Combi Partners with Rockwell Automation

Pack Expo 2012  Booth N-3321

Automated pick and place packaging systems are good for manufacturers' profits and personnel.  They not only help lower operating costs, but also reduce errors and increase production efficiencies.

But manufacturers need to carefully select the right packaging system to ensure it offers the specific functions and ergonomics for optimal performance on their plant floor.

Customers' access to engineering capabilities at Combi Packaging Systems makes the company unique.  Combi offers affordable customization to every piece of equipment.  Customers do not have to conform to the limitations of a stock piece of equipment or pay for more than they need.  Whether a customer needs a single, stand-alone unit, or is looking for a total turnkey packaging line, Combi is a single-source manufacturer with the in-house capability to provide customized designs.

At PACKEXPO 2012, Combi will showcase its Alphapack Servo Pick and Place Case Packer, an ultra compact system that offers a wide variety of methods for top-loading products into corrugated cases.  With an integrated case erector, this multi-axis servo pick and place machine boasts a small footprint.  It can be fully customized to accommodate a range of products, including bags, chipboard cartons, bottles and ridged containers.

Combi Packaging Systems, a Canton, Ohio based manufacturer of automated packaging machines, offers affordable packaging equipment for a variety of industries, with a strong emphasis on proper ergonomics.  The company's engineers work closely with customers to design cost-effective, end-of-line automated systems to package food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care and chemical products.

"Combi builds machines that are flexible, meaning that if a customer's product changes, the machine can be outfitted with new packing heads, and quickly updated using an Allen-Bradley PanelView touchscreen terminal." said Bill Mitchell, director of engineering, Combi Packaging. 

The Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus human machine interface (HMI) from Rockwell Automation gives operators access to real-time feedback on production, as well as diagnostic and troubleshooting information.  The easy-to-view screen displays machine status and alarms, timing signal entry, servo parameter entry, machine function selects, and size menu selection.

Along with the PanelView terminal, Combi uses a number of other elements of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture™ system to reduce its engineering time by up to 30 percent.  With Rockwell Software® RS Logix™ 5000 design and configuration software, the company's engineers define machine code tags just once to establish a reusable database.  When configuring a motion control system, company engineers simply select the motors and drives the machine will use, and all parameters and encoder information automatically upload.

An Allen-Bradley CompactLogix programmable automation controller (PAC) gives Combi a high-performance control platform in a small footprint.  The PAC provides integrated safety and motion capabilities in a single platform and communicates via an EtherNet/IP™ network, which is emerging as an industry standard for Combi's customers in Latin America.

"EtherNet/IP connectivity gives our customers the ability to receive hands-on support, regardless of their location." Mitchell said.  "Plus, the network uses standard, unmodified Ethernet so it integrates with upstream operations."

Most Combi customers recognize Rockwell Automation as the industry standard for automation controls, and they're familiar with the company's highly flexible, integrated control platform.  "The service and local support Rockwell Automation offers through its extensive global network provides customers with complete confidence in our machines," Mitchell said.

For more information, contact:

Kayla Stein

Marketing Manager

Combi Packaging Systems LLC

Phone:  330.456.9333

Email:  sales@combi.com

Allen-Bradley, CompactLogix, PanelView Plus, Integrated Architecture, Rockwell Software and RSLogix are trademarks of Rockwell Automation, Inc.  Trademarks not belong to Rockwell Automation are property of their respective companies.  Copyright © 2012 Rockwell Automation, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  Printed in USA