Tompkins Robotics’ tSort3D System

With a goal to deliver adaptive, flexible and portable solutions, Tompkins Robotics introduced its new tSort3D. Designed to further enhance automated sortation processes, the modular tSort3D multiplies the destination density and volume of the sortation process, the company says. When paired with the company’s tSort for item sortation loading and routing, the tSort3D system is ideal for order consolidation and assistance with customer eCommerce orders and other fulfillment flows such as store replenishment and reverse logistics. The system can be deployed in a scalable fashion in sites as small as the backroom of a retail store to large distribution and fulfillment centers. Additionally, the system allows six to eight times the sort destinations in the same space as other traditional automated sortation solutions, provides for thousands of sort destinations, volumes as much as 20,000 an hour, and facilitates a single, very large batch pick, it adds. The tSort3D uses a tray as the carrier, while other solutions use a cross belt. The tSort3d can handle wider, taller and deeper products, can continuously track items, orders and order status, and fosters a much less labor-intensive process from picking through to order delivery to packing for many product flows and products.

OTTO autonomous forklift

During the MODEX tradeshow, OTTO Motors debuted its new autonomous forklift, the OTTO Lifter. The OTTO Lifter, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), is able to drive nimbly in a crowded and dynamic environment while improving safety in warehouses and facilities. With advanced safety sensors and class-leading autonomous driving capabilities, OTTO Lifter works alongside people, other vehicles and existing infrastructure, providing businesses a safer material handling solution for as low as $9 an hour, the company says. Designed with The OTTO Lifter’s autonomy software, the smart forklift makes intelligent, real-time decisions as it seamlessly navigates traffic and obstacles to predictably and precisely deliver materials to the right place, at the right time. The easy-to-install equipment has a payload capacity of 2,640 pounds and has logged more than 3 million hours of material handling driving experience with zero safety incidents. The autonomous forklift is compatible with the entire OTTO Motors fleet of AMRs and more than 80 integrator partners.

TRU-Vu sunlight readable LCD monitor

TRU-Vu Monitors Inc. released a 15.6-inch sunlight readable LCD display designed to operate in direct, bright sunlight, or in other high ambient light conditions. The SRM-15.6U monitor features a 1366-by-768 HD resolution, and 1000 nits of brightness, producing bright, crystal-clear images, even with direct, bright sunlight on the face of the screen. The powder-coated steel enclosure ensures that the monitor will withstand shock, vibration and rugged environments, the company says. The monitor also features an auto restart after power loss function, which ensures the monitor automatically resumes operation after power is restored, without the need for any operator action.

World Centric 4-can carrier rings

In response to companies seeking more environmentally sustainable packaging, World Center offers its new 100% natural, compostable fiber 4-can carrier rings made exclusively from renewable plant fibers — sugarcane and bamboo. Designed to reduce the earth’s carbon footprint while keeping additional microplastics out of oceans, forests and landfills, the fiber 4-can carrier rings provide a plant-based, compostable alternative that doesn’t require petroleum, the company says. The rings are designed to compost within two to four months in a commercial composting facility. Additionally, the company annually gives 25% of its net profits to grassroots social and environmental projects that provide basic needs and economic development opportunities for communities. In 2021, it donated $1.7 million in cash and product donations.

Ross manufacturing vessel

With more than 180 years of manufacturing industrial mixing equipment, Charles Ross & Son offers a wide variety of storage tanks, pressure vessels and reactors that are made in the United States at fabrication plants in Savannah, Ga., and Deer Park, N.Y. The company offers a 3,000-gallon custom-fabricated manufacturing vessel (pictured above) that is built and ASME certified, the company says. Constructed from type 304L stainless steel, the vessel is designed for full vacuum up to 200 psi internal pressure at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stellar, Jacksonville, Fla., was recognized for its exceptional safety standards and achievements by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Neil Ross, vice president of safety, accepted the award on behalf of Stellar at the 32nd annual Excellence in Construction Awards during the ABC Convention 2022 on March 16 in San Antonio, Texas.  

Shaun Skinner was named an executive officer of ISUZU Motors Ltd. of Japan (IML), effective April 1, the first time a local executive of an overseas distributor has been name to an executive officer position in the parent company, it says. Skinner serves as president and chief operating officer of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Anaheim, Calif., and president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “I truly believe this reflects how important the North American market is to the future of IML,” Skinner stated. “And I am excited by the fact that this will allow more direct input based on the unique market needs of the United States and Canada — particularly with technology moving forward so quickly today.”

Avon, Ohio-based Bendix’s new product, the Bendix AD-HFi Air Dryer with Electronic Air Control (EAC), has been named a Top 20 product of 2021 by Heavy Duty Trucking. Launched in September 2021 as an enhanced version of the leading-edge Bendix AD-HF air dryer, the AD-HFi Air Dryer incorporates a solenoid-operated valve that replaces the traditional mechanical governor. The “smarter,” electronically controlled governor, using Bendix’s Electronic Air Control software, increases the product’s air drying capacity to provide more dry air depending on the vehicle’s needs, optimizes energy use for increased efficiency, and monitors ongoing usage and performance of the air dryer’s regeneration cycles.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, D.C., elected a new Executive Committee and Board of Directors to lead the organization for 2022. Roxanne Spiekerman, vice president of business development at PreZero US, has been elected Chair for the upcoming year, with Greg Janson of Granite Peak Plastics and Eric Targgart of Custom Polymers serving as Vice Chair and Treasurer, respectively. The APR members also named the following new board members to three-year terms: Nicole Janssen, Denton Plastics; Maite Quinn-Richards, Closed Loop Partners; and Tom Frantz, Technimark. They join APR’s existing Board Members: John Caturano, Nestlé Waters North America; Dawn Gaines, Mohawk Industries; Tony Moucachen, Merlin Plastics; Scott Saunders, KW Plastics; and Julie Zaniewski, Dow. In a statement, Spiekerman said: “I am honored to be elected as Chair of the APR Board of Directors. The challenges our industry faces will require rapid mobilization, and this team is aligned and ready to act. It’s time to make a meaningful and verifiable impact on the plastics pollution problem. This includes a collective effort from consumers, brands, the recycling industry, as well as the local, state and federal governments.”