Machinery News

  • EVO6: Microline’s new case packer to make its debut at INDEX

    Microline, an Italian company specialising in the design, manufacture and sale of automatic packaging machines, has chosen INDEX™ 2026 in Geneva to unveil the EVO6, its new case packer developed on a brand new platform and designed to meet the most advanced case-packing requirements. Far from being a mere update to the existing product portfolio, the machine is a completely new case erector, conceived to combine case handling quality with mechanical reliability and flexible operation. The long-standing ROM 600 and 600 Maxi series will continue to be part of the range, while the EVO6 will be joining the portfolio as a next-generation technological solution. At the trade fair, the case packer will be paired with an infeed system designed specifically for handling packs of cotton pads and connected upstream to a flow-wrapper manufactured by Microline’ co-exhibitor, ACM Engineering. This choice demonstrates the machine’s ability to operate as part of a fully-automated line, rather than as a mere stand-alone unit. A new platform, unmatched flexibility The EVO6 was conceived as a modular platform. The configuration showcased at INDEX is just one of the possible options, since the infeed system can be equipped with different solutions, in order to make the machine suitable for diverse products and sectors. In addition to Tissue and personal care products, the case packer can also be used with flow-wrapped or boxed Food goods, while ensuring the same performance and precision. From the outset, the machine was designed with versatility in mind and a structure that enables consistent case handling even when used for different products. Case quality and positive forming One of the technical pluses of the EVO6 is positive case forming. This solution ensures controlled forming, reduces the risk of downtimes due to case erection flaws and improved case quality while reducing stress and deformations during the forming stage. From forming to the subsequent packing and closure steps, case handling is conceived to ensure great gentleness. The case packer combines rapid operation with careful product handling, which is essential when working with soft or delicate products like cotton pads. Stacking system and process rationalisation Top-down stacking is another characteristic of the new EVO6 machine and is particularly advantageous when handling soft, sensitive and non self-supporting products, because it ensures stability and precision when introducing packs into the case. The same configuration does away with the need for a dedicated magazine, with obvious advantages in terms of footprint, architectural simplification and overall layout efficiency. Performance and operational continuity EVO6 aims to increase production capacity while keeping the process under control and final packaging quality constant. Cases can be loaded without having to interrupt the machine cycle, since the system continues to operate for as long as there are blanks available, thus improving production continuity and cutting restocking times. The case packer has been conceived to aid the operator from an ergonomic perspective too. Easy access to work areas also means quick and rational collation changeover, maintenance and cleaning operations, which helps to cut downtimes. Mechatronic philosophy applied to drive control The EVO6 embodies a manufacturing philosophy that balances mechanical and electronic engineering. Microline has opted to use mechanical and pneumatic systems for repetitive movements and servo-drive systems to give overall flexibility. This solution enables synchronised, repeatable and consistent movements, while reducing electronic complexity and favouring sturdiness and reliability. The result is a solid case packer that is in keeping with Microline’s reputation for supplying cutting-edge mechanical solutions, conceived to ensure consistent performance and long-term durability. With the EVO6 debut at INDEX 2026, Microline is providing the market with a new case-packing platform incorporating flexibility, manufacturing quality and process control in a single solution, thereby consolidating its positioning in the Tissue and personal care industries and similar applications. More

    Industry News

  • Kistler and FIMMTECH Inc enter strategic partnership to advance injection molding education

    Kistler Instrument Corporation, a global leader in dynamic test and measurement technology, and FimmTech, a California-based training organization that specializes in plastics injection molding, have entered a strategic partnership. Through this collaboration, cavity pressure sensors and process monitoring systems from Kistler are integrated directly into FimmTech's injection molding seminars, connecting measurement-based process control with practical, hands-on training. Manufacturers face mounting pressure to reduce scrap, improve repeatability, reduce cost, and address workforce skill gaps – all while meeting increasing requirements for traceability and digitalization. For years, Kistler has provided solutions to address these challenges. Now, with the addition of a training portfolio that combines scientific molding methodology with measurement technology into one cohesive approach, molders can achieve these goals more efficiently. “We have seen firsthand how processors sometimes struggle when they have the equipment but not enough process knowledge to use it effectively, or when they have the knowledge but lack the tools. This partnership provides both simultaneously for deeper process understanding and effective use of the technologies,” said Suhas Kulkarni, President at FimmTech. Additionally, he continues: “I think cavity pressure technology is a must-have technology, especially when it comes to precision molding, such as in medical products where there are several dimensions that need Cpks upwards of 1.33. Molders struggle with parts where the process windows are very small because of the nature of the part or mold design. The use of cavity pressure technology is the perfect solution here.” Measurement technology meets the classroom The integration of cavity pressure sensors and process monitoring systems from Kistler into FimmTech's training seminars and technical workshops is at the heart of this collaboration. Participants work directly with professional Kistler equipment during hands-on sessions, applying measurement-based process control within the context of scientific molding principles. “Cavity pressure monitoring has long been proven to reduce scrap and improve process stability, but our goal has always been to make it more than just a tool. We want it to become a fundamental part of how molders think about their process,” said Kim Pfluger, General Manager at Kistler North America. “Through this partnership, we are also strengthening relationships within the plastics processing community, and that matters as much as the technology itself.” During these practical sessions, attendees observe real-time cavity pressure curves and learn how to interpret them to determine part quality. Using actual data, they practice switchover optimization, where they experience firsthand how small adjustments can affect the entire process and how to identify the optimal transfer point. By analyzing process variation and stability across multiple cycles, attendees gain an understanding of what a controlled, repeatable process looks like in practice. Since traceability is an increasingly critical requirement in modern manufacturing, participants also learn how to capture, store, and structure process data to meet documentation and compliance demands. Kistler also contributes technical knowledge and application insights, ensuring that the measurement data is not only visible but fully interpreted within the context of scientific molding principles. A training program built on practical experience The seminars are designed for anyone involved in the molding process, including process engineers, technicians, tooling engineers, quality personnel, program managers, and production managers. Although the methodology is prevalent in medical device manufacturing, it is applicable across industries wherever consistent, high-quality molded parts are needed. FimmTech's instructors bring an average of approximately 35 years of hands-on industry experience, and the curriculum covers the full spectrum of injection molding: from scientific molding and experiment design to polymer materials, melt preparation, part and mold design, and quality control. The most popular format is a four-day seminar on the development of robust molding processes. “Partnering with Kistler allows us to strengthen our commitment to a data-driven approach to process control. Integrating live cavity pressure monitoring into our seminars gives participants a visceral understanding of what is happening inside the mold, and this understanding is transformative. This is how we enable the next generation of molders to shift from reactive troubleshooting to predictive control,” said Kulkarni. Before this partnership was formed, professionals from more than 100 companies across the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, China, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and India attended FimmTech’s injection molding seminars. “The impact of this training shows up immediately on the shop floor. We regularly hear from attendees who went back to work and solved problems in minutes that used to take them all day. That is exactly what this kind of education should do,” said Kulkarni. Pfluger concludes, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to driving long-term industry transformation toward data-driven quality assurance. The demand is there, and together, we are ready to meet it.” Seminars are offered mainly in-person in Southern California but also in other parts of the US on a regular basis, including at UMASS, Lowell where Kulkarni is an adjunct faculty. Seminars are also available at customer locations worldwide, with online and hybrid options also available. All courses are fully recorded and accessible on the FimmTech website. Interested participants can register and find further information at www.fimmtech.com or by contacting Suhas Kulkarni directly at [email protected]. Kistler and FimmTech have joined forces to incorporate cavity pressure monitoring into injection molding training, equipping processors with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce scrap, improve repeatability, and meet the demands of modern manufacturing. Real-time process data is delivered directly from inside the mold by cavity pressure sensors from Kistler, forming the foundation of data-driven quality control.   The process monitoring system from Kistler captures real-time cavity pressure curves, providing molders with the data they need to make immediate, informed process decisions.     Suhas Kulkarni is President at FimmTech. For him, the partnership between Kistler and FimmTech provides both simultaneously for deeper process understanding and effective use of the technologies.     Media contact Pattalina Kongla Marketing Specialist Tel.: +1 248 668 6821 E-Mail: [email protected] About the Kistler Group Kistler is the global market leader for dynamic pressure, force, torque and acceleration measurement technology. Cutting-edge technologies provide the basis for Kistler’s modular solutions. Customers in industry and scientific research benefit from Kistler’s experience as a development partner, enabling them to optimize their products and processes so as to secure sustainable competitive edge. Unique sensor technology from this Swiss corporation helps to shape future innovations not only in automotive development and industrial automation but also in many newly emerging sectors. Drawing on our extensive application expertise, and always with an absolute commitment to quality, Kistler plays a key part in the ongoing development of the latest megatrends. The focus is on issues such as electrified drive technology, autonomous driving, emission reduction and Industry 4.0. Some 2,000 employees at more than 60 facilities across the globe are dedicated to the development of new solutions, and they offer application-specific services at the local level. Ever since it was founded in 1959, the Kistler Group has grown hand-in-hand with its customers and in 2025, it posted sales of 424 million Swiss francs. About 9 percent of this figure is reinvested in research and technology – with the aim of delivering innovative solutions for every customer. About FimmTech FIMMTECH Inc. is a Plastic Injection Molding related service provider that specializes in consulting, training and specialized tools for processing. The main area of focus has been the molding process. FimmTech was established in 2004 by Suhas Kulkarni after he spent 12 years on the production floor as a hands-on process engineer. FimmTech is now in its 22nd year of operation. Over the years FIMMTECH has provided consulting and training services to hundreds of molding companies and OEMs. Nautilus is the process optimization software that was developed by FimmTech. Apart from several useful features, the main focus of the software is in helping to develop a robust molding process based on scientific principles and the technique of Design of Experiments. Suhas is also the author of the bestselling book ‘Robust Process Development and Scientific Molding’, published by Hanser Publications and an adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. More

    Exhibition News

  • ProPak China 2026 – 200,000 sqm Premier Processing & Packaging Event Opens This June

    ProPak China 2026, the 31st International Processing and Packaging Exhibition, is scheduled to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC, Shanghai) from June 15 to 17, 2026. Organized by Sinoexpo Informa Markets, the event focuses on technological innovation and full-industry-chain collaboration, demonstrating the growing strength of Asia’s processing and packaging industry in its digital and sustainable transformation process. Co-hosted with FoodPack China, Hi & Fi Asia-China, HNC Expo and Starch Expo, this five-in-one exhibition forms a complete industrial ecosystem covering raw materials, processing, packaging and finished products. With a total exhibition area of 200,000 square meters, it will gather more than 2,500 leading exhibitors from various countries and regions including Belgium, China, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States, and is expected to welcome over 120,000 professional buyers from around the world. As a high-influence industry platform, the exhibition integrates product display, business matching and industry networking, effectively promoting global trade and industrial development.   Eight Themed Zones Drive Smart and Efficient Production Upgrading The exhibition features eight core sectors: packaging machinery, food processing, intelligent equipment, filling, fermentation, daily chemical packaging, packaging materials and label printing, highlighting cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions to support corporate transformation. Renowned exhibitors from across the world will showcase their flagship processing and packaging equipment and innovative technologies, offering diverse options for end-users in food, beverage, dairy, daily chemicals, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and other sectors. From single-point technological breakthroughs to intelligent line-wide collaboration, exhibitors will address industrial upgrading demands with innovative practices, propelling the processing and packaging sector to leap from automation to intelligence.   Empowering Cross-border Trade to Build a Global Business Bridge According to China Customs statistics, China’s export value of food processing and packaging equipment rose 18% year-on-year in 2025, and the export share of intelligent packaging machinery exceeded 40%, reflecting remarkable improvement in technical capabilities. This trend has been positively received in global procurement: the previous edition attracted nearly 6,000 overseas professional buyers from 135 countries and Backed by a 30‑year buyer database and hosted buyer programs, ProPak China 2026 offers a full‑service trade system: from targeted sourcing to dedicated matchmaking and efficient deals. In 2025, the show hosted 498 business matching sessions, with over 70% international sessions connecting exhibitors with buyers from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia, Egypt, Germany, Mexico and beyond. Discussions covered intelligent filling equipment, digital packaging lines, aseptic processing and other cutting-edge sectors.   High-level Forums to Forge an Industry Think Tank Responding to strong demand for cross-border integration, technological innovation and practical implementation, the event will host a series of high-standard professional forums, focusing on smart manufacturing, packaging design, green packaging materials, Prepared dish industrialization, daily chemical processing and packaging. In-depth discussions will cover policy implementation, technology application, efficiency improvement and cost optimization, providing forward-looking insights and practical guidance for industrial transformation. A dedicated immersive experience zone will showcase cutting-edge achievements in smart factories, innovative design and green packaging, and daily chemical product experiences, enabling visitors to explore real‑world applications and future‑ready solutions.   Join ProPak China 2026 in Shanghai This June ProPak China 2026 presents the full landscape of new quality productive forces in processing and packaging. We invite global professionals to network, source and partner in Shanghai this June.   ProPak China 2026 Pre-register   ProPak China 2026 Date: June 15–17, 2026 Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC, Shanghai)   Media & Visitor Inquiry Ms. Jovienne Dai Sinoexpo Informa Markets Tel: 86 21 3339 2386 E-mail: [email protected] More

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