Conveyer & Caster-Equipment for Industry
Conveyor Solutions, Inc.
Supply Chain Consulting Search
Century Conveyor Service, Inc.
Anchor Conveyor Products, Inc.
Wynright
Value Rail
Flexible Material Handling
Fenner Precision
Dynamic Systems, LLC
Diamond Chain Company
Dual Lane Hand Pack to single file merge maximizes production
Using six different conveyor belt or roller transitions along the way Multi-Conveyor has recently built a dual-lane hand-pack line, made up of a series of small conveyor sections, all joined by seamless transfers, that manually feed a new merging section to further semi-automate for this customer. These mild steel constructed conveyors will transport individual trays that will be hand-packed into cases. The new merge section will further increase productivity. The 55’ overall length system starts out with two straight running lanes of product, separated by a center rail that transfers to a 3’ gapping conveyor with friction top belting. After pulling a gap, the product takes a brief elevation to raise the product at a desired hand-packing height for insertion of the trays into corrugated cases. Trays continue onto a plastic chain pack-table conveyor with a fixed end-stop that towers over two gravity roller conveyors on either where the product is manually placed in open cartons. Note the product and cases used in this video is for demonstration purposes only. Operators manually discharge the filled cases from each side of the hand pack where they’ll simultaneously merge, without collision, down to a single file and onto a customer’s existing gravity roller. LBP (low back pressure) transitions were used in each of the 6 belting transitions through the system. The 66” merge conveyor section employs ARB (active roller belt) technology to ensure a perfect merge.
Episode 123 – Regal Conveying
In this episode, I was joined by Brad Gossard who is the General Manager of Regal Conveying. You may remember Regal from our ProMat series where we discussed their ModSort system. While Regal is a large company with many brands under its umbrella, Brad works with its conveying arm which is under the brand System Plast. We discuss how conveying has changed over the last 10 years, maintaining social distance in fast pace environments and ergonomics. Key Takeaways Regal has many different brands within their company that covers multiple different industries and business sectors. On the material handling side, they focus on conveyors which is the division that Brad heads up. They have some interesting conveyor solutions especially ModSort which has a unique way of handling diverts. I was very impressed when I saw it at ProMat last year and it is still a very nice solution. Brad discusses how prior to COVID-19 the major changes within the industry in the last few years have been how packaging has changed and how workflow has become more fast-paced. As demand has increased through e-commerce, it has created a higher demand to move smaller packages in a more efficient and automated way. When the parcel industry shifted towards a volume-based pricing strategy, companies started to use different types of packaging which became harder to convey. Due to this, the ModSort was brought into play as it can handle all different shapes and sizes of packages. Now that COVID-19 has happened, Regal Conveying has seen increased demand in utilizing conveying as a way to create social distancing within a facility. Brad explains that one of the initial reactions in material handling was to hire more people to handle the spike in demand but now companies are looking to put more automation in place to get away from manual sortation. As you can imagine, manual sortation can make it difficult for social distancing in some cases. To create social distancing, conveyors can be put in place to do the sortation and also create distance between employees. Listen to the episode below and convey your thoughts to us in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 123: Regal Conveying
Cisco-Eagle announces new Director of Sales for Arkansas
Cisco-Eagle, a material handling systems integrator, dealing in conveyor systems, storage, and automation for distribution/manufacturing clients announced that Rodney Freeman has become the Director of Sales for Arkansas effective October 1st. As the new Director of Sales for Arkansas, Rodney is responsible for maintaining and growing our Arkansas and Missouri markets. An employee-owner since 2013, Rodney was initially brought on as an account executive and was previously promoted to Arkansas Market Leader in 2017. A Jonesboro native, Rodney graduated from Arkansas State University with a degree in journalism. Freeman has been instrumental in the growth of our business in Arkansas, first as a territory manager, where he helped a variety of customers improve their warehousing, assembly, storage, and handling operations. He then became a market leader for Arkansas, assisting other account executives to reach their potential. “Rodney has a journalist’s mind,” said James Murphy, VP of Sales. “He asks the right questions and gets to the facts. That’s one of the things that makes him so good at solving problems for customers. He is now bringing that skill set to his sales director role.” Cisco-Eagle is 100% employee-owned and has been in continuous operation since 1970. The company’s customer base spans all fifty states, serviced by regional offices from Texas to Florida.
Cisco-Eagle announces new Director of Sales of Tenneesee
Cisco-Eagle is a material handling systems integrator, dealing in conveyor systems, storage, and automation for distribution/manufacturing clients has announced that Don Laux became Director of Sales for Tennessee effective October 1st. As the new Director of Sales for Tennessee, Don is responsible for maintaining and growing our Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, and Florida markets. A 30-year material handling industry veteran, Don was previously Director of the Nashville office and has years of managing multi-distribution and manufacturing facilities in and outside the United States. “Don has managed major manufacturing operations and knows what it takes to succeed,” James Murphy, VP of Sales added. “He’s been a mentor and a leader before and after we were fortunate enough to have him here at Cisco-Eagle. He’ll do what he always does and make a difference in this new role.” Cisco-Eagle is 100% employee-owned and has been in continuous operation since 1970. The company’s customer base spans all fifty states, serviced by regional offices from Texas to Florida.
Huron Technology Corp. announces the Hi-Speed Tote Stacker and De-Stacker
Huron Technology Corporation has introduced the Hi-Speed Tote Stacker and De-Stacker which is ideal for high volume automated tote handling applications. The Tote Stacker and De-Stacker optimize the utilization of valuable floor space by effectively increasing the storage density of empty totes. The system’s compact design makes it suitable for locations that require a small footprint. The Tote Stacker and De-Stacker provide an efficient way to transport full stacks of totes, leading to greater worker safety through reduced in-plant traffic and manual handling. The Tote Stacker & De-Stacker offers many practical options based on the application, with speed selection up to 20 totes per minute, pneumatic or electric actuation, and 24 VDC power capabilities. The Tote Stacker & De-Stacker is also maintenance-friendly and modular so it can easily fit within the current conveyor system. Learn how you can better stack, store and save valuable floor space with their Tote Stacker and De-Stacker, and discover a safer, more organized facility.
Passive transfers facilitate multiple side case printing
Without elaborate pneumatics or controls and NO pinch points Multi-Conveyor recently built three mild-steel constructed conveyors that passive off transfer from narrow to wide side leading (and back) to facilitate multiple side case printing. The cases start narrow side leading then transfer 90 degrees to wide side leading without using pneumatic pushers or elaborate devices. Precise conveyor placement and ARB roller belt technology transfer the now wide side leading cases onto a straight running flat top plastic belted conveyor where the customer can integrate their label printer(s). A second passive transfer then transfers the cases back to the narrow side leading to position them for transfer onto the customer’s existing check-weigher. The 90° “passive” transfer technology is based on proprietary integrated roller belting and bead rails to achieve the movement. Multi-Conveyor uses a variety of belt technology to ensure accurate product orientation. True passive transfers do not require pneumatics or controls – which means easy operation without pinch points, minimizing safety issues for the Operator. See even more product orienting videos – from simple to elaborate configurations – in their extensive product video gallery.
Light Running Conveyor Roller from daRoller requires just 12 grams to start rolling
daRoller has introduced a new light running roller that requires just 12g (0.026 lbs) of turning effort to cause the conveyor roller to start rolling. Based on daRoller’s 1200 Series gravity roller, the light running roller is built with high-quality ABEC precision bearings and a grease/oil combination for lubrication. It allows the conveyor to run easily, quietly, and smoothly even when moving light goods. Proven and trusted, there are millions of these rollers in use around the world. According to Ms. Joan Morgan, president and CEO at daRoller, “When you’re moving very lightweight items along a conveyor on a slightly angled slope, or in a high-speed sorting application, simply getting the rollers to turn can sometimes be a challenge. The items simply do not have enough weight to overcome friction and inertia. Our light running roller solves that problem.” The new roller comes equipped with a polymer housed bearing, an end cap designed to protect the bearings from dust and liquid, and spring-loaded shafts on both ends and the tub. The axle rollers are double spring retained, with internal threads or pin-retained available as options. The tube is galvanized for corrosion resistance.
Precision timed hand pack with semi-automated Indexing from Multi-Conveyor
Feeds labelers and metal detectors with room to grow Multi-Conveyor recently built multiple sanitary, precision timed, semi-automatic hand pack conveyor lines that ultimately feed labelers and metal detection systems. Six (6) straight running plastic belt conveyors allow a customer supplied tray denesting machine to dispense single lane empty plastic food trays onto an indexing conveyor where operators manually fill. We’ve simulated this action using a demo product for illustration purposes. Sensors are provided for tray positioning for manual and alternate automatic tray filling. The fully welded sanitary wash down constructed system includes tool-less removable stainless steel shelving for product storage containers that are easily positioned for operators to slide bulk food directly into clam-shell style trays for manual lid closure. Trays then convey to a labeler infeed using a nose bar transfer, then move to a reduced speed metal detector conveyor. Custom Delrin guard plates were provided for additional operator safety yet allows internal access for cleaning. Other features incorporated with these systems include manual belt lifts, slotted clean out holes for cleaning and maintenance; and manually adjustable guide rails with pre-set positions for specific width openings and product changeover. Custom controls tailored for this customer include servo motors and VFD’s allowing flexibility for the customer to choose from intermittent stops or continuous running conveyance as the variety of product requires, now and for the future. This type of system is perfect for contract packagers, low volume case or tray packing, craft brew 6-packs, cannabis start-ups, and more.
James Murphy named Vice President of Cisco-Eagle, Inc.
James Murphy became Vice-President of Sales for Cisco-Eagle, Inc of Little Rock on September 1. Cisco-Eagle is a material handling systems integrator, dealing in conveyor systems, storage, and automation for distribution and manufacturing clients. In Murphy’s new role, he will oversee national sales and strategy efforts, including training and development and strategic opportunities. “We work to solve problems for our customers,” Murphy said. “We’re constantly looking for ways to do that better and it starts with an exceptional sales force who are trained and supported to help customers operate more efficiently.” Murphy brings a wealth of experience to the position. After beginning his material handling career at Hytrol Conveyors, Murphy joined Cisco-Eagle in a sales role in 1998, where he was instrumental in many successful large projects for customers in food production, distribution, and manufacturing. He became Cisco-Eagle Arkansas Sales Director in 2013. In that role, he revitalized the sales teams and processes that significantly increased Cisco-Eagle’s reach and overall market position. Cisco-Eagle is 100% employee-owned and has been in continuous operation since 1970. The company’s customer base spans all fifty states, serviced by regional offices from Texas to Florida.