rollouts
Take it for a whirl: Swisslog has introduced the Tornado miniload
crane. This fast crane features consistent weight optimization,
modern control technology, and an energy-saving design. The unit
is designed for high endurance and long intervals between servicing, making it suitable for three-shift operation.
The Tornado miniload crane is based on a modular system utilizing shared components. The modular approach was applied to
all levels of the system (mechanics, electrics, controls) to optimize transportability and simplify
installation and maintenance. By using a shared
components principle, the unit’s designers have
minimized the number of spare parts needed.
Through a lightweight construction and simplified
design, Swisslog has achieved a 25-percent weight
reduction compared to cranes of similar height. This
also lowers energy consumption in the miniload
system. The Tornado miniload crane can be
equipped with various load-handling units to transport cases, totes, or trays weighing up to 250 pounds. The system
supports a height range of 20 to 65 feet and can be used for sin-gle- or double-deep storage. The Tornado’s maximum operating
speed is 20 feet per second. Its maximum vertical speed is 10 feet
per second. The miniload crane also offers high acceleration speeds.
Typical application areas are distribution centers, production
storage, buffer storage, the food and beverage sector, and chilled
or frozen storage. (Swisslog, www.swisslog.com)
Old World customs: Descartes Systems Group has introduced its
European Union (EU) Customs Filing Readiness Program to
address the EU’s pending filing regulations for imports. In an effort
to address the security and automation of trade shipments, the EU
is introducing customs compliance regulations to standardize and
automate its customs filing process.
Descartes’ EU Customs Filing Readiness Program is designed to
address the upcoming filing regulations for imports as well as to
provide importers, customs brokers, carriers, freight forwarders,
non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), and shippers
with first-hand access to Descartes’ Customs Filing and
Compliance Services.
To accommodate customers’ varying technical capabilities,
Descartes offers options that range from a user-friendly Web solution that permits manual data entry to a tightly integrated system-to-system electronic data interchange (EDI) connection.
(Descartes Systems Group, www.descartes.com/eubeready)
Space mission: The new FastPic5 inventory management software from FastPic Systems lets users visually maximize space utilization while increasing accuracy and productivity in new or existing shelving, racks, or automated systems.
The cube utilization feature of FastPic5 software creates a graphic representation of storage and retrieval system shelves and totes
that allows users to visually rearrange them to achieve optimum
storage density, effectively allowing them to maximize the number
of SKUs to be stored in the unit.
Users can drag and drop totes onto virtual shelves to quickly
determine the best storage mix. The software also allows users to
drill into a cell to specify its contents, reducing the time required for
initial loading of the storage and retrieval system. Shelf and tote configurations can be easily copied when multiples of the same configurations are required for maximum storage and picking efficiency.
The software’s color mapping feature graphically depicts the
location of free space in the storage and retrieval unit, allowing
users to reconfigure shelves, totes, and containers to take advantage of unused space. FastPic inventory software is designed to
work independently or be integrated into existing ERP, WMS, or
other host systems. (FastPic Systems, www.FastPicSystems.com)
Moooving dairy cases: Westfalia introduces two new products
geared to dairy and beverage handling. The new products, both
made by the company’s Westfalia Deam Systems division, are a
Half Gallon/2 Liter Carton Caser and a Hybrid Powered Case
Stacker.
The newly designed Half Gallon/2 Liter Carton Caser forms loads
at a rate of up to 160 cartons per minute using an air-powered load
head. The caser, which packs two 16-quart plastic dairy cases simultaneously in a three-by-three packing pattern, comes with dual carton in-feed conveyors with carton brakes, and a case conveyor. The
equipment’s all stainless steel construction makes it suitable for the
wet conditions found in dairy, juice, and other beverage facilities.
Capable of stacking 25 cases per minute, the new Hybrid
Powered Case Stacker operates with a hydraulic lift and compressed air. The unit stacks 16- and 24-quart dairy cases up to six
high. Like the caser, it features all stainless steel construction, making it suitable for use in dairy and beverage facilities. (Westfalia,
www.WestfaliaUSA.com)
Fair trade: Zepol Corp., a trade data intelligence company, offers
its new merchandise trade data tool, TradeView. This tool allows
subscribers to analyze both imports and exports at the same time,
using the Merchandise Trade and Port HS6 data sets released by
the Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Subscribers are able to add different metrics, including values,
weights, and quantities, with just a few clicks within the TradeView
interface. This permits the analysis of imports and exports of commodities by transportation type, duties and charges, and number of
transactions. TradeView is available as a stand-alone purchase and
with all TradeIQ subscription options. (Zepol Corp., www.zepol.com)
Power ahead: The Raymond Corp. offers a
new PowerSteer option on its 8000 Series
rider pallet trucks. This option significantly
reduces the effort required to maneuver a
pallet truck, resulting in increased operator
comfort over the course of a shift. The
PowerSteer feature is available on the Raymond Model 8400 end
rider, Model 8500 center rider, and Model 8600 tugger trucks to
improve productivity in dock, horizontal transport, and low-level
order picking applications.
The Raymond PowerSteer option provides consistent, responsive steering because of its AC-powered motor and controls. This
speed-sensitive steering gives operators greater control and confidence as the pallet truck travels at higher speeds. The Raymond
ACR System reduces maintenance with no wearable parts or
brushes, delivers more run-time per battery charge, and provides
enhanced response to operator commands.
Raymond center rider and tugger trucks with the PowerSteer
option also feature an adjustable-height handle to accommodate
a wide range of operator heights and preferred operating positions. They automatically slow down when turning corners to provide smooth, controlled operation. (The Raymond Corp.,
www.raymondcorp.com)
