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Day: 27 March 2024

Innovations Offering Explosion Protection

Posted on by David Priestman

Linde Material Handling will be presenting innovations from its explosion protection range at ACHEMA. The three electric pallet truck models of the Linde T16 EX to T20 EX series feature compact dimensions and are designed for transporting loads in the tightest of spaces. Another new product on offer for explosion-protected counterbalanced trucks is the artificial intelligence (AI)-based “Reverse Assist Camera” system. It identifies people to the rear of the truck and alerts drivers of potential collisions, providing targeted and gradual warnings.

“Each new explosion-protected truck model from Linde MH is developed from the outset together with the pilot series for the standard version. This allows customers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries to benefit from the technical refinements at an early stage,” explains Elke Karnarski, Product Manager EX-Proof Trucks & Safety Solutions at Linde Material Handling.

Explosion protected equipment

The introduction of the Linde T16 EX to T20 EX series marks the debut of new compact pedestrian pallet trucks on the market. Featuring a robust chassis and reinforced forks, they are designed for loads of up to two tons. The models are available in the 2G/2D and 3G/3D equipment categories for ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. The narrow design, tight turning radius and intuitive steering and controls make the trucks quick and easy to maneuver in confined spaces. Explosion protection measures include ignition protection against electrical and mechanical sparks, continuous temperature monitoring of relevant components and precautions to prevent electrostatic charging.

The low-mounted tiller ensures ample safety distance from the operator, while the active foot protection guard and the deep-drawn chassis provide additional protection against injury. Information on important vehicle parameters – such as the battery charge status and the next required service check – is available via the centrally positioned multifunctional display. The Linde EX-Monitoring app displays safety-related readings and provides operators and fleet managers with specific instructions if necessary. At the same time, the application enables preventive, bundled maintenance measures, thus ensuring high operational availability of the vehicles.

AI-based person detection for intelligent accident prevention

With the Linde Reverse Assist Camera, an innovative assistance system is now becoming suitable for use in truck categories 2G/2D (ATEX zone 1/21) and 3G/3D (ATEX zone 2/22). The camera, which was developed using artificial intelligence, has “learned” to distinguish between people and objects. If a person is detected, it emits visual and acoustic warnings, depending on the distance. In addition, an automatic reduction in driving speed can be activated to further minimize the risk of accidents. The display and camera are housed in pressure-resistant enclosures to allow for use in ATEX zone 1/21.

“The demand for safety assistance systems that can be used with explosion-protected industrial trucks has increased noticeably in recent years,” says Product Manager Elke Karnarski. “This is not least due to the fact that in many cases they are part of a mixed fleet with standard trucks. Existing assistance systems should accordingly be installed across all vehicles in order to achieve a uniformly high level of safety,” she explains.

The Linde Safety Guard is certified for ATEX zone 2/22. Equipped with so-called “Truck Units”, the vehicles communicate via signals in the UWB area through racks and can locate each other. If the distance falls below a defined level, the system reduces the driving speed. This technology can also be used to regulate speed zones for entire halls or specific sections using so-called “zone markers”. In addition, the Linde Safety Guard acts as a “gatekeeper”, allowing only EX-protected vehicles to enter the ATEX zones.

Customized solutions for special application scenarios

Customized solutions developed for individual applications are not uncommon for explosion-protected industrial trucks. One example is the “drum cradle”. This specially designed pallet stacker with additional attachments on display at the Linde booth can transport 300-liter drums as well as pick up open drums, tip them and empty the liquid inside. The integrated scales are accurate to 500 grams. Operation of the drum clamping functions is carried out either via a control lever or remotely for optimal visibility during the tipping process.

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Fleet Safety Enhanced by AI Dash Cams

Posted on by David Priestman

Quest has selected Samsara, the pioneer of the Connected Operations™ Cloud, to enhance the safety of its fleet operations. By harnessing Samsara’s video-centric safety solution, Quest is set to utilise AI Dash Cams, driver coaching tools, and actionable data to establish a world-class fleet safety initiative.

In conjunction with an existing program that focuses on annual driving behaviour training, Samsara’s AI Dash Cams and driver coaching tools are poised to deliver tangible benefits, including the reduction of accidents, the prevention of false claims, and a decrease in operational costs. The video-driven safety solution leverages advanced AI technology and g-force accelerometer data to provide real-time insights to fleet managers. Among these insights are the detection of distracted driving, instances of harsh braking and acceleration, and tailgating, all of which contribute to preventing accidents proactively.

This innovative technology enhances driver conduct through audible in-cab alerts that draw attention to high-risk behaviours and incidents. Moreover, safety reports and user-friendly workflows, including driver safety scores and risk assessments, facilitate scalable driver coaching and incentivise safe driving practices. Furthermore, by making use of the Samsara Driver mobile app, Quest can introduce driver-centric gamification and establish employee reward programs, further fostering a culture of safety among its workforce.

Dave Smithson (pictured), the Transport Manager at Quest, expressed his satisfaction with the successful trial of Samsara’s innovative technology. He mentioned, “We are thrilled to work with Samsara to elevate our driver safety efforts to the next level. This technology will empower us to provide guidance and support to our team members for enhancing their driving behaviour. Moreover, it offers us a standardised approach for incident reviews and driver monitoring.”

Fleet Safety

In addition to establishing a comprehensive fleet safety program, Quest plans to harness the capabilities of Samsara’s Connected Operations Platform. This platform will provide real-time fleet visibility, ensuring enhanced productivity through better fuel and maintenance planning, continuous monitoring of assets and equipment, and cost reduction. This also includes the ability to robustly defend against legal and insurance claims, thus safeguarding the well-being of employees, the company, and public safety.

Philip van der Wilt, SVP and GM of EMEA, Samsara, added: “It’s exciting work with Quest to accelerate their digital transformation efforts. We look forward to providing them with the insights and real-time data they need to create a real-world impact on safety, for their employees, customers and the community within which they operate.”

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Webinar: Empowering People, Enhancing Performance

Posted on by David Priestman

A new Webinar from Logistics Business is now available to watch on-demand. In association with Koerber Supply Chain and BES, Editor Peter MacLeod talks to Alex Parkinson, Business Analyst at Koerber about a warehouse upgrade project for BES in Birmingham. BES Operations Manager Steve Standley explains the before and after set-up for picking and ecommerce and what benefits automation, WMS and voice tech have brought.

Watch the Webinar here now.

BES are a plumbing, gas and heating trade supplier selling products and brands ranging from Bosch tools to Danfoss thermostats, Grohe taps to Grundfos pumps, Triton showers to Bostik glue. This inventory, in a 80,000 sq. ft. DC in central Birmingham, with 15000 SKUs and 1500 orders per day is a challenge in terms of suitable storage, picking and despatch. The company went from a paper-based operation to an automated voice and WMS solution in a project with Koerber Supply Chain.

The key benefits were:
• 15% reduction in total staff hours used
• 43% increase in productivity
• 88% reduction in training time for new staff
• 50% reduction in staff needed to check orders after picking
• 5 tonnes of paper saved per year (750,000 sheets) + printing costs
• Pick-up times on collection orders reduced to 30 minutes

Flexible Solution Required

“We brought technology to the workplace,” Operations Manager Steve Standley says. BES is a 45-year-old company and ecommerce took-off during covid. “Initially, for the extra orders, we just hired more staff. But that made us top-heavy for pick and pack. We needed to speed up and possibly reduce the head count,” he explains. The old system saw orders generate two copies of every despatch note. One went round the warehouse and one to the customer. There was a lot of walking involved as staff went round the facility to find and collect each item for an order. Having automated these processes considerable efficiencies have been made. BES upped staff pay and amended hours as well.

“It was a bit chicken and egg,” Standley says. “Should we introduce technology first or introduce efficient practises?” A new picking solution was required to help with the additional volumes. Installation, which commenced in March 2023 and was completed last August, needed to be done whilst order numbers continued to grow. “Testing was straightforward. Training is easy. Showing new starters the aisle and stock locations is the main thing.”

Empowering People
Empowering People

Major customers order in big quantities. Plumbers purchase parts for regular jobs. Consumers buy items for home delivery. BES ship via DX for odd sized and large products (overnight via the DX network), DPD for regular parcels and Royal Mail for items under 2kg. The decision was made to divide the DC into four zones, accordingly, from bulk down to small, plus a VIP area. Workers now wheel a roll cage of small or medium totes to the appropriate zone to pick into up to 20 totes at a time, before returning to the loading area.

Order Prioritisation

Another challenge for the upgrade project was to reduce the time taken to pick items meant for collection by customers on-site to be halved, to just 30 minutes. Instead of printed orders being sifted through, the new picking system recognises the warehouse’s own postcode as the destination. “It then jumps to the front of the queue to pick immediately,” Standley informs. “Its hard to get the balance between collection orders and ones for delivery. An unique balance is achieved.”

The new system includes Koerber WMS, voice tech, modules and middleware, plus the four Kardex Megamat carousels (pictured) that were already in use at the DC. The picker no longer needs to input part numbers on the carousel’s control panel. This is a no-touch solution thanks to the Koerber API ordering items in batches. Quite a lot of work was done by Koerber in achieving this interface. “We did have two staff per machine,” Standley continues, “now one person goes to it (and says ‘Ready’) when around 30 orders are ready. So they can go, pick elsewhere and come back. There’s less walking involved.”

What about fast-moving items and stock location? “We wanted accuracy. Quality was paramount.” Standley emphasised. “Phase 2 of the project will take us further, handling inbound products from suppliers and maybe having a dedicated area for fast-movers. We’re also looking at same-day delivery options.”

Watch more webinars here

I-Pack Delivers Automated Packaging Performance

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading Finnish logistics services provider Inex Partners Oy has partnered with SEE to enhance packaging automation, as part of its strategy to further improve efficiencies, automated packaging performance, customer satisfaction and capacity for managing sales peaks.

Inex handles fulfilment and distribution of E-Commerce orders for one of Finland’s largest retailers. The logistics company picks, packs and sends a variety of products from its distribution centre in Sipoo, Finland to consumers right across the country. Goods range in size, shape and weight, and Inex was keen to invest in the latest packaging automation to boost performance.

Packaging challenges

A high volume of products, ranging from clothing through to personal care items and hardware, are sold through the retailer’s E-Commerce channel. Packaging these different goods can create multiple challenges.

Pasi Siilmaa, Vice President, Consumer Goods Logistics at Inex, explains: “Varying product weights and dimensions can lead to overpackaging and wasted space in boxes. Our goal is to avoid this, as it isn’t sustainable and can negatively impact end-customer satisfaction. These factors can also increase operating costs and cause packaging inconsistencies that risk product damage and unhappy consumers.

“Fulfilment of different products can also slow packaging lines, with this challenge intensified during peak trading when E-Commerce orders spike significantly. Our goal was to invest in an automated packaging solution that can deliver both high speeds and precision packaging.”

An automated solution

To achieve Inex’s goal, SEE specified its I-Pack® Void Reduction System. The automated solution has been specifically designed for high-volume E-Commerce fulfilment, where packaging efficiency, speed and protection are crucial.

Garance Kropp, Sales Representatives for the Nordics at SEE, explains: “I-Pack® technology has been developed to optimise fulfilment and packaging processes by automatically adjusting pack sizes. The automated system calculates product dimensions to rightsize, fold, close and seal corrugated boxes according to the exact size of what is being packaged. Unnecessary voids in boxes are eliminated, which reduces packaging material usage and overpackaging. As well as delivering cost savings on excessive packaging, this can also reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions, because more customer orders can be loaded per delivery vehicle.”

I-Pack® uses a mechanical sensor plate to process boxes, and depending on size, can package between 400 to 900 boxes per hour. The automated packaging solution also sizes and folds boxes using no knife technology to reduce potential hazards for operators and to lower the total cost of ownership for Inex.

Automated Packaging Performance

Pasi Siilmaa concluded: “It’s our responsibility to process E-Commerce orders quickly, efficiently, and effectively, so that customers receive them on time and in perfect condition. SEE understands this and specified a solution that produces high-quality, easy-to-open packages at high speed, and which can effectively deal with spikes in sales and customer orders.

“Inex is proud to be an innovative organisation that implements the latest solutions to improve performance. SEE’s automated packaging solution has enabled us to double productivity in picking and packing, and is a great fit for how we work and achieving our goals.”

Seamless Integration Solution

Ferag spearheaded the thorough development of the overall solution design. Embarking on a journey of quality and efficiency, this chapter unveils Ferag’s collaborative prowess with sub-suppliers, presenting a meticulously layout solution that seamlessly integrates conveyor lines, inkjets, labelers, and sorting units, while ensuring the implementation of an advanced EAS alarm detection system and overseeing the flawless installation and commissioning of the production line. Notably, the Intralogistics Specialist’s commitment extends beyond proprietary components, naturally integrating both its own and third-party elements if needed with an unwavering focus on meeting and exceeding customer needs and requirements.

“We are delighted and privileged to announce our partnership with INEX Partners”, says Marko Roini, Managing Director at Ferag Nordic OY. “We have been chosen as the trusted partner to develop the solution design and layout of their packing automation line, a testament to our expertise and innovation in the field. We have ensured the full integration of all modules to provide a seamless and efficient packaging process”.

The challenge was significant yet exciting; “INEX sought to double their productivity in e-commerce packaging processes. We rose to this challenge with enthusiasm and dedication together with SEE seamless co-operation” continues Marko Roini, and ads: “We are confident that our state-of-the-art solution will not only meet but exceed expectations, marking a significant milestone in INEX’s journey towards enhanced efficiency and productivity.”

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Omni-channel integration during ongoing operations

 

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