For many products, the package can cost more than the contents inside. Considering the competition for shelf space and consumer attention, package quality is important in marketing the product. To assemble the package properly, it has to be cut to the right length. That was the challenge. A customer of ours was developing a new cutoff machine design for use at the end of a package printing line. The paperboard stock was printed, creased, and die cut, then had to be cut off to the proper length for quality folding and assembly. Tolerances for these [...]

There are many process and manufacturing operations that consist of multiple steps. In many cases, the process is linear like a progressive punch press or an auto assembly line. But just as often it’s circular, like a bottle filling line or a CNC tool holder. For circular applications, the use of rotary tables is often incorporated. In its standard form, a rotary table is a flat round plate mounted on an axial bearing, which is either driven from a central shaft from below or by a pinion driving a bull gear mounted around the outside [...]

While many have visited a fast food restaurant and ordered a chicken sandwich, or that seasonal favorite, the riblet sandwich, they don't look bad, but I don't think anyone really believes they are getting an actual chicken breast or boneless rack of ribs. Or, how about the variety of baked goods formed into unique shapes, and confection products like chocolate bars or ice cream treats produced in specific configurations? To satisfy our quick lifestyle, and our penchant for tasty luxuries, a variety of machinery manufacturers are designing machines to increase the production of these types [...]