Supply Chain & LogisticsTechnology Showcase

MODEX—the biggest supply chain show of 2016

Caster-Concepts-Drive-Caster — Caster Concepts created what is said to be the first motorized industrial caster.

Cimcorp-Kroger — Cimcorpannounced the opening of its new Norcross, Ga., office, which will provide the sales and service team with a local home base in the Southeast market.

Clearpath-Robotics-OTTO-100 — Clearpath Robotics’ OTTO 100 self-driving operating system provides autonomous transport up to 220-pound loads at speeds up to 4.5 mph, while tracking along optimal paths and safely avoiding collisions.

Exide-Tubular-Battery — Exide Technologies launched its new *GNB*-branded *Tubular LMX* battery line, designed to fit a wider range of original equipment lift trucks than its predecessor, the Tubular LM product line.

Flexcon-container-solutions — Flexcon debuted new container solutions, designed to help protect and organize goods and optimize space utilization throughout the supply chain.

Flexspace-Poweracks — Storax America/Flexspace’s mobile racking system, Poweracks (as seen here), is an industrial mobile racking system comprised of a racking superstructure installed to a powered moving base.

Hatteland-AutoStore — Hatteland Display unveiled what is said to be the largest ever demonstration of its ultra-space-efficient, high-performance *AutoStore*automated warehousing system.

Hyster-new-truck-series — Hyster unveiled new H50XT truck, designed to outperform the competition in both fuel efficiency and productivity.

ifm-O3D-pallet-recognition — ifm’s new O3D smart sensor is a 3D-depth camera designed to benefit industrial robotics, material handling and packaging applications in image recognition.

Intelligrated-IntelliSort-tilt-tray-and-cross-belt-sortation — Ideal for high-capacity unit sorting applications, Intelligrated’s *IntelliSort* tilt-tray and cross-belt sortation solutions handle a variety of product and packaging types with maximum speed and accuracy.

Interroll-modular-conveyor-platform — Interroll’s new modular conveyor platform for material handling can be assembled to form a complete material handling solution that provides smooth flow of product.

JLT Mobile Computers’ 1214P logistics computer, for example, offers enhanced performance and improved responsiveness for logistics applications ranging from warehousing and food distribution to freezer storage and cross-docking.

Kardex-Remstar-carousel — Kardex Remstar’s newly redesigned horizontal carousel works on the goods-to-person principle, where goods are brought directly to the operator at the touch of a button.

KION-Linde-series — KION North America released a number of forklifts and lift trucks, including the Linde Series 1169 (as seen here), which is a 24-volt truck that features a Linde controller, sealed AC motor, sealed connectors, stability caster and residual capacity.

Millwood-Series-800-stretch-wrapper — Millwood’s new Liberty Technologies-branded Series 800 stretch wrap system is a conveyorized, fully automatic, high-speed rotary arm stretch wrap system equipped with dual film carriages that allow for optimal pre-stretch levels of up to 300%.

Muller-Yellow-Jacket — Muller’s Yellow Jacket orbital wrapper is ideal for companies looking to secure oversized, oddly shaped, palletized loads while the pallet remains on the forklift.

Numina-RDS — Numina’s latest web-based user interface for *RDS*, the web2 dashboard user interface, allows web-based applications to have the responsiveness of desktop applications, with the added capability of being able to operate on virtually any device.

PlugPower — Plug Power debuted a new class-3 pallet jack GenDrive 3340 fuel cell, which couples enhancements learned from over 100 millionhours offield runtimewith the company’sproprietary protonexchange membrane (PEM)fuel cellstack technology.

Portalink launched what is said to be game-changing technology that converts paper purchase orders, invoices, credit notes, statements and other documents into an electronic version that can be processed automatically and with unprecedented accuracy.

Raymond-iWAREHOUSE-reach-truck — **Raymond showcased its** iWAREHOUSE system on the *Raymond Reach-Fork* series (as seen here), which is said to be the first telematics solution to integrate multiple operational systems in a single, factory-installed display unit.

RM2-BLOCKPal — RM2 USA revealed its total pallet solution—the new *BLOCKPal* engineered composite pallet, designed for use in supply chains with high-volume traffic levels and/or demanding operating environments.

Schmaltz-Jumbo-vacuum-tube-lifter — Schmalz showcased a number of handling solutions, including the box gripper for the Jumbo vacuum tube lifter, as seen here, which allows for the ergonomic handling of standard small load carriers.

Seegrid-Subway-Platform — Seegrid’s Subway Platform displays are designed to reduce downtime in the supply chain by providing subway-style estimated-time-of-arrival projections and data collection capabilities at each station where Seegrid’s vision-guided vehicles retrieve or deliver materials.

Stay-Rite-stackable-racks — The *STAY-RITE* universal platform stacking device from Stay-Rite Solutions is made with recycled plastic material and is a reusable and economical material handling solution.

Swisslog-AutoStore — Swisslog North America demonstrated its goods-to-person technology, AutoStore(as seen here), as well as a fully automated picking station, a new high-performance shuttle system and Automated Item Pick (AIP), a fully automated picking station that teams humans with robots.

TECSYS-OneSprint — TECSYS’ *OneSprint*features advanced warehouse management system capabilities synchronized to help operators achieve fulfillment and on-boarding objectives.

Voxware and Buton eBusiness solutions form a value-added-reseller (VAR) agreement to supply Voxware’s cloud voice management software and Intellestra solutions to the EMEA market.

Westfalia-Testing-Facility-2016 — Westfalia completed a multi-million dollar test facility, which allows the company to test improvements and new software user interfaces.

Wildeck-JiffyStair — Wildeck demonstrated its new *JiffyStair* modular knock-down stair system, a fully-palletized stairway system, ideal for access in tight places such as pick modules and to elevated equipment platforms or mezzanine structures.

Lithium-ion-Battery — Yale Materials Handling Corp. featured what is said to be the first Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-recognized lithium-ion battery pack available in the forklift industry.

Zebra-ultra-rugged-scanners — Zebra Technologies announced its 3600 ultra-rugged seriesof scanners, purpose-built for durability, scan performance and manageability in demanding industrial environments such as warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturingshop floors and do-it-yourself retailstores.

Ametek-TruBID — Qimarox’s Prorunner mk10 allows companies to transport up to 60 pallets up to 2,000 kg. per hour 10 meters upwards.

Automation-Plus-Pallet-Return-Device — Automation Plus developed the Pallet Return Device, designed to operate in distribution center pick modules and make handling pallets safer and more efficient without using any outside energy source.

Bell-and-Howell-PackRobot — Bell and Howell developed PackRobot, a dramatic advance in intelligent systems for consumer delivery and pickup of parcels and packages.

BEUMER-Rota-Sorter — BEUMER Group’s new *Rota-Sorter* is designed to sort a variety of items—large or small, tall or flat, of different weight categories and in different packaging—on one single line.

Big-Joe — The new J2-72 Joey from Big Joe, LLC is a low level order picker that features a 2,000-pound total vehicle capacity, the ability to lift 1,500-pound pallets up to 72 inches, power steering, an ergonomic mini-mast and an industrial battery compartment.

Buckhorn-Bottom-Drain-Bulk-Box-Door-Down — Buckhorn expanded its Intrepid intermediate bulk container product line, making it now available with or without a drop door in top or bottom discharge configurations.

Qimorex-Mk10-pallet-lift-feature — Qimarox’s Prorunner mk10 allows companies to transport up to 60 pallets up to 2,000 kg. per hour 10 meters upwards.

Orbis-Pally combines the mobility of a dolly and functionality of a pallet — ORBIS launched the Pally, which combines the mobility of a dolly with the functionality of a static pallet to enable new and enhanced material handling capabilities.

Cognex-MX-1000 — Cognex’s MX-1000 vision-enabled mobile terminal features a flexible modular design that marries industrial-class barcode scanning with a wide range of Android or Apple mobile devices.Cognex’s MX-1000 vision-enabled mobile terminal features a flexible modular design that marries industrial-class barcode scanning with a wide range of Android or Apple mobile devices.

Egemin-Egv-compact-tugger — Egemin developed the second attachment for the *E’gv* compact tugger’s base—the counterbalance fork—designed to work in many common material handling areas and for replacing manual trucks to reduce product damage and increase throughput.

Rite-Hite-LED-Virtual-Vision — Rite-Hite introduced the LED *Virtual Vision* light communication system, designed to improve worker safety in and around high-speed doors.

MODEX 2016 brought together 850 of the leading manufacturing and supply chain providers to showcase the latest and greatest solutions. Complete with 150 supply chain sessions led by business and supply chain thought leaders coupled with the show’s first-ever supply chain education summit, MODEX 2016, presented by MHI, Charlotte, N.C., was where the industry's brightest minds gathered to network, learn and share their perspectives on the ever-evolving state of the supply chain—where it's headed, new ideas, innovation and more.

MODEX 2016, which took place April 4-7 in Atlanta, also co-located with the Supply Chain & Transportation USA Exhibition & Conference (SCT), Norwalk, Conn. Dubbed the only one-stop source for global logistics solutions, the SCT show offered manufacturing and supply chain professionals a comprehensive experience, featuring pragmatic content, networking opportunities and exposure to what is said to be the largest equipment and technology display of any show in North America.

Here’s a rundown of some of the latest innovations in equipment and solutions services introduced and showcased at MODEX 2016.

COMPUTER TOUCHSCREENS FOR DEMANDING ENVIRONMENTS

JLT Mobile Computers, Tempe, Ariz., presented its latest product innovations for the logistics and supply chain sector.

The JLT 1214P logistics computer, for example, features a revolutionary touch screen coupled with projective capacitive touch (PCT) technology. The capacitive touch screen is protected by a 0.07-inch thick, hardenend glass cover, making scratches, scuffs or even breakage a thing of the past. JLT’s rugged PCT display can be operated with gloves in different materials and thicknesses and used in wet conditions. The JLT1214P computer also boasts a 64-bit Intel quad-core processor, offering enhanced performance and improved responsiveness for logistics applications ranging from warehousing and food distribution to freezer storage and cross-docking.

JLT VERSO+ 10 computer with logistics dock is JLT’s most compact and is said to be the industry’s fastest rugged vehicle-mount computer. Thanks to the new ultra-slim logistics cradle that is optimized for indoor or in-cab use, the VERSO+ 10 computer is perfect for logistics applications such as forklifts, picking trolleys and tight truck cabins. Depending on the model, the device includes either the Intel Core i5 processor or dual-core Intel D2550 processor. It has a 10-inch, sunlight-readable XGA display, and includes a quick-mount feature, dubbed QuickLock, which makes mounting and removing the devices easy.

Also on display was the ultra-rugged, ultra-thin MT1010 tablet computer. Little larger than a Microsoft Surface tablet, the considerably tougher Windows device is able to withstand a drop of up to 6 feet onto concrete, yet is less than 1 inch thick and weighs under 3 pounds. The MT1010 also features a capacitive multi-touchscreen, is IP65 dustproof and water resistant and will work in temperatures of -4°F to 140°F.

JLT Mobile Computers, Inc.
844-705-4200
www.jltmobile.com

TILT-TRAY, CROSS-BELT SORTATION SOLUTION

Intelligrated, Cincinnati, exhibited a lineup of innovative automated equipment designed to deliver speed, accuracy and product-handling flexibility and optimize distribution and fulfillment operations.

Its booth featured a fully automated each picking demonstration using the company’s automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) integrated with a robotic arm and Intelligrated-designed, end-of-arm tooling to pick and place individual items. The solution leverages the company’s advanced robotic and shuttle technologies, as well as integration expertise to address the SKU proliferation, endless aisle, accuracy and labor utilization challenges facing retailers today.

Attendees also viewed dynamic demonstrations of the IntelliSort sliding shoe and cross-belt sortation systems. Patented soft touch divert technology for sliding shoe sorters provides high-speed carton control and divert accuracy, while reducing item impact speed by 500% to preserve product integrity. The cross-belt demonstration features the company’s patented dynamic discharge compensation (DDC) technology that ensures the most precise diverts to maximize chute density and minimize jams, re-circulations and manual touches. Intelligrated sortation solutions provide fast, accurate handling of polybags, cartons and totes for high-throughput distribution and fulfillment applications.

It also debuted the Intelligrated Reliability Intelligence System (IRIS), the company’s computerized maintenance management software that manages everything from work orders and parts inventory to reporting and budgeting to enable proactive lifecycle management and assist with regulatory compliance and performance reporting.

Furthermore, Intelligrated showcased its dynamic discharge compensation (DDC) technology, designed to maximize cross-belt sortation accuracy. This enhanced sensing technology detects the exact size and position of items on a carrier belt to dynamically adjust sorter discharge behavior for the highest levels of precision. This increased discharge precision enables greater chute density for expanded operational capacity without the need for additional space, and also minimizes the risk of jams, missed chutes or other sortation errors. Since the intelligent system does not adjust item location prior to discharge, it can reduce component wear and extend equipment life. DDC technology is suitable for an upgrade to select existing cross-belt systems or as a core component of a new cross-belt sortation solution.

Intelligrated
866-936-7300
www.intelligrated.com

GOODS-TO-PERSON TECHNOLOGY

Swisslog North America, Newport News, Va., demonstrated its goods-to-person technology, AutoStore, as well as a fully automated picking station and a new high-performance shuttle system.

The state-of-the-art light goods handling, Automated Item Pick (AIP), is a fully automated picking station that teams humans with robots with no safety fence required. The core component of this solution is a highly sensitive LBR iiwa lightweight robot manufactured by KUKA Robotics Corp., Shelby Township, Mich.

Swisslog also developed a new shuttle technology that relies on the intelligent "autonomy" of material flow control.

Meanwhile, FORTE Industries, a Mason, Ohio-based warehouse automation system integrator that was acquired by Swisslog in April 2015, exhibited its selection of warehouse execution software (WES) and material handling systems.

Lastly, Swisslog acquired Power Automation Systems (PAS), making PAS’ Lathrop, Calif., headquarters as the Swisslog Americas West Coast location.

Swisslog North America
757-820-3400
www.swisslog.com

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MODEX—the biggest supply chain show of 2016

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