rollouts
NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY DIANE RAND
SPOTLIGHT ON ….
PACKING AND PACKAGING
Box-making machine: Packsize has unveiled its M1 on-demand packaging system, a box-making machine and technology
solution designed for speed, flexibility, and reliability. Built on
the Packsize Global Modular Architecture platform and utilizing
PackNet production and optimization software, the M1 system
delivers advanced on-demand packaging functionality for packaging environments requiring high variability in box types and
sizes, the company says.
This next-generation machine and technology solution features
the following key capabilities:
b A multibay z-Fold infeed system that enables the concurrent
use of four to eight corrugated bales across a two-track system;
b The ability to print high-resolution bar codes, logos, and
other company data on the box during production;
b A multi-axis tooling configuration that enhances both cutting
and creasing capabilities and reduces back-feeding to ensure
faster box-production cycle times; and
b PackNet software, which enables packaging operators to
prioritize box production, create workflows, manage multiple
machines, and produce advanced on-demand analytics via a
newly improved user interface. (Packsize, www.packsize.com)
Stretch wrapper: Signode Industrial Group, a manufacturer
of packaging consumables, tools, software, and equipment, has
introduced the Octopus Compact 20 TSI automatic rotary ring
stretch wrapper. Competitively priced with automatic rotary arm and turntable machines in the
30–50 LPH range, the versatile wrapper is suitable
for use in a variety of applications and environments, the company says.
With its compact size and intuitive operation, the
Octopus Compact 20 TSI is ideal for manufacturers
looking to increase productivity without compromising space or budgets, according to Signode. The machine’s
modular design further allows for numerous innovative options
to solve nearly any pallet-unitizing challenge, the company adds.
(Signode Industrial Group, www.signodegroup.com)
Temperature-controlled packaging: Temp-controlled
packaging maker Softbox has unveiled three new pallet and
parcel shipping systems: the Tempcell ECO, Tempcell MAX, and
Silverpod MAX.
The Tempcell ECO is the company’s recyclable parcel shipper.
The system, which is made from recycled corrugated paper, is
able to control different temperature ranges. The Tempcell MAX
is a single-use high-performance parcel shipper that maintains up
to 96 hours of thermal protection, while the Silverpod MAX is a
pallet shipper that incorporates coolants that enable safe storage
before and during shipping. (Softbox, www.softboxsystems.com)
Lithium-battery packaging: Labelmaster now offers
Obexion, a complete line of protective packaging solutions
engineered specifically for shipping and storing lithium batteries
and devices that contain them. Obexion is a lightweight fiberboard box that mitigates the risk of fires by containing pressure,
fire, gases, and projectiles, yet requires no use of gel packs,
heavy liners, pellets, or
fillers. Using a fire-retardant material within the
corrugate fibers, a heat
shield pulls the heat and
flammable gases away
from a thermal event.
Unlike other lithium-battery packaging solutions that use heavy
wooden crates, metal, or plastic boxes, Obexion is a lightweight
box that arrives pre-assembled with easy-to-understand directions, the company says.
Labelmaster further notes that its Obexion packaging received
the 2019 “Industrial Packaging Award” in the “Excellence in
Transit Packaging” category at Industrial Pack 2019 in Atlanta.
(Labelmaster, www.labelmaster.com/obexion)
Robotic picking software: ABB Robotics has launched the third
generation of PickMaster, its robotic software for vision-guid-ed random-flow picking and packing applications. The new
“PickMaster Twin” software is equipped with digital-twin technology for the first time, to shorten commissioning times from
days to hours and cut changeover periods from hours to minutes.
Digital-twin technology allows customers to test out robotic
configurations on virtual production lines before physical lines
are built. When using digital-twin technology, the simulated twin
can be directly connected to production operations, which allows
the picking process to be optimized virtually at the same time the
process is being implemented.
Enabling offline programming of picking and packing tasks
means users can create, simulate, and test a complete robot
installation in a virtual environment without having to disturb
their actual production line. This not only helps customers mitigate costly and time-consuming risks, the company says, but also
shortens the time to market for new products, as product lines
can be installed faster, ramped up to full speed without surprises
during commissioning, and continuously used in concurrent optimization, a critical competency for manufacturers with today’s
demands for mass customization and shorter product lifecycles.
PickMaster Twin is available in a multitude of configurations
and can work seamlessly with all ABB robots and a range of
virtual and physical machines, the company says. (ABB Robotics,
new.abb.com)
