A tradition of innovation
The PPMA show will take place at the ExCel exhibition centre in the heart of London, this month. Here we review some of the exhibitors and see what will be on display
The PPMA show will take place at the ExCel exhibition centre in the heart of London, this month. Here we review some of the exhibitors and see what will be on display
The Processing and Packaging Machinery Association's show will take place from the 25-27 September, at the ExCel exhibition centre, London, with the organisers confident that it will be a success. 'Exhibitors saw last year how visitors appreciated a true production line event ; with a useful mix of both processing and packaging machinery ; and we are keen to maintain that momentum,' said show manager Barbara Jackson.
The show opens it doors in September following a 14 year history in which the exhibition has created its own unique role in the world of packaging and processing machinery. 'Processing and packaging machinery professionals have come to find the concept of a machinery only show, from the beginning to the end of the line, as a fertile environment in which to look for new ideas and see new technology,' says show director Jeremy Marden.
PPMA newcomer, Alrad Imaging, will be displaying a number of new vision systems at the exhibition. Its high speed motion capture system can be used to inspect fast moving machinery, or can be used as a quality control tool. Alrad is able to provide both area scan cameras with motion analysis software to analyse and track the motion of an object, or linear Linescan array systems with image processing software for a wide range of applications such as print inspection.
The company can also supply a wide range of fibre optic, LED and high frequency fluorescent lighting solutions for machine vision applications.
This year the Skerman Promac stand will be dominated by two of their machinery agents, Anritsu and TLM. Various Anritsu checkweighers and metal detectors will be on display including the all new SVh series. This has been designed for very high speeds of up to 600 products per minute, with a higher than normal repeatable accuracy of 0.01g at 3s depending on the product.
In order to achieve this speed and accuracy a new force balance weigh cell and interface has been developed which increases the response time needed. A Windows based user-friendly colour touch screen indicator features on the top of the range models.
This range also includes a combination model where the metal detector and weighing system controls are integrated into the single display. Another Anritsu development available soon will be an indicator similar to the one used on the Anritsu FC and IP 66 series.
The Sv range is available in both stainless steel and painted finishes with the mainframe designed to accept both infeed directions. The IP66 range will also be available for demonstration with the combination unit featuring an updated multi-frequency metal detector with greater sensitivity and a menu based setting.
TLM of Italy will be represented on the Skerman Promac stand with their Little Flow and Easy 4 Flow wrapping machines. The former is a bench-top unit with a short infeed designed for wrapping small products with a 280mm maximum film width, at speeds of up to 60 packs per minute, but still maintaining a small overall floor area.
Weyfringe Barcode & Labelling Systems will be showing a multiplicity of labelling systems at the show, from the latest in label design software and desktop printers to fully automatic on-line label print and apply systems.
For the first time in the UK, the new Apollo 3 will be available to view. This brand new label printer features a number of class leading features including:
The show will also see the launch of a number of other new products from the company including:
Manesty will be exhibiting a working example of its latest model, the XL mobile 'plug-in and play' tablet coater. The XL offers faster coating times, a wide range of batch sizes and has a coating efficiency in excess of 97%.
Examples of universal diamond tooling will be available for inspection and graphic displays illustrating the company's comprehensive portfolio of tablet presses and coating machines will complete the stand. On 26 September, Manesty will be organising a seminar at ExCel which will explain about the latest developments in film coating technology.
digital video image
Lake Image Systems will be showing a wide range of high speed video systems and lighting solutions for use within high speed packaging. Capable of recording events at up to 8000pps, the Motionscope range can provide instant slow motion for frame-by-frame analysis.
LIS will be demonstrating the Redlake Motionmeter, a handheld slow-motion digital video camera. It is capable of recording up to 1000fps, with resolution up to 292 x 220 x 8 bit pixels per frame.
Inex Vision Systems are world leaders in automated glass and plastic container inspection. PPMA 2001 sees the European launch of two major developments. Inex have taken their comparative inspection expertise and applied it to packaging in general. They will be promoting a new range of equipment and systems capable of performing the simplest to the most complex comprehensive visual inspection processes.
Typical inspection tasks include incomplete case packaging, faulty printing, omission of batch number, wrinkled labels and damaged cartons.
Inex is also launching a major processing upgrade for their 'Superscan' empty container inspection system; specifically designed to inspect glass containers prior to filling. The new controller offers modern Windows based software.
New high performance washing machines from Lancer will be featured at PPMA. The company offers machines from the standard laboratory UP models, typically for QC departments and research, through the new TI models, ideal where full FDA compliance may not be critical, to the high-spec PRO/PCM range.
The PRO and PCM models have been developed to meet the increasing demand of the pharmaceutical industry for high performance washing and drying systems with validation, which satisfy cGMP guidelines and rigorous FDA requirements.
filling and discharging
Flomat Bagfilla International has pioneered FIBC filling and discharge technology. It has a comprehensive range of filling and discharging machines available and will be displaying some of these at the PPMA show.
Major highlights from Weber Marking Systems include the just launched 5200 series printer applicator and an advanced lable applicator from the recently acquired German company Geset. The 5200 represents the next generation of label printer applicators, with a range of user friendly features aimed at minimising downtime and maximising throughput. Two desktop printers, a barcode reader and scanner and examples of Weber's label design will also be on display.
Kemutec Group is an international supplier of dry bulk solids process and handling equipment. At PPMA it will be exhibiting a high hygiene, easy-clean cantilevered shaft, KEK Centrifugal Sifter. The cantilevered shaft eliminates one set of bearings and seals. The latest Gardner U-trough mixer will also be on display.
Kemutec's Mucon division will be promoting its Mucon Iris Diaphragm and Disc type flow control valves. The series K are ideally suited to high hygiene packing applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Mucon will also be showing its 'Promo-Flow' vibrating screens, 'Powderflo' aerators and 'Northern' pneumatic vibrator silo discharge aids.
Gravfil's new Zeta in-line flowmeter liquid filler will be unveiled at ExCel. With no moving parts in the base of the filler and a specially designed filling head, the Zeta offers a high level of accuracy, flexibility and the facility for CIP.
Its modular design is available in three base sizes with 2-16 heads and either mass or electromagnetic flowmeters. Capable of operating at speeds in excess of 120 units per minute, the Zeta offers run-fill volume adjustment, drip-free clean filling, diving nozzle for optimal fluid control and 'no bottle/no fill facilities.
Innovations from Lock Inspection Systems at PPMA will include the unique ADC software package, MET 30+ metal detector and WeighChek checkweigher.
Developed in-house by Lock's r&d experts, ADC software provides users and maintenance engineers with a powerful on-screen diagnostic tool to optimise metal detection performance.
The MET 30+ range of metal detectors offers performance in all 'wet' and 'dry' applications. The in-built software guarantees high sensitivity levels for the inspection of products and goods packaged in metallised film.
SephaScan produces BlisterScan
BlisterScan is a new, affordable, non-destructive leak tester from SephaScan, which uses state-of-the-art sensor technology to identify individual leaking blister pockets. The BlisterScan test is clean, dry and non-destructive. Blisters which ‘pass" the test can be re-introduced to the blister packing line, reducing unnecessary waste costs. Product from failed blisters can be deblistered intact and immediately repackaged. With the ‘Blue dye" test, packs and their contents cannot be re-used whether they pass or not. BlisterScan's test cycle takes only 30 seconds and identifies the precise pocket which leaks — ideal for testing alongside the blister line as it speeds up diagnosis of any problems and prevents the production of excess rejects as soon as possible. It detects leaks and weak seals as small as 5 microns across a full cross-section of the entire blister web. With the blue dye test, the operator has to decide whether a pack passes or fails. With the BlisterScan, the operator does not influence the results as the Pass or Fail status of each pocket is shown on the screen. The BlisterScan is easy to operate. All machine functions are accessed using virtual instrumentation on a touch screen display. Product change-over takes only 2 minutes. Only two low-cost plates are required for each different blister format. BlisterScan can be fully validated to National Standards. The Auto EZ blister retains the simplicity and flexibility of the EZ blister semi-automatic machine with features such as low-cost tooling, rapid changeover with quick-release tooling and no need for technical expertise. Both units run from single-phase electricity and 6 Bar (90psi) air supply and can be wheeled through a standard single door. All Sepha machines are fully cGMP, maintenance-free and are covered by a lifetime guarantee.