Modern Materials Handling articles from January 2005

Modern Materials Handling archives from January 2005

Top of the supply chain hill: Dell, Nokia Procter & Gamble, IBM Wal-Mart.(Business logistics)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... WHO'S THE BEST AT SUPPLY CHAIN EXECUTION? According to AMR Research (www.amrresearch.com), Dell is at the top joined by Nokia, Procter & Gamble, IBM and Wal-Mart. In fact, Dell clearly outdistanced its nearest rival, causing AMR Research to...

DoD RFID update.(UP FRONT)(Department of defence)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... DID THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BLINK ON ITS RFID MANDATE? That question was raised when the DoD pushed back its mandate for radio frequency identification compliance from January 2005 to a February-April timeframe. The DoD, however,...

All the right terms.(UP FRONT)(www.apics.org. )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... There's no question that when it comes to the supply chain, inventory management, production and logistics, there's a whole list of terms with quite specific meanings. In fact, there are 3,500 of them. At least that's how many terms are defined...

All the leading trends.(UP FRONT)
January 1, 2005... WITH ALL OF THE DAILY PRESSURES OF THE PLANT AND WAREHOUSE, it's easy to lose a sense of the bigger picture. Not just of your company but of broad industry trends. But it doesn't have to be that way. Instead, you can visit mmh.com and...

Fast fact.(UP FRONT)
January 1, 2005... 45% of senior executives say their performance improvement initiatives in the past 3 years did not meet objectives. Source: Celerant Consulting

Change is good.(MY VIEW)
January 1, 2005... YES, IT IS. Especially if you're referring to Modern's new design--both print and on the Web. Some months ago, I sat down with our creative director, Norm Graf, and we agreed it was time for a new look. So Norm reviewed well over a hundred...

Economic expansion on track to make 2005 a strong year: as factory production and the volume of goods flowing through the economy continue to climb, demand for materials handling equipment is set to rise still further.(OUTLOOK)
January 1, 2005... As we enter the second full year of economic recovery, all indications are that the leading economic measures will continue to move ahead in 2005. That's according to Jim Haughey, Reed Research Group director of economics. "We started out...

New information source formed to analyze propane for lift trucks.(LIFT TRUCKS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Out with the old, in with the new. It's not just the story of the new year, but of developments at the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a series of moves, the Propane Vehicle Council was...

LESA now Supply Chain Execution Systems & Technologies Group.(Logistics Execution Systems Association's name has been changed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Recognizing industry support for the term supply chain execution, the Logistics Execution Systems Association (LESA) has changed its name to the Supply Chain Execution Systems & Technologies Group, or "SCE Group." The name change was effective...

Managing supply chain disruptions.(METRICS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The shipment was scheduled to arrive yesterday. But word was just received that it will be delayed until the day after tomorrow. That's not such an uncommon supply chain disruption. And as a result, companies are having to find ways to cope...

Mixed bag for pallet tracking.(Materials handling equipment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The vision for using RFID tags to track pallets and cases in the retail supply chain is compelling. What company wouldn't want real-time visibility into the inventory levels of its products in its retail customers' DCs and on their shelves? But...

MES in 2020.(CONFERENCE)(Mnufacturing execution systems)
January 1, 2005... The business software applications, and the companies behind them, that thrive in the year 2020 may look more like eBay than ERP, according to Dick Morley, founder of the consulting firm R. Morley Inc. (www.barn.org). "Programs like ERP...

Talking lean.(MANUFACTURING)
January 1, 2005... Lean manufacturing. We all know what it is. Right? Well, maybe not all of us. To help with that, the Lean Enterprise Institute (www.lean.org) has published a new edition of Lean Lexicon: A Graphical Glossary for Lean Thinkers. It features...

Places to go.(Calendar)
January 1, 2005... JANUARY 2005 January 10-13 ProMat 2005 McCormick Place Chicago, IL Sponsor: MHIA Call: 800-345-1815 Web: www.promat2005.org January 16-19 NRF's 94th Annual Convention & Expo Jacob Javits Convention...

People to know.
January 1, 2005... Appointments/promotions: WAGO Corporation introduces Karie Daudt as regional sales manager... Kenco Group, Inc., names Andy Smith chief operating officer, reporting to Gary Mayfield, president and chief executive officer... Pflow Industries,...

The engineers vs. the accountants; as important as it is to get the warehouse and flow of goods right, those are not the only criteria for making decisions about the warehouse.(GREATIDEAS)
January 1, 2005... AS I WRITE THIS, it is the end of an old year. As you read this, it will be the beginning of the new. It's a time for reflection, and re-dedication. Here are a few of the things that I have learned in the past year--and hope to not forget in...

MMH.com: new and improved.(ON LINE)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... Modern Materials Handling just launched its redesigned Web site to coincide with the redesigned print magazine you are now reading. Aside from a new look and feel, the site features easier navigation. In addition, the daily news feed has been...

ProMat 2005 Webcasts: direct from the show floor.(ON LINE)
January 1, 2005... Modern Materials Handling will present three Webcasts on the first day of this year's big materials handling show in Chicago. One will focus on the latest in voice-directed picking. Another will debunk RFID myths in the supply chain. And the...

Pallet regulations and best practices: online fact sheets.(ON LINE)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... APA--The Engineered Wood Association--has released four, one-page fact sheets which are available for download online. They summarize industry regulations and overlooked performance criteria related to the purchase and use of pallets made from...

Join WERC: A good New Year's resolution.(ON LINE)(Warehousing Education and Research Council )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... The Warehousing Education and Research Council offers a wide range of educational opportunities for its members. They range from e-newsletters, reports on warehousing trends and practices and the group's annual meeting set for May 1 - 4 in...

Miss any conferences at ProMat? Look for your favorites online.(ON LINE)
January 1, 2005... Just in case you missed some key conferences offered this month at ProMat 2005, don't despair. Show sponsor Material Handling Industry of America will post the show floor conference session presentations on their Web site. They will be...

RFID World 2005: make plans for this event in Dallas.(ON LINE)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... RFID manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, software providers and systems integration firms will be showcased under one roof at RFID World 2005. This industry leading conference and expo is set for March 1 - 3 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in...

Shop@igive.com: and help the Material Handling Education Foundation.(ON LINE)
January 1, 2005... Looking for those after-holiday bargains? Register for free at iGive.com to shop online with your favorite retailers like Best Buy, Amazon.com, Wear Guard and almost 600 other iGive-registered retailers. All iGive retailers have allotted a...

Joltin' Java DC: Green Mountain Coffee's caffeinated growth required a new DC that can triple throughput in a few years.(warehousing/distribution)(Diamond Phoenix)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2005... Tucked away in Waterbury, Vt., Green Mountain Coffee is your typical overnight success story. That is if 20 years is overnight. What started as a local coffee roaster for local businesses cleared $130 million in revenue in 2003. And by the...

RFID print and ship: there's more than one way to get an RFID tag on a carton. And they're all being tried right now.(equipment/systems)
January 1, 2005... On the surface, printing and applying an RFID tag seems like it ought to be easy. The process, after all, utilizes printers and applicators similar to those that apply bar codes by the millions every day. And who gives bar code labeling a...

Revving up performance: real-time data shared on dashboards across integrated systems will power manufacturing gains in 2005.(manufacturing)
January 1, 2005... PRODUCT PROLIFERATION. FLEXIBILITY. COST PRESSURES. These and other hot buttons facing manufacturers in 2005 have this in common: They are generating unrelenting pressure to perform better. The trick, of course, is to boost current...

Productivity achievement awards.(special section)
January 1, 2005... Modern's annual Productivity Achievement Awards honor three companies that have made outstanding strides in improving their operations through materials handling and related information systems. This year's winners were chosen from more than 20...

"We're all about flexibility": Third-party logistics provider PFSweb uses a put-to-light cart to fill multiple orders for multiple clients at a time.(productivity solution)
January 1, 2005... Until recently, PFSweb filled orders in a highly linear fashion. One picker. One order. One pick cart. One route. While that got the job done, there was definitely room for improvement. Today, the third-party logistics (3PL) provider uses...

The year of MES: Manufacturing execution software has struggled to find a niche. Now, these plant floor solutions may be ready to take off.(information management)(Manufacturing execution software)
January 1, 2005... Could this be the year that the $850 million market for manufacturing execution software (MES) finally takes off? That's a question supply chain experts have asked many times before. But this time really might be different. That's because...

Leading retail distribution practices: The way retailers sell to consumers is changing. And that's changing the way retailers distribute their products.(RETAIL DISTRIBUTION PRACTICES)
January 1, 2005... Ask five materials handling experts what they talk about with their retail clients, and you're likely to get five different responses: * "One of the things we're seeing is a lot of industry consolidation," says Peter Schnorbach, vice...

About Symbol Technologies.(PROFILE: ADVERTISEMENT)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2005... Symbol Technologies, Inc., The Enterprise Mobility Company[TM], manufactures and services enterprise mobility systems, delivering products and solutions that capture, move and manage information in real time to and from the point of business...

RFID smart printers.(PROFILE: ADVERTISEMENT)(Radio Frequency Identification Equipment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2005... SATO America, a leader in barcode printing since introducing the first thermal transfer barcode printer in 1979, announces the industry's first, complete multi-protocol EPC-compliant UHF RFID solutions! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SATO is...

High Volume Low Speed fans.(PRODUCT RELEASE: ADVERTISEMENT)
January 1, 2005... We are the original inventors and manufacturers of High Volume Low Speed fans. With diameters up to 24 feet, and moving up to 230,000 CFM in up to 20,000 square feet of space, our MacroAir[TM] fans with WhisperFoil[TM] anodized aluminum blades...

Lift loads more than 30 inches.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The Ergonomic 3000 portable scissor lift moves skids, tote boxes and other opened-bottom containers. Loads up to 3,000 pounds can be lifted up to 31 1/2 inches. The unit is available in both manually operated and electric-powered hydraulic...

Vacuum lifter grip from two sides.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The VP-Series of side-grip vacuum lifters handles loads that cannot be lifted from the top. Suitable for loading and unloading products into shipping containers or onto pallets, these below-the-hook lifters grip loads up to 15,000 pounds....

Scissor-lift table handles 7,000 pounds.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The RediLift line of stationary and portable scissor-lift tables and tilt/turn tables is a standardized, lower-cost ergonomics solution. They are available in a range of popular configurations, and handle loads from 750 to 7,000 pounds....

Easy container access with Tilt table.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... Wire baskets, totes, hampers and other containers can be positioned to the most comfortable height for loading or unloading parts with the Ergo-Tilt. Because lift and tilt are independently controlled, the ergonomic unit minimizes bending,...

Handle 125-pound rolls.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The Ergo-Tranz roll handler eliminates the body strain normally caused from manually lifting rolls from a horizontal pallet position, turning them 90 degrees and placing the rolls in a vertical machine position. Capable of handling roll loads...

Load/unload parts comfortably.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The DMT series mechanical lift positions containers so workers can comfortably load and unload parts. Because it requires neither an electrical nor pneumatic power source, the lift can be moved easily from one workstation to another. A hand...

Stacker raises loads 74 inches.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... Available in two models featuring adjustable 25-inch and 30-inch forks, respectively, the CW25 and CW30 counterweight stackers can lift up to 1,000 pounds either 62 inches or 74 inches at 5 inches per second. Features include fork adjustments...

Adjustable-height workstations.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... The Ergo-Line series of adjustable-height workstations is available for a wide variety of assembly and manufacturing environments. Operators can easily change work surface height at will, enhancing productivity while reducing the risk of...

Large-diameter vacuum cups for heavy lifting.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... Large vacuum cups, available in sizes up to 15 inches and larger, fit virtually any type of vacuum equipment used for lifting and placing large or heavy items. Round, rectangular and oval shapes are offered in a variety of materials to suit...

Custom pallet inverter for palletized loads.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)(Inverters)
January 1, 2005... West Bend pallet inverters offer capacities up to 3,000 pounds and a maximum stack height of over 9 feet for handling very large loads. Standard platform sizes handle 40 X 48 inch four-way pallets, and can be designed for larger pallet sizes...

Low-profile lift table.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... A low-profile lift table accommodates a wide range of operator heights. The table can be controlled by either a free-standing pedestal control or with a foot control. Its closed height is 4.5 inches, while the extended height is 30 inches....

Pump-up tilt cart.(FOCUS ON Ergonomics)
January 1, 2005... A pump-up tilt cart features a leveling device that returns the load to a level position by simply pumping the foot pedal with a minimal number of strokes. This allows for easy change-overs before a container load has been emptied. It is...

Forks weigh load.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Weightroller forks display, accumulate and record the weight of all lifted loads with an accuracy of 0.1%. The design requires no installation for standard forks and can be switched to any make of fork on Class 2 or 3 carriages. An LCD screen...

Improve order fulfillment efficiency.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(Software suite)
January 1, 2005... The SINTHESIS Software Suite allows users to assess real-time needs of order fulfillment operations. The Suite, which significantly improves productivity, throughput and accuracy, is composed of eight software groups and 26 customizable...

Simple pallet accumulation.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)(conveyor)
January 1, 2005... The motor-controlled zero-pressure accumulator conveyor eliminates pneumatic clutches, zone-to-zone chains and programmable logic controls, simplifying accumulation. The conveyor can be configured with up to 12 zones and in lengths of four to...

Produce 100 RFID labels/minute.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... An automatic RFID label printer/applicator reduces label damage and cuts costs. The Sensormatic Quadrel T Series is suited to high-speed operations. It keeps managers updated on label shortages and timing issues between the conveyor belt and...

High-speed scanner.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The EXCELerate bar code laser scan engine scans at speeds up to five times faster than conventional scanners and is more compact. The scan engine uses technology known as micro electro mechanical system (MEMS). These devices are manufactured...

Simplify RFID tagging.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Integrated software supports sorting, tagging and shipping of EPC-labeled cases and pallets. RFID-enabled irista Warehouse 8.6 allows for tagging prior to order allocation, during orderpicking or at a tagging workstation. It is compliant to...

Doors take a beating.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... For cold storage settings, the Barrier Glider door is designed to withstand the day-to-day impacts of a loading environment. According to the supplier, the doors provide an effective insulation solution and provide a gap between traditional...

Modular staging and storage.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Modular vertical towers allow for simplified reconfiguration and cost-effective expansion of staging and storage systems. The towers can be configured for a variety of load sizes including full pallets. Multiple insert/extract options are...

Customized containers.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Made from corrugated plastic--with or without foam dunnage--plastic containers offer a solution for inter/intraplant components handling. The modular design maximizes cubic density and eliminates the need for traditional corrugated boxes. The...

Coders maximize uptime.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The SmartDate family of thermal transfer codes offers maximum uptime, excellent flexibility and high reliability. Print speeds up to 1,800 mm/second are standard. They are intended for applications in the snack food, confectionary and...

Improve picking accuracy, speed.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Static rack and shelving units can be more productive with FastPic4 software. The optimized pick lists it generates increase productivity by routing pickers from beginning to end in the most efficient order. The software alerts users to...

Conveyors maintain product orientation.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Multiple turn sections allow modular belt curve conveyors to maintain product orientation. A single drive motor propels incline and decline sections that can be combined to create a production line. Belt widths are 24 inches and turns of 45, 90...

Transport cargo in poor weather.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Designed to carry loads up to 2,000 pounds, an all-terrain pallet truck features 17-inch pneumatic front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels. The truck allows for transport over rough terrain, snow and uneven surfaces. The unit features adjustable...

Electric chain hoist.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Two-speed hoist motors are standard on an electric chain hoist family with capacities from 275 to 4,400 pounds. The initial offering has a 550-pound capacity. Overload protection offers built-in brake monitoring for added safety. The hoist...

Washdown palletizer.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Suited to the food and pharmaceutical industries, a stainless steel palletizer can withstand washing, and ensures hygiene through the use of corrosion-resistant materials. The FL10's open-frame construction eliminates potential bacteria-growth...

Conveyor belts handle tight corners.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Open-construction, gentle cornering and a tight turning radius are standard with the Flex-Turn series wirebelt for conveyors. During transfer, the belt repositions the product for easy handling. The belts are customizable and stainless steel...

Easy-to-maneuver casters.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The Commando swivel caster requires less starting force and better stopping characteristics, enhancing productivity. Designed without a kingpin, the caster is resistant to wear and tear and will never need replacing, according to the supplier....

Variable belt conveyor.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The stainless steel MPC conveyor is available with USDA- and FDA-approved belts. It can be outfitted with belts rated for freezer applications as well as belts able to survive 300 degrees. Modular construction allows for straight or curved...

Cushion product with air pillows.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The bench top AirPouch Express 3 produces air pillows at over 50 feet per minute--more productive than the supplier's previous models. The portable, bench-top unit is cost-effective for high-volume as well as low-volume applications. Operation...

Track returns online.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... Capable of accommodating multiple data-bases and customers, R-LOG PLUS software allows users to track, manage and audit return inventory in real time. Web-based design reduces implementation time and improves cost efficiency. Users can avoid...

Smart cameras read DataMatrix.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... A family of smart cameras read DataMatrix 2-D symbology and other marks made directly on parts. The HawkEye cameras feature high read rates and help to error-proof users' installations. Plug-and-play capability allows for fast set-up. RVSI...

Safety bridge for docks.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... A bridge provides safe passage between the warehouse dock and truck trailer without having to install a pit. The LoadHog is best used in low traffic-load environments. Four anchor bolts mount the bridge to the floor without additional concrete...

Small but powerful motor.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The IndraDyn S series of synchronous servo motors is available in a range of frame sizes to achieve torque ratings from 0.1 up to 240 Nm. Larger motor sizes are available with high- or low-inertia rotors for optimized inertia matching--higher...

Conveyor saves space.(PRODUCT SHOWCASE)
January 1, 2005... The WhisperTrax conveyor moves cartons and other items at variable angles up to 90 degrees. A dual-chain design minimizes the conveyor's footprint, saving floor space. The continuous gripping chain crimps around the item being conveyed at...

60 seconds with ...(one-on-one interview)(Interview)
January 1, 2005... It's really a two-step process that starts with meeting customer requirements. We have to fill orders to the right quantities, without damage and on time. If we miss, DC costs increase. Customers can deduct money on orders that are shorted or...