18 "While o<strong>the</strong>r shows have slowly died, PACK EXPO has remained a global force. The best thing about this show is <strong>the</strong> level of attendees. They are decision makers." — Bryan Baker, CCL Label PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
M arket shis (to lighter weight containers, more demanding/k<strong>now</strong>ledgeable consumers, etc.) has boosted interest in technologies that help packagers assure <strong>the</strong>mselves, <strong>the</strong>ir customers and, ulmately, consumers, that <strong>the</strong> package in <strong>the</strong>ir hands will perform as specified. Auto-Focus System Eyes Product Size Variety Cognex Corp introduced <strong>the</strong> Insight 7000, <strong>the</strong> first auto-focus vision system with integrated auto-focus, lighng, and IP67 Rang. The vision system can be used for inspecon, guidance, measurement, presence/ absence, code reading and OCR/OCV applicaons. It can automacally focus on variable package sizes to significantly reduce set-up mes. It can inspect many aributes, including bar codes, date codes and expira-‐ on dates. It is capable of acquision speeds of 500 frames/sec and resoluon of up to 5 megapixels. It sends all data to a quality system that can be directly linked to systems collecng serializaon data. – RCC More informaon Keith Blodorn, principal product markeng manager, Cognex Corp.: 414.604.7033, keith.blodorn@cognex.com Simulation Software Analyzes Packaging Line Design/Performance Flexsim Soware Products, Inc., introduced Flexsim 3D simulaon soware which provides very detailed graphics for use in model-ing, visualizing, analyzing and opmizing packaging line layouts and staffing. The soware can simulate any acvity performed on a producon line or <strong>the</strong> enre connuous process. It allows you to minimize risks, simulate line speeds, prepare presentaons for management and complete me and moon studies of proposed packaging lines. This is especially helpful in comparing scenarios for <strong>the</strong> best soluon prior to capital expenditures. It can also be used for troubleshoong exisng lines. It provides a variety of reports and graphs to analyze <strong>the</strong> line including; throughput, content, ma-chine state, ulizaon and cost. The soware can be customized to meet <strong>the</strong> exact requirements of any customer. – RCC More informaon William Strong, Flexsim Soware Products, Inc.: bill.strong@flexsim.com; 801.224.6914 System Monitors Pharmaceutical/Nutraceutical Lines Modular Packaging Systems, Inc., introduced <strong>the</strong> Central Monitoring System, a password-protected sys-tem to track events and system changes, on <strong>the</strong>ir pharmaceucal/nutraceucal solid dose (tablet) pack-aging lines. The basic system can monitor conveyor speeds and container counts at various staons while tracking packages rejected during manufacturing. An upgrade allows it to be configured to docu-ment physical adjustments for <strong>the</strong> line and to provide touch recipe <strong>download</strong>s to each line component. Combined with event logs and counters, <strong>the</strong> system can create and validate a batch record system send-ing data to a FTP or ERP locaon. It also integrates with serializaon soware, and can store line level data and aggregaons. Data generated allows users to analyze and improve <strong>the</strong> efficiency of <strong>the</strong> line. – RCC More informaon Erik Bronander, naonal sales manager, Modular Packaging Systems Inc.: erikb@modularpackaging.com; 973.970.9393 Loma Systems’ Quick Ship Flex Quick Ship Metal Detector Loma Systems introduced <strong>the</strong> Quick Ship Flex adjustable metal detector. The Quick Ship Flex’s adjustable con-veyor belt is available in custom conveyor lengths to work with mulple line layouts. — RCC More informaon Laura Studwell, markeng manager, Loma Systems: laura.studwell@loma.com; 630.681.2055 Tool Determines Best Sealants DuPont introduced an on-line modeling tool designed to help packaging engineers and designers idenfy <strong>the</strong> most appropriate sealant and to research new ways to handle tough sealing challenges. In conjuncon with DuPont’s Sealant Value Esmator, <strong>the</strong> tool pinpoints potenal sealant resin opons and <strong>the</strong>n compares <strong>the</strong>ir value-in-use in terms of reduced packaging failures and waste. Users can enter criteria and rank <strong>the</strong>ir importance, such as converng process aributes, packaging form requirements, end use condions and o<strong>the</strong>r property needs. – JES More informaon Rebecca Olsen, accounts manager, DuPont: rebecca.l.olsen@dupont.com INSPECTION Central Monitoring System from Modular Packaging 19 INSPECTION
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