FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, 4-AXIS ROBOTS

Adept Technology, Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., launched Lynx Enterprise Manager 1100, a new fleet management system for Adept's Lynx autonomous intelligent vehicles (AIVs). Lynx Enterprise Manager 1100 controls all aspects of operating a fleet of Lynx mobile robots, coordinating as many as 100 vehicles simultaneously to enable large-scale deployments for warehousing/logistics, manufacturing and semiconductor applications. Lynx AIVs provide rapid, traceable material movement in highly dynamic environments such as warehouses, distribution centers and factories. Lynx vehicles intelligently self-navigate, avoiding obstacles and selecting the best path to complete a task.

Adept also launched the Adept eCobra family of SCARA robots, which are 4-axis robots that provide users with advanced SCARA robotics in a controller-less architecture. Available in eCobra Lite, eCobra Standard and eCobra Pro tiers, each is designed to address different application complexity and throughput requirements. eCobra robot models are available in 600- and 800-mm-reach configurations, run on Adept's eV+ operating system and are applicable for mechanical assembly, material handling, packaging and other processes that require fast, precise automation.

Adept Technology, Inc.
800-292-3378
www.adept.com

LIFT IMPROVES FLEXIBILITY OF LIGHTWEIGHT CRANES

The new AL-System VL Lift from EMH, Engineered Material Handling, Valley City, Ohio, is a rigid electronic telescoping lifter that adds more flexibility and capability to a lightweight aluminum crane solution.

Configured to suit almost any application need, the anodized aluminum extrusions and enclosed rails maximize strength, provide longer durability and add aesthetics. Articulated anti-kick-up wheels deliver smooth and safe movement of the trolley inside the enclosed rail, while the free-moving cranes provide smooth operation and a low starting force, even when the load is at the end of the bridge.

This lift also features an exclusive EMH t-slot design for splicing two pieces of rail together, and works with a wide variety of integrating equipment, such as lifters, end-effectors, chain hoists and smart lifters. Plus, the EMH t-slot splice design eliminates bumps when a load is moved over track splices.

EMH, Engineered Material Handling
330-220-8600
www.emhcranes.com

LITERATURE DISPENSING SYSTEM

Canada-based PSI Engineering showcased the LC IN-Feeder 3000, featuring 2-stage separations for more consistent feeding of one item with large capacity loads. The LC IN-Feeder also includes front section buffer, which prepares products for the next cycle feed to aid in better separation of products and marketing material. This literature dispensing system automatically combines order-related media and marketing collateral with customers’ orders during the packaging on the fulfillment line, and is designed for quick changeovers for different media stock of various sizes. The LC IN-Feeder is a universal feeder that feeds high volumes of flat media such as books, cards, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, magazines, glossy and plain catalogs, any size brochures, paper and envelopes. Its load capacity extends to 48 inches of product, or up to 4,000 sheets of paper. Just load the LC IN-Feeder with order-related media and walk away.

PSI Engineering also unveiled its integrated end-of-line solution designed to enhance order fulfillment throughput, including peak orders and optimize repeat order profitably. The Rapid Flow Automated Pack Station is a drop-in ready solution at time of installation to reduce the amount of time and cost to get systems running on demand. This solution integrates software, conveyors, patented PSI systems and related inline equipment that is fully synchronized to print/insert or apply pack slips, ship labels and marketing collateral at high volumes. With a cycle time of up to 1,000 orders per hour, this solution serves mid- to high-order volume companies within the eCommerce, third-party logistics and consumer packaged goods industries. 

PSI Engineering
800-774-5758
www.psiengineering.com

PRINT-AND-APPLY LABELING MACHINE

The Numina Group, Woodridge, Ill., debuted its print-and-apply labeling machine, a robot that automates the application of packing sheets and shipping labels to dramatically reduce manual labor and increase throughput for omnichannel, B-to-B and internet shipments.

The apply on-the-fly label process provides the ability to apply a combination packing/information document and removable shipping label to every shipment. The top applied label includes an adhesive die-cut border around the label that allows for an easily removable packing sheet or up to two 8x11-inch single or duplex printed documents placed under the removable shipping label. The print-and-apply systems can be used with virtually any size and weight cartons up to 70 pounds.

This machine is based on a modular design using Ethernet-based controls to significantly increase the print-and-apply labeling speed and eliminate the bottleneck in traditional print-and-apply shipping/manifesting systems. The Ethernet control architecture more easily allows a customer to add additional functionality by selecting from a family of pack automation technologies to incorporate in-line void fill, sealer/tapers, weighing, dimensioning, auto document insert or auto apply of the packing slip to the outside of the carton.

Numina's pack-and-ship labeling automation systems are managed by its real-time distribution software RDS, a Tier 1 warehouse control and execution system that can easily scale from small to large DC operations and manage the entire order fulfillment operation and a full family of automation modules.

The Numina Group
630-343-2600
www.numinagroup.com

VERTICAL LIFT MODULE THAT UTILIZES BUILDING’S ENTIRE VERTICLE HEIGHT

The Numina Group and Italy-based Ferretto Group partnered to create the Vertimag, a tier 1 vertical lift module (VLM) platform that’s based on a modular design and can be scaled to a customer's specific size requirement, utilizing the entire vertical height of a building.

The Vertimag is equipped with Numina’s RDS voice picking to deliver faster product picking/retrieval with improved DC operation storage density.

Vertimag’stechnical features increase both shelf/tray size and load capacity with significantly higher storage and retrieval cycles while maintaining stated speed at full load capacity.

The design also allows the VLM to go beyond 50 feet with mechanically transportable storage shelves/trays with weight capacity up to 2,204 pounds. This provides storage density of more than 30% SKU capacity in as little as 200 square feet of floor space.

The  VLMs can be used standalone for parts and kitting in manufacturing and distribution, in a pod array of two or more synchronized units or in a hybrid design combining the dense VLM automated storage and retrieval technology within a traditional pick module .

Ferretto Group
+39 0444.349688
www.ferrettogroup.com

SMART GLASS TECHNOLOGY FOR WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT

The latest addition to pcdata’s portfolio of paperless-picking solutions is Distrib Augmented Reality (AR) AKA “smart glass” technology.  

Ideally suited for smaller operations or warehouses that demand greater flexibility, such as temporary locations or significantly fluctuating demand, the Distrib AR module is based on augmented reality with the use of wearable mobile technology. This high-performance, hands-free guided picking solution uses standard put- and pick-to-light features using LED lights, yet there is no need for fixed structures or hardware installation.

Distrib AR is basically a safety glass with a small camera and screen. Each location in the facility is designated by a 2-D barcode, optionally with the name of the customer below it. The operator takes an available product and confirms its quantity. Instead of looking up at the lights above each location for guidance, the operator looks through the smart glasses at a 2-D barcode mounted above each location. Through the smart glass camera, the 2-D barcode is identified, and instructions of what amount to put at that location project on the smart glass. The operator sees this as an instruction projected over the barcode. If no product is needed at a particular location marker, an instruction lets the operator know that that particular location can be bypassed, while showing the operator of the location of the next drop.

The customizable screen also features:

• A picking progress indicator that shows the activity in a progress bar.
• A look-ahead function, where the operator sees up to five positions simultaneously, allowing the possibility to most efficiently plan out actions.

The smart glass is fully integrated in the Distrib suite, which means all sorting, adding, cutting and filter options are also available.

Pcdata Inc.
855-844-1086
www.pcdatainc.com