Materials & Handling

Automation isn't just a boon to complex, multiple-machine manufacturing processes. It can also give a major boost to processes that involve only a single machine.

Harrington Hoists Inc. introduces the HFPSL Four Point Sack Lifter Beam designed to lift bulk container sacks. The HFPSL is available in 1 and 2 metric ton capacities with outside spreads of 36 and 48 inches.

Harrington Hoists Inc. introduces its new EQ three-phase and SEQ single-phase electric chain hoists. Both the EQ and SEQ series hoists are dual-speed via variable frequency drive (VFD) and include a unique no-load, high-speed function that automatically increases hoist speed up to 130 percent when the load is less than 30 percent of working load limit.

Verti-Lift introduces heavy-duty tandem scissor lifts for large or long part handling applications. With a longer length platform, these lift tables meet the application needs of manufacturing, processing, distribution operations where materials of greater length are being handled.

When purchasing consumer products, most of us quickly decide to pass on extended warranties. But extended machine tool warranties may merit more careful consideration, according to the Machine Technology column in the March 2017 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Most aerospace, defense and medical companies have packaging specifications their parts suppliers must follow to help ensure parts arrive undamaged. But should shops that don't have to follow such requirements ship parts in a similar way?

Material handling equipment and safety products manufacturer Wildeck Inc. has introduced a new product category for vertical material lifts. The new "RML" product category is a major advancement over a traditional "VRC" (vertical reciprocating conveyor) because it allows authorized personnel to safely travel with their material between levels.

Verti-Lift introduces a heavy-duty transfer cart quickly and ergonomically moves pallets and other heavy components (up to 4,000-lb. capacity) within production environments. This custom-designed solution includes a gravity roller conveyor, a pallet retaining bar to secure the load during transport, and a manual foot-actuated "locking/docking arm" for convenient hands-free operation.

CTEPLUS visits the ATS Systems booth at IMTS 2016 for a demonstration of the Xcelerate robot from Cellro, a robotic automation company located in Veenendaal, The Netherlands.

Methods Machine Tools showed off its 3D part-picking cell during IMTS 2016 held at McCormick Place in Chicago last week. Methods' Zachary Hallowell, Mechanical Engineer, Automation Team, provides a guided tour of the system.

Verti-Lift presents Zero Pan Tilters that can be loaded or unloaded at ground level, thus eliminating the need for a forklift, while improving ergonomics and eliminating bending and lifting and the inherent injuries associated with them. They are ideal for areas with no forklift access, tight areas where forklifts are impractical, and for companies which have adopted forklift-free safe work areas.

The EGP from SCHUNK is the electric small part gripper. SCHUNK expanded the EGP series with a smaller size (25) which weighs 110g and has a stroke of 3 mm per finger.