Major Innovations from Itoh Denki

Itoh Denki, a leading international specialist in motorised drive roller (MDR) based material handling technologies, is set for a busy first quarter of 2024, with major innovations to be displayed at two major international trade shows in March.

The company will be exhibiting at both SITL (stand J086) – short for ‘Salon International du Transport et de la Logistique’ – and LogiMAT, the leading international trade show for intralogistics solutions and process management (stand 1K25). Both shows will welcome visitors from 19th to 21st March in Paris and Stuttgart respectively.

At each event, Itoh Denki will be showcasing major innovations which will bring new opportunities for efficiency and flexibility across a broad range of applications.

Among the new products on display will be M-RAT, a highly innovative new diverter and sorter module, developed in response to burgeoning demands from customers globally for systems which can cope with heavier products, especially in manufacturing or on assembly lines. Drawing on a similar acclaimed 24V DC powered design which form the heart of the company’s F-RAT compact 90° diverter and sorter module for the precise transferring of smaller loads, M-RAT will be able to handle individual loads of up to 250kg. This will provide greater flexibility for specifiers and designers needing to move heavier loads who have previously had to rely on heavily motorised or pneumatically powered systems which bring very specific challenges around commissioning, maintenance and safety.

Also on show will be a prototype of FNR, a new MDR-powered conveyor module which transfers loads via an innovative patented bed comprising plastic wheels. Offering a ready alternative to traditional belt conveyors and belt on roller conveyors when handling small items, FNR is a highly cost-efficient solution boasting supreme safety, near-silent operation and very low maintenance. A versatile solution for many applications, it notably offers a practical and cost-efficient solution for singulation of items for order preparation. The prototype on display will demonstrate how FNR can be used in a singulation application, conveying and separating small individual packets of sweets.

Tatsuya Akashi, President of Itoh Denki Europe, explained: “We have exhibited regularly at both SITL and LogiMAT in recent years, and every year, both events have proved highly valuable in reinforcing existing contacts and forging new partnerships. We’ll have knowledgeable colleagues from our expert European team on hand throughout both events to discuss customers’ application requirements and demonstrate our technical capabilities. We look forward to welcoming decision-makers and specifiers from across Europe and further afield to our stands.”

Innovative Modular Diverter, Sorter Modules

An innovative high-capacity, multi-directional diverter and a compact 90° diverter and sorter module will take centre stage on Itoh Denki’s stand (no. C017) at the 2023 Semaine de l’Innovation du Transport et de la Logistique (SITL) event in Paris from 28-30 March.

The Multi-Angle Ball Sorter (MABS) boasts patented rotating ball transfer technology, which allows products to be diverted to at any angle on both the left and right. It can handle up to 4,300 units per hour of up to 30kg in weight and is suitable for integration into any type of conveyor system. It is powered solely by 24V DC technology, helping to optimise safety when compared with pneumatically powered systems.

Available in a total of five sizes, MABS can be rapidly reconfigured to suit the requirements of changing set-ups, with up to eight units able to operate in tandem where larger transfer zones are needed. MABS’ high throughput, versatility and compact footprint make it ideal for a vast range of warehousing, e-commerce and intralogistics applications.

Also on show will be the F-RAT NX compact – the only diverter of its type on the market which is able to transfer products at a 90° angle on both sides of the conveyor line without needing to raise the product between the entry and exit. Not only does this make for smoother transfers, but conveyor design is simplified too. Again powered by 24V DC power, the need for pneumatic systems is negated, while the F-RAT comes in a range of sizes.

MABS and F-RAT NX can be combined with ZPA (zero pressure accumulation) conveyors to deliver precise positioning of products and smooth transfer. These attributes make them perfect for any application requiring high throughput alongside optimised quality and safety.

Etienne Vuillard of Itoh Denki explained: “The modern warehouse and distribution facility demands not just high throughput, but unstinting performance when it comes to safety and overall quality of handling. Alongside this, requirements from the sortation line in terms of volume and product type can change rapidly. This means modular, DC-powered systems, able to be rapidly reconfigured, are likely to be attractive to specifiers and system designers. Itoh Denki has been a pioneer of modular sorting and diverting technology for many years and both the MABS and F-RAT combine the qualities for which we have become renowned – speed, versatility, accuracy and safety. The SITL event will welcome leading decision-makers in the sector from across France, and beyond, and we anticipate strong interest in both ranges from visitors to our stand seeking to maximise productivity and enjoy a rapid return on their investment.”

Itoh Denki is a pioneer and leader in motorised roller-based conveyor and sorting solutions for automated intralogistics.

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