NEXUS Warehouse Execution System

Matthews Automation Solutions recently introduced its NEXUS Warehouse Execution System (WES). The NEXUS WES unifies data, operations and material handling equipment, enabling them to function collaboratively and increase throughput and material flow throughout the facility. The software features a new web-based front end for improved usability and visualization on desktop and mobile devices. The Pyramid Director and Matthews’ Compass Order Routing System, created in 1994, were designed to help brands in food and beverage elevate their omnichannel and eCommerce order fulfillment, the company says. Likewise, the updated NEXUS WES dynamically balances work and synchronizes real-time resources to optimize how orders flow through a facility, it adds. Through the use of real-time data and adaptive learning, the system continuously monitors and adjusts automated subsystems throughout the day to maintain balanced operations based on rate and projected workflow. Additionally, the responsive user interface was designed to provide an intuitive, configurable workspace with end-to-end system visibility and control, and because NEXUS is web-based, it can be assessed on all devices, including PCs, tablets and phones, regardless of operating system, the company notes.

Vinloq Wine Preservation System

Vinloq, part of Boston Wine Devices LLC, is a slow decanting and wine preservation system that enables business and consumers to experience the diverse tasting notes from one bottle of wine to the next. Created by Anesthesiologists Fernando Bazobeery and Brent Young, Vinloq is designed to offer wine freedom to the wine connosuer and to make it fun to open a bottle whenever and wherever, it says. A two-part system that slowly decants and preserves wine, Vinloq offers a tasting game where a customer can choose when a wines taste the best to him or her, Young said in a statement. The slow decanting system slows down the decanting process and gives businesses control of how much oxygen the wine is exposed to. The duo explains that while a lot of oxygen in a wine bottle blocks flavor, small, controlled amounts of oxygen exposure can make wine taste better. The device also offers a wine preservation system that preserves the wine’s flavors and aromas for as long as possible.

OnRobot MG10 Magnetic Gripper

OnRobot US Inc. unveiled the MG10, a versatile, high-performance, easy-to-use magnetic gripper for material handling. Fully compatible with all major robot brands through OnRobot’s One System Solution, the MG10 offers unique adjustable force and grip detection features that provide users with unprecedented levels of control. Unlike standard magnetic grippers that only provide on/off functionality and are equipped with rubber “feet” to create space between the magnet and the part, the MG10 gripper comes with built-in grip and sensors for part detections that enable manufacturers to deploy precise material handling applications quickly and easily, the company says. The new features eliminate dropped parts and are ready to take over machine tending, assembly and material handling tasks that were once performed by costly and complex pneumatic grippers. Additionally, the MG10 handles uneven, abrasive or perforated surfaces as well as a wide range of sizes, weights and parts with odd-shaped geometries. As the manufacturing sector moves toward low volume/high mix production, the ability to move quickly from one application setup to another quickly is essential, the company says. The MG10 is sufficiently versatile, intelligent and quickly can be redeployed on tasks from machine tending and palletizing to de-stacking of metal sheets.

ISUZU Low Cab Forward 2022i N-Series

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. announced major enhancements to its popular N-Series Diesel Trucks for 2022. The improvements include the addition of an optional Advanced Driver Assistance System that includes Automatic Emergency Braking and a Lane Departure Warning System; standard Electronic Vehicle Stability Control, new standard and optional fuel tanks; standard four-wheel disc brakes; and refreshed exterior and interior design. ISUZU suggests that the medium-duty segment will grow this year, and changes to the foundation of its lineup, the Class 3 through 5 N-Series diesel-powered trucks, are in response to customers’ requests and come at the perfect time to take advantage of growth in the segment, the company says. Standard on all 2022i N-Series diesel models will be Electronic Vehicle Stability Control (EVSC), which will monitor the truck’s steering wheel angle, individual wheel rotation speed, lateral G forces and more. If the EVSC senses the vehicle is at risk of losing stability, it alerts the driver through an on-dash warning light and automatically reduces engine output and applies braking pressure as needed to help the truck maintain stability. The system works in tandem with Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), an advanced traction-control system that works to provide grip when the truck is on loose or wet surfaces. ASR also will be standard on all 2022i N-Series diesel trucks.

Comexi ML2 Laminator

Comexi, a specialist in solutions for the flexible packaging printing and converting industry, announced that Multisac Flexible Packaging acquired the Comexi ML2. Multisac produces and sells flexible packaging such as films, bags and formats using flexography, digital printing, solvent-less and solvent-based inks. Multisac and Comexi have been partners since 2008, and since that time, Multisac has acquired seven Comexi machines, including a flexographic press, two laminators and three slitters. The Comexi ML2 offers complete versatility with various types of flexible packaging applications. The machine allows applications such as heat seal, cold seal, matt and gloss varnish coatings, solvent and water-based laminating, solvent-less laminating, and many more possibilities, all in one laminator, the company says. With its ergonomic design, daily operations can be rapidly performed, thus maximizing production.

Butler, Pa.-based Agr International Inc. appointed Steve Smith to lead Agr’s North American sales team in a continuation of the company’s multi-year plan to strengthen and expand its sales and service organizations in order to better support the distinct needs of customers around the world. As director of sales, Smith will oversee all sales related activities within the United States, Mexico, Canada and several countries within Latin America and the Caribbean. Since joining Agr’s sales team a year ago, Smith demonstrated the ability to manage complex customer accounts in the bottle manufacturing and beverage industry, the company says.

Allied Electronics & Automation, Fort Worth, Texas, reports that is has expanded personal protective equipment (PPE) and automation and control solutions by adding 11 new suppliers to its roster of more than 500 suppliers. New products now available at www.alliedelec.com include PPE from suppliers Lift Safety, Spray Nine, DYMON and SCRUBS; QA1 bearings; linear actuators from Duff-Norton; linear motion products from PBC Linear; motor control and drives from Dart Controls; Hongfa relays; YS Tech USA thermal management devices; and Lan-Power power over Ethernet (PoE) products. The company recently doubled the capacity of its Fort Worth distribution centers and provides online customers with photos, more than 1.1 million product data sheets and expert advice on a wide range of topic, it says.

Miamisburg, Ohio-based Esko published a new “Cloud Freedom whitepaper outlining benefits of packaging industry transitioning to the cloud. The whitepaper delivers operational efficiency, data security and flexibility for print and packaging suppliers, and follows the successful launch of the company's Digital Maturity Model program in 2020 designed to help management teams meet the growing need to strategically address business digitization, automation and connection. To receive the free whitepaper, visit www.esko.com/en/lp/cloud-freedom/cloud-freedom.

UNITED CAPS, Wiltz, Luxembourg, unveiled a new initiative: Define Your Circle, which is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Define Your Circle is designed to provide UNITED CAPS customers and their customers a simpler way to calculate full life-cycle environmental impact of their products, from before the materials enter the plant right through to its performance in the hands of the end user. The company also offers its customers with easy-to-use tools that allow them to calculate their carbon footprint more accurately, taking actions where appropriate to reduce their life cycle environmental impact and make data-driven informed decisions about their products.

Amber Beverage Group (ABG), Luxembourg, has signed an agreement with Jungheinrich, Hamburg, German, to purchase $18.6 million of automated warehouse equipment to build ABG’s automated high-bay warehouse. The investment will enable the company to ensure efficient cargo and pallet management for its partners in more than 185 countries and to maintain the speed of development of investment projects, the company says. The company's current warehouse capacity is 25,000 pallet sites, while the new warehouse will be able to store 35,000 pallets at a time, expanding the warehouse capacity to 45,000 pallet sites if necessary, it adds.

SIG, Newington, N.H., has become a member of Brussels-based AIM-Progress to collaborate for positive impact through responsible sourcing, and is the first in the beverage carton industry to partner with customers through AIM-Progress, it says. Responsible sourcing has been a key pillar of SIG’s net positive ambition to go Way Beyond Good for society and the environment since the outset. SIG offer packs with all three main materials certified as responsibly sourced — FSCTM-certified liquid packaging board, ASI-certified aluminum foil and ISCC PLUS-certified polymers.