating at peak efficiency every day, it says. These features help drivers deliver more products to more customers, the company says.

• Daimler Trucks North America LLC, 4435 North Channel Ave., Portland, Ore. 97217; 503/745-8000; freightlinertrucks.com.

Carton or bottle?

SIG Combibloc Inc. launched a new stock beverage container for non-carbonated soft drinks that combines the best features of bottles and aseptic cartons, it says. The combidome bottle-shaped carton pack is slim and sturdy, fitting easily in the consumer’s hand, and contains 75 per-
cent paperboard made from renewable wood, the company says. It also has an inner polymer layer to provide a liquid barrier for the beverage, an outer layer to keep moisture out, and an aluminum layer to keep out light, oxygen and external odors, it says.  The container’s single-action domeTwist screw cap covers a 28-mm opening, which is large enough for smooth pouring and convenient drinking straight from the carton pack, it says. Empty carton packs are shipped to customers as pre-printed, sealed, flat carton blanks that can be folded along designated lines to give the package its shape and filled using SIG Combibloc combidome filler machines, which can fill as many as 12,000 carton packs an hour, it adds.

• SIG Combibloc Inc., 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, Pa., 19013; 610/546-4200; www.sig.biz.

High-power mixer

Charles Ross & Son Co. introduced its new 10-gallon PowerMix Planetary Disperser for dispersing powders, fibers and other solids into liquid. The vacuum-rated mixer is equipped with a dual-bladed high-speed disperser and a helical high-viscosity planetary stirrer to apply high levels of shear even after the product has reached a viscous, non-flowing state, the company says. It also features a portable mix vessel, air/oil hydraulic lift to raise and lower the agitators, multiple sight/charge ports, a tank light and a National Electrical Manufacturers Association 12 control panel. This unit is one of more than 40 mixers and blenders being offered for no-charge demonstration and testing utilizing customers’ actual raw materials, it says.

• Charles Ross & Son Co., 710 Old Willets Path, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788; 800/243-7677; mixers.com.

All-in-one system

Eagle Packaging Machinery LLC now offers the Boxxer case erector/loader/sealer system for case erecting and product loading operations. Product enters the Boxxer through an in-feed conveyor and is then stacked according to the pack pattern pre-selected by the operator. At the same time, the system pulls a knock-down case from a hopper and forms the case. Once this setup is complete, the product is loaded into the top, bottom or side of the case, depending on the desired method, using a servo-driven mechanism. The case then passes through a set of side-powered side belt conveyors where the flaps are compressed and the case is sealed and passed to an exit belt conveyor. The Boxxer is designed to give operators full control of their erecting, loading and sealing processes while increasing productivity, lowering labor costs, and decreasing the company’s carbon footprint through fewer system errors, the company says.

 • Eagle Packaging Machinery LLC, 4760 Northwest 128th St., Miami, Fla. 33054; 305/622-4070; eaglepm.com.