Engraving solution
Gravograph Inc. introduced the IS400 Computerized Engraving System designed for professional engravers and industrial users. The system can be used in mold decorating, trophies and plaques, small signage, interior ADA signage, identification of industrial parts and light machining. IS400 uses ball bearing lead screws, and its optional 1000 watt high-frequency spindle is capable of engraving and light-duty milling applications. The product is driven by GravoStyle5, a professional CAD/CAM engraving software solution. - Gravograph Inc., 2200 Northmont Pkwy., Duluth, Ga. 30096; 770/623-0331; gravograph.com.
Silicon line
Advanced Solar Photonics increased the product line for its previously announced SolarFabT project in Lake Mary, Fla., to include thin film as well as mono-crystalline solar modules. The new silicon line will initially be 25 megawatts, and will get up to 50 megawatts, the company says. The first mono-crystalline panels are slated to be available in July, and full thin film production is scheduled to start late 2010. - Advanced Solar Photonics, 400 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Fla. 32746; 407/829-2613; advancedsolarphotonics.com.
Strip door
Aleco released The Clear-Flex II strip door to help foodservice professionals comply with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Under the act, new walk-in coolers and freezers installed in the United States with a floor area of less than 3,000 square feet are required to use “interior strip curtains or swinging doors” to increase energy efficiency. The Clear-Flex II strip door comes with the patented MaxBullet mounting hardware and the Clear-Valu ImpacDor. The strip door can maintain the unit’s constant temperature and reduce the infiltration of warm air by as much as 93 percent, the company says. - Aleco, 2720 East Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, Ala. 35661; 800/633-3120; aleco.com.
High-memory RFID
Tego Inc. released TegoXM high memory RFID solution. TegoXM is the first high-memory tag solution that enables asset management during its entire life, including configuration maintenance and sensor integration for a range of industries, the company says. The product is offered with the TegoXM RFID Launch Kit, which integrates the TegoTag, TegoView software and RFID reader technology. TegoTags provide active tag functionality in a traditional, standards-based RFID tag. By using standard reader equipment, users can access the tag data when network connectivity is unavailable. - Tego Inc., 375 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, Mass. 02451; 781/547-5680; tegoinc.com.
Belt tension test
Ashworth Bros. Inc. introduced Tension Tests, a solution to help processors pinpoint undetected high-tension problems in spirals. Tension Tests extend belt life and prevent unexpected breakdowns, the company says. The product is provided with Tension Gauge that records belt tension throughout each tier in a spiral. Ashworth Tension Gauge can measure spiral belt tensions of up to 650 pounds with tier spacing as low as 2 inches. It also is designed to operate in freezing and ambient conditions, and the belt does not need to be an Ashworth belt in order to be tested. - Ashworth Bros. Inc., 450 Armour Dale, Winchester, Va. 22601; 800/682-4594; ashworth.com.
Service onsite
Sato America introduced Sato Ensure, its new nationwide onsite service program. Next business day and standard service are both offered for new and existing printers to minimize downtime, and ensure only Sato-trained and certified technicians are dispatched using Sato parts. The service plans enable Sato customers to extend the life of their printers without pulling them from production, the company says. Features of the plans include unlimited repairs, travel time and all parts and labor, as well as two free preventative maintenance checkups per unit, per year, at the customer’s scheduled convenience. - Sato America, 10350A Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28273; 704/644-1650; satoamerica.com.
Shrink co-packer
Polypack Inc. unveiled the Co-Pack 24, a new machine with the versatility to serve the needs of co-packers. The machine uses Polypack’s patented pick-and-place gantry to place products directly onto the film for shrinkwrapping. Co-Pack 24 can shrink bundle stacked cartons, and round and oval bottles. - Polypack Inc., 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fla. 33782; 727/578-5000; polypack.com.
RFID interpreter
Barcoding Inc. released the CaptureTech RFID Interpreter as a Low-Frequency reader. With CaptureTech, companies can capture data from RFID tags as well as use those tags to grant access to computers, files or programs, the company says. The product uses plug-and-play technology, and plugs into a USB port on a Windows-based PC. The Interpreter identifies itself as a Human Interface Device (HID) and inputs RFID tag data into any existing applications as if it were being typed on a keyboard. The RFID tag is then scanned over the top surface of the device, where it is captured and placed into the software application. - Barcoding Inc., 2220 Boston St., Baltimore, Md. 21231; 888/412-7226; barcoding.com.
Vision system
Keyence Corp. of America launched Keyence CV-5000 Vision System, a high-speed image processing system for any production line. The 5 mega pixel camera transfers high-definition images in 61.2 milliseconds. The Series also allows simultaneous use of several other camera types such as ultra-compact standard and mega pixel as well as high-speed standard and high-speed 2 mega pixel. Each camera type is available in both color and monochrome models. The product also comes with a range of built-in statistical functions that allow the user to view the inspection results in real-time, the company says. - Keyence Corp. of America, 50 Tice Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, N.J. 07677; 888/539-3623; keyence.com.
Route management
Rutherford & Associates Inc. introduced eoStar 2009 Route Accounting and Management Software, a new version of the company’s flagship product. The new features of eoStar 2009 include Coors Point interface, which allows distributors to upload forecasts to MillerCoors and download purchase orders; Management by Objectives suite; expanded support for smart phones; enhanced delivery stop mileage analysis; and multi-warehousing dispatching. eoStar manages distribution operations for industry distributors nationwide, and its mobile solutions have saved customers an average of eight and half minutes per stop, per day, the company says. - Rutherford & Associates Inc., 1009 Productions Ct., Holland, Mich. 49423; 800/270-7558; eostar.com.
External chambers
Emerson Process Management introduced a range of chambers, which allow external mounting of level measurement and control instrumentation on process vessels. The 9901 chamber range offers a standardized fully Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) compliant design in accordance with ASME B31.3, which allows customers to buy an integrated bolt-on instrument solution from Emerson or a chamber for use with existing instrumentation. Standard chambers are available in carbon steel or stainless steel in 80 mm. or 100 mm. diameters. Exotic alloys also are available on request. - Emerson Process Management, 12301 Research Blvd., Building 3, Austin, Texas 78759; 800/760-8119; emersonprocess.com.
Vacuum labeling
Label-Aire Inc. released Label-Aire Inline Series 5100 Vacuum Wrap Front/Back labeling system, designed to apply front and back labels to round bottles without the need for a second label applicator. The system is outfitted with a vacuumized wrap transport belt, which uses a single Label-Aire 3015-ND Wipe-On label applicator. As the product sensor detects a bottle on the conveyor, properly spaced front and back labels are dispensed onto the vacuum wrap belt and applied to the spinning bottles. Round containers are labeled at speeds up to 60 products per minute. - Label-Aire Inc., 550 Burning Tree Road, Fullerton, Calif. 92833; 714/449-5155; label-aire.com.
Blowmolder technology
Agr International Inc. will display its PETWall Profiler system at NPE 2009. The system offers in-the-blowmolder wall thickness profiling for 100 percent of the containers produced, the company says. PETWall Profiler provides a comprehensive profile of the entire sidewall and is designed to help bottle manufacturers manage their blowmolding systems with minimal effort. In addition, the system also can be a key component in helping facilitate sustainability efforts through better resource management, lightweighting and scrap reduction, the company adds. - Agr International, 615 Whitestown Road, Butler, Pa. 16001; 724/482-2163; agrintl.com.
Filling solution
Sidel Inc. introduced Combi Predis FMa, a system for blowing bottles and filling sensitive products in aseptic conditions. Within the system, bottle rinsing is replaced with dry preform sterilization at oven entrance, using hydrogen peroxide vapor. Combi Predis FMa combines the Predis solution with Sidel’s Sensofill FMa in a single piece of equipment for blowmolding, filling and capping. Predis dry-solution decontaminates preforms using hydrogen peroxide mix, the company says. - Sidel Inc., 5600 Sun Court, Norcross, Ga. 30092; 800/453-7439; sidel.com.
Recyclable trucks
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc. redesigned its FK and FM models to include more recyclable materials in its corner panels and step walls. The models also use recycled materials in the wheelhouse covers, and use less lead and hexavalent chromium in its exterior components. The interior trim also features reduced VOC materials, and the instrument panel comes with a recyclable olefin finish. The cab design was optimized to reduce aerodynamic drag, the company says. - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc., 2015 Center Square Road, Logan Township, N.J. 08085; 856/467-4500; mitfuso.com.
Rack divider
Douglas Machine Inc. released new rack open divider placing technology that speeds production, the company says. The technology maintains control of the divider from the time it is picked from the magazine until it is placed between the products. This increases case packaging production speeds to 60 cycles per minute, depending on the product. Higher speeds can be achieved by adding additional divider placers. When changing product sizes, quick-attach replacement heads are used. The solution carries a 3-year limited warranty. - Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa St., Alexandria, Md. 56308; 320/763-6587; douglas-machine.com.
Water analysis
Everpure launched Smartworks, a turnkey water analysis program that provides foodservice operators a customized water filtration solution. Smartworks program provides step-by-step assistance on everything from end-user water testing to a water analyzing and product sizing program. To receive the Smartworks program, operators must register at everpure.com, complete a quick water test, enter data from anaylsis, answer a survey on water usage and receive a Smartworks analysis report. - Everpure, 1040 Muirfield Drive, Hanover Park, Ill. 60133; 800/323-7873; everpure.com.
Eyeris design
New Belgium Brewing now is packaging Sunshine Wheat in aluminum cans from Ball Corp. The 100 percent recyclable cans feature Sunshine Wheat’s original watercolor artwork with color twists to reflect green and yellow, the company says. The cans are printed using Ball’s Eyeris enhanced printing technology to create the intricate details of the graphic design. The process uses up to six colors, and is available for any beverage can size Ball manufactures. - Ball Corp., 10 Longs Peak Drive, Broomfield, Colo. 80021; 303/469-3131; ballcorporate.com.
Ink for glass
Hartness International introduced Uvaclear, a proprietary ink for glass package designs. Uvaclear is designed to be directly printed onto glass using high-speed screen printing machines. The ink is cured instantly by ultraviolet light, the company says. In addition, bottles can be handled immediately after printing. Features of Uvaclear include inks in a range of colors and gloss, metallics, a four-color process and flexible label design. The bright colors are prepared using heavy metal-free pigments, and Uvaclear can be removed during glass recycling without contamination. - Hartness International, 1200 Garlington Road, Greenville, S.C. 29615; 800/845-8791; hartness.com.
Small package palletizer
A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp. unveiled Model 72A, a palletizer that orients, collates and feeds products to stainless steel staging table. The sweep-bar then guides the layer to the pallet stack, and each layer is tightened and squared by the company’s four-side squaring device. This solution allows packages to reduce their corrugated consumption by automatically palletizing small packages and build end-aisle display pallets, the company says. - A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp., 811 Live Oak St., Tarpon Springs, Fla. 34689; 800/237-5975; abcpackaging.com.
X-ray in production
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced the Thermo Scientific EZx Compact, a small x-ray system engineered to fit any type of beverage or food packaging production line. The model makes x-ray inspection technology accessible to customers who previously used traditional metal detectors to protect their brand against foreign objects, the company says. The EZx Compact can detect metal as well as contaminants such as glass, stone and dense plastics. The product is 1 meter long, and is ideal for customers who used metalized film or foil packaging. - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., 81 Wyman St., Waltham, Mass. 02454; 800/678-5599; thermofisher.com.
Status monitors
Bray International Inc. expanded and improved its Series 52 2N1 ProxSensor line of valve status monitors. The Series now includes AS-i, DeviceNet and Profibus DP BUS network units with a solenoid drive. The 2N1 ProxSensors combine two proximity sensors in one compact, self-contained and fully sealed enclosure. The unit has a five-year warranty against material or workmanship defects. Bray also offers Adjustable Targets, which allow the customer to individually set both value position signals at incremental angles before or on the fully open and fully closed positions. Series 52 is built to be impervious to vibration, moisture and most chemical and corrosive agents, the company says. - Bray International Inc., 13333 Westland East Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041; 281/894-5454; bray.com.
