New trailer lift from Rite-Hite for heavy, cubed loads

Material handling systems manufacturer Rite-Hite unveiled the new Rite-Hite Trailer Lift (RHTL). The RHTL raises a variety of vehicles to proper dock height, and protects cargo by leveling the trailer bed. This also makes forklift loading/unloading more efficient and ergonomic, the company says. The design provides full, unobstructed access to a wide variety of vehicle types and loads, which then provides a universal fit, regardless of vehicle bed height, it adds. The RHTL is ideal for those in industries where heavy, cubed loads are common as the lift features a reinforced platform and larger hydraulic cylinders for increased lift, the company notes. The cylinders give the RHTL 2 more inches of lifting height, compared with competitive models, it says. Additional technological enhancements — such as the reinforced deck and traction-enhancing diamond plate tread — make the lift safer, more reliable and more efficient than its predecessors, it adds. The RHTL can be integrated with the company’s SHR-5000 Dok-Lok restraint for additional safety. The shadow hook design, with its reach and wide working range, helps maintain safe engagement with almost any type of truck or trailer. The company says both the RHTL and Dok-Lok are compatible with the centralized Dok-Commander control system, which can be programmed to work only in a safe sequence of operation.

Endress+Hauser updates temperature transmitter

Endress+Hauser recently redefined the 4-20mA RTD temperature transmitter with its newly-developed iTEMP TMT31 temperature transmitter for analog 4-20mA signals, it says. The new transmitter is characterized by its long-term stability, high accuracy and ease of use, making it an important pillar for reliable temperature measurement, the company notes. Improving upon its RTD transmitter predecessors, the iTEMP TMT31 has better connection technology, available in two optimized formats — one that incorporates push-in terminals and the other available in the classic screw terminal format, it says. Maximum reliability of measured value transmission for connection variants is ensured with corrosion-free contacts, it adds. Users can decide whether to receive the TMT31 transmitter pre-configured from the factory or to apply custom parameterization on site. Software packages for configuration run conveniently on a host of operating systems.

Peterbilt updates service subscription process

Peterbilt Motors Co. recently announced enhancements to its SmartLINQ services. The process for customers to manage their SmartLINQ subscription online has become more convenient thanks to the PACCAR Solutions web portal, it says. Customers can use their existing PACCAR Solutions Portal access to monitor, manage and renew their SmartLINQ subscriptions. Within the portal, customers can now make direct payments via credit card or ACH draft. Fleet uptime and performance is improved 24/7 by SmartLINQ through Remote Diagnostics technology, which monitors more than 800 diagnostic codes and provides real-time service alerts and recommendations, the company notes. Email warning notifications and the three nearest Peterbilt dealership locations automatically are sent by the system, it says. Service and maintenance are streamlined by SmartLINQ, and the system ensures that every truck operates at peak performance, it adds. It’s a standard system on all Peterbilt Class 8 trucks and optional on the company’s line of medium-duty trucks.

New palletizing robot added to Yaskawa’s HC-series line

Yaskawa announced extending its HC-series line with a 30 kg payload HC30PL palletizing robot. With a maximum reach of 1,700 mm, the six-axis bot is human-collaborative and facilitates safe and efficient fenceless palletizing, and also can be deployed in select handling, packaging and logistical applications of varying demanding production environments, it says. The HC30PL meets safety standards to ensure safe operation with or in close proximity to human workers. Power and force limiting (PFL) technology constantly is monitoring the robot’s force to react to contact in a quick, safe manner. Users can direct teach points with hand-guided programming. A plug and play tool flange connects various end-of-arm tooling for fast and simple deployment, the company says. The robot was built with cast aluminum for industrial-level durability, it notes. With an IP67 rating, the HC30PL can operate reliably in damp or splash-prone environments and is easy to clean, it adds. The robot meets established safety standards and has four modes of collaborative operation, easily shifting between collaborative speed in PFL mode or full speed in industrial mode. It optimizes cycle times based on risk assessment, and is controlled by the YRC1000 controller.

Ford Super Duty replacement fuel system from Transfer Flow

Premier fuel systems manufacturers Transfer Flow revealed the first-in-the-nation gasoline high-capacity replacement fuel tank. The tank is for 2020-22 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty short bed, crew cab pickups with 6.2L and 7.3L engines. The fuel tank system, which comes in at 58 gallons, pass “extensive emissions testing,” the company says. It received an Executive Order from the California Air Resources Board as well. With the larger fuel tank, the truck’s driving range is increased. This allows the driver to bypass expensive fuel stations and fuel up where gas is cheaper, while also requiring less refuels, it notes. Less fuel ups means fewer fugitive emissions, making the fuel tank “an environmentally friendly choice for customers who choose gasoline-powered vehicles,” the company says. Made from American-made 12-gauge aluminized steel, the fuel tank has “superior strength and corrosion resistance,” with exterior fuel lines and a highly-engineered evaporative emission system, it adds. The tanks are equipped with internal baffles for additional durability and to reduce fuel slosh, it says. Straps and mounting hardware are included with the system’s installation kit, as well as a six-year, unlimited mile warranty.

Teledyne DALSA, a designer and manufacturer in digital imaging components, added to its Genie Nano portfolio with new cameras. As the smallest 10GigE Vision camera in the industry, the Genie Nano-10GigE M/C8200 series delivers an adaptable and scalable solution because of increased interface speeds and resolutions, which provide system designers with an easier integration path for application upgrades that require high-speed data capture and transfers, the company says. “The new Teledyne e2v Emerald 67M global shutter CMOS image sensor provides excellent performance and image quality for high-end optical inspection,” said Manny Romero, senior product manager at Teledyne DALSA, in a statement.

Global provider of material handling automation and systems integration, MHS Global, and warehouse software and solution provider, Fortna, have merged. The result is a combined single entity to be known as FORTNA. “The decision to retain the legacy Fortna name was the result of careful consideration,” said Rob McKeel, Fortna’s CEO, in a statement. “We chose the name FORTNA not only for the great reputation the name already has in the market, but because of the strength and resilience embedded within it.” Together, the two companies have decades of experience in omnichannel and parcel distribution solutions, with the ability to offer customers a versatile end-to-end path forward to optimize operations, it notes.

The iWAREHOUSE FieldSense proximity notification system is the latest addition to the Raymond Corp.’s iWAREHOUSE Fleet. With a design that reinforces operator best practices and enhances environmental awareness, the iWAREHOUSE Fieldsense is different in its use of magnetic field generator (MFG) technology. The MFG can see through and around most objects to alert pedestrians and lift truck operators when they come within a certain distance of each other. It can provide truck-to-truck, truck-to-pedestrian and truck-to-facility awareness. “We developed iWAREHOUSE Fieldsense as a flexible solution, allowing users to customize the product to meet their specific needs and then expand the system in the future,” said Steve Gorr, application manager, in a statement.

TekniPlex Consumer Products, a materials science and manufacturing technologies solutions provider, recently acquired Empaques Moldeados de America Tecnologias S. de R.L. de C.V. (EMATEC). Ematec is a Mexico-based molded fiber packaging manufacturer, with a portfolio of sustainable molded cellulose pulp packaging solutions. “Ematec bolsters our commitment to leadership in the fresh foods and foodservice categories, reinforcing our strategy to focus on helping our customers win in the perimeter of the store,” said Eldon Schaffer, TekniPlex CEO, in a statement. “Ematec has a solid reputation for developing and commercializing packaging solutions for the segments it serves, and we’re proud to create a powerful fiber solution leveraging the combined strengths of Keyes, Fibro, Ematec and TekniPlex.”

Aluminum can packaging solutions provider American Canning signed a supply agreement with Ball Corp. to be a distributor of blank (brite) and printed aluminum beverage can. With this agreement, American Canning has more consistent accessibility to brite cans and can offer printed cans in single truckload increments — a first for the company. In a statement, Monica Christmas, the company’s purchasing manager, said the addition of printed cans allows the company to serve customers with a more diverse product portfolio.

Alfa Laval, a provider of products in the areas of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, announced the opening of a new food hub in Kenosha, Wis. The hub will be equipped with enhanced capabilities to support the U.S. hygienic and food processing market, the company says. It will serve the hygienic process industry in areas like dairy, beverage and brewing, with a state-of-the-art laboratory, a testing center and a training space. “It is a true center of excellence where customers and channel partners can access our full breadth of hygienic separation, process systems, heat transfer and fluid handling expertise,” said John Piazza, senior vice president, food and water division, in a statement.