Alert service
Dematic introduced its Alert Monitoring Service, a support service that
provides a constant view of automated material handling systems for users. The
service monitors system trends to detect problems with controls, computer
hardware and equipment before they become critical and lead to potential
downtime. Using text messages, the system sends an alert of impending problems
and recommended actions to the user. Smart filters and trend monitoring enable
the system to determine if a problem requires action and what the appropriate
response should be, the company says.
-ï€ Dematic Corp., 3025 Highland Parkway, Downers Grove, Ill. 60515;
630/852-9200; dematic.com.
Brewing solution
Krones AG introduced Boreas, a solution for brewing processes designed to
ensure controlled evaporation of unwanted aromatics from the hot wort. The
system requires little space and can be retrofitted, the company says. It also
does not require a vacuum or additional thermal energy for its operation, the
company says. Boreas can reduce DMS rates up to 70 percent, depending on the
starting level, Krones says.
-ï€ Krones AG, Böhmerwaldstraße 5, 93073 Neutraubling, Germany;
49 9401 70-0; krones.com.
Lift truck built for cold environment
Crown Equipment released its SR 5000 series moving-mast reach truck, which is
designed to operate in extreme cold environments with lift heights up to 450
inches. The lift truck includes a fully integrated cold store cabin made from
tubular steel that can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Large scratch-resistant windows give the operator easy visibility through a
clear-visibility mast, the company says, and quick defrosting is achieved
through heated windows. To keep the cabin interior warm, the lift truck
features twin heaters, fans and five adjustable air vents. Crown has treated
internal components with anti-corrosion compounds and sealants to better handle
cold conditions and help prevent rust from forming.
-ï€ Crown Equipment Corp., 44 South Washington St., New Bremen, Ohio 45869;
419/629-2311; crown.com.
Video seam monitor
Wilkens-Anderson released its VSM II Video Seam Monitor, a high-resolution
camera and monitor to inspect can double seam cross sections. The camera
includes a solid state light source that produces a bright image of the can
seam for evaluation and measurement, a toggle switch to select crosshairs on
either the X or Y axis, and adjustable illumination and built-in calibration
procedure, the company says.
-ï€ Wilkens-Anderson Co., 4525 W. Division St., Chicago, Ill. 60651;
773/384-4433; wacolab.com.
Portable seam saw
CMC-Kuhnke added its PCS-1307 model of Seam Saw for beverage cans to its line
of portable inspection equipment. The saws are rugged, portable and designed
for customer service engineers needing to cross section double seams on the
road, the company says. A light-weight design makes the saw ideal for working
on the go and requires virtually no maintenance, the company says. Two parallel
blades cut along the diameter of the can and make the cross-section without
chattering, distorting or changing hook lengths, providing an accurate radial
slot for use in double seam imaging and measurement.
ï€ CMC-Kuhnke Inc., 1060 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12204; 800/689-0661;
cmc-kuhnke.com.
On-site generator
MIOX Corp. released its Rio on-site generator, a clean in place (CIP)
technology for cleaning the interior surfaces of beverage production equipment
without disassembly. The single-component solution replaces four- and five-step
CIP processes with a three-step process that includes rinse, treatment and
final rinse. Using a 9 pH chlor-oxygen based disinfectant, the technology
eliminates energy required for thermal processes. Rio also sanitizes and
disinfects beverage plant source water and intake water treatment, surface
water, groundwater, process water treatment, wastewater treatment, cooling
towers on the facility, and bottle washing and rinsing, the company
says.
-MIOX Corp., 5601 Balloon Fiesta Parkway NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87113;
888/646-9426; miox.com.
Refrigeration unit
Carrier Transicold released its Vector 5100 all-electric refrigeration unit,
which the company says offers an environmentally responsible and
energy-efficient solution for grocery, supermarket and other operations that
use refrigerated trailers for on-site cold storage. The Vector 5100 eliminates
noise and can reduce operating costs by up to 70 percent, the company says. The
unit requires a 460-volt power supply to run and uses maintenance-free electric
motors to drive its evaporator and condenser fans. Electric-resistance
elements, rather than hot gas, provide heating and defrosting when needed.
Advance microprocessor control with TRU-Digital Energy Management Device
operating logic record data on-board the system.
-ï€ Carrier Corp., 1 Carrier Place, Farmington, Conn. 06032; 860/674-3000; carrier.com.
Engine options
Yale Materials Handling Corp. now includes engine options designed for greater
fuel efficiency, minimal noise and reduced maintenance and operating costs on
its Veracitor VX truck series. The Veracitor VX series can lift 3,000 to 19,000
pounds and can be equipped with either cushion or pneumatic tire
classes. Computer-controlled engine and transmission, robust clutch packs and
stronger gears and shafts make up the truck’s powertrain. All transmissions
feature electronic inching to eliminate periodic adjustments and reduce
maintenance costs, the company says.
-ï€ Yale Materials Handling Corp., 1400 Sullivan Drive, Greenville, N.C. 27834;
252/931-5100; yale.com.
Bubble packaging
Polypack Inc. released its bubble packaging, which the company says provides
superior protection, reduced packaging costs and a billboard opportunity. To
protect and stabilize its contents, the bubble packaging features a bubble film
covered with a secondary shrink film. The packaging materials are recyclable,
and offer savings versus corrugate cases, Polypack says. Its outer shrink wrap
provides the possibility for branding and marketing the package’s contents, the
company says.
-ï€ Polypack Inc., 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fla. 33782;
727/578-5000; polypack.com.
Field computer
EMS Technologies’ LXE division introduced its Marathon field computer, which
includes a larger screen and multiple data-capture and connectivity options.
Smaller than a laptop computer, the field computer weighs less than
1 kilogram. The computer runs Windows 7 or Windows XP operating systems with an
Intel Atom processor and includes a 7-inch outdoor-visible touchscreen, QWERTY
keyboard, integrated fingerprint reader that doubles as a mouse and a
high-resolution camera. LXE also offers desk and vehicle SmartDock cradles and
bolt-on accessories, including a magnetic strip reader, two-dimensional imager
and extended life batteries. Both Global System for Mobile Communications- and
Code Division Multiple Access-based mobile carriers can connect the computer
through its radio technology.
-ï€ LXE Inc., 125 Technology Parkway, Norcross, Ga. 30092; 770/447-4224; lxe.com.
Historical trace capabilities
Railinc rolled out historical trace capabilities for multi-year analysis on its
RailSight Car Location Message engine for real-time track and trace of freight
rail equipment and rail shipments. The service is fee-based and expands
visibility up to four-and-a-half years into past rail-event data, the company
says. Customers also now can use the Internet for immediate access to rail
fleet and rail event data in RailSight without special configurations, the
company says. Bi-directional integration allows customers to talk directly to
the car location message engine to request car location and other event data from in-house
applications.
-ï€ Railinc Corp., 7001 Weston Parkway, Suite 200; Cary, N.C. 27513;
919/651-5000; railinc.com.
Label applicator
ID Technology released its Model ST1000 full-featured label applicator with a
tamp application module. The module requires no tools to change from label
sizes ranging from 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches up to 4 inches by 5 inches. Using a reverse fan box, the tamp module
creates a vacuum to hold the label in place for application. Constructed from
anodized aluminum for protection from corrosive environments, the ST1000 is
ideal for top, bottom and side applications and can be used for recessed areas,
indexing lines and variable speed lines, the company says.
-ï€ ID Technology LLC, 2051 Franklin Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76106;
888/438-3242; idtechnology.com.
Load transfer system
Columbia Machine Inc. added fully automatic load transfer stations (LTS) that
can transfer up to two full loads per minute to its line of LTS. The system
uses an LTS configuration that combines a pallet stacker, pallet dispenser, and
input and output conveyors. The unit receives loads from a conveyor before
transferring the load from one load base to another. It then stacks the cargo on a pallet and automatically discharges the
pallet onto a conveyor. Loads can be stored in a high-rise system or picked
downstream by a lift truck, the company says.
-ï€ Columbia Machine Inc., 107 Grand Blvd., Vancouver, Wash. 98661; 800/628-4065;
palletizing.com.
Top case sealer
A-B-C released a compact adhesive top case sealer that features a heavy gauge
stainless steel frame, continuous motion side belt case drive and contoured flap folders. The Model 136HM sealer
comes standard with easy-access sliding guards that enclose the sealer. With
independently adjustable footpads for easy leveling on all floor surfaces, the
sealer is built for drop-in installation on standard 15-inch line elevations,
the company says. Changeover takes about 30 seconds and requires no tools to
adjust to different case sizes. A-B-C also offers a tape sealing model.
-ï€ A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp., 811 Live Oak St., Tarpon Springs, Fla. 34689;
800/237-5975; abcpackaging.com.
Marketing materials tracking software
OnTrak Software released a Web-based tool for beer, wine and spirits
distributors to order, track and manage at-retail marketing materials. With the
software, distributors can manage printed and permanent signs as well as menus
and samples, the company says. Using the company’s SignTrak software,
distributors can order, track and manage custom, printed and point-of-sale
signage. OnTrak also offers PermaTrak software to track inventory status,
installation, maintenance and removal of permanent and semi-permanent
point-of-sale materials, such as neon, plastic and metal signs. MenuTrak
provides an automated system to order wine menus, and SampleTrak allows a distributor to
manage and control wine sampling inventory.
-ï€ OnTrak Software, 2943 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226; 800/513-9194;
ontraksoftware.com.
Slitting inspection
Karlville Development introduced its KSI Prolabel slitting inspection machine,
which is suited for mid and narrow web applications and can handle
self-adhesive label stock and paper, the company says. The machine comes in 250
mm. and 450 mm. widths. KSI Prolabel can be configured with both the LC1 and
LC2 Smart Label Counter Management Systems. The slitting inspection machine can
achieve speeds up to 300 meters per minute and features a Cantilever Air unwind
shaft, Powder Brake unwind tension control and E+L Germany Ultrasonic unwind
edge guide, the company says.
-ï€ Karlville Development, 1111 Brickell Bay Drive, Miami, Fla. 33131;
305/533-1051; karlville.com.
Automatic guided vehicle
RMT Robotics Ltd. released its Autonomous Delivery and Manipulation (ADAM)
system of automatic guided vehicles to handle lean manufacturing operations.
The ADAM system features a laser range finding system to detect vehicle
location and obstacles, on-vehicle keypad interface and wireless call buttons,
and a PC-based interface. Traditional support lifelines, such as guide wires,
reflectors and transponders, are not necessary for ADAM, which can adjust to a
changing environment. The system can transport work-in-process and finished
goods between locations in complex, random origin and random destination
production environments, the company says.
-ï€ RMT Robotics Ltd., 635 S. Service Road, Ontario, Canada, L3M 4E8; 905/643-9700; rmtrobotics.com.
Stainless steel conveyor
Liberty Technologies added stainless steel mat top conveyors for the beverage
and food industry to its line of automated and semi-automated materials
handling equipment and systems. In the company’s first offering of stainless
steel conveyor products, it will include straight and curved conveyor sections
and combiners. The company also will provide implementation services to
integrate its conveyors with existing systems. The first product will be available in the
fourth quarter of 2010, the company says.
-ï€ Liberty Technologies, 3708 International Blvd., Vienna, Ohio 44473;
800/860-4744; libertytechnologies.com.
Water-based can sealant
Grace Davison, a subsidiary of W.R. Grace & Co., introduced a new water-based can sealant that the company
says offers improved application performance to protect beverage flavor and
quality. DAREX WBC 4721 is best suited for steel and bi-metallic cans, where
iron pick-up can affect the taste of the beverage, the company says. The sealant
includes intrinsic microbial resistance based on a polymer platform to prevent
growth of microbes and good mechanical stability to minimize downtime
associated with nozzle and filter blockage, the company
says.
-ï€ Grace Davison, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, Md. 21044; 410/531-4000;
grace.com.
Metal detectors
Lock Inspection Systems offers its Insight range of metal detectors, which are
available with advanced plug and play architecture with various communications
options, such as USB, wireless and standard Ethernet. The line’s standard
membrane keypad now uses direct digital signal viewer, a feature of the
company’s OPTIX performance-enhancing metal detector management software.
Stable and sensitive product set-ups are achieved through the company’s digital
search head and OPTIX detector management software. Manufacturers can choose
single frequency or variable frequency detectors.
-ï€ Lock Inspection Systems Inc., 207 Authority Drive, Fitchburg, Mass. 01420;
978/343-3718; lockinspection.com.
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