DC Velocity - February 2013

Sliding-shoe sortation conveyor: Wynright Corp., a U.S.-based provider of intelligent material handling systems, has introduced AutoSort 20, a sliding-shoe sortation conveyor. This conveyor can improve sortation speed rates by up to 25 percent, according to Wynright.

The AutoSort 20 is able to achieve speeds of up to 600 feet per minute, which would enable single-side sort rates of 250 to 300 cases per minute and a double-sided sort rate of up to 150 cartons per minute. It also reduces noise levels over earlier systems by as much as 6 decibels.

According to Wynright, the conveyor is easy to install and has a flexible design that allows it to be built around physical features of the distribution center, such as building columns. This flexibility is beneficial for facilities that are anticipating significant growth over the next three to five years, as well as those operations that experience seasonal peaks.

In addition, the conveyor’s divert stations can be added or changed in the future without any special re-engineering. The sorter can also be reconfigured or even moved to another building. The AutoSort 20 comes with electric divert switches, which do not require any pneumatic air support and can be easily repositioned.

The new sortation conveyor has an automatic chain oiler and removable side panels, which provide unobstructed access for routine maintenance. (Wynright Corp., www.wynright.com)

Express airfreight service: UPS has introduced a new express airfreight service, UPS Worldwide Express Freight, for urgent, time-sensitive, and high-value international heavyweight shipments. This new service is an extension of the UPS Worldwide Express package portfolio.

The Worldwide Express Freight service allows customers to ship pallets weighing over 150 pounds as easily as they ship packages within UPS’s global air network. According to UPS, the service provides guaranteed day-def-inite, door-to-door delivery with some of the fastest transit times in the industry, including overnight shipping from the Asia Pacific region, Europe, and the Americas to the United States. Two-day shipping is available to Europe from Asia Pacific, the United States, and the Americas.

UPS Worldwide Express Freight service offers many of the same features as UPS’s Worldwide Express package service, including automated shipment preparation, online tracking, and proactive notification technology. In addition, both express freight and package shipments are consolidated into one bill. (UPS Worldwide Express Freight, ups.com/worldwideexpressfreight)

Industrial door: Door manufacturer Rytec Corp. has introduced the Powerhouse SD industrial roll-up rubber door for exterior doorways.

The Powerhouse SD’s roll-up panel is made of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which is virtually indestructible, according to the company. The door is designed without springs, high-maintenance counterbalance systems, and wear parts, which saves money on service and maintenance. The door opens and closes fast, reducing the amount of energy lost as well as the amount of debris or dust entering the facility.