Tips for intsalling pallet storage racks
Properly trained personnel are required for the installation of pallet storage racks because if racks are not assembled properly they not only lead to poor performance but can also pose hazard to the safety of those who handle them. Training becomes all the more important in case of installing a drive-in-rack job, multi-level pick system, push back rack, pallet flow rack or a roller rack system. All of these systems require a different level of training.
Some important points to be taken care of include:
* The rack structure be installed in a plumb level and square condition.
* Nut and bolt connections should be tightened to a snug and secure condition.
* Safety locks use fully engaged through the beam connectors and upright column connector holes to prevent accidental dislodgement of the load beams.
* Every foot plate of each rack frame must be anchored to an adequate concrete floor.
* Avoid installing racks outdoors unless specifically designed by Material Flow or someone like them.
* Be careful when intermingling new and existing parts because even components made by the same company can vary in design.
* Be sure to install capacity plates signs.
* Allow for adequate aisle spacing.
* Use only pallets of the best quality. Avoid using broken boards, portruding nails and the like as they can cause palletized loads to fall from racks.
* Regular inspection of your rack system is a must which involves checking that the anchor nuts are tight and other nuts and bolts are secure or whether safety locks and clips are bent or missing and so on.
Subscribe to the comments for this postAdvantages of electric forklifts over those powered by fuel, gas and others
Electric forklifts have some added advantage as compared to forklifts run by diesel, gas, batteries or fuel. Some of the advantages include emissions, fuel saving, better lifespan and so on.
Electric forklifts do not have emissions as compared to other forklifts. As such they prove to a better option when used indoors as the ones run by diesel or gas are quite unsuitable due to the emissions they generate. Although propane-fueled forklifts can operate inside, the area will need very good ventilation.
Again, electric forklifts turn out to be a cheaper option when fuel costs are considered. Also, this gives the benefit of free space in the warehouse as there is no need to store fuel as in the case of propane-powered forklifts.
Electric forklifts also last longer because they are usually used in cleaner environment than other types. In addition to their longer lifespan, these forklifts are easier to maintain.
Electric forklifts have few moving parts which enable less overall maintenance. Also, forklifts powered by internal combustion need to have their engines regularly maintained.
Last nut not the least, electric forklifts eases us from the loud noise of internal combustion engines. Electric forklifts are powered by a battery. Therefore, they will produce lower levels of noise. Being quieter, they again turn out to the better option when used indoors.
Which conveyer diverter suits you best?
Selecting conveyer diverters is not a very difficult task but it does require consideration of a wide range of factors viz. sorts per minute, space, package size and cost. There are various diverters in the market each with its own characteristics and suitability.
Pivoting flush mount diverters can divert up to 100 lbs. at a rate of 40 cycles/minute maximum and work best with a live roller conveyor.
Pop up wheel diverters are like pivoting diverters but the drawback of these diverters is that when the wheels are withdrawn a small gap exists that may not let smaller packages pass by. Also, it is not well suited for poor quality boxes. Heavy duty models of these diverters reduce this problem to a certain extent.
Pneumatic or manual diverters work best with live roller conveyers and are excellent for areas with low rates of sorts. However, this diverter is not suitable anything beyond 20 sorts per minute.
90 Degree Side Mounted Push Off Diverters are air operated and is preferred for higher speeds since timing may be critical for accurate sorting. With a push of diverter, the push off must function fast enough so it will actuate and return before the next box. Box spacing and speed must be factored into this system. However, when using these diverters, proper precaution must be taken as due to their high speed, they may place high pressure on boxes and damage packages.
Sliding Diverters are recommended for over 100 sorts/minute with a package weight of 50 lbs. or more. They use use plastic pushers mounted between the rollers to push boxes off the main conveyor on to a spur.
Companies facing safety issues in hazardous material transport through trains
2005- A train carrying chlorine used for purifying water in cities crashed in Graniteville, S.C., releasing a poisonous cloud over the town and killing 9 people and injuring hundreds of others.
2008- There were about 21 train accidents where some hazardous material was released injuring many.
2009- Just 50 miles from a Chicago suburb, a derailed freight train car carrying ethanol burst into flames killing a motorist who tried to flee.
Barrington Mayor Karen Darch saw her worst fears realized and said, “This is exactly the kind of thing we’ve been afraid of. Any community could find themselves in that situation.”
The most scary issue to be faced by the Government is the handling of safety measures in order to prevent derailment disasters of hazardous cargo shipments along the 140,000-mile U.S. rail network. There is also the danger of terrorists finding these chemical-laden tankers as easy targets.
This has led the Government to issue new federal regulations requiring that companies reroute trains hauling the most toxic materials away from big cities. Those rules apply to substances that can vaporize, like chlorine. Some other new federal rules that have been partially implemented require that new tankers be better fortified to lessen chances of spills or explosions. However, given the current recessionary times, it is a remote possibility that the railways buy many new tankers.
Says U.S. Rep. Edward Markey in support of the rerouting rules that the tankers amount to “hell on wheels rolling through our communities. In a catastrophic event, the Massachusetts Democrat said, tankers contain enough chlorine to kill 100,000 people in 30 minutes.”
However, since trains are the safest way to move hazardous material, there is a federal mandate dating back at least 100 years requiring railroads carry such cargo, whether they like it or not. Now, this is an extra burden for the rail companies as a major accident could bankrupt them and companies are demanding that the laws are either canceled or eased.
“Isn’t it a little unfair to both require railroads to carry this stuff, and then say they are fully liable?” Tom White, spokesman for the Association of American Railroads, the industry trade group, asked.
On the issue of re-routing White commented, “Rerouting can also substantially increase the distance a material travels and the amount of handling it requires. That in itself can increase the safety risk.”
Among 27 criteria railways are required to consider as they draw up rerouting plans is whether tankers pass by landmarks terrorists might want to hit. Some rail companies already are steering more trains onto lines that cut through villages, towns and suburbs to bypass chronic train-track congestion in Chicago, the nation’s premier rail hub.
Launch of Rotatruck Material Handling Equipment in New Zealand
There is always the risk of strain injuries when it comes to handling of heavy loads. Now,
Rotatruck material handling equipment, from Rotacaster Wheel Limited, targets at reducing this.
Auckland Safety and Materials Handling Show at New Zealand will feature the range from the Rotatruck material handling equipment. Earlier this year there was the U.S. launch of the Rotatruck self supporting hand truck at ProMat in Chicago.
In order to improve productivity and increase safety, Rotatruck material handling equipment combines Rotacaster multidirectional wheels with ergonomically designed equipment to provide a comprehensive solution. Users will be able to rotate on the spot or move directly sideways without the need for a swivel mount. This range can be used in various industries including hospitality and bottle shops, transport and logistics, removals and warehouses.
The material handling equipment range at the show will include
1. The Rotatruck self supporting hand truck, which is designed to support the entire load removing the need to balance or carry any weight.
2. The Rotatruck stair climbing hand truck which utilizes Rotacaster multidirectional wheels to allow users to get in and out of confined spaces.
3. The Rotatruck dollie designed to provide a stable load environment with steering control and direct tracking across inclines.
The multiple benefits of Warehouse Control Systems
These days Warehouse Control Systems are much in demand which avoids conflicts and increases warehouse efficiency by automating the operations. Some of the benefits which can be associated to WCS are:
Helps in expanding options for equipment: It gives the company the option to choose the best equipment from multiple suppliers rather than having to depend entirely on one supplier.
Real-time interaction and flow: WCS helps in maintaining an efficient product flow as it interacts with the MHE controllers in real-time, thus getting up-to-date information from the material handling equipment enabling prompt adjustments to maintain an efficient product flow.
Quality control and elimination of mistakes: As WCS provides real-time order verification, it checks the weight of each order based on the items picked. Therefore, errors and discrepancy in quality can be checked.
Centralized control and monitoring: WCS provides a single interface by acting as a connection between a firm’s WMS/ERP to the material handling equipment.
WCS increases productivity through dynamic pick allocation as it can make a “last minute” decision based on the current activity and operational status.
WCS reduces transport and dunnage cost by selecting the smallest possible size container depending on the order. It can also choose the best shipping method at the last moment depending on the order.
Conveyor belts form an integral part of material handling industry
Though a conveyor belt system is not used for bulk material handling, it forms a vital component of material handling industry and is used extensively in units for moving materials from one segment to other in a factory and also in grocery stores and other commercial applications. They are also used to carry and move industrial and agricultural materials such as grain, coal, ores, etc. generally in outdoor locations. They are also used in ski areas to carry the skiers up the hill. Given the variety of uses, these belts range from screw conveyors, vibrating conveyors, pneumatic conveyors, the moving floor system, which uses reciprocating slats to move cargo, to roller conveyor system, which uses a series of powered rollers to convey boxes or pallets.
A belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys, with a continuous loop of material – the conveyor belt – that rotates about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward. The powered pulley is called the drive pulley while the unpowered pulley is called the idler.
The belt consists of one or more layers of material made out of rubber. When the belt has two layers, the under layer of material is used to provide linear strength and shape called a carcass and the over layer is called the cover. The carcass is often a cotton or plastic web or mesh. The cover is often various rubber or plastic compounds specified by use of the belt. Covers can be made from more exotic materials for unusual applications such as silicone for heat or gum rubber when traction is essential.
A beltweigher may be used to weigh the materials in transit. Elevator belts, with regularly spaced partitions, are used for transporting loose materials up steep inclines. Belt Conveyors are used in self-unloading bulk freighters and in live bottom trucks. There are numerous uses to which these conveyor belts can be put to use and many variations can be added to them according to these uses.
Nuvera Fuel Cells to provide fuel cell systems to H-E-B
Nuvera Fuel Cells will be selling 14 PowerEdge fuel cell systems, along with a complete PowerTap Hydrogen Generator and Hydrogen Station, to H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas. These fuel cell units will be used by H-E-B to power Class II forklift trucks used at their distribution center operations. The H-E-B partnership comprises a total power solution for materials handling installation which includes fuel cell hybrid PowerEdge systems for reach trucks and a PowerTap Hydrogen Generator and Hydrogen Station.
Nuvera is headquartered in Billerica, Mass., and H-E-B, on the other hand, owns more than 300 stores throughout Texas and Mexico.
Bobby Greene who is the director of fleet maintenance commented, “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Nuvera. H-E-B is committed to being a leader in the use of clean energy technologies, and we believe that hydrogen and fuel cells offer tremendous potential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously improving our productivity.”
Roberto Cordaro, president and chief executive officer of Nuvera Fuel Cells expressed his pleasure with the deal saying, “This installation displays H-E-B’s confidence in fuel cells for forklifts and its commitment to the environment. Nuvera is delighted to be working with a company of this stature, and looks forward to moving ahead with H-E-B as it considers the adoption of fuel cells throughout its distribution network. We are also grateful for the support provided by the federal government, which helps to overcome the higher costs of emerging clean energy technologies in the early phase of market introduction.”
The Total Power Solution for material handling features PowerEdge, a fuel cell hybrid system that replaces standard lead acid batteries in forklift trucks, and PowerTap, a hydrogen generator and hydrogen station that provide cost effective on-site refueling.
The use of 3 R’s for material handling equipments
The economy is going through a recession now and with less capital in hand, it is not possible for companies to replace and opt for new equipments when they become obsolete or give in poorer performance due to wear and tear. At such difficult times it would be a better option to increase the service life of the equipments with the use of three R’s- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Reduce- You can reduce the repair costs of the equipments by regular maintenance checks of your material handling equipments so that any problem is discovered early and can be fixed before the equipment actually breaks down. Regular periodic preventative maintenance keeps the equipment fit, minimizing expensive downtime and high-cost emergency repairs.
Reuse- It is a better alternative to retrofit current equipment so and reuse it in new applications than go for replacement. One can retrofit the existing equipment by upgrading components, increasing speed, improving capacity, augmenting safety features or adding new technology which will help the equipment to be used in new settings or perform new tasks at considerable savings. Changing federal and state safety regulations can help retrofits to bring older equipment into compliance. Ergonomic retrofits can be performed to ensure better safety in the operation of existing equipment, thus reducing worker injuries and the expenses associated with it.
Recycle- Remanufacturing material handling equipment is definitely a better and cheaper alternative to buying new equipment for some. These equipments generally come with a warranty and in this case, used equipment is disassembled and cleaned and worn parts are replaced before the unit is refinished and reassembled.
Heating your space with infrared heaters
Be it strong roof mounted space heaters or smaller floor standing devices, there are numerous choices available for one who wants to install adequate heating throughout an industrial facility. However, this does not mean that it is simple enough to just go and pick up a heating system for your space without much study and homework.
One of such heating equipment which may prove to be the perfect choice for you is the infrared heater. This works by providing a narrow spectrum of energy that heats the area for the staff and material handling system alike.
With the advancement of science, infrared heaters have undergone numerous changes in their designs, but the basic format of this heater comprises of a high resistance coil surrounded by a reflective dish. A highly directional beam of heat is used to target the area to be heated.
The advantages of these heaters lie in the fact that they can be installed quickly with low installation costs. They are easy to use and come with a relatively low maintenance cost. But this, in any way, does not come with a compromise in its effectiveness as they have relatively high power, up to 13.5KW of heating when connected to a 480 V system. They also ensure that the materials used will be stored and worked with at a consistent temperature. This can reduce the incidence of buckling and any wastage that occurs as a result, making for a more efficient process and lower ongoing material costs.
Choosing the correct heating system for your space is an issue which requires much study, care and attention as it leads to the comfort of your staff and retaining the quality of your materials alike.