Total coverage at the NEC

This month sees the start of Packaging Today International's Total coverage of the UK's biggest and brightest packaging and processing event. Reed Exhibitions says more than 1000 exhibitors have signed up for the first Total which takes place at the NEC from 29 March - 1 April. The event - a combination of Pakex, the PPMA show and Reed's processing exhibitions Eurochem and Interphex - will be held every three years.

Consultation through a series of forums with industry associations, exhibitors and visitors across all sectors has guided the layout and content of the show. Reed says its research, not only showed that the relevant audiences want an event that encompasses both processing and packaging, but one that also offered a distinct focus on the specific areas of packaging, processing, production, food, drinks and liquids filling, and pharmaceuticals.

The exhibition and associated features will cover some 50 000m2 and include:

Total Packaging – primarily packaging materials and containers and related functions

pharmaceutical specialists including the Total Pharma Centre of Excellence

There will also be a full seminar programme, including a potentially fascinating discussion forum on Tuesday, 30 March – entitled Child Resistant Packaging Forum: Blisters versus containers – led by MY Healthcare and the PPMA which features as part of the Pharma Centre of Excellence seminar programme.

Pre-register for the exhibition and conferences online at: www.totalpp.co.uk

Pick & place series launch

Endoline will have the official launch of its 310 Series of pick and place machines and introduce an addition to its Phoenix range of case tapers. The company says the machines have been designed in response to demands for improved levels of automation and efficiency at lower costs and that simple set-up and servicing were key aspects of the designs.

The compact 310 Series automatically loads product into cases and trays and Endoline says it will appeal to customers who are looking for their first move into full automation or those who believe that current machines on the market are too complicated or expensive.

The new PS6 semi-automatic case taper is designed to run on continuous size batches of cases and can be “adjusted to different sizes in seconds”. As with the standard Phoenix range, twin columns support the top tape head to ensure the cases are properly sealed as the tape is accurately applied down the centreline. A floating bridge also allows the top tape head to accommodate dimensional variations without the need to constantly readjust. T: +44 (0)1767 316422 – Stands: 4286 and 4290

Bulk bag discharger is efficient and safe

Flexicon (Europe) says the difficulties in delivering efficiency on the one hand and worker safety on the other during the procedure of bulk bag discharging has been successfully addressed with the recent launch of its new generation bulk bag discharger which will be on display at the show.

The design is said to increase operator safety by eliminating dust during untying, discharging, retying, collapse and removal of bulk bags “while achieving complete discharge with greater efficiency”.

The company says that central to the new design is a bulk bag/hopper interface consisting of a manual Spout-Lock clamp ring positioned above a pneumatically actuated Tele-Tube telescoping tube.

Together, the devices enable an operator to make a quick, dust-tight connection between the bag spout and hopper, and to automatically elongate the bag as it empties to promote flow and evacuation.

For applications requiring retying of partially empty bags, the company also offers a new Power-Cincher pneumatically actuated flow control valve. Unlike opposing bars that pinch the spout from two sides, the new valve contains a series of curved, articulated stainless steel rods that cinch the spout concentrically on a horizontal axis for easy tie offs and vertically in a tight zigzag pattern to prevent leakage of fine powders.

Also making its debut on the new discharger is an integral Bag-Vac dust collector that creates negative pressure within the dust-tight system to collapse empty bags prior to retying and disconnection, eliminating dust emitted during manual flattening of empty bags.

The discharger is also equipped with Flow-Flexer bag activators that raise and lower opposite bottom edges of the bag at timed intervals, loosening compacted materials and promoting material flow into the bag discharge spout.

As the bag lightens, the stroke of the bag activators increases, raising the bag into a steep ‘V’ shape, eliminating dead spots for total evacuation of material. T: +44 (0) 1227 374710 – Stand: 5249

Bemas for pharma and cosmetics

Bemas, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, will be showing a selection of its range of specialised packaging for pharmaceutical and cosmetics and toiletries products.

These include dosing and dispensing systems, sprays, roll-ons, aluminium containers, sticks, miniature dispensers and plastic tubes, jars and bottles. A new dropper tube will also be on display. T: +44 (0)20 8458 0440 – Stand: 3016

Loma to introduce latest X-ray model

Alongside exhibiting its comprehensive range of checkweighers, metal detectors and X-ray systems, Loma will launch its latest X-Ray model. This is said to be capable of producing crystal clear images at high line speeds and is “exceptional value for money” with “twice the resolution of competitor systems”.

It allows the detection of minute contaminants including bone, rubber or plastic and works even on products packed in metal foil. The network technology can provide sophisticated shape recognition either by zone or total pack, enabling the system to highlight product defects, missing items and under-filled packs.

As with all Loma equipment, the Xe is upgradable and can be networked with other systems. The Windows environment requires minimal operator skills and modem support is available for rapid on-line diagnostics. T: +44 (0) 1252 893300 – Stand: 4145

More benefits from Prisym 5

MAP80 Systems is launching a new version of Prisym labelling software which it says will allow companies to manage all types – inkjet, thermal and laser printers – of industrial coding and labelling on a single software programme.

MAP 80 says the benefits in streamlining their labelling systems in this way include reduced operator training and systems maintenance costs, improved automation and reduced human error, simplified and more efficient links between ERP/MRP systems and the labelling system and a single view of the entire printer network.

Another huge benefit, says the company, is that Prisym 5 uses dedicated printer drivers rather than Windows printer drivers. By talking to the printer in it’s own language Prisym 5 is able to download data, populating and printing labels or directly coding at much higher speeds. T: +44 (0)118 973 1800 – Stand: 4400

First true variable frequency detector

Cintex says it will demonstrate the first metal detector with true variable frequency capabilities, allowing greater sensitivity and multi-product inspection.

The company points out that traditional single frequency detectors need internal adjustments when faced with products materially different from those usually inspected on the line, a task which could take up to several hours. In response, some manufacturers introduced systems with two or three switchable frequencies so that a band could be selected which best suited each product.

Now Cintex says it has developed a “unique digital frequency synthesis system that allows literally dozens of frequencies between 40-900Khz to be simply dialled in from the control panel”. A ‘sweet spot’ can also be set that maximises metal sensitivity for a product which provides a “greater sensitivity and higher accuracy than ever achieved before”. T: +44 (0)1908 629200 – Stand: 4476

Interact with a robot

GAME Engineering will exhibit the Hyundai Robotic Palletising systems with an HR006 Robot demonstrating a few pre-programmed sequences. The company is, however, inviting visitors to interact with the robot and to control it in a controlled and safe environment.

GAME says the robots are extremely versatile, being capable of handling various layouts – from pick and place packing systems to random buffer stock systems with multiple product, multiple pallet with moving robot systems.

But the company says: “More important than what a robot does is its high accuracy of motion.” The robots also satisfy safety require-ments such as CE, ISO 9000 and QS 9000TE. T: +44 (0)1522 868021 – Stand: 4494.

High speed quality coding

Among Weber’s portfolio of labelling and coding equipment at Total will be a recently launched range of laser coders designed for high speed applications. The company says the coders are capable of producing quality text as small as 0.02in high as well as numerous barcode symbols and striking graphic images onto a range of materials.

Weber will also be showcasing the latest version of its 5200 Series print and apply labeller which has seen a number of enhancements, making it easier to operate and maximising uptime and throughput.

The recently introduced Weber ink jet range will be demonstrated too. These incorporate a Piezo head and gravity fed system to eliminate the need for pumps. There is an integrated keyboard for data entry with the option to link the unit to internal data networks.

Desk top label printers will also be exhibited and the company will be showing its capabilities in bespoke label design and production. T: +44 (0)187 5611111 – Stand: 4210

Domino to go live

The Domino stand will showcase its range of stand alone continuous ink jet printers, laser coders and secondary packaging equipment. Live and interactive demonstrations will take place throughout the show and visitors to the stand are invited to bring along a sample of their choice so that the company can demonstrate the “superior code quality of the S-Series”.

Domino says the S-Series laser coder has become its fastest selling laser product to date and further developments and upgrades will be announced at the show.

As well as the laser coders, Domino’s C-Series outer case coders and its A-Series continuous ink jet printers will also be on operational display.

The C-Series coders were recently involved in trials with the e.Centre Bar Code Innovations Group to produce the best practice guidelines for bar code printing. Domino says recent research has revealed that outer case coding can save manufacturers around 60% – 70% on the cost of manual labelling of secondary packaging.

Also on display will be a range of specialised inks providing superior codes for products in a range of industries. T: +44 (0) 1954 782551 – Stands: 4111 and 1K33

TS3 trigger on show for first time

Guala Dispensing will be showing its full range of triggers including – for the first time – the new screw neck TS3 trigger. Modelled on the TS1 design, the TS3 can also be specified with a bayonet fitting, which matches the TS2 finish.

The company says the TS1 is the acknowledged standard in user-friendly and safe dispensing, with its tamper evident feature and child-resistant option.

The TS2 provides an alternative through its ability to deliver its contents when turned com-pletely upside down or any awkward angle. All designs can be specified in a variety of colours to match branding requirements. T: +44 (0)1666 500427 – Stand: 3224

Labels cut cost and waste

Catchpoint will be exhibiting its self-adhesive labels produced without a backing web or liner for the first time in the UK. The company says its process reduces the amount of waste self-adhesive labels create by over 90% and increases the number of labels produced and stored on a single roll, resulting in “dramatic reductions in the cost of production” as well as shipping and storage advantages.

The DTI innovation award winning process is said to meet all the standard requirements of self adhesive labels – labels are printed as normal and will release and adhere as expected – and is easily incorporated into standard production processes. T: +44 (0)1937 583050 – Stand: 4431 (Sharing with Sessions of York)

SIG’s feeding store gets in line

SIG Pack Systems latest development in its storage product range, the SIG FS feeding store, will form part of a line demonstrating the company’s biscuit-handling and packaging expertise.

Other units on the line include SIG’s Delta robots, its HBM wrapper and the TBL-I case packer which operates at speeds up to 30/min. T: +41 (0)52 674 7419 – Stand: 5536

One stop shop for labels and sleeving materials

Skanem says it has developed a one-stop shop source of supply for self-adhesive labels and new specification sleeving materials and the company’s stand will feature examples of labels, sleeves and wraps produced for a variety of sectors.

Also featured will be the compact and flexible Skanem Systems labelling and sleeving solutions. The company says that, if a product needs print registered paper banding, sleeving or flexible labelling, the Dynarap, Dynasleeve or SE Sleever will “offer big reductions in costs to manufacturers who need to maintain high quality standards while achieving maximum on-shelf impact”.

The SE system is the company’s latest all purpose sleever for the fresh food industry. The system is based on the application of backingless labels which negate the need for a release liner and “sharply reduce cost and packaging waste”, says Skanem.

Also featured will be the Trojan label applicator, an add-on applicator for use with the Skanem Systems range. The Trojan is said to be a small and cost-effective device for incorporation into end of line packaging equipment.

Skanem is also the agent for ELS applicators. Included in its range is the ELS 520, a cross labelling web system capable of achieving high speed multiple application in one pass. T: +44 (0)7860 968266 – Stand: 4461