INDCO’s handheld mixers ideal for portable applications

INDCO, a manufacturer of industrial mixers, recently presented its complete lineup of air powered handheld mixer packages. The packages can support field operation or mixing applications that require portability. With “rugged and reliable” three-quarters or one-and-a-half horsepower (HP) air motors, a 40-inch long shaft with 5-inch integral paddles, the MAC-series handheld mixers are suited for both standard and heavy duty mixing applications. When supplied with 100 pounds per square inch (PSI) and 30 cubic feet per minute (CFM) for three-quarters HP, the air motors provide maximum agitation, according to the company. The INDCO air motor performance guide can be consulted for operation at lower air flows. Speed control from 300-3,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) is achieved with an air flow valve. Non-electric operation reduces the possibility of an explosion when in a combustible environment, and air motors can provide a lighter-weight option than electric motors. INDCO offers a wide variety of handheld mixers, which the company says are ideal for mixing paint, resins, chemicals, ink, adhesives, block fillers and more. Like all INDCO products, the handheld mixers are made in the United States, with single-handle and dual handlebar options available, as well as an assortment of drill attachments.

Inline SLIM mixer the latest from ROSS

Mixer manufacturer Charles Ross & Son Co. unveiled the ROSS Model HSM-405SC-25 Inline High Shear Mixer. The mixer comes with Solids/Liquid Injection Manifold (SLIM) Technology, making the mixer a prime choice for production floors that require flexibility, the company says. The stainless steel portable skid is easy-to-clean and has a built-in workbench, which saves time and money because the mixer can be used anywhere in a plant, eliminating the need for multiple mixers dedicated to separate products, according to the company. The mixer can be cleaned in place, but disassembled quickly for deep cleaning and sanitation. The Inline SLIM mixer is an external mixer, so it can be piped to the recirculation loop of virtually any size vessel, it adds. The mixer features sanitary tri-clamp connections and is 3A-compliant. As a unique rotator/stator device, the mixer has the ability to inject powders directly into a fast-moving liquid stream, not requiring an educator or pump. The company says the mixer was engineered for high-speed and high-volume mixing requirements, so the device offers a straightforward method of wetting out powders, lumps and agglomerates, it explains. With the tabletop workbench, operators easily can open bags and load powders to ensure a consistent feed with minimal aeration.

SmartWash’s Sterilight safely mitigates hidden pathogens in facilities

Food and safety technology leader SmartWash Solutions has started shipping EPIC Panel Sterilight. It’s a new patent-pending product designed to safely and automatically kill Listeria and other pathogens inside control panels, which are an often overlooked source of cross-contamination, the company says. “A significant risk of cross-contamination to food products occurs each time the panels are accessed for adjustment or maintenance,” said Christopher McGinnis, director of operations and engineering for SmartWash, in a statement. “Using proven pathogen control methods, EPIC Panel Sterilight can now mitigate that risk and eliminate Listeria in control panels to below detectable levels.” The EPIC Panel Sterilight is designed to kill environmental pathogens in enclosed spaces through administering the scientifically-proven amount of UV-C light and ozone needed. It’s available in 120- or 230-volt models, with a design for easy, universal retrofit installation in food processing facilities. Workers are protected by a magnetic safety switch that prevents accidental human exposure to the UV-C light. It’s virtually maintenance-free, according to SmartWash, and the long-lasting, low-cost bulbs can be replaced every six months.

SATO, Loftware reveal first-ever cloud-based encoding and logging solution

Global pioneer in auto-ID and labeling solutions SATO has partnered with Loftware, a global leader in enterprise labeling and artwork management solutions, for the world’s first cloud-based RFID tag encoding and logging solution. The solution uses SATO RFID printers, tags and Loftware’s NiceLabel Cloud software. It’s designed to meet the strictest track and trace, brand authenticity and authentication needs for manufacturers, the company says. The system enables closed-loop tagging through logging the EPC² and unique tag ID for every tag encodes. “Manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to improve their data utilization for digital transformation to give visibility across their supply chain, and this new layer of traceability will drive efficiencies and enable more sustainable operations,” said Yoichi Abe, vice president of SATO Holdings Corporation, in a statement. “As pioneers of on-site data collection, you can count on us to always be pushing the boundaries of what is possible.” Key benefits of the system include 100% data match, error identification, centralized control and logging.

Buildings of all sizes benefit from updated Trane systems

Climate innovator Trane, by Trane Technologies, announced updates to lines of its HVAC systems that help customers with buildings of all sizes embrace electrification and decarbonization, it says. The Precedent, Odyssey and Foundation lines of Trane’s HVAC systems received updates, as well as version five of its essential system design software, TRACE 3D Plus. The updated software allows for engineers to design and validate projects with confidence and clarity, the company says. Trane’s first packaged heat pump unit in 25-ton capacity now is available as part of the next-generation Precedent portfolio. The new unit pumps in 12.5-to 25-ton capacities, all while meeting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2023 energy efficiency standards. Trane’s Odyssey split system is perfect when rooftop installation isn’t an option. The split systems provide the same high-performance heating and cooling of a packaged rooftop system, but allow engineers and contractors to work around building designs such as glass ceilings or pitched roofs or code and service limitations, according to the company. The company’s line of Foundation rooftop systems have a footprint designed for quick and easy retrofits or unplanned replacements without the cost or hassle of a curb adapter.

The late founder of Greene, N.Y.-based The Raymond Corp., George Raymond Sr., was posthumously praised by the Logistics Hall of Fame. He was an inductee for his invention of the first double-faced wooden pallet. Honorees were celebrated by the organization at a gala reception in Berlin on Nov. 29. “It’s an honor to have our founder recognized for a pivotal innovation that changed the trajectory of the logistics industry,” said Michael Field, president and CEO of The Raymond Corp., in a statement. “The invention of the double-faced wooden pallet centered on helping customers bring their operations to a new level of performance. Today, we continue George Raymond’s legacy by finding innovative intralogistics solutions that help customers run better and manager smarter through our lean-based approach of optimize, connect and automate.”

Vienna, Ohio-based Millwood Inc., a provider of pallets, unit load technology and packaging product services, recently acquired a second location in Southern Ohio. The location is the company’s 35^th in the nation, sitting on 51 acres of land. It will be referred to as MillTree East: A Millwood Inc. company. The circle mill currently is cutting material that is resized for pallet material, and custom crates are also built at this location. “The Southworth Wood Products acquisition just made sense,” said Millwood General Manager, Lionel Trebilcok, in a statement. “It fit with our mission and is just minutes away from our MillTree West location. The two MillTree locations will work in tandem to meet the needs of our customer base in this region.”

In 2023, there is an increasing demand forecast for soft drinks in Pakistan. PepsiCo’s partner Northern Bottling Co. (NBC) is leaning on Sidel, Octeville sur Mer, France, to install a high-volume, high-speed carbonated soft drinks (CSD) line, it says. The line offers a capacity of more than 45,000 bottles an hour, representing a new era of innovative technologies, high efficiency and productivity within Pakistan’s beverage industry. “We are excited by this collaboration,” said Vedat Guler, sale director for the Middle East at Sidel, in a statement. “We’re dedicated to helping NBC achieve its commercial, sustainability and efficiency goals by adding value with our innovative bottle design, and lower energy and resources solutions.”

Cincinnati-based Multi-Color Corporation (MCC), a leader in prime label solutions, has partnered with Extrupet and The Coca-Cola Co. in an effort to bring recyclable shrink sleeves to the South African beverage market. Extrupet is an established recycler of PET bottle materials on the African continent, it notes. “Extrupet applauds MCC for this development. PVC and PET shrink sleeve labels on PET bottles pose serious challenges to recyclers worldwide and do not, in their own right, have a recycling solution for end of life,” said Chandru Wadhwani, joint managing director at Extrupet (PTY) LTD. “Congratulations to the MCC team in South Africa for going the extra mile to get this over the line.” The RecycLABEL shrink sleeves are certified by Extrupet for the South African recycling stream, the company says, with a floatable solution for the recycling of PET containers.

Farmington Hills, Mich.-based NTEA, the Association for the work truck industry, supports recent legislation to combat the rise in catalytic converter theft. The Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ron Wyden, will help law enforcement more effectively find stolen converters and address these thefts. “Theft of catalytic converters and other precious metals is widespread in our country and is costly to victims of such theft,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO, in a statement. “This legislation is a step in the right direction in addressing this problem. NTEA applauds the efforts of Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Wyden, as well as Rep. Baird, and encourages industry companies to support this important effort by contacting their legislators.” The PART Act would, among other factors, require new vehicles to have their vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped onto the converters so law enforcement officers can link stolen parts to their original vehicle.