Warehouse control system: Forté, which
provides consulting and warehouse design
services and management systems, has
released new warehouse control system (WCS)
software, called the Smart Warehouse Suite.
This “WCS 2.0 solution” is designed for the
complex requirements of today’s highly automated, multichannel fulfillment operations.
The Smart Warehouse Suite provides supply
chain managers with performance metrics and
analytics delivered in a new, easy-to-use graphical user interface with remote monitoring
capabilities. (Forté, www.forte-industries.com)
Sliding shoe sorter: Dematic, a supplier of
logistics systems for the factory, warehouse,
and distribution center, has introduced FlexSort
SL2, a high-capacity package sorting system.
This sliding shoe sorter can be applied in areas
such as receiving, order fulfillment, consolidation, and shipping. The Web-enabled modular
software and distributed controls manage all
areas of the unified sortation system, including
merge, induct, diverting, and take-away.
The key attribute of the FlexSort SL2 is its
ability to produce high sort rates at low operating speed, such as 200 cartons per minute at
400 feet per minute. The reduced operating
speed minimizes wear on the system as well as
the sound levels and energy use. Furthermore,
the system has automatic speed control, which
allows the sorter to vary operating speeds to
accommodate the actual volume flowing onto
the sorter. The peak rate for the FlexSort SL2 is
400 cartons per minute.
FlexSort SL2 does not utilize the traditional
large, end-drive motor with oily chain loops on
either side of the sorter. Instead, it uses multiple
drives to provide redundancy. The result is
greater system uptime with fewer maintenance
requirements. The multiple drives also reduce
problems such as messy chain oil and slat skew.
FlexSort has automatic speed control,
which can accommodate hourly volume fluctuations. Divert points can be taken in and
out of service, and merge-release priorities
can be changed. FlexSort is modular and scalable. Divert-switch locations can be moved,
and the sorter can be expanded or lengthened to include additional divert addresses.
(Dematic, www.dematic.com/FlexSort-SL2)
Label printer-applicator: Weber Packaging Solutions’ new Model 4300e Pro-Apply all-electric label printer-applicator saves energy by eliminating the use of compressed air.
The unit prints labels in a next-out mode, automatically removes them from their
liners, and retains them by vacuum onto the applicator pad. Unlike most conventional label printer-applicators, however, the new system creates that vacuum with
electrically operated fans instead of external compressed air.
As a carton approaches the Model 4300e system, the pad gently applies a label
to the top or side of a case or package. The system handles labels up to 6 inches
wide and 6 inches long. (Weber Packaging Solutions, www.weberpackaging.com)
