On display at:Pack Expo PMMI in Chicago, USA 3-7 NovemberVacuum technology company Piab has developed a new concept for more efficient material handling in decentralized vacuum systems. The new product series integrates the vacuum pump and suction cup in a single unit. This is reported to require less energy expenditure and to deliver quicker and more reliable work cycles.

Axel Springer, the major German publishing group has just completed the official sign off of a logistics system at its major newspaper printing facilities at Ahrensburg, near Hamburg. Rocla Robotruck built the automated guided vehicle system, which forms a vital part of the overall system supplied by its partner, Man Roland.

Hägglunds Drives has launched a new range of hydraulic motors, named Compact CB. They combine space economy with high torque and are reportedly maintenance free and operate at a very low noise level. The new product line is for example suitable for heavy duty applications such as Shredders, Feeders and Roll Mills and is - according to the manufacturer - by far the most compact drive solution on the market.The CB builds upon existing designs with a high mechanical efficiency, but provides a wider choice with regard to application in conjunction with increased performance and reliability. It is based on the specified needs of users derived from a unique technical survey in 13 different countries.

A new innovation centre to focus on packaging R&D, InnoCentre, is founded in Finland by Stora Enso Consumer Boards and Stora Enso Research. It will offer customers new packaging concepts and support the company's ambition of world leadership in launching new packaging products. Operations will start up in summer 2003 and the initial investment in machinery and equipment is EUR 4 million. 

NBC-company Safety Equipment Development AB (Sedab) has worked together with the Swedish Rescue Services Agency on the development of a number of mobile decontamination systems for civilian and military applications. These systems can be used in a variety of applications, such as for bacteriological and chemical decontamination in the wake of terror attacks, in war situations, in the event of industrial accidents involving hazardous chemicals, or in connection with transport accidents to and from chemical plants.

SWE-DISH Satellite Systems is seeing growth in sales towards broadcasters within Eastern Europe. Since late autumn SWE-DISH has sold equipment to TV Pink in Serbia, ABC+ Media in Rumania and TV6 in Russia, with a total value of over 8 million SEK.

The hundredth unit of the best selling automated paper testing system - the L&W Autoline 300 - has been sold to the US.  This device introduced by the Swedish company Lorentzen & Wettre a few years ago, can measure more than100 different variables of paper quality and is said to be the most advanced of its kind.  This renowned testing system will be used for quality assurance of lightweight paper for telephone directories (mostly in the 29-34 gm2 range) at Daishowa America's mill in Port Angeles, in the northwest United States. This Japanese owned mill operates two paper machines with the capacity to produce 150 000 tons of directory paper per year.

Growing use of cleanrooms in various industries and tougher demands on purity, have created a need to develop more efficient protection.  For this purpose, research related to cleanroom clothing, conducted by Finnish company Laitosjalkine Oy, has now been completed. The result is new concept, called Laja Clinigo, that includes shoes and garments that protect workers, products and production processes against air impurities and uncontrolled electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Launch:Medica, Düsseldorf20-23 NovemberSunnex Stand A40 in Hall 14Fine lighting at affordable prices. That is the idea behind the new MedicaLight product line from the Swedish Company Sunnex. The company says that it represents one of the widest product ranges on the market, from desk lamps for doctors, to special lighting for medical examinations and minor surgical procedures. 

Rammer has launched the second generation of a software program that allows companies to calculate productivity levels for a range of hydraulic hammer applications. Designated Rambo II, the software is suitable for both primary and secondary breaking applications. Productivity levels of quarrying, demolition and recycling activities, for example can be estimated using the upgraded program.