China at the forefront – Cannex review part 1

Suppliers from around the world showcased their products and services to can makers at Guangzhou’s Pazhou exhibition centre from 15-17 May. With can makers continuing to invest in new lines throughout the country, China has become a hotbed of activity with many suppliers making the decision to employ agents in the country or open up new facilities.

Minster attended the show and promoted a range of presses and material handling equipment used by the can making industry for production of easy open ends, shells, cups and redrawn cans as well as aftermarket services. The company placed special emphasis on its new DAC-H165 high-speed cupping press, which has a maximum speed of 350 strokes per minute and is capable of producing 4,900 cups per minute with a 14-out die. “It offers higher speed and lower migration,” says Greg Stueve, general manager packaging group. “There is nothing else out there that will match it.” US-based Minster Machine Company was recently acquired by Nidec-Shimpo, a division of Nidec Corporation.

Amir Novini, the president of Applied Vision, was keen to talk about the success of the company’s Cyclops inspection system that was first unveiled at last year’s Metpack. Applied Vision is a leader in machine vision systems for the food and beverage industry.
The Cyclops system features one camera and can be used across a can line rather than at the end of one. It combines imaging, lighting and processing into one compact enclosure, eliminating the need to run multiple cameras on a single processor.

Cyclops is already being used by Spanish can maker Mivisa. “Cyclops was the right thing at the right time,” explains Novini. “I had been waiting for the day for a long time. I knew what I wanted but the technology wasn’t there.”
Novini revealed that the company recently received an order from Yinlu for some of its systems. “They are going to be the biggest can maker in China,” he adds.

Applied has recently completed the expansion of its headquarters in Akron, Ohio, US. The company added a 40,000 square foot manufacturing capacity while making room for continued growth in research and development, engineering and application testing.

Prime Controls offered Cannex visitors an interactive experience. The company, which is a leading provider of metal sensing and control products for the can making industry, allowed show attendees to test out its products. One product on display was the Pulser (DS200), a single probe, double sheet detector that uses a quick electromagnetic pulse to test and release steel. Visitors were able to test single and double sheets using a Pulser Demo.

The company also displayed its latest leak detection system. TestAlert upgrades three-piece can leak testers with 21st century technology. Show attendees were able to play with a simulated can leak tester to get an idea of how it works.
“We had a lot of people testing out our products,” explains Beth Graves, marketing manager. “It made it a lot easier for us to explain what each product does. We’re amazed at how much attention we have had. There are a lot of can and end makers interested in our products and this is a really good market for us.”

US- based Integrated Packaging Solutions (IPS) was at Cannex to promote the technical and operational support that it offers to the can making industry. Mike Calahan, managing director, said: “It is hard for us to present our services at any show because there is nothing for a visitor to hold in their hand and touch or feel. Our goal is to try and present the services aspect.”

IPS offers a range of ancillary equipment and existing equipment upgrade packages suited to accomplish the goals of any can maker.
Six of the leading design and manufacturing companies in the can making industry – Canline, Cazander, OKL, Unimaq, Veldkamp and VMI – came together under one booth which was called Holland House.
Employees from all six companies wore clogs in an effort to keep the Dutch theme going. There was also a large windmill – which helped this booth really stand out.

Not only do the six firms collectively design, build, install and service the latest design engineering and production protocols, they also globally support their machinery and systems in terms of ongoing servicing, upgrading and replacement.
As well as individually promoting their services to the can manufacturing industry it is interesting to note that they have combined experience of over 200 years in the two and three-piece can industries.

For more information from Cannex, please visit www.cantechonline.com or read the full review in the June issue of CanTech International.