Can quality control

Wilkens-Anderson Co. offers the WACO Accuseam 2000 as part of its line of can quality control equipment. By combining the Accuseam 2000 software and interface with the WACO VSM II Video Seam Monitor, it is possible to accurately measure can seams in less than 3 seconds, the company says. The Accuseam 2000 digitally scans, analyzes and measures the can seam, comparing the results against user-defined specifications. Any out-of-spec readings are highlighted so the operator can take corrective measures. The equipment improves speed, accuracy and virtually eliminates human error and misinterpretation, it says. Other features include the capability to save images of can seams for future reference, multi-level password protection, ability to save measurement data and a variety of hardware options and configurations.

• Wilkens-Anderson Co., 4525 W. Division St., Chicago, Ill. 60651; 773/384-4433; wacolab.com.

 

Exchange program

Rehrig Pacific Co. introduced the PubKeg Black exchange program, a new pooled solution for one-way plastic kegs for brewers and beer distributors. The exchange program is a reusable packaging option for higher volume PubKeg customers. PubKeg customers who can order in full truckload quantities will qualify if they accept a black-colored body and lid with a return-for-deposit label on the PubKeg. Rehrig is collaborating with its subsidiary, Rehrig Penn Logistics, to employ its existing reclamation and refurbishment service capabilities to launch the exchange program. Under the program, each PubKeg Black ordered comes with a $3.50 immediate cash rebate. All black PubKegs returned to one of the 14 designated Rehrig or Rehrig Penn recycling depots will receive an additional refund of $3.50 payable to the returnee, whether it’s a brewer, distributor, retailer or bar owner. This recycling program will allow the same no-hassle shipping and tracking capabilities offered by the standard PubKeg purchase.

• Rehrig Pacific Co. 4010 E. 26th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90058; 323/262-5145; rehrigpacific.com.

 

New range

Spirax Sarco released a new range of lift check valves, LCV3 (Cast Iron), LCV4 (Carbon Steel), LCV6 (Stainless Steel) and LCV7 (SG Iron) suitable for most industries. These check valves are designed for European and American Society of Mechanical Engineers standards, which can be used for a wide range of applications. This new product range uses proven designs including a “clamp-in-place seat,” the company says. This replaceable seat arrangement offers quick and easy in-line maintenance, reducing plant downtime, it adds. The check valves provide a solution for the prevention of reverse flow in pipelines carrying most types of liquids, steam and gas. They protect any item of equipment and prevent pressure surges associated with hydraulic forces such as water hammers. The range is fabricated for horizontal pipeline installations for arduous applications and provides higher flow rates compared to existing disc check valves, the company says.

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

 

Diagnostic kit

Noregon Systems Inc. has announced the release of its newest diagnostic service kit for heavy duty vehicles: No. 70050 Heavy Duty Tractor/Trailer ABS Diagnostic Kit. Maintenance issues related to heavy duty anti-lock braking systems on Class 7 and 8 trucks and trailers can result in both safety and regulatory issues, the company says. Noregon offers an ABS diagnostic solution with the introduction of the No. 70050 Heavy Duty Tractor/Trailer ABS Diagnostic Kit. The new kit is comprised of the tools a technician needs to diagnose, test and initiate the repair of heavy duty tractor and trailer anti-lock braking systems. The Heavy Duty Tractor/Trailer ABS Diagnostic Kit includes a Hewlett Packard 635 Notebook, Heavy Duty ABS OEM Software Bundle, JPRO DLA+ PLC Adapter Kit and necessary cabling.

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

 

Upgraded conveyors

Intelligrated announces the release of new zone control upgrade features to the Intelligrated Accuglide and IntelliQ powered roller accumulation case conveyors. The Accuglide chain-driven conveyor and IntelliQ belt-driven conveyor provide quiet, positive transportation and true zero-pressure accumulation for rapid, virtually damage-free handling of a broad range of products, the company says. Zone control upgrades include the following: enhanced sleep mode to reduce noise, energy usage and equipment wear; jam detection logic to identify flow interruptions and command zone shutdowns; photo-eye visibility to eliminate cost of additional system-level eyes; visible status lights, device and system-level diagnostics to streamline maintenance; and on-board independent logic controllers that store commands to reduce programming requirements and central computer communication. The new zone control features are the latest additions to the Accuglide and IntelliQ solutions, part of Intelligrated’s broad range of accumulation conveyors including E-Z Set, Motor Driven Roller and Accumat. Other improvements include efficient high-speed rollers for quieter operation and reduced equipment wear, along with low-profile drives for reduced equipment elevations. Accuglide, a chain-driven accumulation conveyor, accumulates product through up to three 90-degree curves with a single drive, increasing layout flexibility and providing additional accumulation capacity, the company says. IntelliQ, a belt-driven accumulation conveyor, is designed for simplified maintenance and minimal noise. Both conveyors provide benefits for a wide range of applications and environments, including warehousing, manufacturing and distribution, it says. IntelliQ also is suited for cold room applications, while Accuglide is available in a stainless steel construction for food and beverage applications, as well as in a pallet load version for pallet handling applications.

• Intelligrated, 7901 Innovation Way, Mason, Ohio 45040; 866/963-7300; intelligrated.com.

 

Portable mixers

Chemineer Inc., a unit of Robbins & Myers Inc., offers its high-performance portable DT mixers. These mixers are fitted with industry-standard NEMA motors and gearmotors from one-quarter to 5 horsepower, resulting in increased process uptime, as well as commercially available seals for economic maintenance. DT Portable Mixers feature rugged cast aluminum housing with a high-strength, low-weight design and an integral handle for ease of positioning. They have a multi-directional clamp for horizontal and vertical adjustment, which features optional mounts and shaft attachments. Stainless housings and motors are available for cleanliness and corrosion protection, the company says.

• Chemineer Inc., P.O. Box 1123, Dayton, Ohio 45401; 937/454-3200; chemineer.com.

 

High viscosity mixing

The newest product from Charles Ross & Son, the Planetary Dual Disperser, is designed for powerful mixing of high-viscosity applications requiring ultra-fine dispersion quality. The Ross “PDDM” features four agitators — two planetary stirrers and two high-speed shafts — all rotating on their own axes while orbiting the mix vessel on a common axis. The two saw-tooth blades on each high-speed shaft provide an intensive shearing action, promoting solid dispersion and particle size reduction. The planetary stirrers continually turn over batch material, help feed fresh product to the high-speed blades and facilitate uniform temperature throughout the mix zone, the company says. Sidewall and bottom scrapers also can be installed to further ensure superior heat transfer between the vessel jacket and batch material. Shear levels and flow patterns are fine-tuned because the stirrers and dispersers are independently driven and controlled. Solids are quickly incorporated into viscous bulk material and stubborn agglomerates are dispersed regardless of product flow characteristics, it says.

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

 

Walkie stacker addition

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks announced the addition of a new 3,000-3,500 pound capacity Heavy-Duty Electric Walkie Straddle Stacker to its North American product line. The new PWT15 and PWT18 walkie stacker models feature an AC-powered drive motor and electric power steering option, giving operators precise control when traveling at any speed, the company says. The stacker can be powered-up by using a key or with an optional keyless access pad. Optionally, after a set amount of inactive time, the walkie stacker’s auto-shutdown feature powers the forklift down, conserving energy and allowing for more run time. The advanced regenerative braking system also enhances efficiency and control by smoothing out directional changes and reducing brake pad and component wear, the company says. The forklift’s AC-powered drive motor’s brushless design significantly diminishes noise levels and improves operating efficiency, it adds. The electrical system’s emphasis on power and efficiency make it ideal for repetitive stacking applications where travel distances are relatively minimal, such as storage and staging areas, skid, cart or work-table applications, the company says. It is equipped with an electric power steering option as well as both pinwheel and crawl speed functions. The pinwheel function gives the operator the ability to pinwheel the forklift with the handle in a completely vertical position while pressing the crawl speed button, the company says. It features an emergency reverse button, which will stop and reverse movement of the stacker if the operator is traveling in the forward direction and gets caught in close quarters.

• Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, 2121 W. Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, Texas 77043; 713/365-1000; mit-lift.com.

 

Bottle cleaning

Simco-Ion released the new Ioncell In-line Ionizer. The In-line Ionizer is ideal for bottle cleaning operations, the company says. The Ioncell provides powerful ionization through output tubes up to 4 feet in length. The output tube can be split to service multiple locations from a single ionization source. Various air knife and ring output applicators also are available. The low voltage 24-volt input can power up to six Ioncell units in a daisychain configuration. The product enables focused ionized air to be delivered to previously inaccessible locations, the company says.

• Simco-Ion, Industrial Group, 2257 N. Penn Road, Hatfield, Pa. 19440; 215/822-6401; simco-ion.com.

 

Overnight Labels specializes in custom, flexographic printed products

Established in 1987, Overnight Labels Inc. is an award-winning, U.S.-based company that manufactures custom, flexographically printed products. The company’s capabilities include the following: shrink sleeves, neck bands, flexible film for single serve, stick packs and sampling, booklet, peel-back and piggyback labels, IRC coupons, confectionery wrappers, clam shell inserts, pressure- and non pressure-sensitive labels, rotary silkscreen, cold foil and more. The company’s flexographic printing method utilizes environmentally friendly inks and coatings.

Overnight Labels ensures high quality standards for a variety of industries, including nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, cosmetic/cosmeceutical, household products and more. Shrink sleeves are printed and seamed in-house and use the latest converting equipment. All of Overnight Labels’ presses run laser-engraved digital plates and are equipped with real-time monitoring systems for print/color precision.

Overnight Labels is a small company, which gives it the ability to know all of its customers. The company’s employees are smart, attentive people with outstanding attention to detail, it says. Overnight Labels has the ability to anticipate the clients’ needs and look out for their businesses. The top four people at Overnight Labels each have more than 20 years experience in the printing industry, the company says.

The company prides itself on the ability to have an open mind and be willing to try anything. Overnight Labels enjoys trying to employ new technologies and doing things that some people are afraid to try. Additionally, the company is always attending industry seminars to keep things fresh and ideas flowing.

Overnight Labels is always looking out for its customers as their success is its success. Giving them the highest quality product that they, and the company, can be proud of, is what they do best.

• Overnight Labels Inc., 151-15 W. Industry Court, Deer Park, N.Y. 11729; 800/472-5753; overnightlabels.com.

 

SIPA helps find the best fit for PET manufacturing needs

SIPA, Vittorio Veneto, Italy, one of the major international players for the supply of complete bottling lines, is a full-fledged solution provider with vast expertise, technologies and services. SIPA is organized, flexible and able to offer innovative solutions for a complete supply, ranging from PET pellets to bottles ready for shipment to major chains, the company says.

The company relies on 16 branches, five manufacturing centers and 23 service centers to assist clients from everything from plant start-up to spare parts. It offers 360-degree service with a constant desire for innovation and state-of-the-art and ultra-customization for its clients.

SIPA’s manufacturing solutions for PET containers are wide and diversified, it says. From preform injection machines to linear and rotary blowers to single-step systems, all possible technologies are in the company’s product portfolio. This is why it can offer the manufacturing technology that best fits specific container and customer requirements.

All machinery developments are focused on reducing the environmental impact and improving the total cost of ownership. Special features include the following:

• Reduction of energy consumption by means of new lamps and lower blowing pressure;

• Quick changeover solutions and reduction of maintenance;

• Use of PET recycled material;

•  Air recovery systems;

•  Extreme lightweight bottle production; and

• Maximum flexibility in terms of the container to be produced and production process window.

SIPA has a wide range of machines to supply complete bottling lines for still and carbonated water, carbonated soft drinks, hot filling products, sensitive products, wine, spirits, milk and dairy products, and beer packaged in PET.

• SIPA, Via Caduti del Lavoro, 3 31029, Vittorio Veneto (TV) Italy; +390438 911511; sipa.it.