DC Velocity - September 2013

Packing automation: Numina Group has introduced LitPack Print-Fold-Insert (PFI) for pack sheets and invoice documents. This solution uses on-demand laser printing technology to print, fold, and insert 8.5-inch by 11-inch packing sheets directly into the shipping carton in less than 4 seconds—some 300 percent faster than typical manual operations, according to Numina. For high-volume DC operations, multiple in-line LitPacks can be integrated into an automated conveyor line to process 30 or more shipments per minute.

The LitPack family provides a range of options, from operator-assisted pack sheet print/validation for use at a void-fill and taping station to a fully automated process that prints, folds, and inserts documents into totes and shipping cartons. Additionally, literature inserters can be combined with LitPack to automate the insertion of sales and shipment-specific documents or promotional literature.

LitPack is especially suitable for omnichannel distribution centers that provide order fulfillment for business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and Internet operations.

Numina Group is a warehouse control system and material handling integrator that develops automation technologies that streamline pick, pack, ship, and order fulfillment processes. (Numina Group, www.numinagroup.com)

Route scheduling software: Airclic, a provider of mobile supply chain and logistics software, has created two dynamic route-exe-cution solutions: Perform for Route Optimization and Perform for Route Planning.

The route-optimization solution allows companies to manage complex vehicle logistics across multiple truck types, geographic areas, load types, and specialized logistics processes. The route-planning solution allows companies to optimize resource deployment across geog-raphies and time.

The two solutions will enable customers to have fewer vehicles on the road, ensure vehicles are at the right place at the right time, and increase the flow of corporate information.

The combination of these new capabilities with existing Airclic mobile supply chain execution solutions now makes it possible for customers to manage their entire logistics operations from end to end in the cloud, says Airclic. Perform for Route Optimization and Perform for Route Planning are made possible through a technology integration with DPS International, a supplier of vehicle-scheduling and vehicle-routing software solutions. (Airclic, www.airclic.com)

Automated storage and retrieval system: Vanderlande Industries has launched its Quickstore Microshuttle, an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) belonging to Vanderlande’s Quickstore line of miniloads, shuttles, and load-han-dling devices. These shuttles can move between different levels within the racking via a lift. According to Vanderlande, the Microshuttle is especially suitable for low- to medium-throughput applications.

The Quickstore Microshuttle’s energy-efficient operation is ensured by always using the optimal combination of motor performance, acceleration, and speed. Plus, the shuttles have “on-board energy” through the use of capacitors. This ensures the shuttles can operate autonomously without the need for power rails in the aisles. Braking energy is used to reload the capacitors. The shuttles also feature wireless communication.

The Microshuttle system can be expanded with additional shuttles to accommodate increased throughput. Should a shuttle need service, it can easily be removed from the system while the other shuttles take over storage and retrieval tasks. Additionally, each location in the racking can always be reached manually.