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Tag: Materials Handling

Linde expands ATEX range

Posted on by David Priestman

Material transport in tight spaces is an everyday challenge for many companies – even more so when having to take explosion protection conditions into account. Linde Material Handling (MH) offers suitable transport solutions for all ATEX applications and is now presenting compact high-performance vehicles featuring a high level of operating comfort for use in confined environments.

Representing an alternative to forklifts, these Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks, available with or without platform, and Linde L06-L16 AC EX counter­balanced pallet stackers can even be integrated into the Linde connect fleet management system with access control and damage monitoring.

Industrial truck drivers from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the biotech and cosmetics industries, the food and beverage industry, and the logistics sector are familiar with the problem: In many production and storage environments with limited expansion options, space is often tight.

“Every centimetre counts when it comes to transporting goods and storage and retrieval operations. Drivers need particularly agile, easy-to-manoeuvre and user-friendly vehicles in these conditions. After all, hazardous materials must be handled safely and reliably at all times,” emphasizes Elke Karnarski, Product Manager Ex-Proof Trucks & Retrofit Solutions. This is where the new narrow, explosion-proof vehicles from Linde MH come into play.

Offering load capacities of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0t, Linde T20-30 EX pallet trucks impress with their compactness and a chassis that is only 720mm wide. Its dimensions remain within the pallet contour – resulting in good manoeuvrability, which is significantly supported by the servo-assisted steering. The vehicles are designed for retrieval and storage operations as well as short- and medium-haul material transport in ATEX zones 1/21 and 2/22. Corresponding explosion protection measures include ignition protection against electrical and mechanical sparks, continuous temperature monitoring of all relevant components, and precautions to prevent electrostatic charging.

Compact, yet ergonomic

In the Linde T20-25 AP EX version with foldable platform, the pallet trucks function as an ergonomic workplace for transporting goods over medium and long distances. Platform and guard are softly padded. The platform is reliably locked in both positions, allowing the driver to stand firmly and safely on the dissipative foot mat. The foldable guard keeps them within the chassis contours – the best prerequisite for higher productivity.

The platform and tiller are decoupled from the chassis, which reduces vibrations felt by the driver. At the same time, the driver has a good view of the load and surroundings at all times, even in tight, demanding working environments. Above all, the electric steering with the low-mounted tiller ensures operating comfort and safe handling of the vehicle. The multifunction display provides clear information about important vehicle parameters – such as the next maintenance date or the battery charge level.

Linde’s EX Monitoring app monitors all safety-relevant factors, such as temperature, resistance, voltage and wear, and the operator receives specific recommendations as to what actions to take to ensure safe, reliable operation of the explosion-proof vehicle.

The Linde L06-L16 AC EX counterbalanced pallet stacker, available in four versions with load capacities of 0.6, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.6t, also has a narrow and compact design of 890mm. With its cantilever fork carriage for ATEX zone 2/22, the vehicle is ideally suited to transporting special loads, IBCs or closed pallets in tight spaces. Shorter than an electric forklift, the vehicle is an optimal alternative for potentially explosive areas where space is tight.

 

Flash Battery celebrates strong 2021 revenue

Posted on by David Priestman

Flash Battery’s revenues for 2021 amounted to €17.3m, up 25% on the previous year, meaning that the company has consolidated its leadership role in the production of lithium batteries for industrial machines and electric vehicles.

With 2020 having seen a 5% growth in revenues despite a slowdown in production in the first half of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2021 the company, based in Sant’Ilario d’Enza (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), also registered a significant increase of 16% in new hires, bringing the total number of employees to 65, more than a third of whom are involved in R&D activities.

Marco Righi, CEO of Flash Battery, SAID: “2021 was a very important year for us. While results include a significant increase of 25% in foreign revenues, what stands out above all is a series of factors that have enabled us to reinforce our development strategies on the domestic front, but also on international markets, where we are already present in 54 countries.”

Among the elements underlined by Righi are the opening of the new headquarters (150 workstations, investment of €7.5m), significant investments in research, participation in major European Union electrification projects, and the forging of new commercial partnerships in several European countries characterised by the highest levels of dynamism in their approach to electric power conversion.

“Last year,” explains Righi, “we joined BEPA (the Batteries European Partnership Association), an entity that brings together more than 170 industrial companies, universities and research institutes committed to attaining the goals set out at the end of 2020 by the European Commission in the context of the Horizon Europe Programme. This grouping will pour more than €925m into research and innovation projects in the battery sector. At the same time, Flash Battery has established several prestigious partnerships with highly experienced powertrain system integrators active in the main markets.”

Primary among these are Atech in Germany, Efa France in France and Q-Tronic in Benelux. “Along with Italy,” says Righi, “these three markets are fundamental to the progress of the industrial electric transition, especially considering that together they account for more than 80% of the entire European market for the electrification of industrial machinery and electric vehicles.”

“Our prospects for development,” continues the CEO, “are very much linked to foreign markets, both directly and indirectly. Indeed, 35% of our output is currently directed abroad. However, if we consider that the batteries supplied to Italian customers are installed in machines and vehicles that will be exported all over the world, we can say that more than 80% of Flash Battery’s production is internationally oriented.”

Flash Battery was recognised as the best under-40 enterprise in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. But looking to the future, 2022 is of particular importance, as the company will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding by Marco Righi and Alan Pastorelli, now Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

“The electrification market is constantly evolving,” says the CEO. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of industries willing to take the decisive step towards the electrification of vehicles, machines and processes. Up till five years ago, we would never even have dreamed of electrifying an excavator or an agricultural machine, whereas today, in conjunction with the broad field of logistics, we have developed several electric prototypes in the construction and agricultural sectors, to name but a few.

“As we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” concludes Righi, “we are committed to developing new prototypes of lithium batteries for the electrification of increasingly larger vehicles and machines, combining high performance with a reduction in the environmental footprint of high-powered engines.”

TGW presents new digital services at LogiMAT

Posted on by David Priestman

The TGW Logistics Group is equipped with modern technology for the digital age. The systems integrator will be presenting the full spectrum of its digital services at the LogiMAT intralogistics trade fair (31 May to 2 June) in Stuttgart. Those services cover the entire lifecycle of a system, including everything from planning to implementation to live operation. The spotlight will be on innovations that help companies boost their competitiveness.

“TGW can look back on more than 50 years of experience in the development of mechatronic modules and has successfully implemented hundreds of projects worldwide as a systems integrator. Thanks to our ever-expanding range of digital services, our customers are in an excellent position to face the demands of tomorrow,” emphasises Matthias Stötzner, Director Sales at TGW Systems Integration. “TGW combines expertise in software and systems to offer customised, state-of-the-art end-to-end solutions.”

The TGW booth at LogiMAT applies an open communication concept. In addition to modules, systems and solutions, reference projects for notable customers such as Coop, PUMA, Fource and Engelbert Strauss will also be highlighted.

The TGW Digital Lifecycle’s services and products cover the three phases of planning, realisation and Lifetime Services. More than 600 IT specialists look after over 500 systems around the globe. They develop new applications, implement tools and maintain logistics centres during live operation.

The topics of efficiency, transparency and a short return on investment take centre stage in this context. An integration project’s lifecycle takes place digitally, from the first data analysis all the way to final acceptance. Digital services also ensure optimum performance during live operation. Thus, TGW offers maximum availability and reliability, in keeping with the motto “We keep your business running”.

To that end, TGW uses a variety of both well-established and newly-developed resources. Examples of digital tools for system design include 3D layouts, simulations and intelligent data analyses. In the realisation phase, TGW employs agile implementation, emulation and performance checks. In regard to operation, customers profit from virtual testing environments, remote services, proactive monitoring and more. The multi-award-winning picking robot Rovolution boasts a digital twin: a complete digital representation that grows alongside the physical installation and is connected to it in real time.

Companies that put their trust in TGW also have the advantage of receiving everything from a single source. Unlike software providers, the systems integrator plans and implements systems, produces the mechatronic components and also handles the complex software integration. This enables TGW to gather data from all applications, products and solutions and evaluate, visualise and optimise them in a uniform system.

The use of modern technology such as artificial intelligence is becoming more and more important in this context. Future scenarios can be modelled with the help of self-learning algorithms. “Interconnected intra-logistics systems that are capable of learning and self-optimisation will play a huge role in the very near future. Our customers profit greatly from these advantages,” affirms Johann Steinkellner, CEO Central Europe at TGW.

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.”

 

Siemens collaborates to produce smart AGVs

Posted on by David Priestman

Siemens has partnered with UK-based Parmley Graham and AR Controls to produce smart automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to meet the growing demand across industries.

At the heart of the innovation is the Siemens AGV kit, which includes SIMOVE, a standardised system platform for AGV applications and solutions to suit any customer across industries, and the SIMATIC MICRO-DRIVE, a versatile, seamless, and safety-related servo drive system that covers a wide range of applications in the protective extra-low voltage range (24-48V DC). Servo drives are used extensively when building AGVs. These compatible controllers from the SIMATIC portfolios optimally complement the motion control functionalities of this future-proof solution.

The design, build and manufacture of the AGVs are a result of collaboration with Gateshead-based Parmley Graham, leaders in industrial automation, and Sunderland-based AR Controls, experts in integration and robotics. Parmley Graham is working collaboratively to support the project through the provision of hardware specifications, organising of kit-formed bills of material, and sourcing of other third-party products for the AGVs. AR Controls is using its wealth of experience to design and build this new range of AGV.

The collaboration comes at a time when the demand for AGVs is increasing. The pandemic put many industries into disarray, especially the logistics industry that struggled to get essentials to consumers during lockdowns and border closings. Manufacturers across industries had to rethink and look towards efficient processes in warehousing, moving goods internally within the factory, and deal with labour shortages from both the pandemic and Brexit.

AGVs bring a wealth of benefits including improved warehousing efficiency and streamlined logistics management, lower labour costs, faster delivery, and reduced risk of workplace injury. They can also be integrated to achieve digitalisation and Smart Factory goals.

The alliance aims to target the exponential growth in the global AGV market, which is expected to almost double to $3.72bn by 2028.

The partnership builds on its success providing hundreds of AGV kits to a major auto manufacturer, which has a production plant in the North.

Commenting on the partnership Brian Holliday, Managing Director, Siemens Digital Industries, said: “The UK supply chain market is growing exponentially, and most manufacturers are now investing in technologies to boost their own logistics. AGVs are a crucial part of this investment.

“Partners like Parmley Graham that have a legacy in automation were well equipped with the right technologies and experience to deliver AGVs to the automotive manufacturer. It is also a testimony that given an opportunity, innovation can help generate new income streams for businesses in these testing times.”

Nick Wilson, Managing Director, Parmley Graham, said: “We work in partnership with organisations across a wide spectrum of industries. This collaboration helped produce the AGVs for a burgeoning need to meet efficiencies in warehousing, intralogistics, and logistics across many industries.

“Our experienced engineering team regularly delivers innovative solutions, training, and support that is tailored to the diverse needs of our varied customer base. We take our initiatives seriously and have appointed a project manager to oversee the production of the AGVs. We will be able to deliver bespoke solutions for AGVs to a range of customers in the pharmaceutical, food and drink and logistic industries”

Andy Ramsey, Company Founder and Managing Director, AR Controls, said: “We have a portfolio of automotive manufacturers for who we provide services like sensing, position control, visual inspection, machine safety, audio-indent, robotics, drives and programmable logic control so partnering with Siemens and Parmley Graham to produce AGVs is a very exciting project for us. We look forward to a fruitful outcome of this alliance.

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.

 

 

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