Modern Materials Handling articles from March 2005

Modern Materials Handling archives from March 2005

Manufacturers embracing wireless solutions.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Usage of Wi-Fi in manufacturing industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Manufacturing companies are looking to embrace wireless business solutions that promote efficiency and cut costs, according to a recent poll conducted by Nextel (www.nextel.com). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A majority saw the need for a...

Is RFID data overload coming your way?(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Radio frequency identification equipment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Some companies already have too much data from using bar codes. And that situation will progressively get worse with the introduction of RFID technology, according to a study by research firm VDC. According to respondents, many are...

Rack specification adopted by ANSI.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(American National Standard)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) has announced that its "Specification for the Design, Testing and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks" has been adopted as an American National Standard. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

CeMAT steps out on its own.(BREAKING NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Deutsche Messe AG and Hannover Fairs have announced that CeMAT will now be its own show. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The materials handling show, held every three years and running from Oct. 11-15, 2005 in Hannover, Germany, expects to have...

Fast fact.
March 1, 2005... 50% Increase of AGV systems in 2004. Source: The AGVS Product Section of MHIA

Giving lift trucks their due.(MY VIEW)
March 1, 2005... OVER THE YEARS AS I'VE TRIED TO EXPLAIN to people unfamiliar with materials handling what it is exactly, there are always two words that have done the trick. Lift trucks. And I'm not necessarily the one who says the words. Watch television...

Supply chain: fulfillment performance improves says Accenture; As product availability has improved, the cost to fill orders is declining.(NEWS & TRENDS)
March 1, 2005... More companies than ever are relying on order fulfillment excellence to enhance their standing with their customers and their performance in the marketplace. At the same time, the number of inventory turns is declining. [GRAPHIC...

Crane certification: overhead crane operator certification program.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Certification program announced for crane operators at ProMat )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A new certification program for operators of overhead cranes was announced at ProMat by the National Association for the Certification of Crane Operators (CCO) and the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA). The test will...

Manufacturing: ARC forum advances innovation.(NEWS & TRENDS)(ARC Advisory Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... In attempts to keep pace with foreign manufacturers that keep costs well below their American counterparts, domestic manufacturers are forced to address cost-reduction measures and embrace maturing technologies. This was the message delivered...

Best practices: Disney, MIT weigh in on best practices.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Logistics services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A look into supply chain innovation and preparedness will be presented by two divergent speakers at the Supply-Chain World-North America (SCWNA) 2005 Conference and Exposition. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taking...

Conference: distribution conference to explore IT initiatives.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Logistics services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Industry executives leading the charge in IT upgrades for distribution will present their experiences at a conference sponsored by the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) (www.gmabrands.com). Slated for April 11-13 in Palm Beach Gardens,...

Acquisition: Infor acquires MAPICS.(NEWS & TRENDS)
March 1, 2005... Infor Global Solutions (www.infor.com) has agreed to purchase MAPICS, Inc., receiving unanimous approval from the MAPICS board of directors. The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals...

Appointments/promotions.(people to know)(Materials handling equipment industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Appointments/promotions: Marceline Absil has been promoted to vice president, sales and marketing at Inther Integrated Solutions... SATO Corp. announces the appointment of Phil Koch as marketing manager... Associated Material Handling...

Company mergers/new facilities.(people to know)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Company mergers/new facilities: Printronix announces a joint partnership with RedPrairie to provide radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware and expertise to European companies... HighJump Software LLC and Deloitte Consulting LLP...

Web site targets crane specification.(NEWS & TRENDS)(Web site that functions as an online resource for engineers and architects. )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... At ProMat, Gorbel Inc. (www.gorbel.com) introduced a Web site that functions as an online resource for engineers and architects researching and specifying overhead crane solutions. Jeff McNeil, marketing manager, said the site overcomes the...

Places to go.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2005... APRIL 2005 April 4-6 Supply Chain World North America Disneyland Hotel Anaheim, Calif. Sponsor: Supply-Chain Council Web: www.supplychainworld.org April 13-14 SouthPack Georgia World Congress Center ...

Voice takes on orderpicking: the popularity of voice is on the rise as its benefits to orderpicking become increasingly apparent.(FOR DEALING WITH THE REAL WORLD)(Column)
March 1, 2005... FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, the technology of communicating with employees via an interactive computerized voice has been more of a promise than a reality. That is, until a few years ago. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A combination of improvements...

RFID News & Solutions and RFIDNaS.com: get the latest radio frequency identification information.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Radio Frequency Identification Equipment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Reed Business Information and its Supply Chain Group recently launched a new magazine and microsite called RFID News & Solutions. It delivers information on real solutions, products and services to RFID decision-makers and implementors. The...

Miss a story? Get it for free online.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)
March 1, 2005... Missed a story from Modern and can't find your print issue? You can read all of the Modern archives online for free. All features, news articles and more can be found dating back to 1998. Warehousing Management and ADC News & Solutions articles...

3D CAD model library: conveyor manufacturer upgrades online library.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A 3D model library offered by Dorner Manufacturing Corp. now uses 3D CAD files in SolidWorks, Pro Engineer and AutoCAD formats. These are available for free download from the Web site. The library includes models for conveyors, gear mount...

New NACCO corporate site: increased content and better usability.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(NACCO Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The parent company of Hyster and Yale, NACCO Industries, Inc., has launched a new version of its corporate Web site. It allows visitors to quickly access information about the history and structure of the company, as well as the visions,...

Compare palletizers, case erectors and more: with one click.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... You can now get one click access to A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.'s complete lineup of packaging equipment including key specs. Each product category features a "help me choose" section that compares features of the available models and directs...

Rack safety inspections and training seminars: SESS provides both.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Storage Equipment Safety Service Ltd.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Storage Equipment Safety Service Ltd. (SESS) provides rack safety inspections and training to the international warehouse and logistics industry. Visitors can purchase safety videos from the site, read back issues of safety enewsletters and ask...

Online document library: standards, guidelines, white papers and more.(WEB-BASED NEWS & INSIGHTS)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... An online store and document library for automatic identification international standards, implementation guidelines, presentations and white papers has been launched by AIM Global--The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility. It...

The latest in lift trucks: from orderpickers and reach trucks to stackers, it's been yet another strong year for new model introductions.(equipment)
March 1, 2005... WITHOUT A QUESTION, the R & D people at major lift truck suppliers are working overtime these days. During the past year, there have been many new models introduced. The most activity is in counterbalanced trucks with reach trucks, stackers and...

The mobile information platform: today's lift trucks are about more than just heavy lifting. They are the common denominator between the movement of goods and information.(information management)
March 1, 2005... For those who think a lift truck is as pedestrian as a pack mule, now might be the time to think again. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While lift trucks still do the heavy lifting on the floor and at the docks, information management...

What dealers/distributors can do for you: from software to systems, today's distributors provide more than just lift trucks.(A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT)
March 1, 2005... "I couldn't survive just selling lift trucks," says Greg Costa, president and CEO of Delta Materials Handling, Inc. (901-795-7230, www.deltamat.com). That may sound surprising coming from a dealer and distributor that has been supplying...

Everything to store, organize & transport!(Profile)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Reduce costs and improve your material handling performance with Akro-Mils[R], the leader in storage, organization, and transport products for manufacturing, industrial, distribution, and other industries. Improve parts protection, optimize...

Software solutions for the dealer.(Profile)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... WennSoft's goal for Equipment Dealers is to provide a solution that enables a 360 degree view of operations. This goal will be achieved and continually enhanced by delivering a fully integrated Equipment Rental, Service Management, Parts and...

MacroAir[TM] HVLS fans.(PRODUCT RELEASE)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... We are the original inventors and manufacturers of big 8'-24' High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fans. MacroAir[TM] fans with WhisperFoil[TM] anodized aluminum blades provide the most cost-effective and efficient air movement systems for cooling,...

Do you really need an explosion proof lift truck? Not everyone does, but for those who do, you can be sure all the necessary safeguards are in place to protect man, machine and facility.(special focus)
March 1, 2005... LIFT TRUCKS CAN EXPLODE or catch fire. And it happens more often than you might imagine. Every time the results are costly and often tragic. Consider these three instances. * After a Kentucky foam insulation factory blew up killing 66...

Lift trucks & automation mix it up: finding the right balance of lift trucks and automation in the plant and warehouse comes down to flexibility, labor and equipment.(systems)
March 1, 2005... LIFT TRUCKS OR AUTOMATION? It's not an either or proposition. Even in highly automated facilities, lift trucks are almost always part of the equation. "In the mid-1960's, Sara Lee opened the most automated plant in the country," says...

Closer scrutiny of emissions: from the national to the state level, the push is on to limit lift truck emissions. That's put the focus on cleaner burning engines and alternate power sources.(regulations)
March 1, 2005... THE BATTLE FOR BETTER AIR quality is in full swing. And lift trucks are no less a player than the family sedan. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In fact, lift truck emission standards are now under the regulatory eye of both the Environmental...

Accommodate a variety of products.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... The LLP-5 palletizer is fully configurable to a variety of applications and products. Automatic operation can accommodate 25 cases per minute. Three separate drives offer superior handling control at infeed. Design allows for product innovation...

Case heights, no problem.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... No overhead layer sweep and unrestricted pallet heights are standard for the HP300 case palletizer. A variety of case patterns can be programmed into the system and changeover is performed without tools. The unit stacks onto pallets or...

Palletizer performs 1,500 cycles/hour.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... The unit is designed for high-speed/high-payload operation with a load capacity exceeding 350 pounds at 1,500 cycles per hour. Setup of the M-410iB/160 is user-friendly. The system is supported by PalletTool/PalletPRO software packages....

Automatic bag palletizer.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... Palletize up to 35 bags per minute, depending on bag pattern and application, with the Series 6900. The system automatically conveys empty pallets into the configuration for loading. Rugged channel construction offers long operation life....

Multi-purpose palletizer trims costs.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... The A700 handles products, pallets and slip/tie sheets with the same arm tool. The system allows for operation in low-ceiling and limited space work environments. It is capable of handling loads up to 310 pounds at 550 cycles per hour. When...

Palletize in challenging environments.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... The Robotpac has proven effective in dusty work areas commonly found in packaging operations. Completed palletized stacks are stable--pallet loads can be transported by forklift or conveyor with confidence. Maximum capacity is 600 working...

Compact palletizing.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... Easily integrated with current systems, a single-line palletizer features up to six-axis movement, allowing for compact footprints. Wide working envelopes with small footprints allow for a less bulky system with a reduced interference area. The...

Improve efficiency.(FOCUSON Palletizers)
March 1, 2005... The Model 72SA semi-automatic bag palletizer improves efficiency and ergonomics of hand palletizing heavy bagged products with automatic lift-to-pallet operation. Bags are oriented upon soft-touch ball bearing rollers by users who then slide...

Unload pallets quickly.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Known as the Walking Floor, a mechanized system for loading and unloading a full shipment of pallets from an over-the-road trailer gets the job done with a series of moving slats. Total time to load or unload a trailer is roughly five minutes....

Automated handling of tagged items.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... A stretch of automated conveyor teamed with an automatic printer/applicator speeds the application of RFID labels and movement of items. When teamed with an RFID reader and tracking software, the system can be customized to fit any materials...

Gate protection.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... The pallet-flow pick-module swing gate is for high-bay rack picking modules integrated with pallet flow rails. The safety gate is ideal for picking bays with deep-lane pallet storage that prohibits dual-gate safety devices. The gates open...

Cube and weigh from on high.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... A ceiling-mounted dimension-scanning device works in conjunction with a heavy-capacity floor scale to cube and weigh loads. The CubiScan 1000-VS maximizes efficiency by allowing omni-directional access to the measurement area. The system moves...

Easy access.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... The ergonomic PalletPal combines the capabilities of a lift table and a pallet truck. It picks up and transports a load, lifting it to the most convenient working height. Lifting capacities exceed 3,000 pounds at heights of 31.5 inches. The...

RFID on Demand.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... The RFID System on Demand utilizes an automatic label applicator, readers and applicable software to recognize and track product. The system can be configured to work with a range of applicators and conveyor control equipment. Once through the...

Rugged printer supports RFID tags.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)(Radio Frequency Identification)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The RI 10Xi printer/encoder features fully integrated support for read and read/write RFID tags. The printer offers a solution for companies implementing RFID pilot tests and aiming to meet compliance standards. The printer is built of rugged...

Conveyor improves operational flexibility.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The C-L 100 package conveyor system was designed to decrease installation time by 30% and allow for maintenance surveillance during operation. Conveyors plug together on the floor and all parts are standardized. The conveyor handles items...

Adjust workbench heights.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Adjusting to the user's optimal work height, an adjustable-height workbench reduces user stress and potential injury. Height adjusts from 25.5 to 41.5 inches through the use of a motorized lift, hand crank or slide leg platform. Ergonomic...

AGV handles loads in tight spaces.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)(automatic guided vehicle )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Capable of handling loads up to 3,000 pounds, a narrow fork-style automatic guided vehicle is designed to operate in small work spaces. The laser-guided vehicle is also equipped with laser safety bumpers to ensure safety of workers in space...

Explosion-Proof vacuum lifter.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... With lifting capacities from 45 to 185 pounds, the Jumbo Explosion-Proof vacuum lifter contains no electrical components and is made primarily of stainless steel. All materials are antistatic. It is intended primarily for the chemical and...

Aluminum pallet offers durability, strength.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... The 9-Block aluminum pallet is approachable by forklift from any angle and completely repairable in event of damage. This four-way pallet withstands load capacities of 3,000 pounds racking or dynamic, and 30,000 pounds static. According to the...

Vertical conveying solution.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... The vertical accumulation buffer combines two or more spiral conveyors for up and down movement of product. Conveyors can be utilized as dynamic storage or as a buffer during product surges. Products can be merged back into the main line...

Wireless computers brave the elements.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Mounted on forklift trucks for direct user access, the Trux 600 computer streamlines production in harsh conditions, including extreme cold, heat and shock. Units can be customized according to customer needs and updated to comply with future...

VLM saves floor space.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Increased storage capacity is capable with the Shuttle XP vertical lift module (VLM). The module stores items on shelves adjustable in one-inch increments, providing up to 50% more storage capacity than other VLMs. The units also save up to 85%...

Enhanced storage solutions.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Steel shelving systems provide durability and are easy to assemble. They can be used in conjunction with shelf bin systems or Stak-N-Store systems for heavier applications. Pick racks provide convenient storage for mobile applications while...

Cart/portable workstation.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... A rugged cart is ideal for a range of industrial environments, offering 30 square inches of work space. The cart has a fixed height of 34 inches. Standard four-inch, locking casters provide smooth motion and a lower shelf offers increased...

Magnetic inventory labels.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Magnetic inventory labels track inventory and stock throughout the warehouse. The re-positionable labels are available in rolls or pre-scored/precut to length. Data cards affix to the magnetic strip and are available in four sizes. The magnetic...

Mobile computing.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... A lightweight, compact design coupled with a functional keyboard makes the Workabout Pro S mobile computer easy to use. The unit features Bluetooth, Windows CE.NET and Intel X-Scale, and has a range of radio, computing and scanning options....

Bar code labels for freezers.(PRODUCTSHOWCASE)
March 1, 2005... Designed exclusively for freezer applications, a line of bar code labels is completely sealed to withstand very low temperatures. A special adhesive withstands temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit. ShelfTag Supply 800-851-8980...

60 seconds with ... Bob Meigs on the importance of lean manufacturing.(one-on-one interview)(Brief Article)(Interview)
March 1, 2005... It's all about freeing up as much capital as possible while simultaneously increasing value to the customer. Materials account for about 60% of sales at QSC. That means anything we can do to limit how much inventory we have on hand--basic...