November 12, 2018 - Harpak-ULMA, a developer of complete packaging line solutions for food, medical, bakery, and industrial products, announced it has joined the Rockwell Automation PartnerNetwork program as an OEM Machine Builder. As a member of the PartnerNetwork, Harpak-ULMA is teaming with Rockwell Automation to facilitate the development of smart, connected packaging solutions.
The company’s ULMA Thermoformer lines are now delivered with the Integrated Architecture production control and information system from Rockwell Automation, and can leverage IoT and augmented reality platforms supplied by smart manufacturing software company PTC. At a press conference today, the company demonstrated PTC’s augmented reality application, which guides employees’ maintenance or production activities through 3D step-by-step work instructions using available tablets, smartphones, or glasses.
The collaboration has already resulted in thermoforming machine capabilities that aid packagers seeking to manage Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) or other crucial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across lines composed of varied equipment.
Harpak-ULMA is already taking orders for the new thermoforming applications, marking the first wave of smart, connected solutions that will transform packaging automation.
