rollouts
RAP artists: RMT Robotics has launched ADAM RAP (Reactive
Audio Playback), a programmable sound system for the company’s ADAM (Autonomous Delivery and Manipulation) mobile
robot. The new system includes interactive voice messages and a
mobile vehicle-in-motion jukebox for every mood and season.
Although automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are required to have
a standard beeper-based vehicle-in-motion alert system, the alerts
tend to lose effectiveness over time as workers become acclimated to the vehicles’ monotonous beep. The ADAM RAP is designed
to get around that problem by generating a variety of sounds that
are automatically associated with vehicle positions or functions.
RMT Robotics developed the ADAM sound application to play
text-to-speech messages, sound bites, or musical interludes that
can be either actively or passively triggered in reaction to a variety
of operational conditions and system inputs. Through the ADAM
Commander mapping software, regions on the facility map can be
embedded with commands to automatically load specific tunes or
prompt a series of voice messages. For example, ADAM may play
a song in the aisle-ways and then switch to a text-to-speech–based
message saying, “Excuse me, I am coming through” as it
approaches a doorway. After successfully moving through the
door, ADAM will automatically revert to playing the original song.
ADAM RAP also has the ability to react to inputs. If a worker (or
object) is fully obstructing the doorway, ADAM will enunciate,
“Please move, I cannot get around you.” Similarly, if the Enter
Destination button is pressed, ADAM will state, “Thank you, see
you later,” before proceeding with its mission. (RMT Robotics,
www.rmtrobotics.com)
More eco-friendly: Sealed Air’s Instapak
RC45 foam provides users with a renew-able-content packaging foam that is easy
to use. Designed for light-duty packaging
applications, Instapak RC45 foam contains 25 percent renewable content in the
finished foam product, providing further
reduction in the use of petroleum-based
raw materials.
Instapak RC45 is compatible with
Sealed Air’s other Instapak foam packaging systems. Shipped and stored as highly concentrated liquid
product, Instapak foams reduce both the number of trucks
needed for distribution as well as storage space required in the
warehouse.
Two liquid components are mixed on site and on demand to
create cushions that can be used to provide superior cushioning,
blocking and bracing, and void-fill protection. (Sealed Air,
www.sealedair.com)
Oh, Canada: UPS Freight, the heavy freight arm of UPS, has
improved transit times between key U.S. cities and the Canadian
cities of Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. With a focus on
improving service from the Southwest and Western United
States, UPS Freight now offers two-day service from Denver and
Las Vegas to the Calgary and Edmonton markets as well as three-day service from the Dallas area and Southern California to those
markets.
UPS Freight’s customers can process, manage, and track their
cross-border LTL shipments through UPS WorldShip and
Quantum View Manage technology. (UPS Freight, www.ups-freight.com)
Stack and wrap:
Columbia Machine’s
new Model FL1000-
SW combines a
rugged, heavy-duty
small-footprint palletizer with the added
functionality of a fully
integrated stretch wrapper.
The FL1000-SW can simultaneously stack and stretch wrap a
wide variety of package types, including cases, trays, totes, and
display packs.
Constructed with formed and welded steel, the device features an 80-pitch hoist chain. A stretch wrapper from Highlight
Industries performs a wrap cycle after each layer is placed onto
the pallet while the next layer of product is being built. The
FL1000-SW palletizes 10 cases per minute ( 10 case per layer pattern) or more, depending on the case size and pallet pattern.
The machines offer the flexibility of multiple layout possibilities, including front, rear, and side infeeds and the option of pallet dispensing and load discharge on the same side. Columbia’s
Product Manager Software provides a user-friendly interface,
increasing palletizer up-time and productivity by making it simple
to add or modify patterns, make stretch wrapper adjustments,
and adjust PLC timers and VFD speeds. (Columbia Machine,
www.palletizing.com)
