In today's fast-moving business environment, success often means getting ahead of the competition and staying there. Not an easy task, considering the pace of technological advances.
Here's some help. In addition to ideas showcased by the exhibitors, WestPack 2013 also offers tips and best practices from experts through its many educational programs.
WestPack Seminars
Give us two days and we'll give you more than a dozen experts to talk about six of the hottest topics in packaging. This year's WestPack seminar program assembles multiple presentations for each one-hour-and-45-minute session-17 presentations in all. Held in Room 211A on the second floor, the seminars will give you an opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders and hear timely talks on the top issues, trends and technologies affecting the future of packaging. Not only does the modular format accommodate your busy schedule, it also lets you choose just the sessions of interest to you.
The cost for each of the six interactive learning forums is $275, with discounts for signing up for multiple sessions.
1. Sustainability and Materials
Tues., Feb. 12; 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Take an in-depth look at the latest sustainable packaging solutions and learn how sustainability can be achieved through packaging design, material use, logistical planning and execution. Understand the roles of cost, consumer perception and the supplier in driving sustainable packaging.
"Green innovation to enable sustainable growth" by Jason Pelz, vp, environment, Tetra Pak Inc.
"Delivering value not waste to consumers: How sustainable design can reshape the role of packaging" by Jason Foster, founder/CEO, Replenish (see Q&A with Foster on p.8).
"Examining the latest development and innovations in bioplastics derived from plant protein" by David Grewell, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University (co-authors: James Schrader, Ph.D., assistant scientist III, Iowa State University, and Jeff Cooper, engineering manager, R&D/Leverage).
2. Smart Packaging
Tues., Feb. 12; 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Packaging can do more than simply contain a product. Explore how smart packaging can improve functionality, from enhancing product freshness to engaging the consumer.
"Innovation packaging in fresh-cut: A win-win case" by Brian Zomorodi, svp technology and quality, Ready Pac Foods Inc.
"Magic Moments: Packaging innovation and how to drive the consumer's passion for products" by Robert Croft, partner, and Martin Short, partner, Swerve Inc.
"Case study: Taking an inside look at Microsoft's smart packaging efforts and shared best practices" by David Dunham, packaging program manager, Microsoft.
3. Innovations in Labeling and Decorating
Tues., Feb. 12; 3:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Brands and packagers today have more choices in decorating and labeling options to delight their customers. Discover new trends in decorating across global markets and learn how new technologies in labeling are helping brands and packagers grab attention on a crowded shelf.
"The challenges of seasonal packaging design: Meeting consumer needs from research to concept" by Mark Miller, creative director, creativewerks llc.
"Mixed messages: Innovation in metal beverage labeling technology for expanded printing capabilities" by Jay Billings, director of innovation and marketing, Ball Corp.
"Idea to mold: New laser process capability for structural brand development and mold manufacturing" by Adam Nelson, laser business manager, and Jason Husk, director of business development, R&D/Leverage.
4. 3D Printing Solutions
for Packaging
Wed., Feb. 13; 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Now more affordable, 3D printers are becoming increasingly accessible to packaging developers. Learn how to capitalize on the technology's full potential and see how the latest in 3D printing technology is being used in packaging design and development, or used to create the package itself.
"Are you in or out: Examining 3D printing, rendering and prototyping solutions to achieve efficiency and cost savings in the design/development process" by John McComb, program manager, structural packaging, Campbell Soup Co.
"Client case study: Real world perspective on integrating prototyping into the design process" by Jim Warner, global managing design director, Kaleidoscope.
"Leverage 3D printing for packaging solutions" by Bruce Bradshaw, director of U.S. marketing, Stratasys.
5. Robotics in Packaging
Wed., Feb. 13; 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
New robotics technologies prove a key tool to help U.S. packagers enhance product output, improve quality and even reduce costs. Gain insights into the various ways American companies are incorporating and managing robots into their packaging operations.
"Practical uses of robotics in packaging" by Richard Bahr, president/CEO, MGS Machine Corp.
"New robotics technologies and implications for U.S. competitiveness in end of line and palletizing" by Walter Langosch, global business development, ESS Technologies Inc.
6. Traceability and Serialization
Wed., Feb. 13; 3:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Track-and-trace has become an important tool to ensure product security, quality and safety. Learn about the technologies available to achieve your package traceability goals.
"Food traceability today: Going beyond compliance to superior quality and customer loyalty" by Jonathan Hawes, Sr., director of U.S. and Canada sales, YottaMark.
"Developing an enterprise serialization plan" by John DiPalo, COO, Acsis Inc.
"Lessons learned from over 16 projects in life sciences involving serialization, traceability and electronic pedigree (e-pedigree)" by Bill Fletcher, managing director, Pharma Logic Solutions.
Keynote Presentations
Two keynote speeches each day of the show-given at the Presentation Theater stage located in the front of Hall E-will show you the big picture of manufacturing.
Tues., Feb. 12
11:00 a.m.: "Innovation; a Futurist's View of Manufacturing" by Thomas Frey, innovation editor, The Futurist Magazine, senior futurist at the DaVinci Institute and author of "Communicating with the Future."
12:15 p.m.: "Defining the Digital Device Revolution: A Panel Discussion with MD+DI's Manufacturers of the Year" moderated by Heather Thompson, editor-in-chief, MD+DI, with panelists Jim Moon, chief technology officer, Sotera Wireless; Dan Blake, chief product strategy officer, Airstrip; and Todd Thompson, vp, corporate development, Proteus Digital Health.
Wed., Feb. 13
11:00 a.m.: "Building Innovative Products, Brands and Organizations" by Kevin Ashton, inventor of the Internet of Things, creator of the WeMo home automation platform, former executive director at the MIT and co-founder/CEO of leading clean tech start-up Zensi.
1:00 p.m.: "How The Exponential Age Will Revolutionize Medicine" by Daniel Kraft, MD, executive director, FutureMed; medicine track chair, Singularity University; founder/CEO, IntelliMedicine; and inventor of the MarrowMiner.
Thurs., Feb. 14
11:00 a.m.: "Convergence of Medical and Consumer Technology" by Bill Betten, technology director, UBM TechInsights.
12:15 p.m.: "California Manu¬fac¬turing and Exports Forecast" by Kevin Klowden, managing economist, Milken Institute.
Innovation Briefs Theater
Your show badge is all you need to be able to sit in on any of the free Innovations Briefs Theater presentations. These short, targeted talks-conveniently located right on the show floor-are designed to be easy in and out. Two theaters will be set up: Theater 1 will be in Hall E in Booth 637 and Theater 2 will be in Hall C in Booth 3541.
Among the 28 topics are these related to packaging and manufacturing:
Tues., Feb. 12
Theater 1-Hall E, Booth 637
1:30 - 1:55 p.m.: "Health Care Innovation Using Engineering Simulation" by Ansys Inc.
Theater 2-Hall C, Booth 3541
11:00 - 11:25 a.m.: "Save Your Factory with Robotic Automation" by Fanuc Robotics America Corp.
11:30 - 11:55 a.m.: "3D Additive Printing from Digital to Physical" by Source Graphics.
1:00 - 1:25 p.m.: "Drug Delivery to the Eye" by Cal Poly University.
Wed., Feb. 13
Theater 1-Hall E, Booth 637
11:30 - 11:55 a.m.: "Highly Permeable Porous Microbial Barrier Films for Medical Device Packaging" by Porex Corp.
Theater 2-Hall C, Booth 3541
11:30 - 11:55 a.m.: "ReisPAD: Innovation of a Touch Screen Robotic Controller" by Reis Robotics USA Inc.
Thurs., Feb. 14:
Theater 2-Hall C, Booth 3541
11:30 - 11:55 a.m.: "Time to Think About Packaging" by Flexpak.
1:00 - 1:25 p.m.: "Thermoforming in the Packaging Industry using 3D Printing" by Stratasys.
Advanced Manufacturing Seminars
The co-located Pacific Design & Manufacturing event will produce its own seminar program. Eight sessions are organized around three key themes: Designing a Modern Factory Floor; Rapid Manufacturing; and Lean Manufacturing.
The sessions will be held on the second floor in Room 211B. Here are select presentations that may be of interest to packaging engineers Tues., Feb. 12
1:00 - 2:45 p.m.: "Robotics: Designing the factory floor of tomorrow." Automation advancements will continue in today's plants. How do you determine what level of automation is needed? What are the tradeoffs between cost, productivity and efficiency?
3:15 - 5:00 p.m.: "Networking, wired and wireless: Communicating both internally and externally." To enable a seamless manufacturing flow, you need to talk to your machines, and your machines need to talk to each other. Vision/communication is key to a successful manufacturing process.
Wed., Feb. 13
10:00 - 11:45 a.m.: "Motors and motion control, including pneumatics and hydraulics." Any good manufacturing expert will tell you that a motor isn't a motor isn't a motor. Choosing what's best for your factory is generally a make or break decision. This seminar will also clear up the misconceptions around the proper use of pneumatics and hydraulics.
1:00 - 2:45 p.m.: "Introduction to Rapid Manufacturing: 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping." The advent of 3D printing/additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping has drastically changed the design and manufacturing landscape by enabling companies to prototype and produce faster and cheaper. Many factors go into considering whether or not adopting such new technology fits with a company's objectives.
3:15 - 5:00 p.m.: "Rapid Manufacturing: Current Use, Economic Feasibility and Future Implications." How has the use of 3D printing/additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping helped improve speed and efficiency for companies that have implemented such technology? A look at a real life case study example will help determine the implications on the manufacturing floor of adopting these technologies.
