New Products and Services

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 1/1/2001

Labeling System Conserves Costly Ribbon

QuickLabel Systems, a product group of Astro-Med Inc., has announced its latest print-and-apply label system. The LRU (Less Ribbon Used) Print and Apply system prints labels on demand and simultaneously affixes them to products, boxes, or cartons as they pass by on a conveyor belt. The mobile unit can be wheeled to any conveyor system and begin printing and applying labels to moving items within minutes.

The printer/applicator was designed to cut usage of expensive ink-transferring thermal-transfer ribbon by at least 50 percent. The company's patented thermal-transfer ribbon conservation system, RibbonRation, reduces the need for the costly ribbon. When ink is not required, RibbonRation passes over pre-printed areas and blank spaces on labels without advancing ink-transferring ribbon.

The system can be changed from a tamp-on to a tamp-blow-on to a roll-on application method and has a dispensing speed of up to 12 inches per second. It offers a 1,000-meter thermal-transfer ribbon capacity and a 12-inch diameter label material capacity. The all-metal industrial grade unit is a "no tools" system, which allows for hand replacement of worn parts. The printer/applicator has a 304 dpi printhead and comes equipped with a Windows driver.

For more information, visit www.quicklabelsystems.com or call (877) 757-7978.

Tilting Pick Shelf Minimizes Handling

Jackson, N.J.-based Unex Manufacturing has just released its new Tilted Pick Shelf, which is designed to provide visibility and access at the pick point. Pickers can pick straight from the master carton so there is no double handling. The Tilted Pick Shelf can be used with any 36-, 42-, or 48-inch deep rack and comes in 30- and 48-inch front face widths. Made of galvanized steel, it can support 50 pounds per linear foot. It is installed by adjusting the beams of your own pallet rack and then dropping in the shelf, turning a single-deep rack into a "pick zone."

For more information, visit www.unex.com or call (800) 334-UNEX (8639).

Book/CD Set Aimsto Clarify Hazmat Regs

HAZMAT Packager and Shipper now offers a desk reference and compact disk set of the Letters of Interpretation and Clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations, 1993 - 2000. Issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the letters provide more than 750 clarifications.

The compact disk has search capabilities on all of the letters and on any word, phrase, or 49 CFR section number and is supplemented by an index of all interpretations with a short summary of each. It also has more than 60 full-length comments on the letters by HMT Associates' Andy Altemos, former U.S. DOT international standards coordinator and former secretary to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A six-month update will also be available on compact disk.

The bound desk reference contains more than 500 pages, and all letters are assigned page numbers and are summarized in an index. Letters appear in sections according to the 49 CFR, and all of Altemos' comments are grouped together in a separate section and cross referenced to the specific letter of interpretation.

The set costs $150 (plus shipping), with multiple order and professional association discounts available.

For more information, call (877) 429-7447.

Conveyor Features Electronic Sensing

Rapistan Systems has introduced an electronic sensing accumulation conveyor. The Model 1265 conveyor features standard components that snap fit to the pneumatic zone controls and can be retrofitted to existing conveyors with mechanical zone sensors. Controls for each accumulation zone consist of a logic module with a mode switch and a simple photo-eye connector.

For more information, visit www.rapistan.com or call (616) 913-7700.

New Pallet Holds Loads Weighing up to 2,800 Pounds

Buckhorn, a designer and manufacturer of returnable plastic packaging, has added the edge-rackable Universal Pallet to its line of materials-handling products. Available in both 48- by 40-inch and 48- by 42-inch sizes, the UP has an edge-racking capacity of up to 2,800 pounds without support. The pallet is suitable for use with racking and forklifts or with conveyors and lift tables.

The pallet has metal or plastic reinforcing rods molded in to match capacity/racking needs and anti-slip rubber plugs on its deck, rails, and feet to stabilize loads. The bottom deck can also be replaced or repaired if damaged. The pallet comes in no- lip, 1/4-inch lip, or 1-inch perimeter lip models to help prevent loads from shifting in transport. It has a four-way entry as well as beveled fork openings for alignment with fork tines. The pallet has ID labels, tags, and stamps for inventory control and pallet tracking.

For more information, visit www.buckhorninc.com or call (800) 543-4454.

Temp-Controlled Trailers Suitable for Range of Applications

Thermo King Corp. recently released two new temperature-controlled trailer units, the SB-300 and SB-200. These units are the first in a series of models that will be introduced over the next two years.

The 300 model is best suited for the truckload carrier that regularly hauls deep-frozen loads and have capacities of 64,000 Btu/hour at 35 degrees F; 37,000 Btu/hour at 0 degrees F; and 25,000 Btu/hour at -20 degrees F. The 200 model, by contrast, was created specifically for the carrier with load capacities of 60,000 Btu/hour at 35 degrees F; 32,000 Btu/hour at 0 degrees F; and 21,000 Btu/hour at -20 degrees F.

The capacities of these units have been increased by new high-capacity condensers. The 300 model also has a new high-capacity evaporator and high-output engine.

Some of the other standard features include an MP-VI Smart Reefer controller with an OptiSet temperature management system, electronic throttling valve, on-board DAS data logger, 12,000-hour long-life coolant and environmentally friendly R-404A refrigerant, model X430L compressor, and a three-year warranty.

For more information, visit www.thermoking.com .

Industrial Truck Lifts Workers to 14 Feet

Crown Equipment Corp.'s Commercial Products Group has designed a new vehicle called the WAVE, an acronym for Work Assist Vehicle. The vehicle, designed for use in most indoor applications, elevates a person and load (one normally carried by hand) to heights of up to 14 feet. It travels nearly twice as fast as the average walking speed. With a zero turn radius, the 30-inch wide WAVE can turn in a complete circle without traveling. The vehicle has an adjustable load tray with a capacity of 200 pounds.

The vehicle's safety features include a 20-inch raising limit for the operator's compartment unless the gates are closed. Once it reaches a height of 20 inches, the vehicle automatically reduces its speed to 2 mph. A top speed of 2.5 or 4.0 mph can also be selected with a control switch, useful in a tight area or in training new operators. The vehicle can only be moved when both of the operator's hands are on the controls and both feet are on the pedals.

For more information, call (765) 653-1926.

Security Seal Records Date, Time of Breach

TydenTek, a joint venture between TydenBrammall and Hi-G Tek, has launched the new DataSeal line of electronic seals and readers. The new cargo security and tracking systems store information about every opening and closing of the seal, including the exact time, date, and duration of each event. This information can then be read remotely by a TydenTek reader and linked to any existing communications device, including a central computer or field laptop PC.

One of these new DataSeal systems, the DataSeal Star system, allows data from several seals to be read simultaneously from a central location and from a distance of up to 65 feet, even while the cargo is moving. The system uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and electronic tags to log the goods and electronically track their delivery.

The DataSeal Active system is another version of the company's electronic seal. This seal, which is readable from a distance of two feet, collects data from up to 100 events. Events are defined as one seal opening and one closing. Data collected within the seal are downloaded via a hand-held TydenBrammall reader.

For more information, visit www.tydentek.com .

Electronic Tags Track Objects Within, Outside a Company

The French companies Air Liquide and Gemplus have launched a joint subsidiary, Athelia Solutions, which will market traceability solutions. These solutions, which are based on the use of electronic tags, will make it possible to track individual mobile objects both within and outside a company.

RFID (radio-frequency identification), which relies on an electronic label or "tag" and a reader connected to a computer, is the principal technology used in this project. RFID was chosen because it has the ability to retain information on the object itself, to update it by successive writes, and to read it even without direct contact with the tag, which can be hidden or integrated into the object.

The new company intends to offer customers a complete solution. This will include a study of the client's needs, setting up a planned solution and defining the various stages of the project, and developing the architecture for the recommended system as well as providing the necessary equipment and services for its implementation.

For more information, visit www.gemplus.com or call (0111 33) 4-42-36-6767.

Internet Resource Helps Manage Hazmat Spills

Spill Center, an environmental claims management company serving the transportation, chemical, and insurance industries, has introduced an Internet-based support service to help spill generators manage unintentional releases of hazardous materials and comply with government reporting regulations.

The Web site has been integrated with the company's traditional call center to provide Spill Center subscribers with detailed information about Spill Center services. New features of the site include:

• Spill reporting. Subscribers are able to report spill information 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the Spill Center's staff of legal, environmental, and technical specialists. Staff members handle all required local, state, and federal reporting.

• Contractor listings. On request, staff can provide names of qualified cleanup contractors from a database of more than 3,000 companies throughout North America.

• Contingency planning. Subscribers can submit detailed spill response and reporting instructions to be used by Spill Center staff to create customized contingency plans.

• News and information. Subscribers receive an electronic newsletter and view answers to users' questions from Spill Center President Tom Moses, an environmental lawyer and former toxicologist with the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information about Spill Center, visit www.spillcenter.com  or call (978) 568-1922.

X-One Tires Offer Alternative to Dual Tire Sets

Michelin says its new X-One single tire is a fuel-efficient alternative to the dual tire sets on tandem-axle tractors and trailers it replaces. The new tire is being introduced in drive pattern (XDA) and trailer (XTA) versions in a 445/50R22.5 size, which is interchangeable with dual low-profile 22.5 tires.

Switching from two wheels to one per axle end reduces weight, lowers rolling resistance, and improves fuel economy, says the manufacturer. Using fewer wheels also means fewer tires to mount, dismount, inspect, and rotate, resulting in less maintenance and driver downtime.

For more information, visit www.michelintruck.com or call (864) 458-5000.