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Day: 2 July 2021

Mobile packaging system supports salt supplier’s ambitions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leading robotics and automation company RMGroup has recently installed one of its innovative mobile packaging systems at PELOT Slovenia, part of the PELOT Group – a main supplier of sea and rock salt in the Republic of Croatia, Slovenia and neighbouring countries.

Used primarily for de-icing roads, the Group’s main objective was to be able to deliver salt to its customers in the shortest-possible timeframe, which during the winter season can amount to 2,500 – 3,000 tonnes of salt per day. With a growth in demand for PELOT Slovenia’s salt products, the firm needed increased mobility in its operation to enable it to service customers more quickly and efficiently, while also providing a bagging service for other businesses.

Following discussions with RMGroup, a mobile packaging system – the LTM 600 – was recommended as a solution. Consisting of a trailer chassis, the system combines manual placement of pre-made bags with an integrated ABB robot palletising system. Given its versatility, the model has also allowed PELOT Slovenia to switch between bag sizes with ease, so now it is able to pack various granules in bags from 10 to 25 kg.

As standard, RMGroup installed an inlet hopper feed system, load cell bag clamp, continuous heat sealer and bag preparation conveyor. The robot palletising system includes pallet magazine and pallet accumulation. Filled pallets are ejected from the line through a controlled speed door, onto gravity conveying. Also included is a compressor to deliver the correct air supply to the line, and a heating system to maintain an ambient temperature and warm environment for bagging.

For service and support, PELOT Slovenia has access to RMGroup’s highly-trained mechanical, electrical and control systems engineers. This provides a rapid response to any service or support requirements remotely via RMGroup’s eWON system – an internet based, remote access tool. The eWON system allows RMGroup to diagnose, respond and repair to any breakdowns or problems that may affect the customer and minimise expensive downtime.

“I had great confidence in working with RMGroup on my project,” said Dejan Mašovič, managing director, PELOT Slovenia. “They have a good reputation online and having read reviews and testimonials, we had the trust to invest in this project. From the start to finish, the communication and updates from RMGroup were excellent. I visited RMGroup’s site with my colleagues to see the machinery prior to the installation and was very happy. RMGroup has been highly professional throughout.”

Ed Pugh, RMGroup’s sales director, added: “As original innovators of the mobile bagging system incorporating robotic palletising, we are delighted to supply our flagship LTF800 to PELOT Slovenia. The whole project ran smoothly throughout and we are confident that the mobile solution will prove to be a wise investment for the business going forward.”

Mobile packaging system supports salt supplier’s ambitions

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading robotics and automation company RMGroup has recently installed one of its innovative mobile packaging systems at PELOT Slovenia, part of the PELOT Group – a main supplier of sea and rock salt in the Republic of Croatia, Slovenia and neighbouring countries.

Used primarily for de-icing roads, the Group’s main objective was to be able to deliver salt to its customers in the shortest-possible timeframe, which during the winter season can amount to 2,500 – 3,000 tonnes of salt per day. With a growth in demand for PELOT Slovenia’s salt products, the firm needed increased mobility in its operation to enable it to service customers more quickly and efficiently, while also providing a bagging service for other businesses.

Following discussions with RMGroup, a mobile packaging system – the LTM 600 – was recommended as a solution. Consisting of a trailer chassis, the system combines manual placement of pre-made bags with an integrated ABB robot palletising system. Given its versatility, the model has also allowed PELOT Slovenia to switch between bag sizes with ease, so now it is able to pack various granules in bags from 10 to 25 kg.

As standard, RMGroup installed an inlet hopper feed system, load cell bag clamp, continuous heat sealer and bag preparation conveyor. The robot palletising system includes pallet magazine and pallet accumulation. Filled pallets are ejected from the line through a controlled speed door, onto gravity conveying. Also included is a compressor to deliver the correct air supply to the line, and a heating system to maintain an ambient temperature and warm environment for bagging.

For service and support, PELOT Slovenia has access to RMGroup’s highly-trained mechanical, electrical and control systems engineers. This provides a rapid response to any service or support requirements remotely via RMGroup’s eWON system – an internet based, remote access tool. The eWON system allows RMGroup to diagnose, respond and repair to any breakdowns or problems that may affect the customer and minimise expensive downtime.

“I had great confidence in working with RMGroup on my project,” said Dejan Mašovič, managing director, PELOT Slovenia. “They have a good reputation online and having read reviews and testimonials, we had the trust to invest in this project. From the start to finish, the communication and updates from RMGroup were excellent. I visited RMGroup’s site with my colleagues to see the machinery prior to the installation and was very happy. RMGroup has been highly professional throughout.”

Ed Pugh, RMGroup’s sales director, added: “As original innovators of the mobile bagging system incorporating robotic palletising, we are delighted to supply our flagship LTF800 to PELOT Slovenia. The whole project ran smoothly throughout and we are confident that the mobile solution will prove to be a wise investment for the business going forward.”

Miralis and partners win smart-charging bid

Posted on by David Priestman

Miralis Data, a transport-focused software and data science company, has secured funding to extend its electric vehicle fleet smart charging research.

This Innovate UK-funded grant will enable Miralis, and project partners Envisij and Mina, to move their smart EV charging from feasibility to testing on real fleets with and tackle emerging challenges.

The government through its Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is leading the drive to address challenges associated with the transition to zero emission vehicles including the adoption by company fleets. This project, named FCSC or Fleet Connected Smart Charging, will produce a solution that enables fleets and their host sites to transition to electric vehicles quicker and more efficiently.

Will Maden, Research Director at Miralis, explains more about the need for the project: “One of the biggest crunch points for larger fleets transitioning to electric vehicles will be managing the supply of electricity. Most fleet managers will face challenges including how much charge different vehicles require, whilst trying to balance the most cost effective way to charge, and ensuring that site capacity is not compromised.”

The project will balance the expected charge needed for a varied fleet with the site’s electricity capacity. Energy management company Envisij will be partnering with Miralis to report real-time and projected site power capacity and site demand to Fuuse/Miralis. Miralis will devise a smart charging solution to optimise the remaining capacity, charging vehicles within cost and capacity parameters.

Committed to making paying for EV charging simple, EV payments startup Mina, will be focusing on home charging for fleets within the project, allowing the smart charging solution to be applied where fleets charge vehicles at employees’ homes.  Mina’s Fleet Charging solution already allows employees to charge at home, fleet managers receive one single invoice each month that captures both home and public charging together for their entire fleet. Within the FCSC project, they will begin testing the benefits of smart charging fleet vehicles at employees homes for the first time.

“The results of our partnership with Envisij and Mina on this project could be a real accelerator for the electrification of fleets,” added Maden. “We’re excited to break down the barriers to transition and make EV charging more accessible, cost-effective and easier to deliver.”

The project is set to kick off in August 2021 with a solution expected in spring 2022.

similar news

Miralis secures funding for on-the-move HGV charging

 

Miralis and partners win smart-charging bid

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Miralis Data, a transport-focused software and data science company, has secured funding to extend its electric vehicle fleet smart charging research.

This Innovate UK-funded grant will enable Miralis, and project partners Envisij and Mina, to move their smart EV charging from feasibility to testing on real fleets with and tackle emerging challenges.

The government through its Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is leading the drive to address challenges associated with the transition to zero emission vehicles including the adoption by company fleets. This project, named FCSC or Fleet Connected Smart Charging, will produce a solution that enables fleets and their host sites to transition to electric vehicles quicker and more efficiently.

Will Maden, Research Director at Miralis, explains more about the need for the project: “One of the biggest crunch points for larger fleets transitioning to electric vehicles will be managing the supply of electricity. Most fleet managers will face challenges including how much charge different vehicles require, whilst trying to balance the most cost effective way to charge, and ensuring that site capacity is not compromised.”

The project will balance the expected charge needed for a varied fleet with the site’s electricity capacity. Energy management company Envisij will be partnering with Miralis to report real-time and projected site power capacity and site demand to Fuuse/Miralis. Miralis will devise a smart charging solution to optimise the remaining capacity, charging vehicles within cost and capacity parameters.

Committed to making paying for EV charging simple, EV payments startup Mina, will be focusing on home charging for fleets within the project, allowing the smart charging solution to be applied where fleets charge vehicles at employees’ homes.  Mina’s Fleet Charging solution already allows employees to charge at home, fleet managers receive one single invoice each month that captures both home and public charging together for their entire fleet. Within the FCSC project, they will begin testing the benefits of smart charging fleet vehicles at employees homes for the first time.

“The results of our partnership with Envisij and Mina on this project could be a real accelerator for the electrification of fleets,” added Maden. “We’re excited to break down the barriers to transition and make EV charging more accessible, cost-effective and easier to deliver.”

The project is set to kick off in August 2021 with a solution expected in spring 2022.

similar news

Miralis secures funding for on-the-move HGV charging

 

TX Logistik expands Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection

Posted on by David Priestman

TX Logistik AG is increasing the frequency of its intermodal connection between the Lower Rhine and Sweden by two round trips. Starting on 5th July 2021, the rail freight logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will run five times a week from Kaldenkirchen in the Viersen district (North Rhine-Westphalia) to Malmö and back. The transports will be mainly trailers loaded with goods of all kinds.

The Railterminal in Kaldenkirchen is just a few hundred meters from the German-Dutch border and is centrally located in the triangle between Venlo, Düsseldorf and the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area. According to TX Logistik, there is a continuing demand for rail freight transport in this economically important region, as well as in the Scandinavian region. The fact that the Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection could be expanded just nine months after its launch shows that this corridor is important for the exchange of goods between Western and Northern Europe.

On the entire relation, all services are produced by TX under its own management with its own locomotive drivers and its own equipment. The route runs from Kaldenkirchen via Padborg and Copenhagen to the CMP terminal in Malmö. At the German-Danish border in Padborg, the locomotive drivers are changed, and the Swedish subsidiary TX Logistik AB takes over the traction there.

On the route over the Storebælt and Öresund bridges, specially equipped multi-system locomotives are used, which TX is one of the few companies to have in its fleet. Middle of June, TX Logistik received permission from the Danish supervisory authority to use the Storebælt Bridge for such transports again after it was generally closed to all transports of trailers in pocket wagons from January. The company was certified as fulfilling all official requirements for the safe transport of semi-trailers by rail.

The connection is operated as an open train system. Up to 38 semi-trailers can fit on one train – a shift that will lead to significant savings in CO2 emissions. In addition to the two new services, TX Logistik will continue to serve the terminal in Eskilstuna, around 100 kilometers west of Stockholm, three times a week from Malmö. The rail logistics company thus supplements the domestic network with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna, which currently operates seven round trips per week.

TX Logistik expands Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection

Posted on by Keith McKinley

TX Logistik AG is increasing the frequency of its intermodal connection between the Lower Rhine and Sweden by two round trips. Starting on 5th July 2021, the rail freight logistics company, which is part of the Mercitalia Group (Gruppo FS Italiane), will run five times a week from Kaldenkirchen in the Viersen district (North Rhine-Westphalia) to Malmö and back. The transports will be mainly trailers loaded with goods of all kinds.

The Railterminal in Kaldenkirchen is just a few hundred meters from the German-Dutch border and is centrally located in the triangle between Venlo, Düsseldorf and the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area. According to TX Logistik, there is a continuing demand for rail freight transport in this economically important region, as well as in the Scandinavian region. The fact that the Kaldenkirchen-Malmö connection could be expanded just nine months after its launch shows that this corridor is important for the exchange of goods between Western and Northern Europe.

On the entire relation, all services are produced by TX under its own management with its own locomotive drivers and its own equipment. The route runs from Kaldenkirchen via Padborg and Copenhagen to the CMP terminal in Malmö. At the German-Danish border in Padborg, the locomotive drivers are changed, and the Swedish subsidiary TX Logistik AB takes over the traction there.

On the route over the Storebælt and Öresund bridges, specially equipped multi-system locomotives are used, which TX is one of the few companies to have in its fleet. Middle of June, TX Logistik received permission from the Danish supervisory authority to use the Storebælt Bridge for such transports again after it was generally closed to all transports of trailers in pocket wagons from January. The company was certified as fulfilling all official requirements for the safe transport of semi-trailers by rail.

The connection is operated as an open train system. Up to 38 semi-trailers can fit on one train – a shift that will lead to significant savings in CO2 emissions. In addition to the two new services, TX Logistik will continue to serve the terminal in Eskilstuna, around 100 kilometers west of Stockholm, three times a week from Malmö. The rail logistics company thus supplements the domestic network with the national line between Trelleborg, Malmö and Eskilstuna, which currently operates seven round trips per week.

Geodis opens new Morocco warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Geodis continues to develop its logistics activities in Morocco and has inaugurated a new warehouse located north of Casablanca. This will serve one of the leaders in household appliances and telephony.

With a well-established presence in Casablanca, Geodis has chosen the city of Mohammedia to further expand its activities. The new 11,000 sq m ultra-secure warehouse will be dedicated to the supply chain management of household appliances and high-tech products.

In operation as of today, this new site reflects Geodis‘ ambition to expand in the Moroccan market, particularly to meet the requirements of customers in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector. Geodis is employing nearly 50 people at the site.

“Geodis has been established in Casablanca for 40 years. This year we are strengthening our presence in the Moroccan market with two new facilities. On 1st May we opened in Tangiers, and now in Mohammedia. These openings are central to our development strategy which targets the CPG, Automotive and Aerospace verticals,” says Jérôme Algier, Managing Director of Geodis in Morocco.

In Morocco, Geodis operates a total storage capacity of nearly 50,000 sq m and has a staff of 300 employees.

Geodis opens new Morocco warehouse

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Geodis continues to develop its logistics activities in Morocco and has inaugurated a new warehouse located north of Casablanca. This will serve one of the leaders in household appliances and telephony.

With a well-established presence in Casablanca, Geodis has chosen the city of Mohammedia to further expand its activities. The new 11,000 sq m ultra-secure warehouse will be dedicated to the supply chain management of household appliances and high-tech products.

In operation as of today, this new site reflects Geodis‘ ambition to expand in the Moroccan market, particularly to meet the requirements of customers in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector. Geodis is employing nearly 50 people at the site.

“Geodis has been established in Casablanca for 40 years. This year we are strengthening our presence in the Moroccan market with two new facilities. On 1st May we opened in Tangiers, and now in Mohammedia. These openings are central to our development strategy which targets the CPG, Automotive and Aerospace verticals,” says Jérôme Algier, Managing Director of Geodis in Morocco.

In Morocco, Geodis operates a total storage capacity of nearly 50,000 sq m and has a staff of 300 employees.

STILL adds NXV narrow aisle truck to range

Posted on by David Priestman

The new STILL NXV guarantees convenient, safe, and fast warehouse processes. The narrow aisle truck (man-down) is particularly effective in high and narrow warehouse aisles. At storage heights of up to 13.8 metres, the active load stabilisation, and the fork camera help to prevent damage to the racking. In addition, a positioning aid provides extra safety and speed when picking up load carriers.

The new vehicle passed its first practical test in a field study at Bad Heilbrunner GmbH & Co. KG with flying colours. The manufacturer of herbal medicinal teas from Upper Bavaria was so impressed by the new truck that they immediately ordered an NXV.

The test drivers were particularly satisfied with the ergonomic components of the truck. Numerous details, such as the ergonomic driver’s seat with optional tilt technology, the proportional seat and footplate adjustment or the possibility of adapting all operating elements to the driver’s ergonomics, not only make the vehicle particularly comfortable, but also ensure a very good view of the fork tips.

In combination with the Joystick 4Plus, the truck can be operated very smoothly, which leads to a significant increase in turnover.

Camera and positioning aids for more safety

In picking up load carriers, the new cross line laser facilitates the safe and quick positioning of the forks at the right height and in the middle of the load carrier. The camera mounted on the inside of the forks with image transmission to the driver’s monitor provides optimum visibility when picking up the load. In combination with the active load stabilisation, collision damage, breakage of goods and personal injury caused by falling loads are effectively avoided even at great heights.

An optional position laser on the mast supports the horizontal approach to the correct rack position. When the laser pointer aligns with the corresponding mark on the racking, the correct approach position has been reached. With the help of the fork camera, the load is lifted to the correct lifting height quickly and easily.

Variable load pick-up due to turret head fork

The NXV’s turret head fork is suitable for picking up almost any pallet and enables the transfer of load carriers to a conveyor system. Due to the very small dimensions of the pivoting and turnable turret head fork, almost any space in the high-bay warehouse can be optimally used. Pallets can be picked up smoothly and quietly to the right and left of the aisle without having to turn the NXV.

Together with the active load stabilisation, the turret head mechanism makes storage and retrieval more comfortable, faster, and more precise. Another noticeable improvement is the automatic fork cycle, i.e. the automatic extension, lowering and retraction of the turret head fork at the touch of a button.

Semi-automatic shelf approach possible

However, the technical capabilities of the NXV are only fully exploited with the OPTISPEED vehicle concept or the iGo pilot navigation interface. With this, the NXV communicates with the warehouse management system and connects the processes in the warehouse into an intelligent whole.

When the driver receives a transport order, the vehicle knows the next storage location in the high rack to approach. The forklift truck thus independently finds its way through the warehouse aisles. This eliminates the possibility of incorrect retrievals.

Lithium-ion technology for increased availability

The NXV is an efficient and compact bundle of energy that also boasts high availability thanks to Li-Ion technology. As there are no more battery changes and intermediate charging is possible with very short charging times – wherever there are power sockets – flexible use is guaranteed.

In combination with the long service life of the maintenance-free Li-Ion battery, operating costs and CO2 emissions are reduced. In addition, the high vehicle availability is also increased by the – compared to lead-acid batteries – larger battery capacity.

Adapting forklift trucks to customer needs

No two high bay warehouses are alike, as we all know. So, it makes sense to adapt forklift trucks to the customer’s needs – to the loads to be transported, for example, or to the possible growth of the company. Thanks to their modular design, STILL narrow-aisle trucks can be configured specifically to meet the operator’s needs.

Different battery compartments, masts or telescopic and turret head forks are used. This also applies to the new NXV. Due to its scalable dimensions, it can be used very flexibly even in the tightest spaces with loads of up to 1.5 tonnes.

STILL adds NXV narrow aisle truck to range

Posted on by David Priestman

The new STILL NXV guarantees convenient, safe, and fast warehouse processes. The narrow aisle truck (man-down) is particularly effective in high and narrow warehouse aisles. At storage heights of up to 13.8 metres, the active load stabilisation, and the fork camera help to prevent damage to the racking. In addition, a positioning aid provides extra safety and speed when picking up load carriers.

The new vehicle passed its first practical test in a field study at Bad Heilbrunner GmbH & Co. KG with flying colours. The manufacturer of herbal medicinal teas from Upper Bavaria was so impressed by the new truck that they immediately ordered an NXV.

The test drivers were particularly satisfied with the ergonomic components of the truck. Numerous details, such as the ergonomic driver’s seat with optional tilt technology, the proportional seat and footplate adjustment or the possibility of adapting all operating elements to the driver’s ergonomics, not only make the vehicle particularly comfortable, but also ensure a very good view of the fork tips.

In combination with the Joystick 4Plus, the truck can be operated very smoothly, which leads to a significant increase in turnover.

Camera and positioning aids for more safety

In picking up load carriers, the new cross line laser facilitates the safe and quick positioning of the forks at the right height and in the middle of the load carrier. The camera mounted on the inside of the forks with image transmission to the driver’s monitor provides optimum visibility when picking up the load. In combination with the active load stabilisation, collision damage, breakage of goods and personal injury caused by falling loads are effectively avoided even at great heights.

An optional position laser on the mast supports the horizontal approach to the correct rack position. When the laser pointer aligns with the corresponding mark on the racking, the correct approach position has been reached. With the help of the fork camera, the load is lifted to the correct lifting height quickly and easily.

Variable load pick-up due to turret head fork

The NXV’s turret head fork is suitable for picking up almost any pallet and enables the transfer of load carriers to a conveyor system. Due to the very small dimensions of the pivoting and turnable turret head fork, almost any space in the high-bay warehouse can be optimally used. Pallets can be picked up smoothly and quietly to the right and left of the aisle without having to turn the NXV.

Together with the active load stabilisation, the turret head mechanism makes storage and retrieval more comfortable, faster, and more precise. Another noticeable improvement is the automatic fork cycle, i.e. the automatic extension, lowering and retraction of the turret head fork at the touch of a button.

Semi-automatic shelf approach possible

However, the technical capabilities of the NXV are only fully exploited with the OPTISPEED vehicle concept or the iGo pilot navigation interface. With this, the NXV communicates with the warehouse management system and connects the processes in the warehouse into an intelligent whole.

When the driver receives a transport order, the vehicle knows the next storage location in the high rack to approach. The forklift truck thus independently finds its way through the warehouse aisles. This eliminates the possibility of incorrect retrievals.

Lithium-ion technology for increased availability

The NXV is an efficient and compact bundle of energy that also boasts high availability thanks to Li-Ion technology. As there are no more battery changes and intermediate charging is possible with very short charging times – wherever there are power sockets – flexible use is guaranteed.

In combination with the long service life of the maintenance-free Li-Ion battery, operating costs and CO2 emissions are reduced. In addition, the high vehicle availability is also increased by the – compared to lead-acid batteries – larger battery capacity.

Adapting forklift trucks to customer needs

No two high bay warehouses are alike, as we all know. So, it makes sense to adapt forklift trucks to the customer’s needs – to the loads to be transported, for example, or to the possible growth of the company. Thanks to their modular design, STILL narrow-aisle trucks can be configured specifically to meet the operator’s needs.

Different battery compartments, masts or telescopic and turret head forks are used. This also applies to the new NXV. Due to its scalable dimensions, it can be used very flexibly even in the tightest spaces with loads of up to 1.5 tonnes.

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