Packaging Technology: Page 589

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Can a reduced supplier base cut costs?

Consolidation of supplier companies continues, and manufacturers themselves are working to reduce the number of companies from which they buy. Some see this as stifling innovation, however.

June 30, 2000

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Pac-Ex, WestPack show dates change

Held every other year, the Packaging Assn. of Canada’s (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Pac-Ex packaging exhibition has historically been a September event.

May 31, 2000

Plant Operations & Equipment

Lion Precision: Label detection

The LRD3100 label edge detection sensor from Lion Precision (St. Paul, MN) has a small sensing head that fits in tight spaces. Suitable for use in credit card, ID card and limited-access label registration applications.

May 31, 2000

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In Memoriam

William Plunkett White, Jr., 82, executive of White Cap Co. (Chicago, IL) and son of its founder, passed away April 14.

May 31, 2000

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NAS report boosts biotech plants

In April, the National Academy of Sciences released an eagerly awaited report on bioengineered plants. It found no evidence “suggesting that foods on the market today are unsafe to eat as a result of genetic modification.” Furthermore, it found no “strict distinction between the health and environment risks” posed by genetically modified plants and those modified by conventional breeding practices.

May 31, 2000

Automation & Digital Transformation

Galil Motion Control, Inc: Controls literature

Galil Motion Control (Mountain View, CA) has released an information sheet describing its expansion of communication protocols to include Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus and RS232.

May 31, 2000

Automation & Digital Transformation

Rockwell Automation: Fieldbus Q & A

The Web site of Rockwell Automation Networks Market Development (Mayfield Heights, OH) includes a question-and-answer format detailing fieldbus (www.ab.com/networks/qa.html).

May 31, 2000

Automation & Digital Transformation

GE Fanuc Automation: Ethernet support

GE Fanuc (Charlottesville, VA) has announced that all of its automation devices will now support Ethernet connectivity. To address the installed base of proprietary networks at the device level, GE Fanuc will apply a fieldbus on top of an Ethernet network.

May 31, 2000

Plant Operations & Equipment

SICK, Inc: Photoelectric sensors

Sick’s (Bloomington, MN) 2000 Edition Photoelectric Sensor Catalog contains 680 pages featuring photoelectric through-beam, reflex, proximity and fiber-optic sensors.

May 31, 2000

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Pacific Scientific: Digital brushless servo drive

PC832 all-digital brushless servo control can accept step and direction commands or analog commands. Has an internal index generator to accomplish preset index moves.

May 31, 2000

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Achievements

Precise Technology (North Versailles, PA) was awarded its sixth Omnimark Award for outstanding quality and service performance by The Gillette Co. (Boston, MA).

May 31, 2000

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Domestic acquisitions, agreements

International Paper (Purchase, NY) has offered to purchase all outstanding shares of Champion Intl. (Stamford, CT). International Paper has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Motorola, Inc.

May 31, 2000