Thispackaging machine was computer controlled and hydraulic powered. It was
designed to make packages from microwaveable
material before such packages were available
from other manufacturers. It was also
designed to package up to 1535 jelly/jam packages per minute at a time other
machines used to make such packages could
only produce around 400 per minute.
Some of them were supposed to be capable of
nearly 700 per minute, but I visited a few
plants and never saw any production
sustainable at more than approximately 400
per minute.
The machine was
developed on contract by a company in
Germany. It didn't meet desired
specifications, so I redesigned it. The
hydraulic power unit, the computer, and
practically all parts except the frame and
film transport components were redesigned and
replaced.
Here you see the control console I developed for the
machine. The display panel included a
picture outline of the machine. At the
approximate location of each key actuator
there was a lamp. A line of lamps above
the drawing was coordinated with the lamps in
the drawing. As the machine cycled, the
lamps lit in operational sequence. If
there was any problem with an actuator one
could spot where the problem occurred by
checking the lamps.
The
machine was demonstrated at the
PMMI Show in Chicago in
1976.
packages per minute at a time other
machines used to make such packages could
only produce around 400 per minute.
Some of them were supposed to be capable of
nearly 700 per minute, but I visited a few
plants and never saw any production
sustainable at more than approximately 400
per minute. 
