DC Velocity - February 2015

r o l lo u ts

76 DC VELOCITY FEBRUARY 2015 www.dcvelocity.com Distributed order management: Softeon’s distributed order management solution (DOM) for retailers and consumer goods manufacturers provides the inventory management capabilities needed to control inventory allocations by channel, customer, or other attributes.

Softeon’s DOM sets inventory allocation policies using a sophisticated yet easy-to-use rules-based foundation. Inventory can be allocated at multiple levels and by multiple attributes, such as forecast, history, actual orders, and marketing allocation.

The system can allocate in-transit or planned inventories as well as on-hand inventory across the network. It provides flexibility in defining allocation formulas in situations where overall demand will exceed supply, as well as the ability to change allocations on the fly. (Softeon, www.softeon.com)

Conveyor components: Dorner Manufacturing has introduced new pallet system components for use on its 2200 SmartFlex flexible-chain conveyor platform. The components, sold as completed assemblies or as kits, allow users to implement easy design changes to their conveyor systems and provide layout flexibility, according to the company.

Introduced in 2013, the 2200 SmartFlex offers simple configuration and acquisition options to customers within the food, medical, life sciences, industrial automation, and packaging industries. The new pallet systems provide users with greater customization capabilities. Pallet system components include merge and divert kits, a lift and locate station, and pallet stops. (Dorner Manufacturing, www.dornerconveyors.com/)

End rider trucks: Yale Materials Handling Corp. has announced a new line of enclosed end rider trucks, the MPR080VG and MPR100VG series, designed for busy warehouse cross-docking, shipping, and receiving applications. The new trucks offer class-leading lifting capabilities, state-of-the-art technology, and an enhanced ergonomic design, according to Yale.

These enclosed end riders are engineered for multishift applications. The MPR080VG model has a lifting capacity of 8,000 pounds, and the MPR100VG model has a lifting capacity of 10,000 pounds, making it the end rider with the highest lifting capacity on the market. The MPR100VG also has a fork length of 160 inches, which allows customers to transport up to four single-stacked or eight double-stacked pallets.

To simplify multitasking needs, the enclosed end riders are equipped with Yale “Integrated Smart Interface” (iSi) Technology, a common control system with consistent functionality across Yale’s line of warehouse trucks. The iSi uses the same software, diagnostic codes, and functionality and therefore creates commonality for users, supervisors, and service personnel. The Yale iSi Technology can be customized, allowing truck performance to be matched with the operator’s skill level.

The driver compartment for these end riders is ergonomically designed with a high backrest, fully padded compartment, and cushioned electronic floor mat. The electronic floor mat contains a center-mounted brake pedal and a “multizoned operator floor presence system,” which helps operators stand naturally during operation. The adjustable steer tiller and multifunction control handle offer simple forward/reverse, lift/lower, and horn functions. (Yale Materials Handling Corp., www.yale.com)

Bar-code reading technology: Cognex Corp.’s new PowerGrid technology uses a texture-based location algorithm to read 2-D matrix and direct part mark (DPM) bar codes. While conventional “feature-based” algorithms start by locating the finder pattern, Cognex’s PowerGrid technology looks for a pattern of alternating light and dark modules within the code.

According to Cognex, the PowerGrid technology dramatically increases read rates in 2-D bar-code–reading applications where a part’s geometry, poor lighting, occlusion, or print-registration errors make it difficult to capture an image of the entire code. Unlike previous solutions, PowerGrid technology can locate and read codes even when they exhibit significant damage to or complete elimination of the finder pattern, clocking pattern, or quiet zone.

Cognex’s PowerGrid technology is now available on the X models of the DataMan 300 series of fixed-mount bar-code readers. (Cognex Corp., www.cognex.com) ;