NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY ERICA MAC DONALD AND SEAN MALONEY
rollouts
QuickPick Remote Advance
system: Crown Equipment
Corp. introduces the
QuickPick Remote Advance
system. With the press of a
button on a wireless transceiver glove, order selectors
can remotely advance a pallet
truck to the next pick location
without having to return to the operator’s compartment. This allows them to remain in the optimum
position for picking. The technology is currently available with
the Crown PC 4500 Series center control rider pallet trucks.
The new system uses task-automating technologies to simplify work flow and improve the picking process, thereby increasing productivity and reducing operator fatigue. Crown says it has
conducted field studies that show the technology helps reduce
the number of steps order selectors take on and off the platform
by up to 70 percent as well as reducing the number of steps in
the picking process.
For advancing the truck, customers can choose between two
different wireless remotes: a transceiver glove or transceiver trigger. Both remotes feature a thumb-actuated button that operators press to advance the truck to the next pick slot. A wireless
transceiver module that snaps into a holder on the back of the
glove periodically transmits and receives RF signals from an RF
tower located on the truck.
QuickPick Remote Advance utilizes lasers to detect obstacles in
the path of the truck. If an obstacle is detected, the brakes are
automatically applied. The lasers can also detect proximity to
racks, enabling the system to utilize Crown’s Access 1 2 3
Comprehensive System Control to initiate minor corrections to
the travel path to keep the truck moving down the aisle.
A pairing procedure using advanced technology ensures that
each module operates one truck at a time—the one with which
it is paired. The module also includes horn and brake buttons for
safety and control.
The QuickPick Remote Advance system operates independently of warehouse networks, which means it is easy to set up and
does not consume valuable bandwidth or require costly IT investments. (Crown Equipment Corp., www.crown.com)
Build2Light system: Lightning Pick Technologies, a provider of
pick-to-light, put-to-light, pack-to-light, and other advanced
paperless picking solutions, is now offering Build2Light.
Build2Light is a light-directed system that improves quality for
parts picking, kitting, assembly, sequencing, and other manufacturing applications.
Build2Light uses the same hardware platform as other Lightning
Pick products, including interoperable light device colors, sizes,
and special features. However, Build2Light is packaged to meet a
production facility’s unique process and project requirements. For
example, manufacturing engineers often need to test a proof-of-concept system in one or two work cells, using a smaller number
of light devices. Build2Light’s scalability and low cost of entry make
it an ideal pilot system. (Lightning Pick, www.lightningpick.com)
Data Extractor for SAP: RedPrairie Corp. has unveiled the
RedPrairie Data Extractor, a new solution that provides seamless
integration between SAP warehouse management (WM) and
RedPrairie Workforce Management (WFM) technologies.
RedPrairie’s Data Extractor and integration tool allows companies currently operating on the SAP WM platform to optimize
labor spend and workforce productivity through RedPrairie’s
WFM technology. The solution was developed to extract relevant
data from SAP WM and translate these transactions into standard WFM inputs.
Data Extractor leverages SAP WM and RedPrairie WFM systems to their full potential without the high cost and excessive
ramp-up times of custom integrations. Data Extractor translates
labor data from SAP WM to guide RedPrairie WFM planning for
all main functions of warehouse operation, including inbound
receiving and put-away, replenishment, outbound picking,
returns, cycle counting, and user sign-on and sign-off.
The RedPrairie Data Extractor works by translating SAP intermediate document transactions containing inventory movement
and storage data into standard WFM input. Since SAP WM and
RedPrairie WFM are separate systems, Data Extractor works with
any release of RedPrairie WFM at 2007.1 or higher. This allows
for SAP and RedPrairie systems to be upgraded independently, as
needed. (RedPrairie, www.RedPrairie.com)
B40i4 LPG lift truck: The
new B40i4 lift truck from
Landoll Corp. uses a GM LPG-compliant 2.4L engine that
meets current EPA/CARB tier
IV emission standards. Along
with the engine emission
upgrade, Landoll has made
additional improvements to
this model, including a faster
lowering speed, steel
hydraulic lines for more efficient fluid transmission, and a
thermostatically controlled,
hydraulically driven fan that
reduces fuel consumption
and noise.
The new DuraSteer steering system has also been
implemented on this model
with a 30-percent increase in steering torque. Available options
include triple masts that lift up to 360 inches and quad masts
that can lift up to 312 inches.
The B40i4 works in 6.5-foot aisles with a 48- by 40-inch load
and has travel speeds of over 8 miles per hour. The vehicle has
the same performance characteristics as the company’s rear-drive
four-wheel models, including the ability to travel up 15-percent
grades, faster lift and lower speeds, and greater power efficiency. (Landoll Corp., www.landoll.com)
