New Products
Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 1/1/2002
Access to inventory, 24/7
Third-party customers can attain controlled access to inventory in distribution centers 24 hours, seven days a week using e-Vista Release 1.2. This Web-enabled software not only tracks inventory but also generates inbound receipt notices and outbound order requests. The inbound receipt notice lets third-party clients create documents on the warehouse management system and inform the warehouse of inventory to be received. The outbound order request places an order on the system specifying which inventory is to be shipped. Transactions can be completed on demand without the need to contact customer-service representatives by telephone.
Delfour Corp.
www.delfour.com
905-415-9779
Efficient order picking
A pick-to-light system, DirectPick, pairs sophisticated software controls and easy-to-read light displays to reduce picking time by half and increase accuracy by 80% compared to manual picking systems. The system is designed to run on a Windows NT2000 workstation or server and integrates with existing order fulfillment and warehouse management systems. Its power rail system and standards communication protocol makes the system flexible and easy to use. DirectPick can function as a stand-alone system or it can be paired with high-end carousels to create an order fulfillment operation to meet any scenario.
Diamond Phoenix.
www.diamondphoenix.com
800-361-0785
Palletizer handles various sized drums
The TCI-LCP palletizer handles 15-, 30-, 35-, or 55-gallon steel, plastic and fiber drums. Various container sizes and types can be accommodated with the flip of a switch. The unit palletizes up to four 55-gallon drums per minute. It features a robotic design and does not require upstackers or slip-plates for container or box placement. Each drum is picked up by a grip table and transported to the pallet. Precision linear bearings and ball screws are used for travel in the X, Y, and Z directions. The unit includes a pallet dispenser with a capacity of 20 pallets.
Tri-Cal, Inc.
979-848-3886
Easier overhead handling
The iTrolley, an intelligent overhead handling system, maximizes productivity and safety by minimizing the kind of starting and stopping that can reduce productivity and cause upper extremity injuries. The DC servo-driven system masks the momentum and inertia of the moving loads, greatly reducing the push/pull forces and energy required to perform each cycle, so operators can work faster. Operators begin pushing a load in the intended direction, and the system responds as quickly as the operator moves. The system provides easy installation on existing or new rail systems, and works with both flexible cable/chain-based systems and rigid arm systems.
Cobotics, Inc.
www.cobotics.com
847-425-1200
Automated truck loader
A programmable, hands-free automatic truck loading system (ATLS) places palletized and other unit loads in unmodified semi-trailers without the use of truck levelers or customized guides. It is designed for standard shipping docks and trailers. The compact ATLS integrates an automated loading module on a mobile transfer platform with overhead feed conveyor that connects materials storage areas with multiple shipping doors. The loading module consists of an automated forklift that travels within a platform along the loading dock floor. A single system can fill a trailer with pallets, slip sheets, racks, rolls or bales in less than 12 minutes. The system facilitates just-in-time shipping while reducing drop zones, down time, and the risks of manual loading.
Paco Corp.
www.pacocorp.com
800-463-7226
Get control over drums
The model 185R Kontrol-Karrier drum holder with top rim clamp easily lifts, moves, pours, and places drums. The top rim clamp grips the drum rim securely for lifting. Since the drum can be lifted in close proximity to walls or other drums, the user does not have to reposition the drum before engaging it. The spring-loaded bottom rim catch, which can be used for tilting or pouring drums with appropriate bottom rims, eliminates the need to clamp anything around the front of drums. The unit has a lifting capacity of 800 pounds and can handle drums up to 23-1/2 inches in diameter with a minimum height of 34 inches.
Morse Mfg. Co., Inc.
www.metrologic.com
315-437-8475
Mobile plastic storage containers
Seamless, high-density polyethylene storage containers are mounted on a separate dolly unit for mobility. The manufacturer's proprietary vibrational molding process enhances stability. The containers are adjustable in maximum heights of 30 and 35 inches as well as in custom sizes. Lids also are available.
B&R Specialties.
www.unifuse.com
845-889-4000
Protect dock workers
A fall-protection system protects workers from falls while they are loading flatbed trucks. The system, which is ideal for steel manufacturers and distributors, can be customized to combine such elements as truck-length, dock-high platforms; overhead tarping systems; and lifelines that secure a worker in a body harness. The platform is set up parallel to a truck to allow a worker to safely secure a load along the entire length of the bed. The manufacturer offers a standard length of 48 feet, a 45-inch standard height, and a gangway width of 24 inches. The dimensions can be modified to fit a range of truck bed sizes.
Carbis Inc.
www.carbis.net
800-948-7750
Open wire shelving and mobile carts
A new line of durable wire shelving pro-ducts includes stationary shelving units and mobile carts. The open wire design of the stationary shelving improves visibility of stored items, in-creases light and air flow, and will not accumulate dirt and dust. To meet a range of storage needs, the 800-pound-capacity shelves are available in heights of 64, 72, and 84 inches, with widths of 48, 60, and 72 inches and depths of 18 and 24 inches. Mobile carts with four shelves and 5-inch swivel casters are available in widths of 36, 48, 60, and 72 inches, with depths of 18 and 24 inches. The carts also have an 800-pound capacity.
LewisBins
www.lewisbins.com
877-975-3947
Radio frequency tags
The 'my-d' identification tag is a 13.56 MHz radio-frequency device with a unique ID code and up to 10 Kb of secure, writable memory. A special feature allows the information in the tag to be divided into multiple sectors, including those protected by cryptographic keys, for different users. That data can be accessed by multiple users only in compliance with defined access rules. The tags, which can be attached to a variety of materials, are compliant with the ISO/IEC 15693 RFID standard for vicinity cards and smart labels. The tags are designed to track individual items through the supply chain.
Infineon Technologies
www.infineon.com
408-501-6864
Door design for low ceilings
The challenge of guiding dock doors along a low ceiling is met by the XLT track design, which features a double-groove radius and horizontal track. A trolley system located above the door transmits lifting and lowering power, either with a manual chain hoist or a push-button actuated operator. The XLT design utilizes the proprietary 'Impact-A-Track' construction to repel forklift impacts and assure continual operation. The XLT design is available for the supplier's Heavyweight, Cruiserweight, and Middleweight model knockout doors.
TKO Doors
www.tkodoors.com
800-575-3366
First-in, first-out flow rack system
Fed on one end and unloaded on the other, the SK3400 pallet flow system allows easy and uninterrupted access to inventory. The unit uses gravity power to move pallets down dynamic flow rails into picking position. Because it is a natural first-in, first-out (FIFO) system, it supports freshness control and prevents spoiling of perishable and time-sensitive products. Products roll smoothly and automatically to the front of the system without motors or powered systems. There is limited handling, so fewer aisles and forklifts are required. The system's depth, height and width are customizable and are limited only by the size of a facility and its material handling equipment.
Steel King Industries, Inc.
www.steelking.com
800-826-0203
Containers, pallets for food industry
Available in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved material, Stack-N-Nest containers feature solid or ventilated sides and bottoms. This option allows for maximum air flow, faster cooling and better drainage. The contoured design of these recyclable containers reduces product damage and allows for easy cleaning. The impact-resistant pallets connect with the containers and top cap to create a secure and stable shipping storage unit. The injection-molded 40- by 48-inch pallets include top caps that provide product protection and secure stacking.
Orbis, a div. of Menasha Material Handling
www.orbis-menasha.com
888-307-2185
Hydraulic stacker
Suitable for positioning 55-gallon steel drums horizontally on shelves, the HDC-450 hydraulic drum stacker lifts drums up to 60, 72, 84, or 96 inches in height. A newly designed drum retainer allows users to easily attach the lifter to the drum. It is available in a hand-crank rotation model or a pull chain model, both with capacities up to 800 pounds. The stacker rolls easily on two 8- by 2-inch phenolic casters and two 5- by 2-inch polyurethane casters. A hydraulic foot pump is standard; power choices include AC, DC, or factory air/oil.
T & S Equipment Co.
www.tseq.com
800-348-0860
Conveyor for food products
The Easy Clean slip-torque conveyor has minimal horizontal frame surfaces where contaminants can collect. Both USDA (United States Dept. of Agriculture) and BISSC (Bakery Industry Sanitation Standards Committee) standards are incorporated into the conveyor's design and construction. The stainless steel conveyor frame has continuous welds and innovative 45-degree steel strength bends. Elimination of 90-degree steel bends allows contaminants to fall through the conveyor, while solid-faced roller surfaces and loose roller spacing reduce the possibility of particle collections. The unit is also designed for easy, thorough cleaning.
Shuttleworth North America
www.shuttleworth.com
219-359-7813
Sturdy pallet rack
This pallet rack includes upright frames and beams that have been constructed from high-strength steel with a high strength-to-weight ratio. All beams have a step for accepting accessories and a unique recessed safety key that resists an upward force of up to 1,000 pounds from material handling equipment. A heavy-gauge foot plate, which has two holes to allow for floor anchoring from either side of the frame, is securely welded to each post to provide load distribution over 13.7 square inches.
Penco Products, Inc.
www.pencoproducts.com
800-562-1000
Large character ink jet printer
The DOD-1500 drop-on-demand ink jet printer offers a choice of two 16- and 32-valve print heads for coding up to five lines of text. Its head design allows greater tilt angles in order to print a variety of character heights from a single print head. Character sizes may vary from 3/16 inches up to 5 inches. The system produces high-resolution text and graphics with a resolution up to 32 dots/inch at speeds up to 780 feet per minute. With inks for both porous and non-porous substrates, the printer provides high-quality, reliable printing on engineered wood products, dry wall, galvanized steel, corrugated cartons, shrink wrap, plastic and metal pipe.
Matthews International Corp.
www.matthewsmarking. com
412-665-2500
Portable data collection terminal
ScanPal 2, a high-performance, entry level, batch portable data terminal (PDT) with an integrated bar code scanner, is suitable for a wide range of applications. It can be used for inventory/stock control, parts tracking, shipping/receiving, document monitoring, asset tracking, factory floor data collection and price checking. The unit features 1MB SRAM, which is typically enough memory to store more than 50,000 records, and an easy-to-read 128 by 64 graphic dot LCD screen. Additional features include a 100 scan-per-second CCD bar code scan engine, and easy data transfer via RS232, Keyboard Wedge, Ir, or IrDA.
Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
www.metrologic.com
856-228-6673
Plant-wide data management
The 1769-SDN DeviceNet scanner for the MicroLogix 1500 and CompactLogix controllers is capable of simultaneous operation as both a master and slave device on DeviceNet. The system connects up to 64 nodes with a single wire. It enables communication between devices through backplane messaging. This allows access to a DeviceNet controller from any other location on the network, allowing users to upload or download programs and data, change nodes, and go online to monitor programs through the 1769-SDN. It also offers native explicit messaging, which allows a user to retrieve or send native DeviceNet messages from the MicroLogix 1500 control program to another networked DeviceNet device.
Rockwell Automation
www.rockwellautomation.com
800-223-5354 x1420
Extend ERP/MRP to the warehouse
QuikTrac 4.5 is a screen-integration tool that allows users to extend their ERP (enterprise resource planning) or MRP (material resource planning) system out to the warehouse floor without major modifications to the host system's code or database interface. The software lets users map their existing AS/400, mainframe, HP 3000 or HP 9000 transactions down to a wireless fixed or portable data collection device. QuikTrac features five modules, including a development module that allows users to map screens from host applications to remote portable data collection devices. A run-time module manages the flow of data between the host system and remote data collection devices. Other modules include an off-line data collection module; a print module that designs labels at the host level and imports files to a specified screen for remote label printing capabilities; and an active dynamic interface module that allows users to customize screen integration.
Integrated Barcoding Systems
www.intbarcode.com
734-669-6000
Desk-mount computer
A desk-mount version of an industrial CRT is available for industrial floor applications. The monitors are mounted in heavy-duty steel enclosures and offer 17-, 19-, and 21-inch screens with resolutions that range from 1280 by 1024 to 1600 by 1200. Units are stackable, have front-mounted controls, and dual-fan positive pressure cooling to allow operation at temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. Monitors have multisync capability and are compatible with all IBM and VESA standards. Touch screens with resistive, capacitive or surface acoustical wave technology also are available.
Nortech Engineering, Inc.
www.norteng.com
508-478-1270
Ink jet printer
Print on cartons, trays and sacks with the compact, single and multi-line Codajet 5000 ink jet printer. It offers a choice of six print models for one modular unit. Each model allows for a different character height and can be upgraded from single line to multi line. The units print at speeds up to 35 meters per minute. They also offer a sealed-membrane keyboard mounted on a stainless steel housing and pictorial keys that make it easy to select specific functions for simple message entry and editing. These allow for coding of dates, date offset for sell-by dates, time, sequential numbering, product counting, automatic shift codes and multiple languages. Each unit can store up to 50 messages.
Griffin-Rutgers Co., Inc.
www.griffin-rutgers.com
800-237-6713
Bi-color totes boost efficiency
Bi-color totes allow quick identification of stack and
nest positions because alternate colors nest while same colors stack. The
returnable totes are available in a wide variety of sizes and solid or
ventilated styles. Their unique one-piece construction and vertical sides
optimize internal space usage and allow for easy insertion of dunnage.
Reinforced sides, bottoms and stacking posts provide secure stacking and product
protection. All sizes are modular to fit 48- by 45-inch pallets. Buckhorn
www.buckhorninc.com
800-543-4454
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