Primera Technology Inc. releases AP-CODE module

Specialty printer manufacturer Primera Technology Inc. announced a new AP-CODE Lot & Date Coder. The company describes AP-CODE as compact, affordable and easy to use, as it’s designed to seamlessly work with Primera’s AP360 and AP362 Label Applicators. No tools are required to install the module, and it doesn’t need a separate power supply, it notes. It features a full-color touchscreen to enter data and configure date and lock codes. Letters, numbers and many symbols can be included in the print fields, which are free-format. The single black ink cartridge adheres to numerous substrates, such as glass, metal, plastic and laminated labels. The company says decap time is more than 24 hours, eliminating clogs and the need to cap print heads overnight. “This is an exciting development for Primera’s industry-leading label applicators,” said Mark D. Strobel, Primera’s vice president of sales and marketing, in a statement. “AP-CODE, in combination with our AP360 and AP362 Label Applicators, now allows our customers to apply their labels and simultaneously print dates, lot codes and much more directly onto their containers — all with one integrated machine. Compared to hand-applying extra labels or using hand-stamping devices, theefficiency gains for our customers with AP360 or AP362 Applicators is significant.”

Endress+Hauser unveils ultrasonic smart sensor meter

Measurement and automation technology manufacturer Endress+Hauser’s latest innovation is the Teqave H. The ultrasonic meter ensures the accurate and reliable measurement of sugar content in fruit juices and distilled beverages or the concentration of cleaning agents, the company says. With its hygienic design, the Teqwave H fulfills the highest quality standards through its state-of-the-art algorithms and a flexible application concept for optimal process control, it adds. Costs for users is reduced with the Teqwave H because of its liquid analysis, which measures different concentrations with just one sensor, the company notes. Users can utilize the same sensor without reprogramming thanks to the preinstalled concentration data sets. Additionally, these data sets can be adapted as needed for various applications, increasing the accuracy of concentration measurements, the company says. Moreover, with a full-bore design, Teqwave H is easy to clean and ensures that the highest hygienic standards are fulfilled, it adds. It features a stainless-steel measuring tube and a design free of protruding parts. The Teqwave gives users the ability to detect disturbance variables, such as gas bubbles or particles that can impact the measuring signals. Users can evaluable the severity and be compensated to achieve accurate measurement continuously, the company says. The meter also is available with a remote transmitter, which can be optionally ordered with a protective housing in stainless steel.

E-SERIES cobots latest from Doosan Robotics

Doosan Robotics, a manufacturer of collaborative robots, recently launched its E-SERIES. The collaborative robot (cobot) line is National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified and specifically created for the food and beverage industry, the company notes. The E-SERIES has the flexibility to make virtually any food and beverage, while also offering extremely competitive pricing and industry-leading safety and hygiene standards, it says. The series received NSF certification for its food hygiene safety, with features like sealed gaps between the cobot’s connecting axes. With its reduced weight and slim design, the E-SERIES is simple to install and seamlessly fits into workspaces, the company says. It has a 5 kg payload and nearly 3 foot reach, providing ample capacity to handle any food task with ease, it adds. “Our E-SERIES cobots were specifically created to help transform the food and beverage industry, providing immediate solutions to labor shortages and improving work efficiencies,” said William (Junghoon) Ryu, CEO of Doosan Robotics, in a statement. “Based on this momentum, we will continue to lead the global cobot industry.” The company plans to advance customized application for other food and beverage use, from baking, barbecue and other specialized functions, it notes.

Toyota Material Handling reveals 3 new electric forklift models

The latest innovation from Toyota Material Handling was the launch of three new electric forklift models. Featuring a Side-Entry End Rider, a Center Rider Stacker and an Industrial Tow Tractor, these three lifts offer customers access to next-level efficiency, versatility and best-in-class performance, while also prioritizing operator comfort, the company says. “Toyota’s culture is built on the guiding principle of kaizen, or continuous movement. The drive to improve permeates every facet of our company, from the broad range of products we manufacture to our unwavering commitment to provide our customers with the smartest and most reliable solutions available in the material handling industry,” said Jaksa Pejnovic, Toyota Material Handling’s vice president of sales and marketing, in a statement. “We believe these new Toyota electric products will help customers get even more efficiency and productivity out of their operation.” The Side-Entry End Rider is ideal for transportation cross-warehouse and order picking. The Center Rider Stacker features a three-in-one design and a lift capacity as much as 2,500 pounds. It allows operation in narrow aisles, on trailers as well as long runs, staging and cross-dock work, the company says. The Industrial Tow Tractor features a towing capacity of 15,000 pounds on flat surfaces, it adds.

Lion Electric announces all-electric, medium-duty Lion5

Electric vehicle manufacturer The Lion Electric Co. announced the launch of the Lion5. The all-electric, medium-duty Class 5 truck is powered by LionBattery packs, the new in-house engineered and manufactured 800V battery packs from Lion. The announcement occurred at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. Slated for production before year-end, the Lion5 has a maximum payload of as much as 12,500 pounds, the company notes. “At Lion, we’ve always believed in finding a better way to serve fleets and benefit the environment and the Lion5 is our most recent example of this yet. The design and performance of this innovative all-electric truck is sure to redefine how our customers answer their commercial fleet needs,” said Brian Piern, Lion Electric’s chief commercial officer, in a statement. “It is because of the success of the Lion6 that we are able to introduce today our next generation platform, the Lion5, the premier vehicle for last mile delivery and more, featuring the first application of LionBattery, our in-house designed and manufactured battery packs.” While the vehicle’s truck cab chassis design features a Class 5 gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), it offers configurations of 19,500 pounds up through 26,000 pounds, which is considered Class 6 GVWR. It harnesses 315 horsepower, 2,360 pounds per feet of torque and can be equipped with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of up to 30,000 pounds, the company says.

Maintenance, repair and operation parts distributor Motion Industries Inc. announced that Patrick Cummings would be promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer. Cummings has been with Motion since 2012, when he started as AVP of Corporate Compliance. “Patrick will become a vital part of the Motion executive team, leading Motion to achieve our financial goals in the coming years,” said Randy Breaux, Motion’s president, in a statement. “His promotion is well deserved. It makes me extremely proud and happy that, after a nationwide search, the Motion candidates proved to be the ‘best in class,’ which says a lot about Motion, our succession planning/process and our teammates.”

Franklin, Wis.-based Krones Inc., a manufacturer of processing, filling and packaging technologies, recently signed an agreement to acquire 90% of Ampco Pumps Co. Ampco is a manufacturer of sanitary pups, mixing and blending equipment that is used in the food and beverage industry, among others, and is headquartered in Glendale, Wis. “Krones is a major global player in the processing and packaging industries, and we are excited to join forces with them,” said Michael Nicholson, president of Ampco, in a statement. “Becoming a member of the Krones Group will allow us significant growth opportunities and widen our offerings to our customers.”

Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Co., signed a distribution agreement with Hexagon Purus. The agreement is to exclusively distribute a complete battery electric tractor, utilizing Hegagon’s proprietary zero-emission technology. This technology includes battery systems, auxiliary modules, power modules and vehicle-level software that is developed to operate on Hino’s XL 4x2 tractor cab chassis. “Recent regulations address the need for further reductions in emissions for the transportation sector in the U.S., and will ultimately drive further demand for several classes of zero-emission commercial vehicles,” said Glenn Ellis, Hino president, in a statement. “Our exclusive distribution agreement with Hexagon Purus expands Hino Trucks’ capability to distribute BEV’s in both the medium- and heavy-duty space as we continue to invest in BEV adoption as the landscape continues to evolve.”

Danfoss North America recently signed a power purchase agreement with CIG Capital to purchase 75 MW of solar power from a Texas-based solar farm. The agreement will begin in 2025 and last 12 years, which Danfoss says will allow it to fully replace its annual electricity usage in North America with green energy through at least 2037. “As part of our ESG goals, Danfoss has committed to achieving carbon neutrality across our global operations by 2030,” said Soren Revsbech Dam, head of ESG and decarbonization, global services real estate at Danfoss, in a statement. “This agreement to secure green energy for our North America will reduce our global emissions by 21%. This is not only a significant step in our journey to becoming carbon neutral, but it also demonstrates that we are serious about putting sustainability at the heart of our business.”

Last month, Peterbilt announced a hydrogen fuel cell technology for its heavy-duty truck lineup. “Peterbilt is quickly leveraging the lessons learned by PACCAR on earlier hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) projects to broaden our zero emissions powertrain solutions available to our customers,” said Jason Skoog, PACCAR VP and Peterbilt general manager, in a statement. “Hydrogen fuel cell technology is a key component of a portfolio of Peterbilt zero emissions vehicles that also includes our advanced battery-electric models. Our partnership with Toyota will deliver the most advanced fuel cell powertrain in the industry.” The FCEV zero emissions from Peterbilt will be available in 2025.