Pack Expo Las Vegas 2025 Celebrates Packaging and Material Handling Solutions

Pack Expo Las Vegas, one of North America’s most comprehensive packaging and processing events is celebrating a milestone: 2025 marks 30 years since the show’s debut. Today, Pack Expo Las Vegas continues to be a global hub for industry innovation and collaboration. Show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, has elevated Pack Expo Las Vegas from a regional trade show to a global industry force—expanding its scale, influence, and relevance across international markets. This year, the show will span over 1 million net square feet, feature 2,300 exhibitors, and expects to attract 35,000 attendees from more than 40 vertical markets.
“Pack Expo Las Vegas has always been more than a trade show—it’s where the future of packaging and processing takes shape,” says Jim Pittas, president and CEO, PMMI. “For 30 years, we’ve been proud to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and spotlight the technologies shaping tomorrow’s supply chains. As we look ahead, we remain focused on the forces transforming our industry: automation, AI, sustainability, and workforce development.”

Reliability and Versatility with Nord Booth #SU-20098 

Nord’s packaging solutions focus on reliability, versatility, and efficiency. With over 20,000,000 standard configurations to choose from, Nord delivers precisely configured drive systems for end-of-line packaging applications, such as pick-and-place, labeling, filling, sealing, wrapping, strapping, and palletizing machines. The comprehensive product portfolio also includes a wide range of options for general conveyance between packaging steps, with optional safety features like soft start, brake ramps, and STO functions to protect workers, equipment, and products.
Nord will be exhibiting at Pack Expo Booth SU-20098, near the front of South Upper Hall. 

Nordbloc.1 Helical Gear Units
Performance optimized Nordbloc.1 gear units deliver high efficiency with low operating costs. Made from high strength, lightweight aluminum alloy, these units are ideal for packaging systems as they reliably handle high axial and radial loads and provide a long service life with minimal maintenance. Nordbloc.1 gear units are extremely versatile, with helical inline, helical bevel, single-stage helical, and two-stage helical bevel gear options available. They also offer various shaft options, mounting options, and application-specific versions available for precise system adaptation.

Universal SI/SMI Worm Gear Units
Thanks to their modular design and high-power density, Nord Universal SI/SMI worm gear units can be quickly and easily adapted to a wide variety of applications. Reinforced bearings enable the worm drives to absorb large axial forces from pouch sorter applications while their compact design optimizes space utilization. While SI gear units have an open housing for better heat dissipation, SMI gear units are available as a smooth surface for easy cleaning in hygienic areas. Both series also offer various configuration options including hollow or solid shafts, shaft-, flange-, or foot-mounted versions, and NEMA, IEC, or direct motor mounting options.

IE5+ Synchronous Motors – The Next Level of Energy Efficiency
Compact and highly efficient, NORD IE5+ synchronous motors achieve significant energy savings, reduce operating costs, and provide a fast ROI. The extremely efficient operation is possible thanks to the use of permanent magnets which eliminate the need for an external energy supply to generate the magnetic field, additionally enabling high power density and a higher maximum achievable torque. Unlike asynchronous motors, IE5+ motors deliver constant torque and efficiency over a wide speed range, even during partial load operation and at low speeds, allowing for system variants to be minimized. The motors additionally are available as a smooth surface design for hygienic environments (TENV) and a finned version for optimized heat dissipation in heavy traffic systems (TEFC).

Nordac On/On+ Variable Frequency Drives – Strong Focus, Optimum Function
Decentralized Nordac On/On+ variable frequency drives were designed to satisfy the demands of horizontal conveyor technology. Nordac On drives are complemental to IE3 asynchronous motors while Nordac On+ drives are optimized for combination with high-efficiency IE5+ synchronous motors. With an integrated multi-protocol Ethernet interface, full PLC functionality for drive-related functions, and parameterization via plug-in control module, these VFDs offer a compact, economic solution for IIoT environments. They also feature a plug-and-play design for simple installation and maintenance, functional safety options, and POSICON integrated positioning mode with high precision control for smooth, precise operation of packaging systems.

DuoDrive Integrated Gear Unit and Motor – Ultra-modern Efficiency
DuoDrive combines a single-stage helical gear unit with a high-efficiency IE5+ synchronous motor in one compact, space-saving housing design. The smooth surface enables easy cleaning in wash-down and other environments that require the highest hygiene standards. Along with an extremely high system efficiency thanks to permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) technology, DuoDrive also provides high power density, quiet operation, and a simple plug-and-play design for quick commissioning and easy maintenance. Compared to other drive systems, the complete solution results in a reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and a fast return on investment.

Nordac Pro SK 500P Variable Frequency Drives
Nordac Pro SK 500P variable frequency drives are a control cabinet solution built for scalability. Five case sizes are available with various extension module options, ensuring the electronic control device meets specific application requirements. The SK 550P version has an integrated multi-protocol Ethernet interface for efficient connection to Ethernet-based control systems and easy operation of entire systems. Integrated POSICON positioning ensures conveyors are precisely controlled and product does not block ramps or get backed up, causing delays and unplanned downtimes. These drives promote dynamic, intelligent operation of Industry 4.0 environments.

LogiDrive – the Complete Drive Solution
The complete LogiDrive solution provides a standardized, service-friendly drive system that is ideal for high-volume packaging systems. The modular system combines different Nord products into one drive solution configured to industry standards and specific application requirements. For every area, there are advanced versions with IE5+ synchronous motors and basic versions with IE3 asynchronous motors the primarily focus on cost efficiency. Versions with IE5+ synchronous motors achieve their full savings potential in partial load and partial speed ranges, additionally enabling reduced system variants and a lower TCO.

Condition Monitoring for Predictive Maintenance
Nord’s condition monitoring technology for predictive maintenance systems are integrated directly into their variable frequency drives and focus on status-based maintenance rather than time-based maintenance. This approach effectively reduces unplanned downtimes, optimizes overall system efficiency, and provides longer service life for components and machines. The solution also fits seamlessly into IIoT environments, recording drive and status data either periodically or continuously to derive important information from the data analysis. Threshold values and general status information can further be communicated externally via normal Industrial Ethernet dialects. nord.com

Reliable Automation and Motion Control Solutions with SEW-Eurodrive Booth #34041

As a leading provider of drive and automation solutions, SEW-Eurodrive is dedicated to supporting manufacturers and OEMs with advanced, reliable, and sustainable technologies for food and beverage production and packaging and logistics machinery.

The increasing demand for sustainable and healthy food poses new challenges for manufacturers in the food industry. Production processes need to be adapted, and innovations are needed to meet industry-specific trends such as new flavors, changed dietary preferences, and sustainability, namely energy efficiency and seamless traceability of resources. All this with a focus on hygienic production and the highest quality standards. The efficient use of modern technologies is crucial to remain competitive. With its efficient and holistic drive and automation solutions, SEW-Eurodrive supports its customers in the food industry with their requirements and goals in being able to process raw materials into food quickly and efficiently.

The beverage industry is about much more than just quenching thirst. There is a huge selection of different drinks in a wide variety of containers. What this diversity has in common are the requirements for product quality, availability and, increasingly, sustainability.

The decisive factor here is, of course, the production process, from process technology to filling and packaging, as well as the conveyor technology as the connecting element between the process steps. For all these steps, we offer you our many years of expertise in the beverage industry, not only as a machine manufacturer, but also as a beverage manufacturer.

This gives you the security of having a reliable partner at your side who will support you with the right drive and service solutions throughout the entire life cycle. In concrete terms, this means that you have a contact partner who takes care of your needs - no matter when and where - so that quality, availability and sustainability are always guaranteed.

Changing market requirements and new demands facing food producers in terms of packaging represent a challenge for manufacturers of packaging machines. They have to design ever faster and with even greater flexibility, while at the same time facing an increasing shortage of skilled workers. This is only possible with a strong partner who offers the right solutions and services for complex drive and control technology. seweurodrive.com

Kuka Demonstrates Automation and Robotic Technologies Booth #3444

Automation demonstrations will be in collaboration with KUKA System Partners FOCUS Integration, DGT, Automated Automation and Blue Onyx Systems (formerly named Viking Masek Packaging Technologies). The live demonstrations will include autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions for intralogistics, robotic palletizing/depalletizing, a robotic case packing operation and a conveyor picking and handling system. The company will also be featuring its newest technology – the KR C5 Kuka industrial robot controller for enhanced flexibility and performance, and the iiQKA.0S2 Kuka System Software (KSS) for workflow optimization.

 

In Booth #3444, located in the West Hall, Kuka System Partner FOCUS Integration will demonstrate standard palletizing and depalletizing with its fenceless CUBE robotic palletizing cell paired with a KMP 600P AMR. FOCUS Integration’s CUBE cell is equipped with its FOS next-generation solution of tools, including a 22 Multitouch glass screen, GuardLogix safety controllers and Ignition Vision for reducing the learning curve for new operators. The KMP 600P is part of Kuka’s latest generation of AMRs for Logistics 4.0 and features intelligence, safety, and easy commissioning to navigate complex, dynamic environments with the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) navigation method. The AMR platform automatically identifies loads with QR code readers, and 3D cameras detect obstacles in three-dimensional spaces. It can transport up to 600 kg and is particularly suitable for compact production environments.

Kuka System Partner DGT will use a KR Iontec robot to demonstrate automated product picking and packing with its case packing cell, which is designed to pack products of any shape or size. The cell’s custom-made grippers ensure accurate product gripping and loading and are equipped with a KR Iontec that has a maximum reach of 2,101 mm and a rated payload of 70 kg that can subsequently be adjusted even after mounting. The KR Iontec provides users the highest output with a low total cost of ownership and high life cycle efficiency.

The KR Iontec family of robots is an extremely versatile six-axis medium payload robot that can be floor, wall, ceiling, or angle mounted, and its optimized design is well-suited to compact cells with a small footprint. Boasting a best-in-class work envelope and equipped with waterproof and dustproof in-line wrist and protected motors, the KR Iontec is suitable for virtually any application. The Hygienic Oil (HO) variant of the KR IONTEC uses food-compatible H1 oil in all axes to eliminate the potential for contamination in the food processing and manufacturing sectors. 

Kuka's KR Cybertech HO robot will also be on display through Kuka System Partner Blue Onyx, which will be equipped with a 3D vision system from Sick Sensor Intelligence for full 3D scanning and measurement using intelligent 3D cameras. The display will involve automated conveyor picking and placing of oddly shaped objects into trays or bins located at the booth.
kuka.com