Krones, A&D Australasia, BASF and Festo head to AUSPACK PLUS 2013

Krones, A&D Australasia, BASF and Festo are just four of the 270 companies exhibiting at AUSPACK PLUS 2013.

Krones Pacific will showcase the KSB 6R series on stand 616. The KSB 6R series PET blow-moulding machines produce top-quality PET bottles and keep energy and air consumption to a minimum. The modular oven is one of the energy-saving features. With air recycling, a lower-capacity compressor is sufficient, reducing initial investment and ongoing operating costs. Quick changeover is a major advantage of the KSB 6R series, and it is one of the reasons why the series is so successful. Short production runs can be processed quickly and efficiently on these machines.

A&D Australasia will display its wide range of checkweighers that make checkweighing easy. The new range of A&D Checkweighers can process up to 200 pieces per minute, with 0.5 kg x 0.1 g accuracy. Designed and built by A&D Company in Japan, the high-quality checkweighers are reliable and are supported by the manufacturer’s subsidiary, A&D Australasia, which offers full access to all technical information and trained personnel.

Checkweighers are usually delivered to customers in large wooden crates. A&D checkweighers are delivered in three flat packs that can fit in the back of a standard SUV or station wagon, cutting the cost of delivery. The checkweighers can be quickly assembled on-site by either A&D or an authorised A&D retailer.

BASF will be showcasing sustainable solutions for the packaging industry, including ecovio FS paper, which is a biodegradable polymer that has been developed for coating paper and paper board. This fully biodegradable and partially bio-based polymer offers a number of advantages required for food packaging. The barrier properties provided by this product can be used to address future needs like barriers against liquids and grease.

AUSPACK PLUS attendees can learn more about Festo’s Bionic Learning Network at AUSPACK PLUS 2013. A joint project between Festo and several renowned universities, institutes and development companies, the Bionic Learning Network takes principles from nature to provide a fresh impulse for technology and industrial applications. The Network’s objectives are to transfer natural efficiency strategies to automation technology, to test new technologies and manufacturing processes and to develop energy-efficient biomechatronic products.

The Bionic Handling Assistant.

The Bionic Handling Assistant, developed by the Bionic Learning Network, is a flexible assistance system based on an elephant’s trunk. Its structural resilience permits safe and direct contact between human and machine and points the way towards new methods of interaction between people and technology. The system can now grip objects independently and without the need for any programming or manual operation. A miniaturised camera in the gripper module registers the working space, detects target objects, follows them and initiates the command to grip at the right time.

Visitors can expect to see more than 1100 brands and 270 exhibitors, including 68 internationals, all under one roof. The ‘must-attend’ exhibition will be held at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, from Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 May 2013. For more information, visit www.auspackplus.com.au.