Modern Materials Handling articles from August 2007

Modern Materials Handling archives from August 2007

Respect for a dirty word.(proper accounting )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Tom Andel, Editor in Chief Accountants are looking to materials handling professionals to make accounting, well, more accountable-and more respectable. The real-time information you collect about inventory, orders and shipments is...

Zoned out.(picker zoning systems)(Column)
August 1, 2007... By Jim Apple Deciding how many zones to put in your picking system is not as easy as you might think. Every once in a while I get a question from my partner Steve Mulaik that sets me back a little. I think: "How could I have not...

Is China the future of warehousing?(Discussion)
August 1, 2007... By Bob Trebilcock, Editor at Large Now that most U.S. manufacturers have outsourced manufacturing to China, will distribution follow? Modern conducted a virtual roundtable with four supply chain experts to see what they had to say about the...

AS/RS basics.(Automated storage and retrieval systems)
August 1, 2007... By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) reduce the labor needed for putaway and picking in warehouses and plants. Automated storage and retrieval systems-often simply called AS/RS-are...

The other WMS market.(warehouse management system)
August 1, 2007... By Bob Trebilcock, Editor at Large Not everyone needs a Tier 1 warehouse management system from a Top 10 provider. For those who don't, there are dozens of alternative providers with their own approach to the market. Think WMS...

Industrial strength life support.(quality management for hospitals)(Column)
August 1, 2007... By Timothy Cavanagh I've been a student of the Toyota Management System for 20 years, and I'm Six Sigma trained. So why am I working at a hospital? Lawrence & Memorial wanted someone who has done lean and Six Sigma in industry...

Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs).(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff The number of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) ordered last year was down from the big numbers posted in 2004 and 2005, but business remains strong. The average size of a new AGV system last year was 4.3 vehicles. The overall...

Academics lend an objective ear to voice.
August 1, 2007... By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor Studies show voice-directed picking technology provides quick ROI and significant productivity increases but may not always increase picking accuracy. Looking for an honest appraisal of voice-directed...

Summit sets industry priorities.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA, www.mhia.org ) held its first-ever Material Handling and Logistics Summit last month in Whitefish, Mont. A group of 30 academics, consultants, equipment suppliers and end users spent...

Michelin tests H<EMPHASIS TYPE="SUBSCRIPT">2</EMPHASIS> in lift trucks.(Compagnie Generale des Etablissement Michelin)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff Tire maker Michelin is testing hydrogen-powered lift trucks at its South Carolina production facility this summer. The trial is the first of several planned for South Carolina companies during the next few months. The set of...

Expert suggests regular reslotting.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff Before installing a new materials handling system, a company develops a game plan-a planograph-for slotting products in storage and picking areas based on product demand. Generally speaking, slow moving items go in manual...

FKI opens tech center.(FKI Logistex)(technology and education center )
August 1, 2007... By Tom Andel, Editor-in-Chief With last month's opening of a 31,000 square foot, $5 million North American Technology and Education Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, FKI Logistex (www.fkilogistex.com ) sends a loaded message to the world of...

New uses for RFID in the supply chain.
August 1, 2007... By Staff RFID is finding its niche in the supply chain, but not necessarily in areas like pallets, cases and individual items as originally anticipated. Two recent implementations in Europe illustrate the evolution of RFID in the...

People to know.(Indoff Inc. appoints Patrick J. Byrne, Phil Danner and Barry Issberner)(Danaher Motion and Sky-Tra to develop Danaher Motion and Sky-Trax)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff Indoff added five materials handling partners: Jim Johnson in St. Peters, Mo., Brad Anderson in Gastonia, N.C., Cathy Orler in Roach, Mo., Scott Morseth in Minneapolis and Tim Reedy in Berkeley Heights, N.J-.Intermec made several...

Focus on motors.
August 1, 2007... By Staff Low-vibration motors last longer Staff New models add to the Super-E line of energy efficient motors. Balanced to deliver half of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) allowable vibration level, the...

Product showcase.
August 1, 2007... By Staff Battery chargers for motive equipment Staff Energic Plus battery chargers are offered in more than 270 different styles. They may be used with a variety of materials handling equipment and motive applications, including...

Hitting the right note.
August 1, 2007... By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor Fender Musical Instruments wanted the right mix of automation in its new California DC. An automated sorter, a multi-level pick module and a software upgrade helped achieve harmony. Four years ago,...

Spreading the rock 'n' roll spirit.(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... By Corinne Kator, Associate Editor Fender distributes its guitars and amplifiers to musicians all over the world from a single California distribution center. Here's how it's done. Fender Musical Instruments has an unbelievably cool...

RFID: The only thing passive about the Marines.
August 1, 2007... By Tom Andel, Editor-in-Chief The Marines are altering their active-tag-technology strategy for a less expensive, more flexible approach using passive tags. The Department of Defense has been one of the leaders in the march to Radio...

President Bush checks out fuel cells.(fuel cells an environmentally friendly alternative to batteries)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff President George W. Bush got a demo of a hydrogen-powered Crown (www.crown.com ) pallet truck while touring the GrafTech International (www.graftech.com ) facility last month in Parma, Ohio. GrafTech manufactures graphite...

The power of immediate feedback.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff Incentive programs usually provide performance feedback to DC employees when they get their incentive pay-once or twice per month. Researchers David Goomas and Timothy Ludwig guessed performance would improve if employees received...

Need help choosing a WMS?(warehouse management system)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... By Staff A new report from ChainLink Research (www.clresearch.com ) is designed to help companies select the most appropriate warehouse management system (WMS) for their business needs. It includes detailed information about WMS...

Find out who's who.
August 1, 2007... By Staff The 15th edition of Who's Who in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is now available from consulting firm Armstrong & Assoc. The new edition, in two volumes (one for North America and one for the international market),...