PackExpo 2019

The AstroPack is Back! From PackExpo 2019!

Reliable Packaging Systems' adhesive & equipment team had recently made the not-so-perilous trek out to the deserts of Nevada for 2019's inimitable Pack Expo. And what a wonderful experience it was, not only because this year's series of events had been so much closer to us than Chicago's biennial take on the same exhibition, but because Pack Expo—Vegas is the oh-so rare(r) chance for us to catch up with some of our all-time favorite faces, friends, frenemies, foils, etc.

Some of the standout experiences on the expo floor were courtesy of Graco® Inc., Packsize®,

Nordson®, Glue Dots®, Yaskawa® America Inc., etc. The InvisiPac equipment remained an ever-reliable contender this year, putting Graco® well on the path to an, admittedly, well-deserved, multi-year reliability streak. Tank-free delivery system designs are all about functionality and seamless integration onto any point in an assembly line. Prevent char/residue build-up, reduce burn hazards, boast faster start-up times, maintain more consistent/robust temperatures, heighten performance, expedite your production, cut costs, save time, etc. This product line cannot be beat!

Nordson®, on the other hand, demoing the new ProBlue Flex, possessed a near-monastic focus on coaxing a seamless (and entirely brilliant) wireless performance out of their new interface. A touch of modernity in the equipment's interface always goes a long way! Only time will tell if Nordson® has a winner, but the booth was buzzing with inquisitive minds. With regards to "seamless", Glue Dots®, who are always a pleasure to see in the field, touted more fully automated adhesive applications this year, with a renewed dedication to upping feed rates, increasing accuracy in dot placement, and cutting maintenance costs, whether we'd all be choosing between intermittent, or continuous, applications, or not.

Yaskawa® Electric Corp. demoed several impressive robotic applications, whether it'd been arms, belts, drivers, or other jaw-dropping automations. You could literally ask one these "new-fangled" automatons for a beer, and the programming would oblige, serving up a cold one with calculated precision. Pre-programmed mechanizations continued to be a trend, as we then made our way over to checkout ADCO® Packaging Solutions' veritable cornucopia of cartoners, ultimately discovering that they were selling their makes, right on the floor, then and there, on the first day. Talk about reliable: you can always count on "impressive" when you're dealing with ADCO®.

A last honorable mention should really go out to Switchback® Group, if we're going to be discussing the term, "impressive". With their vast state-of-the-art equipment array, and a expansive vast of their expansive customer base, this is one OEM that does it all. Cartoners, carton closers, tray formers, case packers, sleevers, top-loaders, etc. Their arsenal is vast and they have got the knowhow to keep their operation up and running for years to come. They're in it for the long haul, and longevity/staying power will never an issue for them. There was even talk of their daring dalliance(s) with several choice breweries, IPA houses, and Kombucha distributors. Cheers, as we drink to that!

A round of "thank you(s)" are in order, not only for a lovely showcase this year, but also for another successful summer season in the packaging industry. To all those amicable folks who'd shaken some hands, swapped a few business cards, stayed for meet n' greets, etc. And to all those who may have followed us on our daring pilgrimage for the nearest reputable steakhouse (or three), or to any of you who'd gotten jazzed with us, quite literally, at a certain piano bar until well passed the wee hours of the morning… you know who you are. We hope to see and hear from all of you again!

Warmest Regards,

Astro Packaging Admin. Team