Click here to go back to the top of the article

Electric mobile elevated work platform

Manitou featured three industrial forklifts and an electric mobile elevated work platform.

Manitou, West Bend, Wis., featured three industrial forklifts and an electric mobile elevated work platform (MEWP).

The AETJ 49 electric-powered model is ideal for working in tight spaces. Its lightweight, compact design boasts a 49-foot maximum lift height and 30-foot outreach, and is outfitted with a 48-volt traction battery, providing absolute performance, duty cycles and battery life.

The new Manitou forklift line includes 14 electric (ME Range) and internal combustion (MI Range) models, with plans to expand the offering even further this year to include models that range in lift capacity from 3,000-22,000 pounds and include diesel options.

The electric-powered ME 316 is a 3-wheeled industrial forklift model with a maximum capacity of 3,174 pounds, and a compact design that allows for operation in aisles as narrow as 10 feet 3 inches.

The Manitou ME 425C is a 4-wheel, mid-sized forklift with a capacity up to 4,982 pounds. Both electric-powered forklift models come with a 48-volt battery, 11.5-horsepower engine and lift height up to 21 feet 4 inches.

The internal combustion MI industrial forklift line includes the MI 25G, which can lift up to 4,982 pounds and reach 21 feet 4 inches. It comes equipped with a 61-horsepower engine, power shift transmission and duplex mast.

Mobile dimensioning workstations, real-time activity tracker

Newcastle Systems launched a new app called the MotionMeter, which is a real-time activity tracker designed to quickly and accurately perform time studies within the warehouse to identify waste.

Newcastle Systems, Haverhill, Mass., announced its latest product line, the Atlas Series Mobile Dimensioning Workstations.

Each workstation is equipped with a QubeVu DimStation, which includes supporting pole and integrated display, providing dimensioning on virtually any shape, anywhere in under a second. The rugged Atlas Series consists of 30- and 48-inch-long workstations that hold and power the QubeVu DimStation and other hardware, including scales, laptops, thin clients, CPUs and printers. The workstations can also accommodate most other dimensioning units on the market. The dimensioning stations also allow warehouses and distribution centers to easily manage extreme volume in a quick and accurate fashion, even during seasonal peaks. The Atlas Series Mobile Dimensioning Stations capture data, so warehouse staff can identify the best packaging solutions, optimize warehouse space and maximize truck/trailer loads. Dimensioning also provides the data a warehouse needs to enable direct-to-box picking. The dimensioning technology boats built-in imaging for verification, tracking and claim protection, and is compatible with warehouse management systems and shipping software, including UPS Worldship and FedEx ShipStation. The Atlas Series Mobile Dimensioning Stations can handle up to 125 pounds, and are powered by the PowerSwap Nucleus Lithium Power System, providing 24/7 operation.

Newcastle Systems also launched a new app called the MotionMeter, a real-time activity tracker designed to quickly and accurately perform time studies within the warehouse to identify waste. The app can be deployed in minutes, and generates a comprehensive overview, known as the “Savings Report,” which can be exported as a PDF and emailed directly to the app user or supervisors within the organization. The application is ideal for warehouse managers, department leads and supervisors looking to improve processes and cut costs in their departments. MotionMeter also includes several personalization features, such as names of processes and tasks, labor rate and number of employees.

Warehouse automation technologies

Numina Group presented its family of warehouse automation technologies, including Pick by Voice technology, as seen here, which validates picking steps using a combination of voice commands/responses and hands-free, 2-dimensional barcode scanning.

Numina Group, Woodbridge, Ill., presented its family of warehouse automation technologies.

One Step Plus print and apply labeling systems, for example, auto apply a combination full packing sheet and shipping label. This technology reduces 35 seconds of labor per shipment, and is ideally suited for high-volume continuous distribution operations shipping e-commerce orders.

Pick by Voice technology validates picking steps using a combination of voice commands/responses and hands-free, 2-dimensional barcode scanning. Voice picking can be used for both batch and conveyor picking, and is combined with cartonization logic to support single-touch pick-to-carton applications. Advanced Speaker Independent Voice virtually eliminates operator training time.

Auto Print Fold Insert (PFI) technology accurately prints, folds and places 1-10 8.5x11-inch printed sheets into cartons ranging from 4-30 inches in height. PFI is ideal for operations seeking to automate insertion of packing sheets, return labels, promotional materials, coupons and new product announcements. PFI technology is said to reduce 35 seconds of labor from every order, and can be used to automate over 30 cartons per minute.

Put to Light Order Consolidation Put wall order consolidation technology allows a single operator to perform 500-plus item scans and puts per hour. Put to light provides a highly efficient means to simultaneously pick orders across all of the distribution centers pick zones. Combining Pick by Voice with Put to Light allows both single zone picking direct to the shipping carton and simultaneously sweeping items across all of the warehouse zones to consolidation totes.

RDS (Real-time Distribution System) is a scalable top tier warehouse execution and control system. Its modular, high-performance platform of software modules controls and manages a wide array of automation technologies to streamline the entire pick, pack and ship order fulfillment operation.

Reusable pallets

ORBIS demonstrated a variety of reusable packaging solutions, including the 800mmx600mm Pally (as seen here), which converts from a mobile to static pallet with one press of a pedal.

ORBIS Corp., Oconomowoc, Wis., showcased the benefits of reusable plastic pallets compared with wood, according to a study conducted with the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design, Blacksburg, Va.

ORBIS also demonstrated a variety of other reusable packaging solutions, including:

• ORBIShield dunnage solutions for totes and bulk containers.
• A family of all-plastic totes that work in all types of picking environments, from manual to highly automated.
• 43x30-inch small format pallets.
• 800mmx600mm Pally, which converts from a mobile to static pallet with one press of a pedal.
• HDMP4845 BulkPak container, which can carry 84 filled HDMP4845 containers and a return truckload can transport 252 collapsed HDMP4845 containers vs. the standard 208 bins per return truckload.

Charge two batteries with one charger

Philadelphia Scientific featured the Water Buffalo Mobile Water Supply, which is dubbed to be the industry’s largest capacity water supply.

Philadelphia Scientific, Montgomeryville, Pa., showcased the iBOS Charger-Splitter.

When paired with the iBOS battery room management system, the Charger-Splitter enables users to sequentially charge two batteries with one charger. Charger-Splitters are installed onto conventional battery charging systems. A flashing LED alerts operators to disconnect a charger from a charged battery and plug it into a paired uncharged battery, enabling the sequential charging of two batteries with one charger.

Philadelphia Scientific’s full line of lean battery room products include its iBOS battery room management systems and battery watering systems, such as the Water Injector Systems, a single point watering system.

Philadelphia Scientific also displayed its SmartBlinky Pro, a visible battery watering monitor that features what is said to be the industry’s brightest electrolyte indicator and audible alarm to alert personnel that electrolyte levels are low. SmartBlinky Pro is cable-mounted near the connector for maximum visibility, making it ideal for batteries that never leave the truck. SmartBlinky Pro also prevents the unnecessary checking of electrolyte levels and helps prevent permanent damage to batteries due to low electrolyte levels. Features include SmartMOUNT LED lighting, SmartBEEP, a unique beeper that adds an audible dimension to communicating the need to water and helps operators identify a battery that needs water even if SmartBlinky Pro can’t be seen, and SmartDELAY, which optimizes battery filling while minimizing boil over.

Also featured was the company’s newest product, the Water Buffalo Mobile Water Supply, which is dubbed to be the industry’s largest capacity water supply. The 300-gallon mobile water supply is the ideal watering solution for fast charging applications. Water Buffalo is pallet mounted and designed to be easily transported by rider pallet truck. It is DC-powered by the 24-volt battery on the rider pallet truck. An onboard inverter converts DC to AC power. The Water Buffalo comes with a submersible pump and control unit, which shuts off automatically if there is not enough capacity in the battery to successfully operate the pump. A 16-foot industrial output hose with Instant Valve Pro is used to fill batteries.

Smart Glasses

Picavi’s smart glasses are designed to increase productivity in the picking process, and are said to achieve efficiency gains of up to 40%, when compared to other systems.

Picavi, Germany, showcased its pick-by-vision solution.

The Picavi smart glasses are designed to increase productivity in the picking process, and are said to achieve efficiency gains of up to 40%, when compared to other systems.

Picavi also presented new features to the “eco system” of its smart glasses. Developed in conjunction with DSA Systems, Inc., Troy, Mich., the highly robust cable connection for the Picavi Power Control helps operators interface with the glasses as a manual control element and supplies necessary power. The revised user interface guides warehouse employees through their picking orders in an even more targeted manner. As a result, it is no longer necessary to spend time comparing information on a paper list or a handheld display with the contents on a shelf.

Automated packing solution, shipping software

ProShip exhibited its 3D automated packing solutions, which builds, fills, folds and labels single and multi-line orders with variable dimensions in one seamless process.

ProShip, Brookfield, Wis., exhibited one of its newest technologies designed for decreasing labor in retail, third-party logistics and manufacturing environments.

As soon as an order has been picked, 3D automated packing solutions, such as the CVP, builds, fills, folds and labels single and multi-line orders with variable dimensions in one seamless process.

Another technology that works in conjunction with the CVP Automated Packing Solution is ProShip’s Multi-Carrier Shipping Software, which aids companies in selecting the best parcel carrier out of all contracted carriers based on order characteristics (weight and dimensional properties), delivery rules (delivery time and delivery zone) and carrier performance, while considering the cost differences of various carrier services. Multi-carrier shipping platforms also enable shippers to manage the creation of labels, create shipper manifests, provide tracking capabilities to customers or customer service representatives and manage carrier rate updates.

Vertical transport & sorting lift

Qimarox showcased the Prorunner mk5 vertical transport and sorting lift, designed to transport a capacity of 2,000 products per hour.

Qimarox, the Netherlands, showcased the Prorunner mk5 vertical transport and sorting lift, designed to transport a capacity of 2,000 products per hour.

Turnkey package flow solutions

Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products (EPP), Reading, Pa., and SurfaceWRX, Harrisburg, Pa., joined forces to showcase turnkey package flow solutions.

For instance, TIVAR DrySlide offers a non-stick, dry-running, anti-static sliding surface with what is said to be the lowest coefficient of friction of any lining material available. Designed for package handling, liners made with TIVAR DrySlide offer superior sliding performance and excellent functionality in wet and humid conditions, thus eliminating issues with Styrofoam and boxes covered in packaging tape.

SurfaceWRX installs liners created with TIVAR DrySlide material on chutes in package processing facilities nationwide to help reduce package jams, improve flow and increase productivity.

AS/RS features floating aisle technology

Rack & Roll’s patented FloatingAisle technology is comprised of a racking system on rails with an electrically powered carriage and motor that provides lateral motion for vertically stacked pallets in a warehouse’s existing configuration.

Rack & Roll Inc., Edgewater, Fla., launched its patented FloatingAisle storage and retrieval system that is said to dramatically increase the capacity of warehouses and cold storage facilities.

High-capacity reach trucks

The Raymond Corp. introduced the Reach-Fork truck, a high-capacity reach truck that lifts up to 4,500 pounds, reaches 542 inches and enables customers to optimize taller buildings and store heavy pallets in almost any location.

The Raymond Corp., Greene, N.Y., introduced a new, integrated high-capacity reach truck. The Reach-Fork truck lifts up to 4,500 pounds, reaches 542 inches and enables customers to optimize taller buildings and store heavy pallets in almost any location, while maintaining a longer battery shift life. Ideal for cold storage and freezer applications, the high-capacity truck allows pallet storage from 8-10 levels for what is said to be potentially 25% more storage in warehouses. Like other trucks in the Raymond Reach-Fork truck line, this new high-capacity truck offers integrated telematics capabilities to increase efficiency, and universal stance and open-view mast for better visibility and ergonomics.

The new Vantage Point camera, now available on all reach trucks, provides additional visual assistance while performing pallet storage and retrieval tasks at greater lift heights. With updated technology from automotive-grade image sensors, the Vantage Point camera has a high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor, and offers both low- and high-light performance simultaneously.

Raymond also showcased interconnectivity between the digital and physical worlds through the Raymond Reach-Fork truck series, which are now integrated with technologies and scalable telematics options to enhance operator experience and increase productivity. These trucks feature an integrated 7-inch multifunction color display with touch-screen functionality and an intuitive interface. The display is an information center for iWAREHOUSE Evolution.

Raymond also featured the Raymond Virtual Reality Simulator with patent-pending Simulation Port (sPort), what is dubbed as the first-of-its-kind simulator that offers instructional education modules on an actual truck, providing advanced, hands-on instruction to improve operator proficiency and build confidence.

Also on displays was the Raymond Courier 3030 Stacker Automated Lift Truck, Raymond Model 8720 2nd level order picker with elevated platform, Raymond Model 8410 pallet truck with second-level pick steps option and Raymond Model 8250 AC walkie pallet jack with double-power-capacity lithium-ion battery.

Collaborative robot arms

RightPick.AI from RightHand Robotics is said to be the first vision-guided machine learning-based software designed to enable autonomous “lights out” robotic item-picking for warehouse order fulfillment. Also, check out this [CASE STUDY] from Universal Robots, which showcases the collaborative robot arms being used in Atria's Skene, Sweden, food processing plant.

Universal Robots, Ann Arbor, Mich., showcased its collaborative robot arms.

RightPick.AI from RightHand Robotics, Somerville, Mass., is said to be the first vision-guided machine learning-based software designed to enable autonomous “lights out” robotic item-picking for warehouse order fulfillment. Learning from both sensor feedback of the RightHand Robotics intelligent gripper and an integrated vision system, RightPick.AI provides the “brains” behind the RightPick solution suite for e-commerce fulfillment operations. RightPick.AI enables validated picking and placement of the industry’s widest range of items, and can handle a variety of customer workflows, such as picking items from automated storage and retrieval systems, inducting items onto sorters, sorting batch-picked items to put walls and order quality assurance.

Also on display was Electrical CobotPump (ECBPi), a new generation of intelligent vacuum generators that do not require compressed air, developed by Schmalz, Germany.The intelligent vacuum generator enables purely electrical operation, and can handle airtight and slightly porous pieces. The CobotPump’s programming interface is integrated directly on the UR cobot’s touch screen through the UR+ platform that certifies and showcases third-party plug-and-play products for UR cobots.

Schmalz also showcased its Vacuum End Effector (VEE), a flexibly configurable component kit that can be assembled by the customer to fit its workpiece and application.

Graphic user interface makes door control safer & easier

The Graphic User Interface (GUI) by Rite-Hite is an easy-to-operate door control box that enhances worker safety and provides real-time data.

The Graphic User Interface (GUI) by Rite-Hite, Milwaukee, Wis., is an easy-to-operate door control box that enhances worker safety and provides real-time data. The new interface uses low voltage connections from the larger junction box near the motor to provide access to door settings without the risk of arc flash, thus eliminating the need for workers to wear personal protective equipment when making adjustments or troubleshooting.

The GUI system features a 7-inch, color LCD touchscreen with intuitive graphics and design. The panel also provides instant data on the door, including number of cycles and average cycle time per opening and closing. It can be integrated with many building management systems to provide further operational efficiencies in a facility. The GUI also supports multiple languages.

The plastic NEMA 4X enclosure is designed for any application – from interior or exterior use to washdown areas, coolers and freezers. The control box is pre-wired, factory tested and can be used on any Rite-Hite door with an i-COMM III digital control and encoder.