NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY ERICA MAC DONALD AND SEAN MALONEY
rollouts
Fan appreciation: Isis, a new offering from Big Ass Fans, is
designed specifically for use in smaller warehouses and industrial
spaces. Weighing less than 100 pounds and available with diameters of 8, 9, or 10 feet, the Isis fan is suitable for facilities with ceilings as low as 12 feet.
The Isis fan uses its size and patented 10 airfoils—not speed—to
move large volumes of air, improving comfort while working with
HVAC systems to distribute conditioned air and reduce energy
usage. The Isis itself requires minimal energy for operation.
According to the manufacturer, the fan’s energy consumption is
equivalent to that of a refrigerator light bulb.
Isis combines silent operation with precision engineering. It features wall-mounted, slim-line fan controls for easy installation and
use. The controls are pre-wired to the motor, eliminating any special wiring and conduit requirements. (Big Ass Fans,
www.bigassfans.com)
Rugged features: LXE Inc., a manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has unveiled the MX9 handheld computer. Designed for
use in a variety of port and intermodal logistics applications, the
MX9 is engineered to withstand the rigors of an outdoor environment. It features an outdoor display, 62-key and 38-key back-light
keypad options, built-in GPS positional location, 802.11b/g and
Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR communications, and rugged packaging.
The MX9 computer also comes standard with LXE’s Toughtalk
technology, supporting voice-recognition applications.
The computer is designed to withstand multiple drops to concrete from a height of 6 feet and has a water and dust rating of IP
67, making it suitable for use under harsh conditions. (LXE,
www.ems-t.com)
On a roll: Hytrol Conveyor Co. announces the
standardization of ABEC roller bearings for
powered conveyors that use 1.9-
inch–diameter straight galvanized
rollers. This upgrade is provided at
no additional cost. ABEC bearings
provide longer life, reduced noise,
and the ability to run at higher
speeds. (Hytrol Conveyor Co.,
www.hytrol.com)
Handle with care: Old Dominion Freight Line, a less-than-truck-load (LTL) carrier, has announced a new nationwide White Glove
service. The service, which is geared to the specialized delivery
needs of manufacturers and retailers, is available to both large and
small businesses through local Old Dominion facilities.
White Glove service options range from basic delivery across the
building threshold to a more extensive program that includes
unpacking, assembly, and debris removal. The service uses over
1,100 two-person delivery teams to deliver delicate packages to
residential, medical, and retail facilities with real-time track and
trace capabilities, while providing flexible delivery windows with
confirmed appointments.
White Glove service is available to all ZIP codes in the contiguous United States at four service levels: platinum, gold, silver, and
bronze. (Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., www.odfl.com)
Two are better than one:
Daifuku America has
announced the addition of
the DuoSys sortation system
to its line of automated storage and retrieval systems.
The DuoSys is configured as
a high-throughput mini-load
system that effectively sorts
and groups totes or cases.
Unlike a standard mini-load unit, it features two storage retrieval
machines (SRMs) functioning in the same aisle. The SRMs work
side by side and move past each other without interference to perform storage and retrieval operations.
The DuoSys is laid out in two levels, with two SRMs operating
within each level. That allows four SRMs to operate simultaneously on the same rack to produce a maximum throughput of up to
2,200 cases per hour, which is six times more than a conventional system in the same footprint.
The DuoSys requires less floor space and significantly outpaces
manual picking operations, enabling a company to use fewer workers to pick the same volume of orders. Other notable features include
energy efficiency, zero idle time, and the ability to operate if one of
the SRMs is being serviced. (Daifuku Co., www.daifukuamerica.com)
Drawn to it: Bastian Material Handling (BMH), a materials handling systems design and integration company, has introduced a
3D rendering and animation services program. This new product
delivers photo-realistic images that reflect the required technical
specifications as well as the intended artistic vision of the customer’s project.
In addition, Bastian has enhanced its Human-Machine Interfaces
(HMIs) with animation. The systems’ 3D-rendered view screens
offer animation that not only depicts flowing product, but also is
representative of the actual product located at these positions. This
actual representation allows for real-time identification of the product and the ability to query for additional information.
The 3D graphical views of the HMIs provide visual maps of the
facility with real-time feedback and diagnostics on the system’s
health to ensure maximum operational performance. The real-to-life renderings, perspective views, and intuitive interface allow for
even the newest operators to interact with the system like an
expert, the company says. (Bastian Material Handling (BMH),
www.bastiansolutions.com)
A sticky solution: Power Adhesives, a UK-based hot-melt adhesive specialist, has released the TEC 6100 green adhesive applicator for packaging applications. The TEC 6100 is a high-output,
thermoplastic pneumatic hot-melt glue gun featuring a fully
enclosed heater housing. The unit is designed to allow for a quick
warm-up and for overall thermal efficiency.
Available in high and low temperatures, the TEC 6100 is a versatile tool for sealing and labeling bags, pouches, boxes, and other
packaging and shipping containers. (Power Adhesives, www.pow-eradhesives.com)
