NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY DIANE RAND ROLLOUTS
Loading-dock shelter: Rite-Hitehas introduced improvements toits Eclipse shelter, which blockslight and seals gaps between thetrailer and the dock. The Eclipseshelter provides a tight, consistentseal all the way up the trailer’ssides, across the top, and at thecorners, the company says.
On the sides of the trailer,hooks wrap around swing-opentrailer doors, sealing the gapscreated by the door hinge. Thehooks are constructed of a rugged premium material for extreme durability and are wrappedwith a flexible vinyl sleeve that conforms around the hinges for abetter seal. Side curtains are made out of high-strength Durathonfabric, which creates a friction-resistant surface that resists wear.
Along the top of the trailer, a weighted head curtain appliesover 100 pounds of pressure across the full width of the trailer’stop. This gravity-based system keeps the curtain in constantcontact with the trailer during loading and unloading, ensuringa tight, consistent seal without requiring an additional rain-di-version header. This weighted curtain automatically adjusts toa wide range of trailer heights, eliminating the need for manualpull ropes. As a result, it can provide an effective seal for bothlow and tall trailers, the manufacturer says.
At the top corners, the Eclipse side curtains and weightedheader work together to seal gaps that ordinary shelters don’taddress, according to Rite-Hite. The shelter has fabric cornerpockets that connect the sides to the top, providing a dark, complete seal when trailers back into place.
Below and around the dock leveler, Rite-Hite’s PitMasterunder-leveler sealing system provides a barrier against environmental infiltration on the exterior of the dock. Meanwhile, lipcorner seals, filler pads, and other components block gaps on theinside of the dock. (Rite-Hite, www.ritehite.com)
Expanded capabilities for voice solution: AccuSpeechMobile,a provider of voice automated workflow solutions for the supplychain, has announced that its solution is now available for AppleiOS mobile devices. The new support for iOS allows organizationsto voice-optimize operational workflows in the warehouse, field,and plant that run on Apple mobile devices.
Customers running iOS mobile applications can now use spoken commands and text-to-speech as input/output combinedwith robotic process automation for common, repeatable execution sequences, according to the company.
AccuSpeechMobile connects to any warehouse managementsystem, allowing clients to rapidly achieve double-digit improvements in workforce productivity as well as increased accuracy,workforce safety, and operational efficiency, the company adds.Common applications include picking, packing, cycle counting,putaway, shipping, and receiving. (AccuSpeechMobile, www.accuspeechmobile.com)
Lithium-ion storage system: The V-Force Lithium-Ion EnergyStorage System (ESS) is now available for the majority of CrownEquipment Corp.’s line of electric forklifts.
The new energy storage system is fully integrated with thetruck, allowing the truck’s display to show battery-dischargelevels and alert the operator through an early warning systembefore truck operation is stopped. In addition to the lithium-iontechnology, the system includes a modular V-Force charger and abattery-management system that extends battery life by preventing operation outside of warranted conditions.
Crown has also introduced the V-HFM3 series of modularbattery chargers that can be configured to charge lead-acid andV-Force lithium-ion batteries. The V-HFM3 series is part of CrownEquipment’s full line of V-Force forklift chargers, batteries, andaccessories. (Crown Equipment Corp., crown.com)
Rugged tablet: Industrial computer and tablet provider Teguarhas introduced its TRT-A5380 rugged tablet series, an Android-based solution for monitoring and controlling supply chainoperations. The new tablets include several inputs and outputs, abuilt-in bar-code scanner option, and an 8-pin pogo connector,giving them the ability to mount to a forklift/vehicle/desktopdocking station.
The TRT-A5380 rugged tablet series is IP65 rated, meaning thetablets can be washed down and sprayed from any direction. Thetablets are fanless and fully enclosed. On-board GPS, 4G, andWi-Fi connect workers out in the field to back-end infrastructure,and built-in 13. 56 MHz NFC and an optional integrated bar-codescanner simplify inventory management. The high-resolutioncameras allow users to capture clear images for service applications and troubleshooting. (Teguar, teguar.com)
Electric cushion-tire lift truck: MitsubishiCaterpillar Forklift America Inc.(MCFA), the provider of Catlift trucks in the United States,Canada, and Mexico, has introduced the Cat EC15N-EC18LNelectric cushion-tire lift truckseries. The 3,000- to 4,000-pound capacity model combines the latest in operatorergonomics and advancedAC technology, the manufacturer says.
Designed with anemphasis on productivity and comfort, thenew Cat lift-truck series maximizes efficiency with less maintenance and greater uptime, according toMCFA. With custom operating modes, operators have controlover the truck’s performance and can adjust ergonomic settingsfor their comfort. (Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.,www.mcfa.com/cat)
