Douglas offers the Axiom IM Series Case/Tray Packer featuring electronic motion control technology. Operators and maintenance staff can access the packer’s program through HMI and make adjustments to the servo function to allow for varying product sizes, corrugated blank warp and machine speeds, the company says. The Axiom IM has an open design for added convenience and access to machine components. New product sizes can be easily added through the HMI, and an electronic handwheel provides hand cycling to view the entire machine function in slow motion. Changeovers can be completed in minutes with minimal change parts and customized motion profiles for superior product and case handling. The model operates at speeds up to 45 cases or trays per minute.
— Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa St., Alexandria, Minn. 56308; 320/763-6587; www.douglas-machine.com

Krones Inc. made available its newest high-speed Contiroll HS labeler. The model provides high-speed labeling at an output of up to 1,116 bottles-per-minute (bpm) due to Krones new servo drive technology. The new drive enables an immediate start, quick engaging and fast braking. It also processes label lengths from 240 mm. at 1,116 bpm and 600 mm. at 375 bpm on a single machine. The automatic Contiroll HS applies labels to round, oval, rectangular or square-shaped containers. The machine’s short changeover times allow for rapid container or label changes, and an optional integrated multi-reel label buffer system permits splicing without slowing the machine, the company says.
— Krones Inc., 9600 South 58th St., Franklin, Wis. 53132; 414/409-4000; www.kronesusa.com

Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies developed a new patented, automatic defrost option for Johnson Premier fiberglass truck bodies equipped with RouteMax and cold plate/blower systems. The defrost system runs a daily cycle that keeps frost from building on the plates, which allows the plates to operate more efficiently and provide greater protection for cold products, the company says. The function is automatic and requires no manpower or water. The defrost cycle runs when the refrigeration system is plugged in to recharge the plates. The auto-defrost option is available on medium-temperature RouteMax, all-electric clean and green refrigeration and traditional cold plate/blower systems.
— Johnson Truck Bodies, 215 East Allen St., Rice Lake, Wis. 54868; 800/922-8360; www.johnsontruckbodies.com

Waco has made available the Riechert r2 mini Pocket Digital Refractometer. The r2 mini is a small, multiple scale pocket refractometer. The digital refractometer can measure aqueous or organic samples in Brix or Refractive Index (R)e r2 mini features multiple reading scales with a range of 1.3330 to 1.4465 RI and 0.0 to 62.0 percent Brix and an accuracy of 0.000 RI and 0.2 percent Brix. A five-digit LCD display screen offers complete measurement value and temperature. The model is easy to operate and provides quick results, the company says.
— Wilkens-Anderson Co., 4525 West Division St., Chicago, Ill. 60651; 800/847-2222; www.wacolab.com

Hyster Co. introduced the Hyster Yardmaster II reach stacker series lift trucks. Yardmaster II reach stackers support load capacities up to 101,000 pounds. The series has the tightest turning radius in the container handling industry, the company says. In addition, the series is built with Cummins 10.8-liter QSM 11-300 horsepower engine for a lift speed of 94 feet per minute. The truck also has a high-strength boom for lifting containers as tall as 9 feet five-high in the first row. Improvements in cycle speeds enable the movement of more containers per hour, while an improved hydraulic system increases dependability and minimizes maintenance time. It also features the Hyster ComforCab II for optimal driver comfort and visibility.
— Hyster Co., P.O. Box 7006, Greenville, N.C. 27835; 800/497-8371; www.hysteramericas.com

Sato announced its Ready-Set-Solved! solution for RFID mandate compliance. Sato’s EPC Gen 2 RFID solution is applicable for mandate compliance applications, enabling suppliers to Sam’s Club an easy and cost-effective way to satisfy the retailer’s RFID tagging requirement, the company says. Ready-Set-Solved! includes Sato’s GL408e UHF RFID printer; Label 2 Gallery True Pro software; one roll of 4-inch by 6-inch AD-222 RFID labels; and one roll of T101A Standard Wax Ribbons. While the solution is designed for implementation in Sam’s Club, the Label Gallery 2 True Pro software also provides complete barcode and label design for Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, DoD and UID label formats.
— Sato America Inc., 10350A Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28273; 704/644-1650; www.satoamerica.com

Alcoa Flexible Packaging made available Reynolon Plus Shrink Films. The next-generation shrink film line uses polymer blend technology for added toughness, clarity, glass and temperature stability for extra-demanding wrapping applications, the company says. The film offers clarity, gloss and a silky feel. In addition, Reynolon Plus has high puncture resistance and provides enhanced film flatness and low coefficient of friction for enhanced performance on high-speed flow wrappers. The films are available with biaxial shrink and machine direction preferential shrink as well as in several “ready-for-print” versions.
— Alcoa Flexible Packaging, 7th & Bainbridge St., Richmond, Va. 23224; 804/281-2603; www.alcoapack.com

Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. expanded its Scalance X family of industrial ethernet switches to include compact gigabit switches for high-bandwith and throughput applications. The switches help migrate fast ethernet to gigabit standards, providing the ability to integrate plant floor networks with enterprise networks via high-speed backbone, including process control systems, the company says. The switches support 100 Mbs per second and 1,000 Mbs per second communication speeds via twisted copper wire or fiber optic cable. The Scalance X300 model switch offers three gigabit ports and delivers VLAN and IGMP snooping and query management.
— Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., 3333 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005; 800/364-4114; www.sea.siemens.com

Aleco offers its line of Clear Flex II strip doors for the foodservice industry. The doors can help restaurants and foodservice facilities save energy by minimizing the loss of heated or cooled air at unprotected openings. They are well-suited for walk-in cooler or freezer doors that remain open during loading or unloading, the company says. Combined with Aleco’s easy-to-install MaxBullet hardware system, the strip doors stay securely in place, even when subjected to heavy daily use. The doors are available in standard options for temperature ranges from -10 degrees to 150 degrees F.
— Aleco, 2720 East Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, Ala. 35661; 800/633-3120; www.aleco.com

Argonide Corp. added to its line of NanCeram electropositive water filter cartridges. The cartridges are designed for use in most applications where absolute-rated pleated filtration is needed with the added assurance of an absolute seal between the cartridge and housing, the company says. The line of single open-ended filter cartridges is available with flat, fin or spring-end caps with 222 or 226 double o-rings. Argonide’s standard pleated filter cartridges are now recognized in many market segments for their ability to remove small particles, bacteria and viruses from water at high flow rates using the principle of electrostatic attraction and absorption.
— Argonide Corp., 291 Power Court, Sanford, Fla. 32771; 407/322-2500; www.argonide.com

Wesley International offers a new online design tool that simplifies ordering of custom-fabricated pallet trucks. The tool provides instant price quotes and estimated delivery dates for double fork, single fork, roll-and-reel and skid truck configurations. Customers can visit wesleyinternational.com enter their product specifications, lowered height, load capacity, fork size and custom options. After that information, the Web site will produce an instant quote that can be submitted online for immediate ordering.

Wesley also announced the addition of the International imported pallet truck to its product line. The pallet truck has a load capacity of 5,500 pounds, a unitized steel frame and high-strength polyurethane wheels on aluminum cast hubs. The International model is billed as an economical alternative to its standard All-American Pallet Mule. The model will be available on Wesley’s Web site.
— Wesley International, 3680 Chestnut St., Scottsdale, Ga. 30079; 404/292-7441; www.wesleyinternational.com

Polypack Inc. developed the Clear-Print wrapper with integrated handles. The new wrapper is composed of a patent-pending integrated film perforation systems for product multipacks. This allows machines to run film of 1-mm. thickness and requires minimum maintenance, the company says. Clear-Print also features a fully integrated handle that is not attached in a secondary operation, but applied internally to the wrap. The handle is wrapped at the same time as the package on the machine where it is fused to the shrink pack and the load is transferred to the film and bundle. The Clear-Print can be used with clear or printed film.
— Polypack Inc., 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fla. 33782; 727/578-5000; www.polypack.com

LexJet made available the Legend 72HUV industrial inkjet printer, which cost-effectively produces signs, banners, displays and exhibits on a variety of sign materials. The Legend 72HUV is engineered and built by Digital Equipment Co. and uses UV-curable inks to print photo-quality images and graphics up to 72 inches wide on flexible or rigid materials. The printer is designed for everyday use and easily switches from rolls to rigid sheets. The model also features automatic printhead maintenance for extended life and reduced ink waste, integrated roll handling for fast changeover, vivid color with Onyx RIP and also includes a training program for current and future operators.
— LexJet, 1680 Fruitville Road, 3rd floor, Sarasota, Fla. 34236; 800/453-9538; www.lexjet.com

NewAge Industries introduced Superthane tubing, which is a polyurethane hose combining the properties of plastic and rubber. Superthane can withstand wear, abrasion, weathering, chemicals, fuels and moisture, while remaining flexible, the company says. The hose is well-suited for gas and fluid transfers. Superthane is available in ether and ester formulations that are both made with nontoxic ingredients. Ether-based Superthane tubing is recommended for applications involving water, humid conditions and UV-resistance, while the ester-based option offers a slightly higher tensile strength and operating temperature.
— NewAge Industries Inc., 145 James Way, Southampton, Pa. 18966; 800/506-3924; www.newageindustries.com/sprthn.asp

Emerson Process Management offers the Rosemount Analytical Model 3300HT PERpH-X high performance pH sensors. The Rosemount model incorporates design innovations to prolong sensor life in difficult hot processes to tolerate temperatures up to 145 degrees Celsius, the company says. It also features and Accuglass bulb to improve the sensor response speed and makes the sensor tolerant to thermal shocks. The enhanced double junction reference electrode uses an outer gel-based reference that retains viscosity and resists the pumping action produced by temperature and pressure changes. A custom refill kit is available to refill the outer reference, which may extend the life of the unit. The sensors currently are implemented at the Duvel Moortgat brewery in Puurs, Belgium.
— Emerson Process Management, 8000 West Florissant Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63136; 314/553-2000; www.emerson.com

Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI), Arlington, Va., released information from its 2008 Packaging Trend Report. It announced that the United States will remain the global leader in packaging machinery turnover. Sales of packaging machinery supplier solutions reached more than $6.1 billion in 2006 and are expected to grow an annual average rate of 3.1 percent through 2009. Packaging machinery reached $31 billion in 2006 globally. North-American manufacturers provided 77 percent of the packaging solutions sold, and the demand for packaging machinery solutions reached $6.6 billion in 2006 in the United States.

Recent PMMI studies show that the North American packaging machinery manufacturers have a competitive advantage because of the weak U.S. dollar, which further boosts U.S. exports. Exports reached $707 million from October 2006 through October 2007, the study says.

PMMI will release the 2008 Packaging Trends Report during Interpack, April 24-30, 2008, in Dusseldorf, Germany.