Pack Expo Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging Expo hit a trifecta this year, breaking records for the number of exhibitors, total exhibit space and total attendees, according to show owner and producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. By the show’s close on Sept. 25, preliminary numbers reveal that more than 2,000 exhibitors covering nearly 900,000 net square feet of the Las Vegas Convention Center convened with more than 31,000 attendees; an 8 percent increase from the 2017 show.

The tradeshow featured a variety of exhibitors for the beverage market. The following are highlights of those suppliers:

Agr International Inc., Butler, Pa., introduced Pilot Vision+, an in-the-blowmolder inspection system. Designed to work in conjunction with high-speed reheat stretch blowmolding equipment, the product also has a special focus on containers with high percentages of rPET. The Pilot Vision+ features a compact design of cameras and lighting components in addition to an operating speed as fast as 100,000 bottles an hour, the company says.

Rochester Hills, Mich.-based FANUC America introduced the new M-20iD/25 robot, a next-generation compact and versatile material handling robot. Its 25kg payload, unique design, and best-in-class ratings for payload, speed and repeatability offers customers a reliable and high-performance solution for packaging, load/unload, part handling, and assembly applications, the company says.

GEA, Düsseldorf, Germany, promoted its Visitron Filler ALL-IN-ONE filling system, which can disinfect, rinse, sterilize, fill, and close a wide range of different PET, glass bottle and can formats, it says. The ALL-IN-ONE multi-functional filler helps customers to reduce downtime and product losses and makes it easy for an operator to switch between different bottle and can formats in just 20-30 minutes without the use of tools, it adds.

Atlanta-based Graphic Packaging International promoted KeelClip, a paperboard alternative to plastic rings. A paper fastener, KeelClip is made from recyclable paper. The high-tech, automated design is capable of running at the high speeds and efficiency thanks to the KeelClip 1600 machinery system, the company says.

ProMach Filling Systems, Cincinnati, introduced its Proof Perfect filling systems for distilled spirits at the tradeshow. This new family of solutions includes best-in-class filling and capping technologies from Federal and Zalkin, with a variety of stand-alone fillers as well as filler-capper monoblocs and rinser-filler-capper tri-blocs, according to the company. Glenview, Ill.-based Signode Industrial Group, the Transit Packaging Division of Crown Holdings Inc., announced that it now is Signode. Signode also unveiled a new shield-inspired logo and corporate message “We’ll Protect it From Here” to reaffirm its identity as a global partner in transit packaging solutions, it says. A new web presence at signode.com accompanies the new branding and updated messaging.

Downers Grove, Ill.-based Silgan Closures, a division of Silgan Holdings Inc., offers its ELC gable top caps for cartons of all formats and sizes from 28 to 35 mm. Silgan’s patented design flips the J-band from the closure and puts it onto the finish using segmented flights. Using segmented flights creates a flexible A-bead on the finish, eliminating broken bridges, the company says.

Sleeve Seal, Little Rock, Ark., showcased its augmented reality diagnostic tool at Pack Expo for the first time. The system uses Rockwell Automation’s diagnostic technology in the form of augmented reality. Alerts can be sent to a mobile phone or tablet to view an issue or fault in the equipment controls using an iPad or other smart device to determine the source of the issue, the company says.

Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Universal Robots launched Service360, a new support offering that enhances performance through seamless collaboration. Service360 allows customers to mitigate risks and take control of unexpected expenses by eliminating unplanned service costs and reducing downtime and delays; as well as maximize cobot ROI through remote and onsite performance and programming checks, environment assessments and access to UR’s certified engineers, automation experts and 24/7 customer support portal, it says.

WestRock, Atlanta, highlighted its CanCollar, a durable, environmentally friendly paperboard-based multipack solution for cans. The wet-strength CarrierKote material is laminated to reinforce the pack against the moisture and rough handling in beer supply chains and use occasions.

The next event in the Pack Expo portfolio is Pack Expo East, which will take place March 3-5, 2020, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. BI