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Tag: forklift technology

New Combi-MR4 features Dynamic 360° steering

Posted on by David Priestman

The Combi-MR4 is a 4-wheel electric powered multidirectional reach-truck, which incorporates Combilift’s new Dynamic 360° steering, which provides rotation on each wheel, enabling seamless directional change of the truck while on the move. The system allows this extremely agile forklift to work in forward, sideward and crab steer mode, guaranteeing swift operation and excellent manoeuvrability. Hence the full name of the new model: the Combi-MR4 Dynamic 360.

Since Combilift launched its first C4000 model in 1998, multidirectional capability has been one of the major hallmarks of the company’s wide range of handling solutions. Twenty-four years and thousands of R&D hours later, its latest product takes multidirectional capability to the next level.

The impetus for the development of this latest addition to Combilift’s portfolio was to develop a multi-directional truck, with a very low platform to maximise storage density within racking. The Combi-MR4 is available in two unique models, with capacity ranges of 2,500kg-3,000kg and 3,500kg-4,500kg respectively, and can operate in aisles as narrow as 2,265mm when guided (based on 1200mm deep material). To maximise all storage space in racking systems the wheel configuration of two drive wheels at the rear and two sets of smaller dual front wheels provides a platform height as low as 380mm, allowing otherwise redundant areas towards the floor to be used.

In keeping with Combilift’s common overall design ethos, the highly versatile Combi-MR4 can handle long loads as well as palletised goods with ease, and can load and offload from delivery trucks. Driver comfort and safety are also major considerations, and this new truck definitely delivers the goods from an ergonomic point of view: a high visibility operator cabin, multi-function control joystick, AC-electric power steering and joystick operated hydraulic mast functions all make for a smooth ride and straightforward operation. The articulated rear axle with two rear rubber drive wheels provides optimum traction for outdoor use, while still ensuring nimble and accurate truck placement.

To achieve this level of manoeuvrability, Combilift utilised its newly developed-in-house Dynamic 360° steering. This novel steering concept enables operators to manipulate the truck’s positioning and orientation without the need to stop and change driving mode. Intuitive and easy-to-operate, this is achieved by simply twisting the control joystick right or left to adjust the wheel positions simultaneously – providing crab steering and allowing direction change on-the-go.

Combilift always likes to ensure that any new product has been thoroughly tried and tested in the field to make certain that it is 100% fit for purpose. Following the initial operation of 3,000kg Combi-MR4 units, a 4,500kg model was developed after receiving a request from Combilift’s dealer in the BeNeLux region – Mabo BeNeLux, for a larger capacity unit for their customer TABS (Timber and Building Supplies Holland).  One of the Netherlands’ leading suppliers of timber products and building materials, with 104 outlets across the country, TABS has partnered with Combilift and operated its multidirectional trucks for more than 15 years. It now has MR4 trucks at several locations in the Netherlands and is about to take delivery of its 15th and 16th trucks, which will work at its distribution centres in Zaandam and Bleiswijk.

Combilift CEO Martin McVicar: “TABS are delighted with the ongoing successful implementation of their Combi-MR4s and the improved levels of efficiency thanks to the overall design and features such as low platform height as well as the advanced Dynamic 360° steering system. I have no doubt that this new additional electric model will grow Combilift’s customer base. We are looking forward to showcasing the Combi-MR4 to our existing dealers, and potential new customers during the LogiMAT Intralogistics exhibition in Stuttgart at the end of May.”

CLICK HERE to watch a video.

Toyota achieves EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rating

Posted on by David Priestman

EcoVadis has given Toyota Material Handling Europe the highest possible rating, Platinum, for the third year running. The sustainability assessment body recognised Toyota Material Handling Europe’s exceptional performance and transparency across four key appraisal areas, including labour and human rights, environment, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

More than 90,000 companies have undergone EcoVadis assessment, with Toyota Material Handling Europe ranking in the top 1% of all participants based on its aggregated score across the four metrics, achieving a Platinum rating as a result. Not only did Toyota Material Handling Europe meet the Platinum standard for the third year in a row, it also improved on its score from 2021, with an overall rating of 79 (up from 76).

In a further milestone for the company, 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of Toyota Material Handling Europe’s continuous assessment journey with EcoVadis. This focus on quantifying performance offers Toyota Material Handling Europe customers and partners maximum transparency on the company’s efforts and results across these key areas. This commitment to transparency is further reinforced by the fact that Toyota Material Handling Europe is assessed at both corporate and market level.

“Our mission is to generate a profit while respecting people and our planet,” commented Ernesto Domínguez, President and CEO Toyota Material Handling Europe. “As well as the corporate-level Platinum rating, five of our local entities also ranked in the top 1%, and 15 more ranked in the top 10% of 90,000 suppliers – showing how much responsible business practices are embedded at every level of our company. We will focus on making continuous improvements to retain our Platinum ratings in the years to come.”

Ambition grows in line with progress

Toyota Material Handling Europe has announced several sustainability milestones in the last year, including joining the UN Race To Zero and committing to Science Based Targets to bring its emissions in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, completing the switch to 100% renewable electricity, and announcing a 29% cut in overall emissions since 2012.

Its latest initiative is to introduce its proven sustainability methods externally with suppliers, using EcoVadis’s recently released carbon action module.

This assessment tool enables Toyota Material Handling Europe’s suppliers to complete their own assessment and receive a carbon rating. This rating is the outcome of a detailed analysis covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions management, total energy consumption, and use of renewables.

Once the analysis is complete, the tool allows both the supplier and Toyota Material Handling Europe to work collaboratively to refine their strategies and improve from their emissions baseline.

This is expected to become a powerful tool in Toyota Material Handling Europe’s mission to reduce its Scope 3 emissions, incurred ‘upstream’ in its supply chain.

“Unlike most organisations, we communicated our target to reduce scope 3 emissions by 55% by 2031 at the same time as committing to develop our science-based targets,” said Domínguez. “We set our commitment based on the principle that we fully support the EU Fit for 55% agenda. We now have until October 2023 to work out with our customers, our suppliers and our 12,000 colleagues across Europe just how we will deliver our target to gain approval from the Science Based Targets Initiative.

“We achieve our high ratings through integrating sustainability into every part of our business, and we are looking forward to assisting our suppliers in adopting the same approach and meeting their own ambitious targets in line with ours.”

Fronius to host Open House in May

Posted on by David Priestman

Fronius UK will be opening the doors to its Technology Centre in Milton Keynes to unveil the latest innovative charging technology on offer for intralogistics, as it hosts its fifth Open House on 18th and 19th May 2022.

This is a real opportunity to explore the world of Fronius and to see up close the most recent advances in charging technology. Fronius has put together a wide variety of demonstrations across its range of products, solutions and applications and a programme of talks from specially selected guest speakers and industry partners. The event promises to be informative, hands-on and packed with fun, and whether you are looking to review your intralogistics processes, wanting to save on energy costs or simply find out what’s new, this is just the event for you.

When it comes to your warehouse and logistics operations, you are reliant on the availability and reliability of your MHE for the movement of goods. Essential to this is battery life, and this is largely defined by the charging process – a process that is often overlooked – but optimising it can save companies huge sums of money. With their unique and intelligent ‘Ri’ charging process, Fronius guarantee to save you on your energy costs across your forklift fleet – by up to 30%. With energy prices at an all-time high, if there was ever a time to review the efficiency of your charging operation, it’s now.

What’s new?

Higher power categories for heavy-duty applications – Fronius has recognised the increasing demand for electric forklift trucks for challenging heavy-duty applications. The battery charging specialist is expanding its Selectiva 4.0 product family to include powerful 96V and 120V models in order to help customers switch to sustainable, electric intralogistics systems for transporting high-tonnage goods.

New solutions for Lithium-ion batteries – the role of lithium-ion technology (Li-ion) in intralogistics is becoming increasingly important, and with good reason. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, have a long service life, are maintenance-free, extremely energy-efficient and have an impressive charging time of just a few minutes. All major forklift truck manufacturers now offer models with a lithium-ion battery. Fronius SelectION lithium-ion chargers offer a safe, efficient and flexible charging solution. Smart engineering by the highest quality standard ensures easy operations and reduced downtime. Thanks to its intelligent Fronius CAN protocol, a seamless and fast communication between the charger and lithium-ion battery is guaranteed.

Charge and Connect – Charge & Connect allows you to go beyond the limits of conventional charging. Increase the performance and efficiency of your intralogistics operation with this cloud-based software solution that provides real-time data and numerous analysis functions on your charging infrastructure. Combining technologically advanced chargers with a digital connectivity solution, helps you reduce energy costs, increase efficiency and minimise potential risks of downtimes.

So why not take advantage of this event to come and talk to Fronius and see some of the solutions it has on offer, whilst enjoying a schedule of entertainment, a hot lunch and refreshments throughout the day?

“The Open House is an ideal opportunity for people to visit our facility and gain an insight into the most advanced solutions available on the market.” Ross Adams, National Sales Director at Fronius UK comments, “We welcome visitors to bring their operating costs on the day and our team will be able to show them the potential savings available for their forklift fleet. We offer full solutions from single battery chargers to total system solutions including multiple charging modules and complete charging rooms, all complete with system monitoring.”

The days will also incorporate the company’s other two business units: Solar Energy and Perfect Welding. With the imminent energy price hikes, take the opportunity to look at the company’s industry leading solar products and services including its hybrid solar inverter that recently won first place for efficiency in the Energy Storage Inspection 2021 and its new powerful yet robust, project inverter for high yields, the Fronius Tauro. Fronius will also be demonstrating many of its manual, automated and robotic welding systems at the absolute forefront of welding technology.

Due to the success of its previous Open Houses, the company has made the decision to spread this year’s event across two days to allow everyone the time and space to observe demonstrations safely, provide time to speak to experts and try out products where possible. Fronius UK will welcome guests from 9:30am until 3:30pm on both days.

CLICK HERE to register to attend

STILL establishes own 5G network

Posted on by David Priestman

In order to participate in various research projects, develop innovative products and implement a smart factory, the intralogistics provider STILL has now set up its own 5G network at its Hamburg headquarters.

Already today, we see largely autonomous transport vehicles in production halls and warehouses. However, their capabilities still remain inferior to those of humans, as many processes still need to be learned and are not intelligent in every respect. Therefore, many suppliers are striving to fill this gap and make vehicles even more intelligent.

This broader vision of autonomously driving transport vehicles, however, can only be realised with very powerful mobile networks in order to move large amounts of data safely, promptly and efficiently. For this reason, STILL, which has always been very intensively involved in the development of innovative logistics and production solutions, has now installed its own 5G-SA campus network at its corporate headquarters in Hamburg.

“This 5G network, with which we are once again underlining our innovativeness, as 5G is not yet widespread in industry today, will on the one hand help us to take autonomously running logistics processes to a new level for our customers,” says Ansgar Bergmann, STILL expert for data and networking, describing the most important reasons for installing the company’s own 5G network.

“To this end, we have already been participating in numerous international research projects for many years that explore the idea of Industry 4.0. On the other hand, we will optimise our production with super-fast data transmission technology. In future, wireless production robots and people will be able to work together smoothly there in the sense of the ‘smart factory’ thanks to fast wireless communication.”

Innumerable technological approaches

Particularly interesting, according to Bergmann, are the performance and reliability aspects of 5G, as it is a licensed frequency spectrum for the user. “These are interesting, for example, in indoor logistics when integrating driverless transport systems. The operator is thus better supported than was previously possible with WLAN. Entire AGV fleets can be coordinated in real time and the control and route data can be managed in an edge cloud of the company,” says the expert.

Further possible applications include robotics, collaboration between humans and machines, and imaging processes for environment recognition.

Numerous new scenarios

Industry 4.0 approaches are also noticeably boosted by 5G technology. This optimises the step from classic to fully automated systems because Industry 4.0 is primarily based on data technology processes, and it is precisely these that are supported by 5G. All systems and products in the field of automation, process transparency, pay per use, predictive maintenance or consulting will be further advanced by 5G.

New visions, especially those based on machine learning, for which this data transfer boost is targeted, will soon be implemented by STILL in real existing technology. To this end, the company is involved in numerous international research projects, such as the ARIBIC project. The aim is to make better use of the data that automated guided vehicles (AGVs) collect via their sensors and cameras during their journeys through the warehouse. For example, digital twins of the environment are created that process relevant information in real time.

“These processes generate enormous amounts of data that must be transmitted at a very high speed. Without our new 5G data network, some approaches are not even possible. The previous technologies are usually quite susceptible to interference, which makes our work more difficult,” says Bergmann.

New CampusOS flagship project

Only a few weeks ago, at the beginning of 2022, the CampusOS lighthouse project was launched, which will be funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology with €18.1m over the next three years. Its goal is to build a modular ecosystem for open 5G campus networks based on open radio technologies and interoperable network components. It is intended to help strengthen the digital sovereignty of German companies.

To this end, various scenarios of regular operation at industrial project partners are being evaluated. STILL is, of course, one of the participants. The technology company is testing and evaluating the low-latency and resilient control of vehicles and the transmission of videos at very high data rates.

Bergmann: “This will be the first time our new 5G network is put to the test and will be benchmarked against other solutions. I am quite sure, however, that our system will pass this test with flying colours. Through these activities, STILL will also expand its expertise to advise its customers in this field of technology.”

 

TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS: Sustainability as a principle

Posted on by David Priestman

TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is breaking new ground in the event business. When the testing event, which takes place from March 21 to 23 as part of the TEST DAYS of the IFOY AWARD at Messe Dortmund, opens its doors for the third time, it is no longer just about hands-on testing of the best intralogistics innovations. A highlight of TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is likely to be a panel debate entitled Intralogistics 4.0, featuring top-drawer industry experts and moderated by Logistics Business’s News Editor Peter MacLeod.

The organiser has made sustainability a principle and taken a series of measures to effectively conserve resources. The focus is on reusability and recycling, the use of regenerative energies and, above all, the fundamental renunciation of equipment that is not absolutely necessary. The aim is to launch a new, sustainable event format in logistics.

“Everyone knows that the material battles of the past no longer fit the times,” emphasises Anita Würmser, Chairwoman of the IFOY AWARD jury, adding: “We don’t want to continue building for the bin, but create awareness that things can be done differently. That’s why we are consistently moving in the direction of environmental sustainability and want to add a new, sustainable format to the event landscape.

“The focus of TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is on innovation, not decoration. I am convinced that with our focus on innovation and sustainability we are preaching to the logistics industry. Both visitors and the exhibiting companies and service providers will benefit from our measures: they will improve their own environmental balance sheet and that of their companies.”

In the area of reusability and recycling, the organiser relies, among other things, on a modular reusable booth concept. Individual booth construction is not permitted and only technically necessary equipment is located on the test areas. Only reusable aluminium trusses are used for the standardised company boxes. The modular booth system and its entire equipment, including LED lighting, company branding and rental furniture, is standardised and can be used as often as desired.

Sturdy grids are used to demarcate the driving areas, and reusable Chep pallets and containers are available for test drives. The event carpet is completely granulated after use and then reused as a secondary raw material. Trusses are also used on the main area in the congress area, and the trailer stage of the IFOY AWARD was planned on a trailer from the manufacturer Fliegl.

The organisation of event logistics from a single source ensures short distances and efficient transport, minimum water consumption and maximum conservation of resources. The central control of the material logistics for the assembly of the test areas and boxes shortens the assembly in the 10,000 sq m hall, which is fully booked, to one and a half days, and the dismantling is completed in only four hours.

The catering is also centrally organised. Exhibitors and guests use the hall restaurant for catering. Individual catering in the booth and disposable crockery are prohibited.

A big plus is the accessibility of the location. The official event hotel Mercure on the exhibition grounds is within walking distance of the hall, as is the Westfalenhallen underground station. The hotel also participates in the Planet 21 sustainability programme. Furthermore, 100 percent of the energy for the TEST CAMP comes from green electricity.

The choice of the 2021 venue already paid off in terms of the IFOY organisation’s environmental goals. As early as 2006, the Westfalenhallen was certified as an environmentally friendly eco-profit company. They have also supported the sustainability code “fairpflichtet” of the German event industry since 2014.

Four exhibition halls, including Hall 3 used by the TEST CAMP, are equipped with a photovoltaic system. Eurosolar awarded the Westfallenhallen the “European Solar Award” in 2005 in the category “owner or operator of photovoltaic systems”.

In recent years, the Westfalenhallen group of companies has implemented numerous individual measures to use energy sparingly. These include: the installation of block-type thermal power stations, the installation and use of heat recovery systems, a roof renewal with thermal insulation as well as the conversion of the ventilation control in all halls to carbon dioxide sensor technology.

The TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS takes place as part of the IFOY TEST DAYS of the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD. It enables intralogistics decision-makers to experience innovations live and test them themselves. In addition to the 14 products and solutions of the IFOY finalists, a limited number of third-party exhibitors with innovations will be admitted for the first time. The exhibitors cover the entire spectrum of material handling – from forklifts to autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software to holistic automation projects for high-performance warehouses.

New this year is a conference programme with panel discussions on the trend topics of innovation management, Intralogistics 4.0 and VDA 5050. A new edition of the live test of the VDA 5050 communication interface as part of the VDMA AGV Mesh-Up is also in preparation.

For the key note on the opening day, the organisers are able to welcome the internationally renowned logistics researcher Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael ten Hompel (Fraunhofer IML). National and international experts have agreed to take part in the daily panel discussions:

Panel Discussion on March 21: Without bankruptcies, bad luck and breakdowns: How companies successfully introduce intralogistics innovations. Participants: André Kranke

(Dachser), Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt (TU Dresden, IFOY Innovation Check), Marco Prüglmeier (Noyes Technologies) and Dr. Jana Jost (Fraunhofer IML, moderator).

Panel Discussion on March 22: Intralogistics 4.0. Participants: Steffen Bersch (SSI Schäfer/VDMA), Jos de Vuyst (stow Group/FEM), Thomas Vortkamp (DB Schenker) Wolfgang Hillinger (DS Automotion) and Peter MacLeod (Logistics Business News Editor, IFOY juror, moderator).

VDMA Panel Discussion on March 23: VDA 5050 – status quo and future of the communication interface. Participants: Dr. Wolfgang Hackenberg (SYNAOS), Mathias Behounek, (SAFELOG), Alexander Balandin (Robert Bosch), Dr. Christian Reinema (Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), Jan Drömer (ek robotics/VDMA, moderator).

 

GenieGrips adds Stik-It Pads to its range

Posted on by David Priestman

GenieGrips Pty Ltd, the Melbourne, Australia-based maker of high quality, durable, forklift safety products, has added GenieGrips Stik-It Pads to its range of products.

GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are a slim, patterned anti-slip pad that protects products and minimises the risk of slipping loads. They are a self-adhesive solution to protecting product reducing risk of injury or damage. Sitting within the footprint of the forklift tyne, their low profile allows them into the smallest of openings.

GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are extremely easy to fit, with high performance acrylic adhesive tape to secure them to the forks. GenieGrips Stik-It Pads are available in one size and can be trimmed or joined together to accommodate different lengths and widths to fit most forktynes.

“Team is going well. It’s a good product. I would not have had to buy more until next year, but we had extra requirements not planned for,” said Simon Richards, IT/Traceability, West Gate Tunnel Project. “Even though they have 14t on them, all day long, they last a long time. Damage reduction means savings of thousands of dollars.”

GenieGrips Pty Ltd will be exhibiting at MODEX in Atlanta, Georgia, US Booth B8247 28th-31st March. This will provide the perfect opportunity for new and existing customers to see the range of innovative GenieGrips products.

 

 

Cameroon terminal updates fleet with Konecranes trucks

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The Container Terminal Management of the Port of Douala (RTC) has received delivery of five Konecranes Liftace reach stackers and one empty container handler to increase the productivity of its operations. The order was booked in April 2021, and the lift trucks were handed over in a special on-site ceremony in December 2021.

RTC is part of the Port Authority of Douala and has been in charge of managing the terminal on the west African coast since January 2020. Douala is the economic centre of – and the largest city in – Cameroon. It is one of central Africa’s largest ports, also providing sea access to the landlocked regions of Chad, the Central African Republic and the northern area of the Republic of the Congo. RTC is keen to update its multimodal terminal with reliable, modern container handling equipment to increase capacity as demand continues to rise, with an average annual throughput of 370,000 TEU traveling on sea, road and rail. The lift trucks are used for most of the export yard operations and taking care of empty containers.

“Our terminal has been using Konecranes products for years, and they’ve provided outstanding performance,” says Adepi Martin, Chief Operation Officer of RTC. “With the help of their excellent customer service, we’re sure that these new Konecranes lift trucks will help us to maximise our efficiency all the way from landside to quayside, reduce vessel anchorage time and transit time, and improve container truck turnaround.”

“This new delivery shows the level of confidence that RTC has in Konecranes,” says Winfried Lux, Sales Manager for Konecranes Lift Trucks. “We offer durability, reliability and flexibility in both our products and our partnership with them. Local dealer Patterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Ltd. has provided essential support whenever needed and we are pleased to continue working with RTC as they develop their terminal fleet into the future.”

The five new reach stackers are Konecranes Liftace SMV 4532 TCE5s, sturdy 45-tonne lifting machines able to stack up to five containers high. The empty container handler is an SMV 6/7 ECC 90, with a wide mast for the option of stacking six empty high-cube containers or seven standard containers. All six lift trucks feature the ergonomic OPTIMA cabin for comfort and wide visibility, and each vehicle uses a Tier 3 engine to maintain productivity while minimising fuel consumption and emissions.

Included in the delivery are full spare parts packages, ensuring that parts will always be available when needed, eliminating delivery wait times, minimising downtime and allowing easier maintenance planning.

A strong focus on customers and a commitment to business growth and continuous improvement make Konecranes a lifting industry leader. This is underpinned by investments in digitalisation and technology, plus our work to make material flows more efficient with solutions that decarbonise the economy and advance circularity and safety.

Amazon chooses Flexi fleet for Dubai DC

Posted on by David Priestman

Amazon has ordered a fleet of six Flexi Truck articulated forklift trucks for its DXB3 fulfilment centre in Dubai Logistics City, UAE.

The e-commerce site launched in the UAE in May 2019 and, spread over 32,700 sq m and stocked with more than four million products, the DXB3 site is Amazon’s largest fulfilment centre facility in the country with in excess of 650  staff employed there.

Amazon’s new Flexi Trucks feature digital electric motor technology that allows independent twin front-wheel drive, hydraulic functions and the truck’s unique power-steering motor to be controlled digitally – ensuring the most productive, energy-efficient and safe driving performance throughout the working day.

The control systems at the heart of the Flexis deliver higher productivity combined with significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs, while the trucks’ VNA functionality and ability to work both inside and outside the building, make it the ideal choice for Amazon’s UAE operation.

Operational efficiency at the Dubai facility is further enhanced thanks to an integrated lead-acid battery charging solution that dramatically reduces Amazon’s overall energy consumption.

Featuring ‘call-forward’ alert technology to identify the most appropriate fully charged battery when a change is due, the charge system allows Amazon to operate with only two batteries per truck on a three shift usage pattern to minimise materials handling fleet running costs.

Flexi Trucks are built at hubs in the UK and Taiwan by Narrow Aisle Ltd. International sales account for some 40% of Narrow Aisle’s business and a global network of partners provides a full range of after sales support services to Flexi Truck users in some 63 countries worldwide.

Narrow Aisle Ltd’s managing director, John Maguire, commented: “The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design is ideally suited to the modern fulfilment centre operation. Flexi Trucks save space, increase productivity and allow safe access to any stacking aisle at all times.

“The Flexi’s ability to work in very narrow aisles means 30% more pallet and shelving locations can be designed into storage systems compared with traditional wide aisle operations while comparison tests have highlighted that Flexis are 25% more productive during a typical shift.

“To achieve optimum online order fulfilment performance it is important to deploy the most suitable materials handling equipment and the Flexi Truck articulated forklift-based intralogistics solution delivers hugely improved productivity and increased safety for warehouse staff as they carry out a range of customer order picking duties at lower levels and at the same time Flexis can stack and replenish in complete safety at height within warehouse aisles.”

Russian judges excluded from IFOY jury

Posted on by David Priestman

In light of the actions taking place in eastern Europe, the IFOY organisation is showing unity with Ukraine by excluding Russia from participation in the IFOY AWARD.

Representatives of Russia on the jury and advisory board will be relieved of their duties until further notice, which means that Anton Mizunov (editor-in-chief of Skladskoj Komplex) and Vladimir Antonov (Editor-in-Chief of Sklad i Technika), both active and well-respected journalists within the IFOY community, have been suspended from the advisory team.

The IFOY organisation issued the following statement:

Russian jurors will no longer be able to vote on winners or participate in IFOY AWARD events. This will initially affect the IFOY TEST DAYS with the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS from March 21 – 23, 2022 in Dortmund, as well as the award ceremony on June 30, 2022, in Munich. Visitors and exhibitors from Russia will also be excluded from attending.

We will decide on the exclusion of Russian manufacturers from the IFOY AWARD 2023 in good time before the application phase begins in August 2022.

This decision has not been easy for us, yet we consider it to be of no alternative to send a signal against this unprecedented war of aggression against Ukraine. We explicitly emphasise at this point that this step does not change the respect for the jurors, media, applicants, and visitors who have represented Russia in the IFOY AWARD committees. We have highly appreciated their competence and cooperation in the IFOY network. We personally ask them for their understanding and hope that we will meet again soon in peace.

The IFOY (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) AWARD is the largest independent, international intralogistics competition. The jury now includes twenty-five judges from 19 countries on all continents.

Linde Motion Detection makes handling safer

Posted on by David Priestman

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system provides even better protection for pedestrians in warehouse environments as it is capable of detecting movement behind a stationary truck. In such cases, reversing is prevented and a warning signal sounded. Both employees and management benefit from this effective accident prevention system: The health of everyone present in the warehouse is better protected, the forklift driver’s job becomes easier, downtime or disruptions to operations are prevented to the greatest possible extent and, as a result, productivity is improved.

Linde MH is initially offering the sensor-based solution as an equipment option for the company’s new series of counterbalanced trucks. A retrofit solution, which will also be suitable for use on other makes of forklift, is to follow shortly.

Occupational safety and health protection are top priorities in many companies today. One of the most critical situations involving forklift trucks and pedestrians is the loading and unloading or picking up and putting down of loads. “If there are people behind the forklift when it starts reversing, an accident can quickly occur. Causes often lie in the behaviour of the people involved,” explains Fabian Zimmermann, Product Manager Safety.

“Pedestrians are inattentive and believe that the forklift driver can see them. Moreover, they do not expect that a forklift standing in front of a rack or in the block storage area could suddenly reverse. If, in addition, the driver is unwary for just a short moment and forgets to look over his shoulder, this can have serious consequences.

“In addition, the view to the area behind the vehicle can be obscured by blind spots, stored goods or racks. And the risk of accidents increases the more industrial trucks, pedestrians or even cyclists are present in logistics areas.”

Innovative technology

The Linde Motion Detection assistance system helps prevent such dangerous situations by warning both the forklift driver and any persons in the rear working area. A motion sensor reliably detects any movement behind the stationary vehicle, no matter the prevailing lighting conditions – regardless of whether the movement is triggered by people or other vehicles. In this case, the system automatically prevents or stops the approaching truck from reversing and the driver is alerted to the danger by a warning on the display.

In addition, the assistance system optionally sounds an acoustic signal to draw the attention of passers-by to the dangerous situation that has arisen and to trigger learning effects for everyone involved. To be able to continue driving after the warning has been issued, the driver has to actively put the accelerator pedal back in its starting position, which further increases safety.

Particularly in challenging working environments, such as poorly lit parts of the warehouse or areas where visibility is poor for structural reasons, the assistance system is an effective support and a relief for the driver. The detection area can be adapted to the respective operating and ambient conditions, which ensures a high degree of flexibility. In this way, critical situations are defused and unnecessary warnings prevented.

Linde Motion Detection is part of Linde MH’s comprehensive safety portfolio. With standard and optional assistance systems, such as the Linde Safety Guard or the Linde Safety Pilot, as well as consulting services, the company supports its customers in safe and efficient goods handling.

 

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