Human operating a display on a humanoid robot

Image: PAL Robotics

12/03/2024

What drives the robot market in 2024?

All over the world, more robots than ever before are in use in various industries: According to the International Federation of Robotics IFR, the number of industrial robots is currently about 3.9 million units. These run the gamut from new developments in artificial intelligence to collaborative robots for new applications and humanoid solutions.

Image: RIGK

14/11/2023

Agricultural bulk bags for a circular economy

Whether it is seeds, fertilisers or animal feed, farms receive a large amount of items in bulk bags. But what to do with the empty plastic super sacks? The VerenA return scheme was launched in early 2023 specifically for the disposal of used, licensed bulk bags.

Image: Markus Breig, KIT

12/09/2023

Moving heavy loads autonomously

Most of us are familiar with swarms from the animal world. But autonomous mobile robots are already working in swarms in automated, networked production – wirelessly connected and equipped with cameras, they’re able to coordinate themselves and act synchronously.

Image: Schütz

10/08/2023

Laser drums with special anti-corrosive properties

Steel drums are used to transport and store chemical products, primary materials for industrial use, hazardous goods and food. For sensitive goods, there is now a new drum made of galvanised sheet steel, which has anti-corrosive properties on both its inside and outside and is manufactured in a novel production process.

Image: igus GmbH

11/07/2023

Recycling programme for engineering plastics

Plastic energy chains and bearings are deployed wherever movement is required in production. They are responsible, for instance, for keeping processes running smoothly in packaging plants. But even chains and bearings need to be disposed of at some point in time. What happens then?

Image: StellrWeb/unsplash

13/06/2023

Considering the carbon footprint during refitting

Packaging materials are usually the first thing that come to mind when the topic of the ‘carbon footprint of packaging’ is brought up. Machines, however, also produce emissions. But even relatively simple modifications may result in considerable savings. A tool by the KHS mechanical engineering company in Germany is able to quantify those savings.

How to save? GreenSaver from Robatech provides detailed answers (Image: Robatech)

13/04/2023

Advertorial - Systematically making use of savings potential in adhesive application

Rising energy prices, shortages of raw materials and supply bottlenecks are increasingly putting a strain on companies. Under the motto "You don't need much. Just the right thing.", Robatech will present GreenSaver at interpack 2023. With this service, the savings potential in industrial hotmelt application can be determined.

Product image of the head of a vacuum suction pad

The ZP3C series vacuum pad (shown here in the version for flat work pieces) does not require tools for maintenance thanks to its two-part construction. (Image: SMC Deutschland GmbH)

12/12/2022

New vacuum pad makes maintenance possible without tools

Transport of hazardous materials poses different challenges to labels. They have to adhere to different materials and be resistant to chemicals or environmental effects. Storage and disposal of large amounts of labels can become a problem.

When emptying the Ecobulk SX-D, the discharge pipe reaches down to the bottom and achieves near complete emptying. (Image: Schütz)

12/12/2022

Safe protection under difficult conditions

The safe transport of hazardous goods or chemicals depends on reliable containers. But sustainability should not be overlooked. The German company Schütz produces different IBC containers which are manufactured using recycled material.

The sustainable load carriers by Cabka were especially designed and improved for the chemical industry. (Image: Cabka)

12/12/2022

The new generation of recycled plastic pallets

For the chemical industry, plastic pallets could be a sustainable alternative when it comes to the transport and storage of products. With the help of industry feedback, Cabka has developed a sustainable generation of their plastic pallets, made from recycled material.

A person applying a hazard label to an uneven surface

Boxlab Services takes care that hazard labels comply with legal requirements. (Image: Boxlab Services)

17/11/2022

Small print runs of labels for hazardous materials

Transport of hazardous materials poses different challenges to labels. They have to adhere to different materials and be resistant to chemicals or environmental effects. Storage and disposal of large amounts of labels can become a problem.

Sealing system with a big pack ready for closure, side view

Image: SSB Wägetechnik GmbH

22/06/2022

Vacuum-sealed closures for bulk goods

Food or building materials present special challenges for the filling and closing process. To make sure that the surroundings stay clean and product safety is guaranteed along the entire supply chain for bulk powders, vacuum seals are used for filling and closing.

A graphic shows drums wrapped in stretch film on pallets. Red lightning bolts are printed on the film.

The antistatic stretch film is marked with printed red lightning bolts. Image: BASF

19/04/2022

Stretch Film for EX Zones

Dangerous goods on business premises present special challenges for the packaging material used. BASF and Duo Plast have now developed an antistatic stretch film for palletisation in potentially explosive atmospheres that prevents flying sparks.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on the day-to-day routine of machine engineers for the packaging industry. Digitalisation gives rise to innovation.

01/06/2021