Bray International Inc. expanded and improved its Series 52 2N1 ProxSensor line of valve status monitors. The Series now includes AS-i, DeviceNet and Profibus DP BUS network units with a solenoid drive. The 2N1 ProxSensors combine two proximity sensors in one compact, self-contained and fully sealed enclosure. The unit has a five-year warranty against material or workmanship defects. Bray also offers Adjustable Targets, which allow the customer to individually set both value position signals at incremental angles before or on the fully open and fully closed positions. Series 52 is built to be impervious to vibration, moisture and most chemical and corrosive agents, the company says. - Bray International Inc., 13333 Westland East Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041; 281/894-5454; bray.com.

 

High-memory RFID

 

Tego Inc. released TegoXM high-memory RFID solution. TegoXM is the first high-memory tag solution that enables asset management during its entire life, including configuration maintenance and sensor integration for a range of industries, the company says. The product is offered with the TegoXM RFID Launch Kit, which integrates the TegoTag, TegoView software and RFID reader technology. TegoTags provide active tag functionality in a traditional, standards-based RFID tag. By using standard reader equipment, users can access the tag data when network connectivity is unavailable. - Tego Inc., 375 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, Mass. 02451; 781/547-5680; tegoinc.com.

 

Hybrid tractor

 

Peterbilt Motors Co. added the Peterbilt Model 335 hybrid tractor to its line of hybrid vehicles. Model 335 hybrid tractor uses Eaton’s Hybrid Electric Power System with an electric motor, which assists the PACCAR PX-6 engine with supplemental torque. The system stores energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking, and then reuses it for acceleration. In addition, the hybrid tractor features the in-dash 7-inch PACCARD Hybrid System Monitor. The display provides information on fuel economy and battery state of charge. Model 330 hybrid is available with a 26,000 pound GVW rating and can be configured for non-CDL operation. - Peterbilt Motors Co., 1700 Woodbrook St., Denton, Texas 76205; 940/591-4000; peterbilt.com.

 

Aluminum beer bottle

 

Exal Corp. developed a recyclable aluminum bottle for Boulevard Brewing’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer. The bottle features a neck profile topped with crown finish, a closure exclusively used with glass, the company says. Boulevard Brewing Unfiltered Wheat Beer is the first brewing product to be packaged in Exal’s 66 millimeter impact-extruded aluminum beer bottle. - Exal Corp., One Performance Place, Youngstown, Ohio 44502; 330/744-2267; exal.com.

 

Case loading

 

Westfalia Technologies Inc. introduced the flexible Bag Caser, which provides case loading for both liquid and powder filled bags. The system is capable of loading 80 bags per minute in either plastic dairy cases or corrugated cases. The Bag Caser is available in two models in order to handle four or six bags per case load. The equipment is constructed from stainless steel. In addition, it is available with a touchscreen operator HMI that is able to swivel 300 degrees, and PLC control with Nema 4/4X stainless steel panel. Other options include extensions to bag and case conveyors and motor controls for incoming and case conveyors. - Westfalia Technologies Inc., 3655 Sandhurst Drive, York, Pa. 17406; 717/764-1115; westfaliausa.com.

 

 

Label-Aire Inc. unveiled its Sleever Series Model 8300 Labeling System. The single-head shrink-sleeve labeling system can handle most tamper-evident, overall-, middle- and full-body sleeve applications, the company says. The system is designed for high-speed runs of up to 250 products per minute. Sleever Series Model 8300 features an HMI touchscreen, stainless steel construction, patented cutting assembly, transparent safety doors and stepper driver technology. It also can handle product widths from 1.0625 inches to 4.626 inches. - Label-Aire Inc., 550 Burning Tree Road, Fullerton, Calif. 92833; 714/449-5155; label-aire.com.

 

Tray and case packer

 

Douglas Machine Inc. released the Douglas Invex 3S Case/Tray Packer. The packer can produce 17 cases/trays per minute and incorporates servo controls, which helps machine functions operate simultaneously instead of one at a time. Invex 3S features include diagnostics so the operator or technician is able to pinpoint the root cause of problems from the human machine interface, the company says. Changeovers are recipe-driven, with minimal change parts and simple hand wheel adjustments. In addition, OMAC Packaging Guidelines standards-based connectivity and an IEC conforming software structure makes Invex 3S PackML and PackTags ready. - Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa St., Alexandria, Minn. 56308; 320/763-6587; douglas-machine.com.

 

Motion analysis microscope

 

Keyence Corp. of America introduced the Keyence VW-6000 Series motion analysis microscope with high-speed magnified video capture capabilities. The microscope can record up to 24,000 frames per second. It also has a built-in light source and LCD monitor, and the controller supports both color and monochrome cameras, the company says. The time advance function allows users to record video at fixed intervals for targets that move continuously, and recorded footage can be edited and analyzed directly on the controller. The VW-6000 automatically tracks moving objects in recorded footage to quantify speed, acceleration, distance, angle and other measurements. Keyence Digital Microscope lenses can be used with the VW-6000. - Keyence Corp. of America, 50 Tice Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, N.J. 07677; 888/539-3623; keyence.com.

 

Product identification

 

Smiths Detection launched IntelliMark, a product identification system that enables brand authentication through microscopic markers embedded in products such as consumer merchandise, secure documents, food and apparel. IntelliMark offers a customized brand-management and product-authentication solution. Smiths Detection and Armark partnered to bring the product to market. The markers allow for several levels of hidden security and the ability to verify contents, monitor environmental conditions and identify origin in case of contamination or counterfeiting. - Smiths Detection, 64 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts WD17 1DA, United Kingdom; 973/830-2100; smithsdetection.com.

 

Maintenance tips

 

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks released its top 10 spring cleaning and maintenance tips. Customers are encouraged to perform the following routine maintenance checks on a regular basis: lubrication system, air filtration system, electrical system, cooling system, transmission, braking system, hydraulic system, front-end system, steering system, wheels and tires. In addition, forklift owners should contact a local dealer for additional assistance on performing routine maintenance, the company says. - Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks, 2121 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. North, Houston, Texas 77043; 713-365-1000; mit-lift.com.

 

Wrist computer

 

Glacier Computer introduced Ridgeline W200, a wearable computer. Ridgeline W200 weighs 10.2 ounces and is contoured to fit any wrist, the company says. It combines the features of a standard computer with the ergonomics of a wrist-worn instrument. The product has a 3.5-inch color display and touchscreen, backlit keypad and swappable battery pack. By using Windows CE or Linux operating systems, Ridgeline W200 can be configured to access remote host systems through integrated wired or wireless interfaces. Additional features include tilt and dead reckoning, which provide battery savings when the unit is not in use. - Glacier Computer, 46 Bridge St., New Milford, Conn. 06776; 603/882-1560; glaciercomputer.com.

 

 

The Big Ass Fan Co. updated its Web site bigassfans.com. The new Web site incorporates information supporting the design and engineering of large fans. It also features a more intuitive structure, which provides easy navigation and interactive applications, the company adds. All apparel and merchandise purchased on the Web site benefits the Longhopes Donkey Shelter. - The Big Ass Fan Co., 2425 Merchant St., Lexington, Ky. 40511; 877/244-3267; bigassfans.com.

 

Engraving technology

 

Gravograph Inc. released the IS400 Computerized Engraving System. It is designed for professional engravers and industrial users for a range of applications such as mold decorating, trophies and plaques, small signage, interior ADA signage, identification parts and light machining. IS400 uses ball bearing lead screws and a motion control system. With the optional 1000 watt high-frequency spindle, the IS400 is capable of precision engraving and light-duty milling applications. The product is driven by GravoSystem 5, a professional CAD/CAM engraving software solution included with all rotary equipment. The engraving machine can be used in factories, storefronts, offices and warehouses. - Gravograph Inc., 2200 Northmont Pkwy., Duluth, Ga. 30096; 770/623-0331; gravograph.com.

 

Case erector

 

Eagle Packaging introduced the Boxxer T 12 case erector for corrugated regular slotted cases and half slotted cases. The T 12 can handle a range of box sizes, and will open, form, tuck flaps and bottom tape 12 boxes per minute. It uses tape and dual motorized side and/or top pull belts, and it features a Box Loading station and sensing devices with a light stack for low hopper and jam detection. The auto idler function allows the T 12 to pause when boxes back up downstream. Boxxer T 12 is available in both mild steel and stainless steel. - Eagle Packaging, 5244 NW 163rd St., Miami, Fla. 33014; 305/622-4070; eaglecustompackaging.com.

 

Bulk bag filler

 

Spiroflow Systems Inc. launched Model ‘CS’ ‘Spirofil’ Bulk Bag Filler. Within the system, bags are inflated prior to filling to ensure they are fully extended without folds or creases. Model ‘CS’ Filler-by-Volume offers a way of filling bags for removal by lift truck in any industry such as beverage, food, plastics and minerals. Filling rates are 20 one-ton bags per hour. The pallet-mounted bag sits on a platform that vibrates to compact the bag contents. Filling is done through a dust-tight inflatable bag neck seal. Options for the model include two variations of a two-post design and one variation of a four-post design. In the two-post design, bag loops are supported on twin, horizontal tubular supports, and with a four-post design, bag loops are suspended from manually operated latchable hooks. - Spiroflow Systems Inc., 2806 Gray Fox Road, Monroe, N.C. 28110; 704/291-9595; spiroflowsystems.com.

 

Hybrid lift truck

 

Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corp., introduced the Geneo Hybrid 8,000 pound counterbalanced lift truck. The truck combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50 percent, the company says. Geneo Hybrid combines a Series Hybrid System for driving and a Parallel Hybrid System for load handling. The nickel hydride battery is recharged by the engine’s operation and does not require plug-in recharging. The lift truck first will be launched in the Japanese market. - Toyota Industries Corp., 1 Park Plaza, Suite 1000, Irvine, Calif. 92614; 949/474-1135; toyotaforklift.com.

 

Rail lift

 

Positech Corp. released the Positech Vertical Rail Lifter, which consists of a rigid vertical beam with moving rollers. With 400 pounds of lift capacity and up to 100 inches of vertical travel, the Vertical Rail Lifter can be used as an ergonomic lift assist to reach in, under and around obstacles, the company says. The equipment does not require an air lubricator and it allows for reach-in and off-center applications. In addition, the lifter is pneumatically operated and requires 90 psi clean, dry air. Options available with Vertical Rail Lifter include main post brakes, bridge brakes and trolley platform brakes. - Positech Corp., 191 N. Rush Lake Road, Laurens, Iowa 50554; 800/831-6026; positech.com.

 

Printer enclosure

 

Comark Corp. introduced the NEMA 4X printer enclosure compatible with most industrial label printers. NEMA 4X can be mounted to a wall or within a production line. Features of the enclosure include front access to label stock changing, stainless steel printer tray slides, sealed network and power input ports, locking quarter turn fasteners and multiple mounting options. The slanted roof design of the enclosure works for washdown environments in beverage, food and meat processing facilities. - Comark Corp., 93 West St., Medfield, Mass. 02052; 508/359-8161; comarkcorp.com.