ROLLOUTS
Steel mesh standard: It turns out that not all steel mesh contain-
ment panels for racks or vertical storage systems are the same.
To help end-users, consultants, buyers, and others determine
the quality of the product they are assessing, the MHI industry
group Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA)
has released a new standard, “Steel Mesh Containment Panels
Used in Pallet Rack and Vertical Storage System Applications:
Performance and Testing Requirements.”
Steel mesh containment panels are often used on the back of
a pallet rack to keep pallets and boxes from falling into the flue
between the backs of two racks or to keep products and pallets
from falling into an aisle. The group hopes that the new standard
will help users understand what a steel mesh containment panel
is made of, how to apply it, why to apply it, and what the bene-
fits are in terms of security and safety.
The document also outlines testing procedures for the panels.The standard is approved by the American National StandardsInstitute (ANSI). It can be purchased on MHI’s website for $25 formembers and $50 for nonmembers. (ProGMA, mhi.org)
AMR proof-of-concept program: Order-fulfillment solutionsspecialist Conveyco Technologies has introduced a Proof ofConcept (POC) program for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)that allows companies toconceptualize, emulate, andvalidate AMR systems’ performance before financially committing to an entiresystem. A POC will coverthe system’s components,design, process, outputdata, schedule, validationprocess, and cost schedule.
Due to their high level of flexibility, almost all AMR applicationsparticipate in the POC program, Conveyco says. These applications include order picking, replenishment, returns handling,consolidation, storage and retrieval, kitting, and palletizing.
The program will look at the AMR’s design and scale it to amodule that, when implemented and live, provides validationfor the full system’s processes, equipment, and design. The POCmodule can be constructed at the potential client’s facility, aConveyco facility, or a third party based on timing and budget.(Conveyco Technologies, www.conveyco.com)
Robotic picking solution: Warehouse automation and softwarecompany Swisslog has introduced the ItemPiQ robotic pickingsolution, with improved product recognition and multiple gripping modes that adapt to different products and sizes. At thecore of the ItemPiQ solution is a Kuka six-axis lightweight robotthat works with precision, even in tight spaces, with the roboticarm extending up to 43 inches high to reach into bins.
The vision system, consisting of a 3D camera and smartimage-recognition software, can quickly and reliably identifyoptimal gripping points of the items to be picked and “instruct”the robot arm’s multifunction gripper, the company says. TheItemPiQ can be integrated with the company’s AutoStore roboticstorage and retrieval system to create a fully automated goods-to-robot system that’s designed to shorten both pick times andreturn on investment. (Swisslog, www.swisslog.com)
Vision-guided tow tracker: Seegrid has introduced the newGT10 Series 7 Plus automated tow tractor. The vision-guidedself-driving vehicle features a short mast structure to accommodate facilities withheight restrictions, comesstandard with auto-hitchcapabilities, and incorporates reverse sensing foradded functionality.
The tow tractor alsoboasts auto-charge technology, which allows anoperation to automatethe battery-charging process. This functionality isintegrated into SeegridSupervisor fleet management software. Continuously monitoring vehicle battery levels,the software sends vehicles to charging stations automatically; italso schedules vehicles to return to production once a full chargeis reached. (Seegrid, seegrid.com)
Enhanced robotic bin-picking capabilities: Industrial roboticsvendor Fanuc demonstrated robotic bin-picking functionality featuring its new 3DV/1600 vision sensor and M-710iC/45M material handling robot at the Modex trade show in Atlanta, sayingthe combined system offers a larger field of view than previousplatforms. The new sensor also provides faster image acquisitionprocessing than its predecessor.
Fanuc provides the robot arm, the controller, and the visionsystem, relying on partnerships with integrators to design custom “hands” known as end-effectors for each specific customer.Overall, the system may run with slightly slower picking speedthan a human employee, but it quickly makes up the differencethrough endurance since robots don’t need to stop for coffeeand restroom breaks or shift changes, the firm says.
The company also introduced its CRX-10iA collaborative robot,a robotic arm designed for ease of use, reliability, and safety, atModex. Built to pick and place small parts, the unit has a sensitive contact stop, manual guided teaching, and a new tabletpendant with a modern user interface. Together, those featuresallow a user to grab the arm, “teach” it picking tasks by movingit through the motions, and then “replay” that pattern on automatic operation. (Fanuc, www.fanucamerica.com)
Quiet ARB sorter: New Orleans-based conveyor belt manufacturer Intralox has introduced a quiet high-speed sorter that itsays is ideal for e-commerce, among other applications. The newtechnology was developed in response to customer demand forequipment that can help reduce noise levels in the distributioncenter, the company says.
The ARB Sorter 7000 sorts parcel “smalls” at rates of up to12,000 parcels per hour with 99.5% sort accuracy, the companysays. It also precisely sorts parcels, parcel smalls, and other itemsinto tightly spaced divert windows, all within a smaller footprintthan traditional loop sorters. The technology allows customersto reduce their overall operating costs and improve productivity,according to the manufacturer. (Intralox, www.intralox.com)
