In modern packaging operations, it is crucial to balance the three main priorities of production efficiency: higher speed (throughput), higher precision, and lower energy consumption. Motion control components are the foundation on which industry can adapt to ever-shifting product specs and tighter regulations, hopefully without sacrificing any of those three key priorities. KEB assembled a PACK EXPO exhibition booth that gave a clear picture of how its drive units, motors, and controllers can work together to deliver solutions that are a perfect fit for packaging environments.
KEB presented a product catalog full of control and motion devices: VFDs, gearmotors, safety controls, HMIs, IPCs, and remote‑monitoring software. Leveraging this extensive portfolio spanning across all aspects of the control system, KEB’s booth combined demos of drive units, complete motion systems, and the accompanying automation controllers to display solutions for real packaging‑line tasks.
AC and Gearmotors
KEB’s motor lineup is a central pillar throughout all trade show demonstrations. Their servo motors and permanent magnetic synchronous motors are designed to solve the entire spectrum of torque‑intensive and highly precise tasks like tape feed, packaging film tensioning, or fill‑head positioning. The motors can all be purchased in alignment with KEB’s offerings of various frame sizes, feedback units, and environmental protection (IP) ratings. Gear drive units can be added or they can be built right onto the motor (gearmotors) to provide specific torque and speed outputs for certain applications.
Servo drive solutions from KEB.
Integrated Drive Units
Along with motors themselves, KEB demonstrated its drive units, particularly the S6 series servo drives that are used for most typical packaging applications. Throughout the servo and VFD series, KEB supports multiple communication protocols, including EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, and Modbus, along with safety features such as Safe Torque Off (STO) or Safe Limited Speed (SLS).
In a greater effort to promote decentralized control architecture, KEB also offers motors with the VFD directly attached in a safe, IP-rated enclosure. This simplifies the wiring and reduces space consumption in the cabinet. Plus, a shorter length of wiring between the VFD and motor greatly reduces the classic problem of waveform fundamentals.
KEB offers HMI solutions that work alongside motor and motion systems.
Production Control
Automation controllers are the third main component of KEB’s product lineup at the show. Their compact controllers act as the central command station for motion, I/O, and visualization tasks. Most of the controllers take the form of an industrial PC (IPC) with a wide range of networking options and I/O modules that can be installed locally on the controller or on a remote chassis.
Part of KEB’s mission is to enable real‑time data exchange, remote access, and flexibility for nearly any application. Industry’s progress toward adopting IPCs over traditional PLCs is still a long journey, but providing realistic examples of machine control alongside elevated data-handling tasks certainly provides a tangible view of the benefits of these automation controllers.
Remote maintenance for diverse systems is possible with the right networking equipment.
Motion Meets Control
Synergy may often feel like an overused term, but KEB’s PACK EXPO booth certainly showed a harmony between all the components. From the end-of-line motors themselves, up to the drive units, and finally to the automation controllers, we can see machinery that is designed to meet the parallel demands of speed and precision. For packaging lines that must constantly adapt to changes in product type or style, and must work reliably under harsh or regulated environments, choosing the right devices becomes a major key to future success.
