Palletizer cobot: Palletizingsolutions provider Columbia/Okura, in partnership withUniversal Robots (UR), haslaunched the miniPAL, amobile palletizer poweredby the UR10e cobot arm.
With a footprint of 11 by 13
feet, the flexible miniPAL can palletize at two pallet locations foroptimized operation. The unit includes two safety mats and twoarea scanners that detect when people enter the work envelope,allowing the system to meet even higher speeds when not incollaborative mode.
The system plugs into 110V AC wall power, can be set up inless than a day, and delivers an average payback in eight to 10
months, depending on the application and industry. (Columbia/Okura, www.columbiaokura.com)
Robotic case-opening solution: Material handling systems
integrator DLN Integrated Systems has introduced its PRODecant
Solution, a robotic method for opening cases and transferring the
contents into storage totes automatically. According to the com-
pany, most “decanting” is done manually, with distribution cen-
ter workers handling received boxes for collection, organization,
or split-case purposes. The workers follow a repetitive process of
lifting boxes or cartons, opening them with a sharp instrument,
and emptying them into another container.
The PRODecant Solution consists of a robotic system thatutilizes vision technology to identify the unique specifications ofa customer’s cartons to automatically open and empty the contents into a tote. The tote is then routed, typically via conveyor,to a forward pick location or automated storage and retrievalsystem (AS/RS). The company says using PRODecant can save onlabor expenses, improve the work quality by avoiding a repetitiveand dangerous step in the decanting process, and increase dataaccuracy, as PRODecant is able to communicate with warehousecontrol software. (DLN Integrated Systems, dlninc.com)
Lithium-ion forklift battery: Flux Power has introduced the LiFTPack L48, a lithium-ion battery designed for three-wheel forkliftsused in high-performance, narrow-aisle warehouses. Offered ina 48-volt, 400 Ah configuration, the high-capacity lithium ironphosphate (LFP) battery features a dedicated interlocked chargeport that allows the battery to remain in the lift truck duringcharging, the company says. (Flux Power, www.fluxpower.
com/3-wheel-forklift)
