Telogis Inc. announced the release of Telogis Route 3.0, a new version of the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) multi-vehicle route optimization application featuring a new patent-pending Advanced Territories technology. Advanced Territories allows companies to give geographic-centric routes to drivers without limiting routing options to those boundaries. Built off the extensive infrastructure of the Telogis Cloud, Telogis Route 3.0 is driven by massive computing power that offers greater response speed and functionality than competitive route optimization systems, the company says. Telogis Route 3.0 allows users to track costs for created routes and even provides an immediate feedback on costs feature that provides an instant evaluation of routes based on fixed and variable costs, fuel costs, labor costs and other variables that can affect the bottom line. Telogis Route 3.0 supports various vehicle types and seamlessly integrates with the Telogis Fleet GPS-based fleet management system.

• Telogis Inc., 85 Enterprise, Suite 450, Aliso Viejo, Calif. 92656; 949/389-5500; telogis.com.

Software redesign

Spirax Sarco’s HVAC Solutions has been rebranded with the new name Steam DesignPro. The software was created as a visual design tool that uses a drag-and-drop method for designing and modeling HVAC steam systems. The Windows-based software allows for modeling of steam generation, steam distribution, steam utilization and condensate-handling systems, the company says. The program automatically performs many of the engineering calculations and design tasks that HVAC professionals currently accomplish manually, including head loss and static pressure calculations; pipe and duct sizing; data recalculation; component insertion; full psychrometic calculations and equipment type changes on-the-fly. Minimal training is required to use this software and one can reuse designs from job to job, the company says. Additional features include the ability to select relief valves, flowmeters for steam, and hydronic applications as well as control valves.

• Spirax Sarco USA, 1150 Northpoint Blvd., Blythewood, S.C. 29016; 800/575-0394; spiraxsarco.com.

Caster expansion

Colson Caster Corp. added new products to its low-cost Encore Dolly Caster line. The additions include a top-lock brake model in all sizes, an economy rigid model, and the popular optional No. 59 top plate now is available on all of Colson’s Encore Dolly line swivel casters. Crafted to move dollies, foodservice carts and stock carts easily and silently, the new products provide additional options for demanding applications. The new top-lock brake model is formed with a durable zinc-plated finish and paired with the series’ easy-rolling and non-marking gray thermoplastic rubber wheel. In addition, the wheel is fitted with a plastic thread guard that also serves as an integrated spanner brushing. All models have a 1.25-inch tread width and are available in 3-, 3.5-, 4- and 5-inch wheel diameters with load capacities tested from 180 to 260 pounds, the company says. The new caster selections are built with a single centered precision wheel bearing to provide easy rolling. The No. 59 top plate can be ordered for any of the swivel models, it adds.

• Colson Caster Corp., 3700 Airport Road, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401; 870/932-4501; colsoncaster.com.

Robust blow-molding

Sidel released the SBO Compact2, a linear blow-molding machine. The SBO Compact2 delivers high quality and performance levels equivalent to those of the SBO Universal blow-molder range, the company says. The latest evolution is industrially improved and more robust, while performing better because of electrical stretching, it adds. Sidel developed a new stretch-blowing system for the preform. Traditionally, the pneumatic process uses hydraulic actuators to drive the vertical movement of the stretching rod. This was replaced by an electrical process by installing a servomotor and ballscrew assembly. The new stretching console enables constant control of the stretching position and speed to ensure repetitiveness of the process. The production also is more flexible as it works for a variety of bottle sizes because it is no longer necessary to manually adjust the pre-blowing and blowing start detectors during format changeovers, the company says. The maximum stretching speed increased from 1 meter to 1.3 meters per second, it adds.

• Sidel Group, 5600 Sun Court, Norcross, Ga. 30092; 678/221-3087; sidel.com.

Wide label printer

Tharo Systems offers its H-400/H-600 Series thermal transfer product identification and bar code label printers, available in 203 or 300 dpi. It features a durable, all-metal construction with a cast aluminum center wall for added strength. The large media window allows for easy viewing and monitoring of supplies, the company says. Standard features include a high-speed USB 2.0 interface for super-fast data transfer and a real-time clock for time and date stamping of labels. The standard stripper sensor on the H-400 Series can be used for either strip-and-peel or tear-off applications. The H-600 Series comes standard with internal Ethernet. Along with all of these standard features, the Tharo H-Series printers also ship with a free version of Tharo Systems’ Easylabel Start software for custom designing and printing labels. Options include cutter, internal rewind, Ethernet adapter for the H-400 Series and applicator interface. No PC is necessary, the company says.

• Tharo Systems Inc., 2866 Nationwide Parkway, Brunswick, Ohio 44212; 330/273-4408; tharo.com.

New steam tunnel

Karlville introduced its new Steamer 2M that can handle as many as 200 bottles a minute. The design, with an integrated boiler, allows companies to save time and money because they do not need to install a stand-along steam boiler on site, the company says. The internal design of the tunnel along with the dual-blower exhaust system allows for high temperature generation with consistent internal pressure and low power consumption. The Steamer, which is available in 1-meter and 2-meter designs, is ideal to integrate with mid-range label application speeds, such as Karlville’s SleevePro 150, the company says. It also features fully adjustable pipes for excellent steam distribution, it adds. The Steamer has an internal chamber design that adjusts to match the container profile through an operator hand dial.

• Karlville, 175 SW 7th St., Suite 2105, Miami, Fla. 33130; 305/533-1051; karlville.com.

Robot extension

ABB Robotics has extended the functionality of its IRC5 panel-mounted controller (PMC) to all ABB robots, including its largest robot models. Previously, the PMC was available only for models up to the IRB 1600. Featuring a new, large panel mount drive module, PMC Large will bring smaller footprint functionality and simplified internal cabling benefits to robot models from the IRB 2400 to the IRB 7600. The new PMC variant also will make integrating large robots easier by allowing machine builders and system integrators the flexibility to create custom enclosures to best protect the electronics by the means appropriate for specific harsh environments, the company says. This will benefit numerous installation types, including food applications that require rigorous washdown capabilities, foundry applications where the moist, dusty atmosphere requires a sealed cooling system, and other environments where the controller can be faced with ignition risks, extreme temperatures or excessive vibration, it adds. With panel mounting, the controller can be sealed off from these factors. The PMC Large offers the full capability of the standard IRC5 controller without the full cabinet armor. This facilitates flexible mounting while still delivering the proprietary ABB motion control advantages of QuickMove to assure the shortest possible cycle time, and TrueMove for precise path accuracy and repeatability, the company says.

• ABB Robotics, 1250 Brown Road, Auburn Hills, Mich. 48326; 248/391-9000; abb.com.