On the Line is Packaging OEM’s weekly curated look at a trend, technology, or challenge shaping packaging, material handling, and manufacturing operations. This week’s theme: energy efficiency.
As manufacturers and end users place greater emphasis on energy consumption, OEMs and technology suppliers are responding in different ways.
That includes sensing technologies that reduce unnecessary operation, compressed air management, conveyor control, and energy-efficient motors.
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Reducing energy consumption one conveyor zone at a time
Inside Pepperl+Fuchs’ sensor lab in Northeast Ohio, we saw how photoelectric sensing, motor control, and tracking technologies work together to reduce unnecessary operation across packaging and material handling applications.
The demonstration showed how equipment can respond to product movement in real time, activating only when needed while maintaining production flow.
“In my 10-plus years, we’ve seen efficiency go from something that’s not always running to running only when you need it,” said Gerry Paci, market manager for material handling at Pepperl+Fuchs Group. “It only needs to run when a package has been detected on the conveyor.”
→ Explore the technologies behind the demo
What an ice cream line revealed about compressed air usage
Compressed air can be one of the most energy-intensive utilities in packaging.
In our energy efficiency report, Unilever shares how it worked with Festo to improve visibility into compressed air usage on a production line for The Magnum Ice Cream Company.
→ Download the energy efficiency report
Modular conveyor control supports more efficient system design
As conveyor systems become more distributed, OEMs are looking for ways to simplify deployment and control.
Beckhoff Automation’s conveyor-mounted MDR controller brings motion control closer to the application, supporting modular system design while helping reduce wiring complexity across material handling environments.
“What’s unique about the new MDR controller from Beckhoff is integrated safety,” said Doug Schuchart, global material handling and intralogistics manager at Beckhoff Automation.
→ Read the full story
Targeting energy savings through motor technology
Energy efficiency doesn’t stop at controls and sensing.
SEW Eurodrive’s IE5 motor technology is designed to help manufacturers reduce energy consumption while supporting packaging and conveyance applications.
→ Explore the technology
Final takeaway
Doing more with less energy isn’t tied to a single technology.
Instead, companies across the industry are approaching the challenge from different angles, creating opportunities to reduce energy usage across packaging lines.
