DC Velocity - February 2010

Taking shape: Sealed Air has introduced the Instapak iMold system. Producing between 400 and 600 cushions per shift, the system is suitable for low-volume packaging operations or decentralized high-volume operations. The iMold system produces consistent, pre-molded Instapak cushions using Sealed Air’s Foam Dispersion Technology, which allows for a wide variety of cushion designs with varying shapes and sizes.

Using RFID technology, the system automatically identifies the mold and corresponding cushion recipe, ensuring that the iMold system dispenses the correct amount of Instapak foam into the perfectly sized Instamate film bag. The Foam Dispersion Technology guarantees cushion consistency and integrity by dispensing Instapak foam where it is needed most, eliminating material waste. The vacuum automatically draws the expanding foam-filled bag into the mold cavity, where the foam takes the shape of the mold. The vacuum shuts off and the cushion begins to cure. When curing is complete, the iMold system ensures a quick release by automatically ejecting the cushion from the custom-made mold. Cushions can be used instantly on-line or transferred into bins for later use.

The benefits of the Instapak iMold system’s automated cushion production include reduced packaging material costs, increased productivity, improved product protection, increased storage space, and a reduction of labor. (Sealed Air, www.sealedair.com)

Helping to Keep Things Rolling for Over 50 Years

• metal rollers • plastic rollers • sleeved/coated rollers • urethane tapers • directional rollers • torque limiters • troughers arings/bushings • be s

• metal rollers • plastic rollers • sleeved/coated rollers • urethane tapers • directional rollers • torque limiters • troughers • bearings/bushings

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pallet & package handling
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petro/chemical
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distribution
printing/publishing
bulk & unit handling
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Markets Served Markets Served

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www.ralphs-pugh.com
tel: 800.486.0021
fax: 800.995.3942
e-mail: sales@ralphs-pugh.com

A new breed of Cats: Cat Lift Trucks has added new electric counterbalanced and internal combustion (IC) pneumatic lift trucks to its product lineup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The new electric counterbalanced tire lift trucks include three-wheel models with capacities of 2,500 to 4,000 pounds and four-wheel models with capacities of 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. These trucks feature AC power for outstanding performance and extended battery life, and offer standard fingertip controls for precise load handling. Their easy-to-read, cowl-mounted display panels include vital information for the operator. A five-level pre-programmed performance mode selector also lets the operator adapt to various applications.

The company is also introducing electric vehicles with capacities from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds. These trucks feature a full-suspension seat and fully floating cab design to help reduce shock and vibration. They also have anti-rollback features for both loaded and unloaded conditions to help the operator retain full speed control on ramps.

The new internal combustion (IC) pneumatic tire lift trucks have capacities ranging from 8,000 to 12,000 pounds. They feature standard two-speed-forward and one-speed-reverse transmissions and purePOWER engines to ensure performance across a wide range of applications. They also feature an intuitive premium instrument panel for monitoring diagnostics and maintenance needs. (Cat Lift Trucks, www.cat-lift.com)

Color on demand: Zebra Technologies Corp., a maker of specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, has added IQ Color Thermal Labels to its product line. Using these new labels, operators can print color visual cues on demand using their existing Zebra thermal printers.

When creating an IQ Color label, users can choose up to four colors from the eight colors offered, as well as select the size and shape. During the label manufacturing process, invisible color inks are applied in up to four designated zones customized to the end-user’s needs (to the naked eye, it appears there is no color on the label). The Zebra printer’s printhead then heat-activates the ink to make select colors visible based on the format sent to the printer. This allows for each individual label to be customized with color images, text, shapes, graphics, and more at the point of printing. The technology replaces the need for pre-printed color labels and results in increased productivity because it eliminates roll changes and minimizes the amount of inventory to manage. (Zebra Technologies Corp., www.zebra.com)