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How engineers and technology leaders can contribute to Europe’s sovereignty and resilience will be the focus of the next Blueprint Talk, broadcast live on July 21 from the CADFEM headquarters in Grafing near Munich. “Europe’s strategic resilience today depends to a large extent on technological sovereignty,” says Josef A. Overberg, Managing Director of CADFEM Germany GmbH, a company specializing in digital simulation, ahead of the event. This edition of the Blueprint Talk will examine what the “turning point” currently being debated in politics and society means for engineers, technology leaders, and decision-makers in the high-tech sector – and how digital engineering and software-defined development can help deliver modern, flexible, and deployable defense systems in Europe in a timely manner. The discussion will feature Yvonne Weitsch from technology group Rohde & Schwarz, Christoph Spranger from radio systems provider VITES, and Matteo Berioli from satellite communications startup AUGUSTA SPACE. In conversation with moderator Sarah Yvonne Elsser, they will explore how highly complex, next-generation defense systems can be implemented faster and more efficiently,…

FFS technology boosts efficiency, automation and product protection in petrochemical bagging, reducing costs while maximizing productivity. As the petrochemical industry faces increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and ensure consistent product quality, bagging has become a critical stage in the production process. Manufacturers of resins, polymers, masterbatch, PVC, polyethylene and other high-value granular materials require solutions that combine high productivity, weighing accuracy and reliable product protection. FFS (Form Fill Seal) technology has emerged as one of the most efficient solutions for these demanding applications. By integrating bag forming, filling and sealing from tubular polyethylene film into a single automated machine, FFS systems eliminate the need for pre-made bags, simplify plant logistics and optimize storage while delivering consistent packaging quality. Designed for high-capacity production environments, PAYPER’s ASSAC FFS bagging machines can achieve outputs of up to 2,600 bags per hour, depending on the product and bag format. The technology…

Discover how reagent cabinets combine controlled loading, consistent material flow and precision dosing to support reliable flue gas treatment. Flue gas treatment systems rely on accurate and consistent reagent dosing. However, feeder performance is only one part of reliable reagent handling. Before powdered reagents reach the injection point, they must be introduced into the system, held within the hopper and presented consistently to the screw feeder. Reagent cabinets bring these functions together within a compact handling arrangement. By combining reagent loading, local holding capacity and precision screw feeding, they support the controlled delivery of powdered reagents into the flue gas treatment process. The Role of the Reagent Cabinet A reagent cabinet typically incorporates a keg-tip mechanism, hopper and integrated screw feeder. During operation, the reagent keg is positioned within the station before being mechanically tilted to discharge the material into the hopper. The hopper provides local holding capacity and supplies reagent to the screw feeder positioned below. Combining these functions…

Pallet handling, bow rest, sack handling, palletizing solutions, handling of various products. Automate your pallet handling with state-of-the-art technology. Benefit from the high-performance, flexible palletizing solutions offered by SSB Wägetechnik GmbH featuring Okura robots. Our robotic systems are specifically designed for precise bag handling and continuous industrial operation across a wide range of formats and products. From automatic slip-sheet dispensers to finished pallet stacks, we deliver customized turnkey systems from a single source. High-performance palletizing solutions capable of handling up to 2,300 bags per hour.

Modular system combining a Prodima mixer, hopper, and conveyor optimizes powder processing. It boosts efficiency, cuts downtime, and maintains high mixing quality for food, pharma, and chemical industries in a compact footprint. How can mixing quality, productivity, and flexibility be optimally combined in a compact production plant? This question was posed by a manufacturer of powder products across all industrial sectors as part of modernizing their production. After extensive mixing trials, the decision was made in favor of a modular system combination consisting of a mobile Prodima mixer MP-150 (mixing volume approx. 130 liters), an intermediate hopper, a flexible mechanical conveyor, and an existing filling system. The main factors influencing this system configuration were, in particular, the high mixing accuracy, short mixing times, the flexible useful volume of min. 10%, max. 90% of the mixer, as well as low energy consumption. Additionally, the mobility of the mobile mixer allows the same mixer to be used on multiple production lines if required. After the mixing process, the product is discharged into an intermediate hopper. While the flexible screw conveyor continuously transports…

Automated 3D radar scanners replace hazardous manual silo inspections. They measure grain stocks precisely in real time, optimizing logistics while protecting workers from falls and dust explosion risks on site. In modern bulk agriculture, the most critical challenge in grain storage is not just tracking stock numbers, but protecting human life during inventory checks. Traditional manual methods require technical crews to physically climb high platforms, enter dusty structures, and make visual estimates. These outdated habits expose personnel to dangerous falls and severe dust explosion risks. To eliminate these field vulnerabilities, field-proven grain silo monitoring systems revolutionize facilities operations. By replacing hazardous manual climbs with real-time 3D Volumetric Reconstruction, this automated approach calculates true stock volumes safely, enabling logistics teams to manage raw materials without entering dangerous containment zones. Potential Safety Risks of Manual Silo Inspections Accurate inventory control inside massive storage structures introduces major operational hazards for plant workers: * High Fall Hazards: Manual level checks require personnel…

Precise Level Measurement with Non-Contact Radar. UWT offers a range of different versions for you Dust, high temperatures, or turbulent surfaces – demanding measurement conditions are part of everyday life in many industries. Non-contact level measurement using radar has proven to be one of the most precise and reliable methods for a wide range of diverse applications. Thanks to radar technology, level measurement can be carried out accurately and without contact – even under extreme conditions. How Does Non-Contact Radar Measurement Work? Radar sensors use electromagnetic waves to determine the fill level. A high-frequency signal is emitted, reflected by the surface of the medium, and received as an echo. The time between transmission and reception determines the fill level. The 80 GHz technology ensures a highly focused signal with a narrow beam angle of just 3°. This enables precise measurements even in narrow tanks or installations with complex internals. Additionally, antennas with a small beam angle can be positioned closer to the tank wall,…

Achieving a homogeneous blend while protecting sensitive powders and granulates is one of the key challenges in bulk solids processing. Achieving a homogeneous blend while protecting sensitive powders and granulates is one of the key challenges in bulk solids processing. Differences in particle size, bulk density and flow characteristics can affect blend quality, while excessive mechanical stress may alter product properties. With its MIXOMAT range, FUCHS Maschinen AG offers tumble mixers designed for applications ranging from laboratory use to industrial production. Gentle Mixing for Sensitive Products Whether in the chemical, pharmaceutical or food industry, mixing processes require consistent, reproducible results while preserving product quality. Sensitive powders and granulates demand mixing technologies that ensure homogeneous blending without damaging particle structure. The MIXOMAT tumble mixers operate according to a three-dimensional mixing principle. The mixing container is filled to a maximum of 70% of its volume and rotated upside down during the preset mixing cycle. Because the container…

With Havel GmbH, Greif-Velox has gained an experienced partner for the Austrian market. The official signing of the partnership took place during GREIF-VELOX CONNECT 2026 in Lübeck. The Lübeck-based specialist for filling, bagging and palletizing technology is expanding its international sales structure and entering into a partnership with Havel GmbH for Austria. The aim of the cooperation is to support customers locally even more directly and to implement joint projects in the fields of filling, packaging and automation efficiently. Havel GmbH, based in Vienna, specializes in the automation and integration of packaging processes – from unpackaged products to fully palletized goods. This holistic approach is an ideal fit for Greif-Velox’s solution portfolio, which focuses on efficient, safe and future-proof technologies for industrial packaging processes. “With Havel GmbH, we are relying on an experienced partner who shares our vision of integrated and efficient packaging solutions,” says Sebastian Pohl, Managing Director at Greif-Velox. “Together, we can support our customers in Austria in an even more targeted way and implement…

Damaged stainless steel drums do not necessarily have to be replaced. Depending on the nature of the damage, damaged drums can often be professionally repaired. Stainless steel drums are designed for a long service life. Nevertheless, damage is inevitable in industrial use. Dents caused by contact with forklifts, cracks in weld seams, worn sealing surfaces, or corrosion damage often result in containers being removed from the production process. However, not every instance of damage requires replacement. In many cases, the functionality of a stainless steel drum can be restored through professional repair. Whether a repair is possible and economically feasible depends on the condition of the vessel and the requirements for its future use. A technical condition assessment therefore forms the basis for any decision. Typical Signs of Damage in Industrial Use Transportation, cleaning, and daily handling leave their mark even on high-quality stainless steel drums. The most common types of damage include: - Dents and deformations on the shell or bottom - Damaged flanges and sealing surfaces - Cracks in welds or in the tank…

Innovative conveyor technology for efficient industrial processes, sustainable customer value, and long-term success. When it comes to the reliable conveying, dosing, and handling of bulk materials, Mügelner Maschinenbau GmbH has been a trusted partner to industry for decades. Based in Saxony, Germany, the company combines more than 100 years of experience in mechanical and plant engineering with modern engineering expertise to develop tailored solutions for a wide range of bulk material handling applications. The company’s core expertise is the design and manufacture of conveyor systems for bulk materials, as well as equipment for mixing, dosing, weighing, and sorting a wide variety of materials. Rather than relying on standard products, Mügelner Maschinenbau focuses on individually engineered solutions. From the initial consultation and engineering through manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and spare parts supply, customers benefit from comprehensive services from a single source. The company is particularly valued for its expertise in custom machine engineering.…

Ultralight powders such as carbon black, silica, pigments, fibres or certain pesticides place particular demands on packaging processes. The challenge is not only to fill a product into a bag with precision. What matters is the entire process: from safe product handling and low-dust filling to compaction, sealing and the creation of stable, stackable packaging units for storage, transport and logistics. Especially when handling very fine and light bulk materials, conventional packaging methods often reach their limits. These products typically have a very low bulk density, tend to generate dust and are difficult to form into stable bags. The result can be voluminous, unstable bags that require significant storage and transport capacity and create additional challenges in downstream handling. Vacuum compaction as a key technology GREIF-VELOX’s VeloVac technology is designed specifically for these requirements. At the heart of the process is vacuum compaction for ultralight powders. By compacting the product inside the bag in a controlled way, the volume can be significantly reduced. This results in more compact, stable and stackable bags. This improves the entire…

ATS Dutch Machinery helps plastics manufacturers boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability with tailor-made automation solutions. How do you stay competitive in a market where efficiency and reliability are becoming increasingly important? For many companies in the plastics industry, the answer lies in intelligent process automation. ATS Dutch Machinery designs and builds custom automation solutions that make production processes safer, more efficient, and future-proof. From internal conveying systems and bag emptying machines to fully automated production lines, every installation is engineered to meet the specific requirements of the customer’s production environment. By implementing advanced automation, manual handling is reduced, product quality is improved, and operating costs are lowered. At the same time, workplace safety is enhanced, while greater process stability ensures reliable and uninterrupted production. ATS manages the entire project, from engineering and software development to installation, commissioning, and after-sales service. This integrated approach provides customers…

Protective coating or layering in the fluid bed for maximum effect with reduced material input Increased transport and storage stability: - Reduced sensitivity to light. - More resistance to oxygen, moisture and higher temperatures. Vitamins are essential substances and must be regularly supplied to the organism. A distinction is made between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances. While fat-soluble vitamins are accumulated in the body, excess water-soluble substances are excreted. Due to their reactivity, vitamins are very sensitive to oxidation, light and moisture. Enriched products therefore usually contain increased vitamin levels to compensate for degradation during storage. Processes such as microencapsulation, layering of active ingredients onto carriers, or coating with protective polymers can increase stability and thus reduce the amount of vitamin needed. A typical example is sustained-release vitamin C or folic acid pellets with a protective coating. With layering on carriers, vitamin contents but also trace elements can be precisely dosed. There…

Spare parts and service for underwater pelletizing (UWP) becomes third business unit alongside infrared technology for plastics and food The mechanical engineering company Kreyenborg will enter the aftermarket segment for underwater pelletizing (UWP) beginning in April 2026. Their decades of know-how in the plastics sector are presently being expanded with an all-inclusive service for systems installed in the market offering spare parts, modernization, and servicing requirements. Plates carriers and knives as well as retrofitting components and services will become available from Kreyenborg in the next few months. Above all, what customers with service needs are missing is accessibility to competent people, product availability on short notice, and maintenance service. The new division addresses these needs and complements the two business units focused on infrared technology for the plastics/ plastics recycling and the food industry. Gielen, managing partner and CEO of Kreyenborg, can build on a solid framework of experience in the expansion of this new business unit. He has been responsible for the…

Enhanced expertise for efficient system operation The cost-effective and safe operation of modern palletizing solutions requires qualified personnel and in-depth system knowledge. With its in-house training courses and workshops for Okura robot systems, SSB Wägetechnik GmbH offers practice-oriented training for all users of Okura robot systems. Naturally, upon purchasing and installing an Okura robot system, our customers receive comprehensive instruction on operating and safely handling the equipment. Furthermore, we offer customized training and workshops for our partners and distributors to specifically deepen existing knowledge, qualify new staff, or cover specialized topics such as operation, programming, maintenance, and process optimization. The training courses impart comprehensive know-how regarding operation, commissioning, programming, and maintenance, as well as the optimization of palletizing processes. The focus is on the participants’ individual requirements: content, scope, and key areas of emphasis…

Inside modern building material facilities, tracking stored raw items like stone powder, aggregates, and slag is a constant logistical challenge. Rapid loading and discharging create thick airborne dust and highly irregular surface profiles. Conventional manual inventory checks are slow and inaccurate, making automatic 7x24 monitoring impossible and leading to unexpected material buildup, empty silos, or measurement variances that disrupt production scheduling and cost control. To resolve these operational gaps, the RETTAR 3DPro2300 Easy Radar Scanner uses advanced FMCW technology to provide a stable, non-contact measurement engine designed specifically for high-dust, enclosed containment environments. Raw Material Storage Risks and Silo Measurement Gaps ● Dense Airborne Dust: Constant moving of stone powder and mineral stocks produces heavy dust clouds that interfere with optical or acoustic tracking tools. ● Irregular Surface Contours: Materials pile unevenly,…