Closure Systems International released the XT6, a headset that provides 6,000 hours of maintenance-free operations. Shrouding that protects the seal areas have been shown to prevent product or cleaning solutions from entering the headset and affecting the bearings, the company says. The XT6 also offers torque control, headset calibration and optional tool-free quick-change chucks. The product has a patented magnetic clutch and low inertia design, and is applicable for a range of line speeds and package types, with most capping applications running at line speeds of 50 bottles per minute, per headset. - Closure Systems International, 6625 Network Way, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Ind. 46278; 800/311-2740; csiclosures.com.

 

Sit or stand truck

 

The Raymond Corp. launched the Raymond Model 7600 Reach-Fork truck, which allows the operator to sit or stand, depending on the material handling task being performed. The seated position increases operator comfort and lessens fatigue, the company says. Model 7600 is the newest addition to the Raymond 7000 Series of Reach-Fork trucks. The truck features an ergonomic, cushioned seat that flips up and out of the way to allow the operator to use the lift truck in a standing position. Two separate deadman pedals also are on the truck: one for seated use and the other for a standing position. Model 7600 is available in a 4,500-pound capacity, lifts up to 37 feet and offers 18.25-inch and 21.25-inch battery compartments to meet runtime needs. - The Raymond Corp., South Canal St., Greene, N.Y. 13778; 800/656-2311; raymondcorp.com.

 

Double seam monitor

 

CMC-Kuhnke introduced Video SEAM Monitor 5, an automatic double seam monitor. The equipment features pre-configured and integrated Micro-Laptop and automatic SEAMview software. The VSM 5 uses auto SEAMview software to measure the double seam. The software is then installed on a micro-laptop connected to the company’s VSI-5000 series imagers, which show high resolution, USB or Firewire cameras. VSM 5 makes an all-in-one double seam inspection solution and the system requires no training or installation, the company says. The solution has customizable options, including can tables for beverage, food and aerosol cans. - CMC-Kuhnke, 250 Falls Road, Hudson, N.Y. 12534; 800/689-0661; cmc-kuhnke.com.

 

Conveyor system

 

Boston Rack International Inc. expanded its line of environmentally friendly products with AutoRoll conveyor systems. The AutoRoll motorized roller conveyor system offers high speed product handling and no-pressure accumulation for more product storage needs, the company says. The product weighs less than conventional conveyor equipment and it offers a 30 percent reduction in electrical usage. - Boston Rack International, 115 Main Street, Suite 2D, North Easton, Mass. 02356; 508/230-5755; bostonrack.com.

 

RFID printer

 

Sato America Inc. added the GL4e series of RFID-ready industrial printers to products that support Microsoft BizTalk RFID. The GL4e series are the company’s network-manageable printers with a field-upgradable, high-frequency RFID option. The printers are suited for global EPC Class 1 Gen 2 applications, and are an established solution for RFID UHF application requirements in the supply chain, the company says. GL4e encodes and prints RFID tags and labels to meet global supply chain operators’ retail, government-led and other supply chain compliance mandates. The solution also works for closed-loop UHF applications. - Sato America Inc., 10350A Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28273; 704/644-1650; satoamerica.com.

 

Tow tractor

 

Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp. introduced EZS 350XL, a tow tractor (tugger) for towing trailers with up to 1,000 pounds of cargo. The EZS 350XL tugger can tow several trailers for flexible handling operations, and also features maintenance-free 24V three-phase AC drive motor technology. The equipment offers electric steering to make maneuvering easy in tight spaces, the company says. Two other features include Curve Control, a system that keeps the vehicle stable during cornering, and Speed Control, which eliminates pauses when changing travel directions. The tugger is unaffected by upward or downward gradients, and it also offers rollback protection on inclines. An optional CanDis display shows the state of the battery discharge, operating hours of the truck and any relevant fault codes for effective troubleshooting. - Jungheinrich Truck Lift Corp., 5601 Eastport Blvd., Richmond, Va. 23231; 804/737-7400; jungheinrich-us.com.

 

Keg packaging

 

Scholle Packaging Inc. announced a partnership with Lightweight Containers as the supplier of the inner packaging technology behind KeyKeg. The KeyKeg is a one-way keg that offers breweries, distributors and outlets new marketing opportunities, cost reduction and less environmental impact than steel kegs, the company says. The product is available in 20- or 30-liter sizes. The KeyKeg system consists of a PET ball, which houses a Scholle bag designed to protect and dispense beverages such as beer, carbonated wines and soft drinks. The high-oxygen barrier, flavor and CO2 protection properties of Scholle film ensures a shelf life of more than nine months, and after connecting, the product stays fresh for at least 30 days, the company adds. Beverages are dispensed by pressurizing the space between the bag and the ball. - Scholle Packaging Inc., 200 West North Ave., Northlake, Ill. 60164; 708/562-7290; scholle.com.

 

Premium motor

 

Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. announced a new line of NEMA Premium motors with aluminum rotors. The motors help customers meet the 2010 mandatory efficiency requirements of the 2007 Energy Independence & Security Act, the company says. The new line offers the same horsepower and housing as the company’s copper rotor-based NEMA Premium motors. In addition, the motors meet the efficiency requirements of many states’ utility rebate programs, such as the Sacramento Utility District Motors and Process Improvement Incentives and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Motor Drives Incentives programs. The Premium motors are available in general purpose, severe duty, IEEE 841, modified and custom-built configurations. - Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., 3333 Old Milton Pkwy., Alpharetta, Ga. 30005; 800/577-5964; siemens.com.

 

Management suite

 

Emerson Process Management released Syncade Smart Operations Management suite, a class of real-time production management software to improve plant operations. The Syncade Suite extends PlantWeb digital plant architecture by integrating real-time plant-floor data with procedural, off-line and transactional plant business processes, decisions and asset management. The software uses modular, scalable Microsoft.NET framework-based software to deliver ISA95 Level 3 standards-based functionality. Syncade Smart Operations Management suite provides solutions for resource management, operations optimization, integrated information, and quality and compliance. - Emerson Process Management, 12301 Research Blvd., Building III, Austin, Texas 78759; 512/418-7536; emerson.com.

 

Pneumatic switch

 

K-Tek introduced BETA Air Relay, a pilot-operated pneumatic switch from BETA N.V. The switch features a patented, snap-action mechanism that does away with problems associated with throttling bands, the company says. The Air Relay can be fine-tuned for increasing or decreasing action, and the switch features a narrow deadband, and support pilot supply and signal pressures up to 7.0 bar. BETA Air Relay is designed for valve control, bleed-off shut-down or alarm applications, both offshore and on. It also can be safely used in hazardous areas, including Zone 0 applications. Type SA for Normally Close operation and Type SB for Normally Open operation are the two configurations available for the switch. - K-Tek, 18321 Swamp Road, Prairieville, La. 70769; 800/735-5835; ktekcorp.com.

 

Wraparound packer

 

Cermex expanded its line of packing machinery with VersaWrap, a continuous wraparound case packer for high-speed lines. VersaWrap works on bottles, cartons and cans, and can wrap around cases and trays. The case wrapper also has a dual extraction system for removal of corrugated blanks, and the upper brackets are fitted with rubber cushions to compensate for dimensional variations in products and packaging. In addition, VersaWrap is partially automated, and no change parts are required. In terms of safety, a system of sensors are used to stop the machine in cycle to preserve mechanical components and product stability as well as rapid recovery, the company says. - Cermex, 4845 S. Old Peachtree Road, Suite 1000, Norcross, Ga. 30071; 678/221-3570; cermexinc.com.

 

Foodservice equipment cleaner

 

Zep Inc. launched a new line of dishwashing detergents and foodservice equipment cleaners. The new ProVisions products are color-coded for identification purposes. Zep provides employee training aids in English and Spanish, so the products are easy to manage and to help foodservice operators promote employee safety, the company says. ProVisions line is ideal for supermarkets, bakeries, butcher shops, delis, taverns/bars, cafeterias, institutional kitchens and restaurants. Products are available in cases of four 1-gallon containers and 5-gallon pails, as well as some ready-to-use products available in quarts. - Zep Inc., 1310 Seaboard Industrial Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30318; 404/352-1680; zep.com.

 

Patented software

 

Tenstreet restructured its product offerings to include a small business edition of its patented software. The new Basic Version provides fleets with 200 or fewer trucks with the functions needed to improve the recruitment of company drivers. The business edition includes a customized application page with Tenstreet’s digitized signature feature that eliminates faxing and streamlines the collection of drug and alcohol releases; a gap detection to ensure completed applications include necessary documentation, such as employment history, safety history and data validation; and the e-mail delivery of all driver applications. Tenstreet also offers a Professional Version and an Enterprise Version. - Tenstreet, 14526 South 53rd Ave., Bixby, Okla. 74008; 918/398-0811; tenstreet.com.

 

Booklet for troubled economy

 

Hyster Co. offers a booklet titled “10 Strategies to Help You Thrive in the Economic Downturn.” The booklet has advice on parts replacement and maintenance, exploring financing options and the advantages of fleet management. It was published to help businesses succeed during the tumultuous economic times, the company says. The booklet also presents information on telemetry, purchasing programs and new ways to reduce energy costs. - Hyster Co., Box 7006, Greenville, N.C. 27835; 800/497-8371; hysteramericas.com.

 

Inline shipping system

 

Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc. introduced the ShipMaster 900 Inline Shipping System. The system automates the shipping process from the point where cartons are packed. ShipMaster also is able to scan an order ID, weight, print/apply the shipping label, verify label and manifest, all in about 10 to 15 feet of space. ShipMaster 900 is backed by in-house manufacturing and controls. Features include CASI infeed/outfeed conveyor, CASI 1100 Automation Center, a fixed position order ID scanner, a fixed position label verification scanner and system control software with file sharing API. In addition, the system comes with options such as advanced host and shipping rules integration, multi-carrier shipping and onsite professional services. - Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc., 1827 Wesley Drive, Prosper, Texas 75078, 800/401-0304; cornerstoneautosys.com.