Markem’s SmartDate 3i/100 intermittent thermal transfer coder offers users a larger print area for enhanced custom product branding and information. The larger print area allows for nutritional information and barcodes to be printed with ease. The SmartDate 3i/100 thermal transfer coder features increased print area up to 107 mm. in width and 74 mm. in length, more processing power, more memory to maintain a large image database and the flexibility for integration of other systems. Other capabilities of the coder include fault-finding capabilities, portable datatransport (optional), full diagnostics and intuitive menu-driven software and ribbon-save modes as standard. The SmartDate 3i/100 thermal transfer coder can be networked using CimControl networking software, for improved productivity and increased efficiencies, and Composer software for graphics download.

Ampacet Corp. has introduced a new additive masterbatch, Ampacet 101787, which removes taste and odor-causing molecules in low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear LDPE and ethylene vinyl acetate films for use in food and nonfood packaging and other applications. The active ingredient in Ampacet 101787 is highly porous and preferentially adsorbs smaller, odor-causing molecules, especially ammonium-based (nitrogen-based) and polar compounds. Since it is moderately hydrophobic, it readily removes organic and inorganic compounds in the presence of water. When placed in a polymer structure, this high-surface-area material traps offensive compounds originating either from outside or inside a package or from the resin itself. The Ampacet 101787 masterbatch is designed to help control taste and odor issues in injection and extrusion blowmolded containers, beverage bottle tops, polyolefin pipe and extrusion coatings.

Satellite Logistics Group recently unveiled enhancements to its Kegspediter System, allowing brewers to realize even greater efficiencies in their keg return process. The system’s newest enhancements will allow forecasting, online services, e-mail count requests, wholesaler count confirmation, new deposit notification methods and a new invoicing format. The most significant enhancemens is the ability to forecast demand. Wholesalers are able to set seasonal peaks, and better prepare for peak sales periods. This multiple source input, which will be set by individual brewers based on their own needs and wholesaler networks, allows regional, seasonal and marketing initiatives by specific brand to be set. The updated Kegspediter System also will manage requests for wholesalers’ keg counts on an automated basis through email and provide a link to a secure Web site where wholesalers will update keg quantities instantly.

Eight months after its launch in April 2005, Sidel sold its 100th SBO Universal blowmolding model as part of a mineral water bottling line. For still or carbonated water, soft drinks or sensitive beverages, SBO Universal equipment can handle the production requirements of all products packaged in plastic. Its standard design can accommodate production of packages ranging in size from 0.25 to 3 liters and will soon be available for capacities up to 5 or 6 liters. The range can be used to manufacture both PET and PP packages at similar production rates, with no machine configuration change required. Production rates of SBO Universal machines are up 12.5 percent to 1,800 bottles per mold, per hour. This increase in output is accompanied by a major redesign of bottles and preforms to account for shrinkage laws in mold cavities and process adaptations.

FKI Logistex introduced the S-3000CB cross-belt sorter. The S-3000CB cross-belt sorter provides high-speed transportation and sortation of items that present difficulties during traditional sortation, such as fragile products and hard-to-grip packages. The S-3000CB’s scalable design and sortation process can be tailored to any size facility and any type of product or package. With individual, motor-driven belted carriers, the S-3000CB features gentle, horizontal item discharge and induction to ensure precise positioning and orientation throughout the sortation process. Because of its horizontal induction and discharge, the S-3000CB accommodates a diverse mix of products and package types within an individual batch of sorted items.

The Duff-Norton 1900 Series Rotary Union comes with the highest PSI ratings of any Rotary Union. Rotary Unions or rotating joints are designed to provide a rotating seal between fluids and a revolving roll or drum. Commonly conducted media are water, hot oils, chemicals, hydraulics and air. The 1900 Series was developed for very high pressure applications up to 10,150 psi, and with maximum temperature ratings up to 248 degrees F. Standard models feature nickel-treated carbon steel construction, but are also available in stainless steel. The 1900 Series is equipped with a double acting thrust bearing and bronze bushing. Sizes range from one-quarter inch to 3 inches.

Emerson Process Management brings added capability to the Micro Motion F-Series compact Coriolis meter line. Rated to 5000 psi, the new Micro Motion F-Series meter offers customers flow and density measurement in demanding, high-pressure environments at flow rates up to 300 pounds per minute This solution expands the capability of the Micro Motion F-Series compact design, while expanding the power of Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture to improve manufacturing quality. As part of the F-Series product family, the Micro Motion Coriolis sensor provides measurement accuracy for mass flow, density and volume flow. When combined with Micro Motion MVD Technology, F-Series meters deliver mass flow accuracy up to ±0.1 percent and volume flow accuracy up to ±0.15 percent when measuring liquids.

Lantech’s new mid-cycle top-sheet dispenser brings tight five-sided protection to high-throughput stretch wrapping with overhead straddle-type machines, as well as traditional turntable wrappers. Equipped with its own touchscreen PLC, the top-sheet dispenser’s control settings are independent of the wrapper, making it an easy retrofit option for existing machines. Matched with Lantech’s S-1500 straddle-type stretch-wrap machine, the top-sheet dispenser permits high-throughput wrapping of 30-35 loads per hours, with five-sided protection that meets the latest requirements of the home center industry for loads to be stored outdoors. The top-sheet dispenser is fully automatic, and requires no operator intervention or heat sealing. The system automatically senses load height and positions the film head at the correct height, then cuts it.

Hitachi America Ltd. released the Ecoheart family of high-efficiency permanent magnet motors and drives. Ecoheart is targeted to OEMs, allowing them to create their own customized drive system. Compared with conventional standard induction motors, Ecoheart permanent magnet technology achieves 10 percent higher efficiency because the internal power loss is reduced by 50 percent. Also, the volume of the motor is reduced by 50 percent and the weight by 35 percent due to high performance magnets and a new method of winding the stator. With the sinusoidal motor current wave form, instead of trapezoidal wave form which typical permanent magnet motors employ, Ecoheart achieves low torque ripple, low vibration and acoustic noise and reduced harmonics. Ecoheart Drives have no standard form factor and can be OEM unique.

PETE Cups from Dixie Foodservice offers an assortment of cup sizes and lid solutions to address customer needs for cold beverages and ensure a well-stocked operation when the temperatures begin to rise. Dixie Foodservice’s PETE Cups are designed to complement any operator’s beverage with a complete size selection of crystal clear cups that offer an attractive alternative to glass. The cup’s clarity, design flexibility and strength make it the ideal choice for smoothies, iced coffee drinks or any specialty cold drink. The PETE cup line from Dixie Foodservice includes multiple sizes (9, 10, 12/14, 16, 20, 24 and 32 ounces) and different lid options (both clear dome and flat lids), enable convenience stores, specialty coffee retailers, supermarkets and restaurants to enhance the image and appeal of their cold beverage offerings. Operators can select customization options from embossing to six-color printing, allowing a logo or customer message to stand out.

ARPAC Group’s Infrapak PA-Series stretchwrapper is a fully automatic, conveyorless, single-station, high-profile pallet stretchwrapping system which operates in all environments. The load is completely accessible to the forklift operator without getting out of the truck. The forklift operator sets the pallet onto the platform and activates the wrapping cycle from a remote pendant with an emergency stop feature. Upon completion of the cycle, the system automatically clamps, cuts and secures the film to the pallet. The PA-Series stretchwrapper is completely portable when used with the portable air compressor. Standard features include user-friendly operator controls, Steel-It paint to provide durable scratch resistance to the surface and powered infeed conveyor.

InkJet Inc. released 25YEL ink, a yellow pigmented, ketone-based ink, specifically designed for high-contrast printing on a wide variety of dark-colored substrates. The 25YEL ink primarily is used for printing on non-porous surfaces, such as colored glass, electrical cable and wiring, as well as extruded rubber products. The 25YEL provides a bright, high-contrast opaque mark on dark-colored substrates such as glass, plastic and polyethylene painted products. IJI 25YEL has a dry time of less than 3 seconds, depending upon the substrate and environmental conditions. Due to the pigmented nature of this product, IJI 25YEL ink has a shelf life of six months.

A-B-C’s Model 170 tray packer packs coffee and tea containers, including glass and plastic bottles and jars, composite and paperboard containers into a variety of corrugated tray types including display, half height and full height. The compact design of the Model 170, (16-feet 7-inches long) makes it easy to fit this packer into the line layout. Precise operation is ensured with a magazine design that lifts each tray from the top of the stack and transfers it by heavy-duty front and rear flight lugs throughout loading and sealing. A product lockout device maintains incoming product clear of the accumulation station to ensure precise loading. Harmonic motion drive is utilized to transfer the packed tray from loading to sealing, to ensure the stability of every product load. Steel folding arms securely square and seal each tray around the product load, for tight-packed trays that palletize well. Safeguards switch the packer to standby mode if the tray or product supply is interrupted, allowing the machine to resume operation automatically when supply returns.