Pack Expo 2018 to Showcase Top Engineering Talent

The best way to gauge engineering talent’s worth is to see its work up close. PACK EXPO will help more than 50,000 industry professionals make that acquaintance as 2,500 exhibitors display the work of the people who make packaging innovations possible. Pneumatics will be represented in a wide variety of these displays, from how these technologies accomplish rapid item-level pick-and-place functions to the way they lift dozens of multi-packs at once via vacuum power.

Such productivity explains why the global market value for packaging machinery will reach $42.2 billion by 2021, according to PMMI’s Global Trends Impacting the Market for Packaging Machinery 2018 report. PACK EXPO International, co-located with Healthcare Packaging EXPO, will show attendees what’s driving packaging’s key market segments, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and medical devices. In addition to experiencing technology in action, attendees will also participate in educational opportunities available on the show floor. Examples include:

Improving OEE and Machinery Reliability with Real-Time Performance Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Control of Pneumatic Systems. Monday, Oct. 15, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Booth N-4585—IIoT/Industry 4.0 is creating practical opportunities to improve machine performance by incorporating intelligent devices and edge gateways. Machine manufacturers and suppliers will learn how to incorporate analytical fieldbus electronics into their pneumatics systems for real-time performance monitoring of machine and component functions.

How IO-Link is Revolutionizing Overall Equipment Effectiveness. Monday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Booth N-4560—Both machine builders and end users will appreciate learning how intelligent devices assist with change-over and predictive maintenance. This is key to the effectiveness of the Industrial Internet of Things.

The Starting Point for Robot Automation: A Beginner’s Tour. Monday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Booth N-4570—Attendees will come away with a good understanding of how to get started with robotics in automation and the key aspects to consider—including fluid power.

The Digital Twin and its Effect on Automation Efficiencies. Monday, Oct. 15, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Booth N-4570—The Digital Twin is a virtual representation of the machine which helps evaluate different automation concepts in the early phase of a project. Learn how to reduce commissioning time and accidents on site while managing the advanced training required for machine operators. Virtual models of the machine offer more than just 3D representations, but can be animated to simulate the real behavior of the machine. See how a physics engine can be configured to allow for the effects of gravity, torque, and friction on the machine and parts moving through the machine.

Breaking through New Dimensions with Augmented Reality—Planning Tool for Space Saving Palletizing Solutions. Monday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Booth N-4570—Using 3D simulation, take a virtual tour of a new plant at its proposed site and view its workings from all sides. See how proposed technology is evaluated for this environment—in complete safety. Augmented reality glasses will let you analyze the workings of a complete palletizing system featuring an articulated arm robot combined with a layer handling system.

Robotic Rotary Case Palletization—Revolving around your challenges. Monday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Booth N-4585—Review the advantages of robotic rotary case palletization, handling up to eight different SKUs fed from multiple lines. 

Building the Future Using Wireless Distributed Remote Solenoid Valve and I/O Technology. Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Booth N-4570—Learn how to achieve digitally secured, real-time wireless communication across multiple pneumatic control valve manifolds. This session’s focus will be on Ethernet/IP and Profinet wireless field bus IP67 pneumatic valve and I/O manifold solutions.