Subscribe

Category: Latest News

Improve ladder safety with Laddertag from Scafftag

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In order to improve ladder safety, Laddertag is the original and industry leading status tagging system for ladders. Laddertag is a robust and highly visible system, instantly showing the ladder is in date for it’s thorough examination, the ladder’s inspection period and a guide to the pre-use and in-use visual inspections to be carried out by the operative.  This clear system has been adopted by thousands of leading ISO 9000 companies. A complete range of ladder inspection systems are available to control your ladder safety, inspections, maintenance and identification. Shop for Laddertag now

Scafftag helps companies stay compliant and up to date with latest Standards. The Ladder Inspection Guide Poster notes the do’s don’ts and best practice, while the Yellow Book offers the ‘ladder management’ element. Guidance, Risk Assessment, Ladder Register and Inspection Report – total compliance in it’s simplest form.

Ladder Inspection Guide Poster

This is a A2 wall sheet designed to help with ladder safety, which has been updated to align with BS EN 131. Ladder Inspection Guide Poster details key components, user’s do’s and don’ts and legislation requirements.

The Yellow Book Ladder Inspection Records

The Yellow Book from Scafftag is the must have ladder accessory!  Make maintaining safety of your ladders simple and compliant. Combining all the elements required to manage your ladders (steps, fixed, pole and hop-ups) in one protective binder.

It contains legislative and risk assessment guidance, ladder register, inspection reports and fault notifications.

Scafftag’s Yellow Book helps you to comply with legislative requirements and good practices of:

Conducting a risk assessment

Inspecting and maintaining equipment at suitable periods as deemed appropriate by a risk assessment

Maintaining a record of all timed, written inspections

Maintaining the important Ladder Register

Ensuring the life-cycle of the ladder is documented

Refills of ladder inspection reports, notification of fault reports and ladder registers are also available for. Several numerical combinations of holders and inserts are now available to accommodate all requirements – from just 1 ladder upwards (for management of multiple ladders, consider Safetrak – the electronic management system.  Streamlining reporting and minimizing paperwork)!

Are you looking for simplicity and compliance?  Choose one of Scafftag’s Ladder Inspection Kits. Ladder management kits from Scafftag offer a convenient solution for ladder inspection including Laddertags, a handy pocket guide and the step by step ladder management system.

You can find all useful tools for your Ladder Safety compliance at one place. Directly from the world class producer and made in UK!

 

Check them out or buy them right away >>

 

Vertical Edge Protection for Bundled Products

Posted on by David Priestman

The Mosca EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H by Mosca is high-end strapping machine. It is now available with a vertical edge protection applicator – which makes it ideal for users who need to secure sensitive products, plastic crates, or other stacked goods. The edge protection system automatically attaches four cardboard edge protectors to the product to be secured. This not only protects the edges during transport, it also joins products stacked in layers to form a bundle – offering an eco-friendly alternative to stretch wrapping. Different edge protector sizes and large buffers offer companies maximum flexibility for different products and high throughput.

Introduced in 2017, the EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H was the first horizontal strapping machine to feature Mosca’s ultrasonic technology. This high-speed unit uses mechanical vibrations instead of heat to weld strap ends and ensure a secure seal – especially on bulky furniture or kitchen appliances. The edge protection feeder applies edge protectors made of recyclable cardboard and thus extends the scope of EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H applications to other industries. Mosca GmbH CEO Timo Mosca explains: “Companies in the food and beverage industry are looking for eco-friendly alternatives when it comes to securing goods for transport. An edge protection applicator offers significant potential for users who, for instance, need to secure plastic crates stacked on top of each other. In the past, this was done with stretch wrapping machines.” Cardboard edge protectors offer a material-saving alternative to stretch wrapping, which requires a relatively large amount of plastic film to create a bundle. They are also suitable for sensitive products, such as fruit and vegetables packed in crates that cannot be wrapped in plastic. The new machine feature is also available to customers who already use an EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H in their production line. “We can easily upgrade existing machines with the edge protection applicator,” says Timo Mosca.

Fully automated strapping

The EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H is specially designed for use in fully automated production lines. That’s why the edge protection system is also fully automatic. Four photoelectric sensors detect the edges of a product placed on the machine. The edge protection applicator then guides cardboard angles to all four edges in parallel and gently places them on the product. To optimally secure the bundle, the machine uses its movable strap guide frame to strap the product and the edge protectors horizontally at multiple positions. Using Mosca or OEM conveyor technology, the product is then forwarded for vertical strapping or direct transport. The EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H can double strap up to 150 bundles per hour.

Large edge protection magazine for maximum flexibility

The EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H has been reliably strapping products in different sizes since its introduction in 2017. Reliability was also a key focus in the development of the edge protection system. Its magazine can be filled with cardboard angles in three different formats to accommodate edge protectors ranging from 600 to 2400 mm in length with a side length of 40×40 to 60×60 mm and a material thickness of 2-6 mm. This enables users to flexibly choose the edge protectors that best match their products and requirements while avoiding unnecessary material expenditure. Each of the twelve edge protector buffers holds up to 55 edge protectors with a thickness of three millimetres. This ensures maximum machine availability even at high throughput rates.

Additional applications for pallet strapping machines

In addition to the application for the EVOLUTION SoniXs MS-6 H, Mosca will soon offer the newly developed edge protection system for other horizontal strapping machines, including the KOV-315 and its variants: KOB-315 and KOH-315. These fully automatic pallet strapping machines are commonly used in the construction industry as well as for bulky items. The edge protectors can be used to bundle bricks and other stacked products. Thanks to the machine’s extremely high strap tension, heavy goods can be reliably secured for safe transport. For sensitive products, such as freshly produced aerated concrete (Ytong) bricks, the cardboard angles protect the delicate product edges from transport damage.

IDS Launches New Camera Family for Industrial Applications

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new uEye XLE camera family from IDS (pictured) has been developed for high-volume and price-sensitive projects, ideal for industrial applications.

Affordable, compact and powerful

Thanks to their space-saving design, practical USB3 interface and support of the USB3 Vision
Standard, the industrial cameras can be easily integrated into any machine vision system. Customers can
choose between single-board cameras with or without C-/CS-mount or S-mount as well as variants with
coated plastic housing. The first models will be equipped with the light-sensitive 5 MP sensor ON Semiconductor AR0521.

There are almost no limits to the possible applications of the new camera family. “It will prove its worth in small appliance construction, measurement technology, transport and even agricultural applications,” explains Jürgen Hejna, Product Manager at IDS. The cameras also show their strengths in classic industrial applications such as surface inspection. Thanks to their compact dimensions, the models fit into the smallest of spaces, for example as embedded vision solutions. The price-optimised design makes the cameras particularly interesting for applications where costs are the main concern. Therefore, the company also offers a large number of inexpensive lenses for the cameras.

All uEye XLE camera models feature a USB3 interface (SuperSpeed USB, 5 Gpbs) and are 100 percent GenICamcompliant. The cameras can be used with any software that supports the USB3 Vision Standard. For an optimal user experience, the company recommends the use of IDS peak. The free SDK includes all necessary components from source code samples to transport layer, so that customers can start developing their own applications right away.

IDS Launches New Camera Family for Industrial Applications

Posted on by David Priestman

The new uEye XLE camera family from IDS (pictured) has been developed for high-volume and price-sensitive projects, ideal for industrial applications.

Affordable, compact and powerful

Thanks to their space-saving design, practical USB3 interface and support of the USB3 Vision
Standard, the industrial cameras can be easily integrated into any machine vision system. Customers can
choose between single-board cameras with or without C-/CS-mount or S-mount as well as variants with
coated plastic housing. The first models will be equipped with the light-sensitive 5 MP sensor ON Semiconductor AR0521.

There are almost no limits to the possible applications of the new camera family. “It will prove its worth in small appliance construction, measurement technology, transport and even agricultural applications,” explains Jürgen Hejna, Product Manager at IDS. The cameras also show their strengths in classic industrial applications such as surface inspection. Thanks to their compact dimensions, the models fit into the smallest of spaces, for example as embedded vision solutions. The price-optimised design makes the cameras particularly interesting for applications where costs are the main concern. Therefore, the company also offers a large number of inexpensive lenses for the cameras.

All uEye XLE camera models feature a USB3 interface (SuperSpeed USB, 5 Gpbs) and are 100 percent GenICamcompliant. The cameras can be used with any software that supports the USB3 Vision Standard. For an optimal user experience, the company recommends the use of IDS peak. The free SDK includes all necessary components from source code samples to transport layer, so that customers can start developing their own applications right away.

Warehouse REIT Strengthens Finance and Investment teams

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Warehouse REIT, the UK REIT that invests in and manages urban and ‘last-mile’ industrial warehouse assets for e-commerce in strategic locations across the UK, announces that its external investment advisor, Tilstone Partners Limited, has appointed Adrian Daminato (pictured above) as Head of Financial Planning and Reporting and Dan Ragonez (pictured below) as Senior Investment Analyst. Adrian and Dan join the expanding team responsible for advising Warehouse REIT on their diversified warehouse portfolio, which now exceeds seven million sq ft with a value of c. £563 million.

 Adrian will report directly to Finance Director Peter Greenslade and will oversee financial planning and analysis, further boosting the firm’s financial analysis capabilities. Adrian is a Chartered Accountant with over 13 years’ experience in accounting, reporting and financial planning and control. He has held a number of roles in the real estate sector including most recently as Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at CLS Holdings, a FTSE 250 business with over £2bn of assets under management in the UK, Germany and France.

 Dan is a Chartered Accountant with an MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics and brings 11 years of financial analysis, investment appraisal and transaction experience, skills which are immediately transferable to the REIT’s pipeline of new opportunities. He was previously a senior real estate analyst at an Australian private equity fund manager and mezzanine debt boutique, having also held roles at JP Morgan and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 Peter Greenslade, Finance Director of Tilstone Partners, the Investment Advisor, commented: “These appointments underline our commitment to continued growth and strengthening the quality of the team to ensure that Tilstone can unlock the full potential of the Warehouse REIT portfolio.

 “Adrian brings strong technical and analytical skills which will be invaluable in supporting the growing finance function, whilst Dan’s experience in securing and appraising value-added and opportunistic deals will help support us in identifying optimum investment opportunities, which will be fundamental in enhancing and supporting our growth ambitions. We are pleased to welcome both Adrian and Dan to the Tilstone team and recognise that these high calibre appointments are a strong endorsement of the direction that we are taking the business.”

 

Doosan Launch low-cost NXE Series Electric Forklifts

Posted on by David Priestman

Doosan has launched the NXE Series – a versatile range of four-wheel electric counterbalance forklift trucks suited to the needs of the small-to-medium size enterprise (SME), or where occasional usage or light duties are the norm.

This electric equivalent of Doosan’s ‘value’ GX IC engine range, offers all the advantages of electric power in a series of competitively priced four-wheel models, giving occasional users a reliable low-cost ‘buy new’ alternative to purchasing a second-hand or reconditioned forklift truck.

Available in four models – B20NS, B25NS, B30NS and B35NS – across a capacity range from 2.0 to 3.5 tonnes, the new Doosan NXE Series is engineered to deliver high performance, reliability and safety at a reasonable cost. Productivity is maximised through the combination of a highly efficient IP67 rated Curtis AC controller, high performance motor and robust drive axle – giving optimum power and control over travel and lifting/lowering speeds.

The versatility of electric power is now available to occasional users in a durable and reliable low-cost forklift truck, making it a viable alternative to increasingly regulated IC Engine equivalents. Electric power offers clean operating performance both inside the warehouse and outside in the yard.

Safety-enhancing design features of the new Doosan NXE series include: excellent all round visibility with a clear view forward through the mast, a low front cowl to reduce blind spots and an electronic foot brake for fast, responsive braking.

Safety features include: anti-roll back on slopes, automatic speed control when cornering, automatic parking brake, ISO 3691 hydraulic locking valve – preventing unintentional lowering and tilting of the mast – and an operator sensing system that only allows the truck to operate when the driver is seated. In addition, a large anti-slip plate and entry grab bar make it easy and safe for the driver to climb on and off the vehicle.

The water and dust-proof IP67 rated Curtis AC controller protects against moisture, even when immersed to a depth of one metre, ensuring optimum power and performance throughout, with smooth and responsive travel and hydraulic operation.

Performance is further assured with the IP54 rated AC motor, offering full protection in wet weather, and the single drive axle transmits power and torque with minimal noise.

Braking is made simpler. Unlike conventional hydraulic brakes, the e-motor foot brake directly controls the power delivered to the electric motor – reducing maintenance costs.

Designed for full operator comfort, the spacious cab design offers extra knee clearance, a low step height and floor plate for easier driver access, and excellent all-round visibility for safer manoeuvring with greater awareness. Further features include, ergonomically designed hydraulic levers, with a forward and reverse switch incorporated, making changing direction smooth and effortless, and a full colour display highlights key information on the status of the truck.

The NXE Series has been designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Using a laptop key truck performance parameters can be simply adjusted – no need for special tools – and the fuse and CAN port are centralised for convenience. Access to the battery is straightforward too, with an easy-lift-up hood cylinder and tool-less removable side panel.

Click here for more foklift technology news

New Production Hub: Recipe for Increased Capacity

Posted on by David Priestman

Dematic has announced completion of a significant project for Gousto, a UK leading recipe box provider, to create a new flagship automated fulfilment centre in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The new production hub, where Gousto’s recipe boxes are created and sent out for delivery, will increase the company’s capacity beyond the 5 million meals per month currently being delivered to homes across the UK.

To meet increased customer demand, Gousto initiated an investment programme designed to step up its capacity, including accelerating plans for multiple new fulfilment centres and creating an additional 1,000 jobs by 2022.

The Company’s second fulfilment centre in Lincolnshire is scheduled to be operational before the end of 2020. Funds from a recent funding round put the value of the business in excess of US$1 billion thus achieving it ‘Tech Unicorn’ status. This will bring forward the opening of a further two Dematic-designed automated facilities which will significantly increase Gousto’s production capacity by automating its fulfilment systems to improve efficiency and throughput.

Timo Boldt, CEO and Founder of Gousto, said: “The UK recipe box market has come of age in 2020, with the lockdown restrictions accelerating trends that were already firmly underway and new customers by the thousands being won over to the variety of meal choice and the convenience of high quality, fresh ingredients being delivered directly to their door.

“As our business continues to thrive and grow, it’s vitally important we have the infrastructure in place to meet rapidly rising levels of demand, whilst providing the best experience for our customers. Automation is at the heart of this strategy for Gousto. Being the only provider in this space with fully automated production facilities enables us to offer by far the most choice and at the lowest price point for our customers. This technology and our partnership with Dematic helps us cement our market leadership.”

Andy Blandford, Managing Director of Northern Europe at Dematic, said: “Gousto is one of the real success stories of the past few years — success that’s now been supercharged by the rise in popularity of recipe boxes.  At these high volumes, when menus and products change on a regular basis, it’s simply not possible to fulfil orders using manual solutions. Automation has provided Gousto with the answer, and they are reaping the rewards with over 100% year-on-year growth.”

All of the new fulfilment centres are powered by Gousto’s proprietary algorithms alongside Dematic’s automation technologies increasing  daily volumes, pick speed and accuracy, whilst reducing costs.

Following the completion of this latest fulfilment centre, plans are now being developed for a new, even larger automated facility. Intended to come online in 2022, this Dematic-designed project is expected to more than double Gousto’s capacity again.

Dematic also announced a new project win in Denmark this August for retailer Reitan Distribution

 

Greater Flexibility, Safety and Productivity: Fully-automatic

Posted on by David Priestman

They never get sick, make no mistakes and work tirelessly around the clock: Automated industrial trucks offer a wide range of clear advantages.

Linde Material Handling has updated its comprehensive product range  wih the second-generation Linde R-MATIC reach truck and an additional Linde L-MATIC HD model. The experience Linde has gained from past projects involving over 50 vehicles has gone into the further development of its reach trucks. The resulting performance characteristics ensure greater productivity, safety and flexibility.

 Pallet warehouses play a central role as material buffers both in industrial manufacturing processes and in distribution centers. Storage and retrieval operations in high-bay racking systems are usually standardized processes entailing a high degree of repetition. As a rule, the narrower the distances between the rows of shelves and the more precise the positioning of the individual pallets, the more efficient the warehouse. This is exactly what makes pallet storage systems the ideal field of application for automated equipment such as the Linde R-MATIC reach truck and the Linde L-MATIC HD pallet stacker.

The new Linde trucks can work with maximum precision even in the tightest of spaces: With a length of 2,520 millimeters and a width of 1,565 millimeters, the Linde R-MATIC (1.6-ton load capacity) is the only automated hybrid reach truck on the EMEA-market that can maneuver in aisles as narrow as 2.90 meters. Software-controlled, the vehicle can store pallets with extremely high accuracy even at lifting heights of more than eleven meters. “The design, maneuverability, load handling and precision of these automated industrial trucks are decisive for the performance of the overall system,” says Alexandra Mertel, Product Manager Automation & Intralogistics Solutions at Linde Material Handling: “These criteria are crucial for enabling the pallets to be placed precisely at the intended storage locations and for pick-and-drop cycles to be improved.”

With the help of an infrastructure-free laser navigation system, the trucks dynamically steer their way through the warehouse, receiving transport orders directly from the warehouse management system via the central control unit.

The trucks receive a noticeable productivity boost from the auto-calibrating 3D camera that is equipped with a new software generation. Not only does this camera recognize the dimensions of the pallet markedly better, it can also see deeper into the pallet, which makes picking up the pallet and placing it down much more precise – whether on the ground, on roller conveyors or on the shelves. At the same time, the automated vehicles are able to transport a greater variety of pallets. This is ensured by relative image recognition algorithms developed exclusively for Linde Material Handling that have been validated in extensive tests.

As is standard practice at Linde Material Handling, the automated trucks meet the highest safety requirements. Four scanners are integrated into the vehicle at floor level, producing a 360-degree safety field around the vehicle and constantly screening for obstacles. The standard equipment also includes additional emergency stop switches, the well-known Linde Blue Spot and the Dynamic Mast Control system, which provides valuable assistance at great lifting heights. Optionally available equipment includes a sensor that detects overhanging loads and a second, higher-positioned 3D camera that can generate time savings in load handling.

The two Linde L-MATIC HD models with 1.6- and 2.0-ton load capacity feature all around safety equipment as well, including side bumpers, standard and optional scanners, emergency stop switches and optical and acoustic warning systems. Here too, load detection is via the innovative 3D camera.

Reach trucks and pallet stackers are designed as a hybrid solution, allowing the operator to take control of the truck at any time and switch to manual mode. Another new feature is the autonomous charging ability. Equipped with fast-charging batteries, the automated industrial trucks drive to the charging station independently for recharging.

“In addition to the appropriate technology, a provider’s consulting expertise also plays a decisive role in automation projects,” says Product Manager Alexandra Mertel from Linde Material Handling. In order to find a suitable solution for a particular customer, numerous parameters must be checked during the planning stage. “We first need to completely understand the customer’s expectations. Only then can the system be developed and the trucks configured in detail.” Here, specialists from Linde Material Handling work closely with different departments on the customer side (e.g. Purchasing, Logistics, Engineering). “For this purpose, we have set up our own implementation team to ensure the reliable commissioning of the vehicles. This enables us to provide comprehensive support to our customers,” emphasizes Mertel.

New Wood Packaging Recycling Targets

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Timber Packaging & Pallet Confederation (TIMCON) has welcomed Defra’s interim wood packaging recycling targets for business, which have been released for 2021 and 2022. The figures are based on responses received from the 2019 consultation on packaging reform and with consideration of the current market and have been reduced from 48 per cent to 35 per cent.

TIMCON secretary general Stuart Hex said: “We are pleased to see this reduction on wood packaging waste targets, as the high PRN prices experienced previously added a significant cost burden to the manufacturers of wooden pallets and packaging.

“Every other packaging material, including plastics, glass and metal will see an increase in targets from next year, which is a positive sign that government now recognises the clear difference between these and the unique environmental credentials of wooden materials, which are one of the key components of a truly circular, sustainable economy and the need to encourage more reuse before recycling.

“The release of these revised figures is an encouraging step, but the UK industry is still operating at a marked disadvantage to its counterparts in Europe, for whom targets are 15 per cent, rising to a maximum of 30 per cent by 2030. The disparity between these and our artificially inflated targets continues to make our businesses comparatively less competitive.

“It is vitally important that TIMCON works closely with the Wood Recyclers Association and the Wood Panel Industries Federation to ensure that their concerns that the drop in target will mean that valuable wood material does not get lost to Chapter IV biomass.

“TIMCON continues to advocate reuse and repair of our products as the preferred option, moving to the recycling stage only when they have reached the end of their useful life. Wood pallets and packaging are widely recovered, repaired, reused and then recycled for

panel manufacture, animal bedding or as energy. They remain the most cost effective, sustainable option for packaging materials – and this needs to be reflected in future packaging waste regulations.”

Wood prices rose earlier this year due to a reduction in mill operations and closures, combined with an upswing in domestic home improvement/DIY projects during the lockdown period from March. The increases were further fuelled by the relaxation of restrictions during the summer, which caused increasing demand as construction projects have resumed quickly.

Two New Hand Pallet Trucks Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Clark has launched two new hand pallet trucks for different customer requirements. The trucks are the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium.

Built by Clark, one of the worldwide market leaders in the industrial truck business, both the HPT Eco and the HPT Premium are designed for loads with a maximum of 2,500 kg. Both units are characterized by a robust design and easy operation. Their sturdy frame is powder-coated for high resistance to wear and tear, thus guaranteeing a long service life. Lifting and lowering of the load is done manually by a hydraulic pump. The operator can lift and manoeuvre weights of several tons with very little effort. The proportional valve allows the forks to be lowered smoothly and sensitively even with heavy loads. The pressure relief valve protects against overloading the lift truck. The equipment runs very smoothly during moving, lifting and lowering. The hand pallet trucks also score points due to their low unladen weight and manoeuvrability. This is particularly advantageous when space is limited.

For a high handling performance, both units can optionally be equipped with Quicklift (quick lift) and thus loads up to 150 kg can be lifted and moved quickly in the warehouse. Both hand pallet trucks are equipped with entry and exit rollers and are available with different roller designs (nylon, rubber or poly) and fork lengths. Thus, wherever pallets or other load carriers have to be picked up and transported, Clark hand pallet trucks ensure ergonomic and efficient work processes at low purchase and maintenance costs.

Maximum productivity with minimum effort

The HPT Eco was designed for lighter applications. It has a unladen weight of 69 kg and a maximum steering angle of 190°. Thanks to the large steering angle of the tiller, the hand pallet truck is manoeuvrable in extremely narrow spaces. With a net weight of 63 kg, the HPT Premium even has a maximum steering angle of 205° and is designed for demanding customers. The robustly designed frame as well as the drawbar ensure that the HPT Premium is highly stable even in tougher applications.

Both vehicles are characterized by their simple operation: The HPT Eco has a curved drawbar and the handle for operating the hydraulics is angled. On the HPT Premium, the tiller is more ergonomically designed. For this purpose, it has been made slightly smaller and the handle has been wrapped to ensure good grip. Both machines require little maintenance and can be operated without additional technical equipment. The Premium machine has a quick mounting system for quick attachment or replacement of the drawbar.

Earlier this year Clark announced they had also boosted their warehouse truck range with new lithium trucks

Subscribe

Get notified about New Episodes of our Podcast, New Magazine Issues and stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter.