versatile machines, an increased number of filled cartons per hour, easy and quick format changing and optimal timing of production processes.

Vetraco goes greener

VE.TRA.CO Group Srl (www.vetraco.com) has designed and manufactured processing and packaging machines for the cosmetics industry, assembly lines, automation solutions with vision robotics and QC systems since 1975.

In the past three years, Vetraco has focused on building greener machines, engineered to use fewer resources and to save energy to improve the working environment. The company’s goal was achieved through converting to electronics with the exclusive use of motors that featured low power consumption, as well as replacement of hydraulic solutions in order to completely eliminate use of oils to prevent environmental pollution and product contamination.

Electronic solutions also contribute to a drastic reduction of the noise level to produce a more operator-friendly environment. Machine efficiency and remote assistance via modem reduce downtime and operational costs. Other resource-savings practices involve a limited use of pneumatics.

SMI shrinking tunnel gives North American manufacturers pollution-free solutions

SMI S.p.A. ( www.smigroup.it ) has developed a new tunnel type; thermoshrinking film has become the most used packaging material to pack food, beverages and non-food products. Therefore, shrinkwrappers have become popular in bottling and packaging lines of large and small producers. This packaging process requires a thermoshrinking tunnel which, by means of heat generated by electric resistances, gets plastic film shrunk around bottles to make a solid, compact pack. Smiflexi shrinkwrappers (LSK and SK Series) can be equipped with a standard electrically powered shrinking tunnel or with a new methane-heated model.

The new tunnel type, through combustion of natural gas, instead of electric resistances, produces heat for the operation. Methane advantages are that it provides smogless and pollution-free combustion, is environmentally friendly, and, in countries where it is available at a low price, it dramatically cuts costs in energy procurement.

In the SMI machine testing department, technicians have carried out trials to calculate actual natural gas consumption during thermoshrinking; then, results of the testing have been compared with electricity consumption to perform the same operations.

Tests were performed according to a variety of parameters. Under the same working conditions, the consumption monitored was equal to 3 m3 of methane and 25 Kw/h of electricity.

Analysis proves that, at least in Italy, use of the natural gas-heated shrinking tunnel ensures a 70 percent saving in energy consumption costs. Time for reaching the working temperature is shorter by 75 percent in comparison with the electricity-powered tunnel.

Laser not only cuts coil, but North American manufacturers’ costs

IRON S.p.A. ( www.iron.it) Temnos is a laser cutting system to cut parts from strip or coil input. Using hybrid-cutting technology, strip fed being the X-axis, Temnos offers material savings and flexibility in cutting blanks for automotive and other industry sectors. The strip specifications at maximum, based on mild steel, are 1,540 mm width, with thickness to 3 mm. Laser technology can be either carbon dioxide or fiber sources. IRON offers a system that delivers precision parts with repeatable accuracy and laser-cut edge quality, across a selection of materials and thicknesses, with no tooling issues. The versatile system permits kit making.

Greenheck Fan Corp.
www.greenheck.com

Salvagnini Italia S.p.A.
www.salvagninigroup.com

Ritmo S.p.A.
www.ritmo.it

Vellano Bros. Inc.
www.vellano.com

Stanley Furniture Company
www.stanleyfurniture.com

Paolino Bacci Srl
www.bacci.com

Sacmi Imola S.C.
www.sacmi.com

Losma S.p.A.
www.losma.com

EMO 2009
www.emo-milano.it

Galdi Srl
www.galdi.it

VE.TRA.CO Group Srl
www.vetraco.com

SMI S.p.A.
www.smigroup.it

IRON S.p.A.
www.iron.it