Innovation

PACK EXPO Las Vegas celebrates its 20th anniversary

PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, produces the largest-ever edition of its Las Vegas show.

September 11, 2015

Over the 20 years of its existence, PACK EXPO Las Vegas has grown from a regional show to one of the most expansive events for packaging and processing innovation.

TECH FLASH

2015 Dairy Index: Milk seeks revitalization through innovation, communication

Tetra Pak’s annual report says a busy, health-conscious generation reaffirms the strong belief in milk’s goodness, providing opportunities to grow consumption.

Jeremy Gerrard

June 29, 2015

The report examines specific examples where dairy companies have successfully brought new drinks to market.

Engineering R&D

Putting 'static cling' to use

You’ve seen the commercials for washday products that eliminate static cling. Ironically, the principle behind it gives an innovative robotic gripper a light, gentle touch that doesn’t bruise food items.

Wayne Labs

June 17, 2015

If you’ve ever experienced static cling when you take off a sweater in a dry, winter environment, you’re already familiar the technology behind Grabit’s robotic gripper technology, which the company calls electroadhesion.

Plant Construction Survey

38th Annual Plant Construction Survey: Fast track project delivery

There’s more money available, but it’s already earmarked for automation, sanitation, operational efficiency, utilities—and sometimes a new facility.

Wayne Labs

June 11, 2015

No question about it, the numbers of reportable food and beverage projects in 2014 hit a nine-year high—a total of 635 compared to 555 in 2013, according to Food Engineering’s 38th Annual Plant Construction Survey.

Engineering R&D

A secure, reliable automation controller from the silicon up

Rather than apply Band-Aids to old technology, the designers of this automation controller started with a clean sheet of paper.

Wayne Labs

May 31, 2015

If you could design and build a new programmable automation controller, what characteristics would you include?

Key Performance Indicators

Effective tools for hitting manufacturing targets

KPIs and measures serve to crystallize business strategy, align the organization and clarify accountability. The people, the measures, the accountability, the review and response process and the actions taken are the greater drivers of strategy delivery.

Peter Hock

May 11, 2015

When deciding what kind of car to buy, there’s an old adage: Fast, cheap and good—pick two!

TECH FLASH

Provisur opens new ingenuity center

The 20,000-sq.-ft. facility will be dedicated to ever-evolving demands of the food processing industry.

Jeremy Gerrard

March 16, 2015

The center includes a comprehensive food lab, new product and ideation areas and a processing floor.

Engineering R&D

Monitoring machine health 24/7

Wayne Labs

March 5, 2015

Process and packaging machine builders have been looking for ways to cut back on client support expenses.

Engineering R&D

Get a grip: The light touch

Wayne Labs

February 5, 2015

Technically inclined people in the baby boom generation no doubt remember the crystal (more properly known as piezoelectric) phonograph cartridge or microphone.

TECH FLASH