Three-wheel Lift Trucks
The Hyster J30-40ZT
three-wheel lift truck series, with capacities from 3,000 to 4,000 pounds,
combines brushless AC technology from Hyster Co. with maneuverability to
create a series that makes it easier to get around bulging aisles and
congested loading bays. The rugged J30-40ZT series has a long service life
due to the Hyster brushless AC traction and steer motors that eliminate
motor brushes, commutators and contactors. An optional
transistor-controlled hoist motor completes the configuration to reduce
time required for maintenance, allowing operators more time behind the
wheel.
—
Hyster Co., 1400 Sullivan Drive, Greenville, N.C. 27834; 800/497-8371;
hysterusa.com.
Warehouse loading
GBG and Accutech Design
Ltd. have partnered to provide load management and pallet-building
solutions to GBG’s beverage customers. GBG is a provider of sales and
distribution software for direct store delivery of consumer packaged goods
in North America. Accutech Design is particularly renowned for its unique
pallet layering system, the Q-Tek Bomber. The Q-Tek Bomber’s
semi-automated pallet layering capabilities allow distributors to fill
multiple orders in less time with fewer injuries while maximizing the
productivity of the warehouse. Together with GBG’s Distribution and
Delivery Engine (DDE), the Q-Tek Bomber streamlines the loading process for
faster more efficient shipments.
— GBG, 120 Randall Drive, Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 1C6,
Canada; 519/746-3736; gbg.com.
Paperboard clips
Graphic Packaging International (GPI) added an
environmentally friendly paperboard clip for multi-packs. In partnership
with Missouri-based Eco-Pak Inc., GPI is offering two versions of the
paperboard clip: (1) the plate top, which offers a bold overhead
billboard, but is almost invisible from the side and (2) the box top, which
has side panels for maximum shelf impact, plus a bottom control panel that
allows for secure glass multi-packs. The Eco-Pak clip is especially suited
to several important emerging markets, notably: dairy, which is
increasingly moving toward single-serve portions; club stores, which prefer
a “disappearing pallet” without trays and without high-wall
corrugated containers; mass merchandisers, who are aggressively encouraging
consumer product goods companies to offer multi-packs; and new age beverage
products, such as fruit drinks, that want to highlight their primary
container and label in a way that isn’t possible with basket
packaging.
—
Graphic Packaging International, 835 Franklin Court, Marietta, Ga. 30067;
770/795-3823; graphicpackaging.com.
Pallet washer
Systemate Numafa’s new PWMV-E is an economical
alternative for the cleaning of pallets, freezer spacers and slip sheets.
The PWMV-E offers effective water circulation, which results in water
conservation. At the end of the washing cycle, the washing water also
passes through the strainer system into the tank for re-use, reducing water
costs. The PWMV-E can be easily adjusted to the correct product size,
allowing for smooth product transport. With in-feed and out-feed sides, the
PWMV-E is suitable for placing in a continuous transport system.
Approximately 50 units can be washed per hour. The washer is stainless
steel with the exception of accessories. It features removable stainless
steel spraying pipes, stainless steel nozzles and sieve filtration.
— Systemate Numafa
NA, a division of Dapec Inc., 884 Univeter Road, Canton, Ga. 30115;
800/240-3770; numafa.com.
Electric valve actuators
Flowserve Corp. launched Limitorque Actuation Systems
L75 series of electric valve actuators. The L75 series provides remote
control actuation of quarter-turn valves and other rotary devices,
including on/off and modulating rotary valve applications. The L75 series
adds a new dimension of operational dependability and flexibility to modern
processes controlled by computers, programmable controllers and other
electric control equipment. Its multi-function capability permits the use
of the L75 throughout the process for on/off, throttling, variable-cycle
and any analog or digital control.
—
Flowserve Corp., 5215 N. O’Connor Blvd., Suite 2300 Irving,
Texas 75039; 972/443-6500; flowserve.com.
Reusable container systems
Linpac Materials Handling has produced a new,
eight-page, full-color brochure featuring Ropak reusable container systems
in a variety of applications. The Linpac General Industry Solutions
brochure details the company’s wide range of service and solution
offerings, including dunnage design, repair, leasing, fabrication and
recycling. These additional services are available to help users further
tailor their container systems to best meet their unique handling, storage
and transportation needs. The brochure features application
photography highlighting Ropak containers at work in a variety of
industries, for a range of uses.
— Linpac
Materials Handling, 120 Commerce Ct., Georgetown, Ky. 40324; 502/863-5500;
linpacmh.com.
Business analytics
The Avantis unit of Invensys Process Systems
introduced new software that provides manufacturing and executive
decision-makers with key role-based maintenance and purchasing analytics
via a standard Web portal. The new software, Avantis.DSS, is a decision
support solution that transforms transaction data into visible, meaningful
and actionable business analytics based on the individual’s specific
role in the organization. Avantis.DSS software comes pre-configured to
support a comprehensive set of generic KPIs based on best practices in
maintenance and purchasing management. Users can, for example, visualize
trends in quantity of work requests, work orders or backlog, make
improvements, and monitor their success. With the pre-configured KPIs,
users can monitor the complete lifecycle of work - incoming work, work in
planning, work in progress and completed work. They can also analyze
schedule compliance, resource utilization and maintenance costs. Likewise,
with the standard KPI package, users can monitor current activities or
longer-term trends in spending to meet purchasing requirements and vendor
performance.
— Avantis, a unit of Invensys
Process Systems, 880 Laurentian Drive, Burlington, Ontario, L7N 3V6,
Canada; 905/632-6015; avantis.net.
Print and apply
The Imaje 2000 Print and
Apply is simple in design and easy to use with
the capability to place labels anywhere on the package. The print and apply
uses modular applicators to place labels on the top, sides and corners of
packages. The choice of consumables and software allow the user to create
and download label formats to pilot printers in a network. Seven
applicators come in four categories: tamp, blow, wipe, and articulated arm.
All applicators are suitable for stationary packaging, but for moving
packages it is recommended to use a tamp, wipe, or blow applicator. The
tamp applicator is suitable for labeling the sides and tops of packages.
The applicator applies the label by punching it directly onto the package
in one motion. The wipe applicator can label the sides, top, and corners of
packages. The blow applicator applies the label to any side of the package
with a source of air that blows the label smoothly onto the surface. The
articulated arm applicator is used when the package is on a pallet and needs a label applied to two different sides. The
rolls of labels can be changed without moving other parts of the machine
and the feeding path is a straight line from the roll to the feeder.
— Imaje USA, 1650 Airport
Road, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144; 770/421-7700; imaje.com.
Can seam inspection system
A new era is beginning in the world of double seaming,
one where seam teardown inspections are completed with the press of a
button. In November, CMC-KUHNKE Inc. installed the industry’s first
automated, conventional double seam inspection system at a major U.S.
brewery. Dubbed the Mars-Seam, it completes a full
seam inspection in minutes with minimal human interaction. The result
is faster, more frequent and more accurate seam inspections, all while
reducing costs.
Developed and built by CMC-KUHNKE in Berlin and in New
York, Mars-Seam is the brainchild of company president, Heinz Grossjohann.
Much has been written about the recent trials using X-ray technology to
measure double seams. What sets Mars-Seam apart is that it uses more
conventional inspection methods and simply automates them. Cans come
directly from the canning line or from a manually fed conveyor. Full cans
go in and minutes later empty cans come out accompanied by an inspection
report.
Mars-Seam is comprised of three stations, all using
industry standard gauges and equipment, all linked together by a
pick-and-place system. The first station measures external dimensions (seam
thickness, seam height and countersink depth.) The second station drains
and rinses the can. At the third station, the can seam is cross-sectioned
and an image captured. Internal dimensions (coverhook, bodyhook and
overlap) are measured and analyzed using award-winning, S.E.A.M.scan
database software. Data is stored in an SQL
database and inspection results are displayed in “real-time”
throughout the computer network.
— CMC-KUHNKE Inc., 250 Falls Road, Hudson, N.Y. 12534; 800/689-0661;
cmc-kuhnke.com.