Plastic Container Blog

This link will give you the top 10 reasons why you should rent IBC’s. Click here.

Top 10 Reasons to Rent Intermediate Bulk Containers

There is no need to wait for available capital; a rental program can be set up in minutes.

Eliminate nonworking assets - You never have to worry about your IBCs not being utilized when you rent totes - simply return the tanks when you are done with them.

Enjoy tax benefits - The cost of renting IBCs may be an operating expense that may provide more tax benefits than the depreciation expense of buying the IBCs.

Budget flexibility - The ease and cost savings of renting high-quality stainless steel IBCs for both short-term and long-term projects increase productivity while lowering costs.

Additional financing options - Companies can finance their utilization of IBCs by participating in our rental programs.

Eliminate obsolete equipment - Renting stainless steel IBCs means never having to deal with your equipment becoming obsolete.

Environmentally correct - Stainless steel IBCs are returnable.

The benefits of renting intermediate bulk conta! iners are wide-ranging and can boost not only your company’s bottom line, but your own peace of mind, as well:

Conserve capital - Use stainless steel IBCs without the large capital outlay. Make sure to visit Metano’s website to learn more about the advantages of stainless steel IBC rentals.

Renting intermediate bulk containers can make a difference in your company’s business productivity, especially when you find the right provider to partner with.

Tom Wilkins is president of Metano IBC Services, Inc., a long-time leader in the IBC rental and services market. Save money by eliminating wasteful drum disposal and the associated disposal costs.

State-of-the-art equipment - Always be assured that renting provides the latest equipment and technologies available. No down payment and small monthly payments allow your company to use its cash resources to finance long-term growth.

Preserve credit lines - The financial flexibility of renting stainless steel IBCs enables your company to reserve valuable lines of credit for other growth opportunities.

Immediate results - Stainless steel tote rental programs allow you to start using IBCs today!

By custom-designing reusable, durable packaging solutions, this company can help their customers reduce their overall logistics costs.
Read more about this here.

Branded, reusable packaging totes
At Scholler Arca Systems (Booth 3045), a variety of smaller, handheld reusable plastic totes are on display.
By Staff — Modern Materials Handling, 4/23/2008 11:27:00 AM
“We have a global presence in over 50 countries,” said Kati Linna, president. “Our strength is our ability to custom-design reusable, durable packaging solutions that help customers reduce their overall logistics costs, while using returnable packaging to enhance their brand.”
Linna highlighted the company’s line of beverage crates, popular in Europe. “We worked closely with the beverage manufacturer to develop these containers with extensive marketing and branding integrated into the reusable packaging,” she explained.
“These units actually sit on the shelves in stores, and the consumer pays a deposit that is refunded when the container and the empty bottles are returned to the store,” she said. “It’s an area we see potential for in North America, with the growing interest in green, returnable packaging in all market segments.”
Also on display are postal trays used by governments around the globe, including Russia and Italy, said Linna. The company is also showcasing foldable, stackable handheld containers targeted at American companies focused on their role in protecting the environment.

Read about the many uses associated with pallets and plastic containers here.
Seegrid Unveils Robotic Pallet Truck

Seegrid will unveil the GP8 Robotic Pallet Truck at NA 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio.  This robot will help automate long-haul transport of pallets in several areas.
Robot Automates Long-Haul Transport of Pallets in Manufacturing, Warehousing and Distribution
Highlighted Links
 

www.seegrid.comCLEVELAND, OH–(Marketwire - April 22, 2008) - NA 2008 - Seegrid Corporation (www.seegrid.com), the premier provider of vision-guided mobile robots for the material handling industry, at NA 2008 today announced the introduction of the GP8 industrial mobile robot for material handling applications. The GP8 (General Purpose Motorized Pallet Jack, 8000 lb. capacity) transports pallets to an assigned location, automatically positions them and returns to the original starting point (or another pre-assigned location) for more work.

The GP8 employs Seegrid’s Industrial Mobile Robotics (IMR) technology which enables it to move through manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations using stereo cameras to build a reliable 3D map of the environment. The vehicle then uses the map and its own reasoning ability to navigate a predetermined path to complete its assigned transport task.

“The lift truck industry grew out of the need for warehouse workers to have durable equipment to do their work effectively. Industrial mobile robotics means that the same durable equipment now can do some of the work for the warehouse workers,” said Scott Friedman, CEO of Seegrid. “It allows warehouse operators to maintain their hard-learned and hard-earned best practices, while giving them a new tool to address the challenges they face today: Labor shortages, ergonomic and safety issues, and cost reduction.”

The introduction of the GP8 provides fundamental automation changes to material handling organizations:
–  Reduced labor costs — The GP8 frees up skilled workers from non value
    added transport tasks — an expensive use of employee hours.
–  Significantly lower costs — Software-based “brains” and controls make
    for a much simpler physical product available at a much lower cost.
–  Flexibility — The GP8 enables step-change automation alongside
    existing work and is designed to handle on-the-floor additions and changes
    to work processes. Because the GP8 possesses simple-to-use, advanced IMR
    technology, it requires no facility modification and can be re-tasked at
    any time. Move inbound goods in the morning, move parts to manufacturing or
    packing in the afternoon, and deliver finished products on pallets during
    the night shift.
–  Lower total cost of ownership — Step-change your automation and
    processes at your own pace. The affordable GP8 robot offers rapid payback
    with one robot. Introduce additional GP8s to scale your cost savings.
–  Safety — The Seegrid approach is to not innovate on safety. Instead
    Seegrid adopts proven, high-end AGV safety technologies with demonstrated
    track records.
    Visit Seegrid in Booth #2627 at NA 2008 to see the GP8 in action.

ExASRS is a Microsoft Excel-based software tool that can help you generate a preliminary design.  Read more about this
here.

AS/RS design tool now available
New tool from MHIA optimizes storage capacity and throughput for a unit load AS/RS.
By Staff — Modern Materials Handling, 4/17/2008
If you’re considering automating your warehouse with an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), a new tool from the AS/RS experts at Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) can help you generate a preliminary design.
ExASRS is a Microsoft Excel-based software tool that determines the dimensions of a unit load AS/RS required to support specific throughput and storage needs.
Users input information such as maximum storage volume, the number of storage requests per hour, the speed of the S/R machine and the type of storage rack, and the tool produces a design configuration that includes the following information:

Number of aisles

Length of rack

Height of rack

Number of columns per rack

Number of rows per rack

ExASRS v.20 is now available for free download at MHIA’s website. The tool comes with a users manual, a case study describing how one company used the tool, and a white paper that describes the tool’s mathematical calculations.

The Vari-Load Transfer System will allow material handling operations to efficiently transfer materials from one conveyor to another with dramatically reduced dust emissions.  Read more about this here.

Air Control Science® announces the Vari-Load™ Transfer System to Achieve No Visible Dust® at coal handling transfer points.
Air Control Science® (ACS), a division of CCC Group, Inc., a leading industrial general contractor based in Texas, has released the Vari-Load™ Transfer System, an innovative breakthrough in safe, efficient coal and materials handling.

San Antonio, Texas (PRWEB) April 18, 2008 — Air Control Science® (ACS), a division of CCC Group, Inc., a leading industrial general contractor based in Texas, announces today the release of the Vari-Load™ Transfer System, an innovative breakthrough in safe, efficient coal and materials handling.

The Vari-Load Transfer System will allow power plants and other material handling operations to efficiently transfer materials from one conveyor to another with dramatically reduced dust emissions, often resulting in No Visible Dust® conditions. The system features a variable “controlled flow” design that significantly reduces the flow of dust-laden induced air at the transfer point, a typical source of turbulence and dust emissions into the plant environment.

In addition, the controlled flow design of the Vari-Load Transfer System allows plant operators to easily increase or decrease tonnage capacity as needed. The system is completely adaptable for both wet and dry materials. The design fosters center loading through the chute onto the belt to promote smooth operation.

“This is a very elegant conveyor transfer point design,” said John S. Fischer, Vice President of CCC Group, Inc. “The system allows for effortless control of the flow of coal at the transfer point through many convenient adjustments. Another benefit is the accessibility for ongoing inspection and maintenance. The system is completely adjustable to cope with extreme variances in climate and moisture content of coal throughout the year. The Vari-Load Transfer System is ideal for handling coal with more challenging properties, such as the more dusty and combustible Powder River Basin (PRB) Coal.”

Key features of the Vari-Load Transfer System are the ability to (a.) manage the material stream, (b.) adjust the flow path to reduce induced air created by friction between particles and the surrounding air, and (c.) adjust the loading angle and load centering.

Based in Denver, Colo., Air Control Science®, a Division of CCC Group, Inc., has a reputation in the materials handling industry as an innovative engineer constructor known for its expertise in modernization of dust, spillage and fume control systems in the coal-fired power and primary metals industries.

Founded in 1994, ACS today has employees in 13 locations nationwide. The division has modernized more than 2,500 conveyors in many coal-fired plants in the United States and Europe. ACS has developed many patented technologies such as the Dustless Transfer® System, an innovative passive dust control system.

Air Control Science has modernized complete coal handling systems in entire fleets of plants employing a model of single point of responsibility for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for materials containment, dust control, automated wash-down systems, and Utility Fire Protection® Services in the utilities and primary metals industries.

With more than 2,500 employees in the U.S., CCC Group, Inc. is an industrial contractor dedicated to providing a broad range of construction services to various industrial markets throughout the U.S. and abroad. CCC Group was named #21 in the Industrial Contractors category by Engineering News Record.

More and more companies are choosing robotic systems for palletizing and shipments of robotic palletizers are on the rise.  You can read more about this here.

Picking robotic tooling for palletizing.
By asking the right questions, companies can design robotic systems that maximize end-of-line efficiency and ROI
By Earl Wohlrab, FKI Logistex Manufacturing Systems — Plant Engineering, 4/15/2008
Sections:
Five simple questions
Tooling overview
Hybrid tooling
Sidebars:
NA 2008 comes to Cleveland April 21-24
 
Today’s manufacturers have started looking downstream more and more for automation opportunities. And when they do, more of them are choosing robotic systems. According to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute’s 2007 Packaging Machinery Shipments & Outlook Study, shipments of robotic palletizers rose by more than 16% in 2006 – and shipments of packaging machinery are projected to increase from $469 million to $530 million by 2009.

Designing a robotic palletizing cell has become more complicated as companies invest more in environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging. To reduce dunnage, standard corrugated cardboard cartons are being replaced with thinner-walled pressboard, shrink-wrapped bundles of product on corrugated pads and even loose product in trays. Add increased demand from club stores and marketing changes to the mix, and manufacturers need to account for an even wider range of packaging sizes, shapes and materials.

End-of-arm tooling is a highly project-specific component that represents a large percentage of the overall cost of the system. Choosing the correct end-of-arm tooling helps ensure that a new robotic palletizing or de-palletizing system can effectively handle a company’s full range of packaging types.

Tooling types for palletizing include vacuum, side clamp, fork style and layer handling. Asking the right questions and understanding the specifications of each type is essential to designing a system that will maximize performance, speed, uptime and return on investment.

Five simple questions
The first step in choosing robotic tooling is analyzing the full range of products and packaging types running on your line. What kinds of product or products are you handling? Take some time to determine how each item should be handled. For example, can the packaging support its own weight during transfer? Or will it need to be supported from underneath? Some important factors to consider are size, shape and weight of the package; stability and construction of the package; sealing, wrapping and/or taping; and secondary packaging.

The throughput capabilities of your robotic system vary greatly depending on which tool you use and the product you are palletizing. What rates are required on the packaging line? A good starting point is to determine an acceptable range of line speeds (cases per minute), which can help you better evaluate your tooling options.

Certain tooling types enable more pallet configurations than others, so ask how important are the aesthetics of the packaging? This flexibility may be needed to orient graphics for full-pallet displays and meet the demands of club stores. Some tools can cause dimpling in shrink wrap or marking on packaging, which may be unacceptable for items ending up on display.

Will the robot be handling slip or tier sheets or pallets? Don’t forget to take into account tooling for robots that handle tier sheets or pallets. Keep in mind that peripheral tooling may be required, and that handling tier sheets or pallets will reduce line palletizing rates. Reduction in secondary packaging around the product may necessitate sheets between layers to keep the palletized load stable.

Will the system be able to adapt to future packaging changes? Whenever possible, design flexibility into your system to handle changes in your current product line and the addition of new packaging types in the future. Partner with an experienced palletizing integrator to help you make informed choices and specify the equipment that is best suited for your application.

Tooling overview
Vacuum tooling is the most popular – yet most misapplied – tooling type. It uses pneumatically actuated cups or foam, depending on the availability of the surface, to lift products. As only the top surface of the case comes in contact with the tooling, the vacuum option enables a large range of pallet patterns and is the most prevalent type used for de-palletizing.

Vacuum tooling is ideal for sturdy, traditional packaging, such as sealed corrugate cases that can bear the total weight of the product during transfer. This method is not recommended for many types of packaging, including tall cases with a low center of gravity. As the robot accelerates, inertia can cause the cases to “peel away” from the vacuum carrying surface. If not taken into consideration during the design phase, this issue can cause a lot of trouble when it is time to run production.

Side-clamp tooling is often used for packages that cannot be handled with a vacuum tool. A robotic palletizer equipped with side clamp tooling permits shrink-wrapped product in trays or on pads, for example, to be manipulated efficiently. This tooling type enables higher robotic arm speeds than vacuum tooling, and provides greater control and confidence in holding onto and transferring product.

Side-clamp tooling works well with thinner-walled sustainable packaging and can offer flexibility for packaging lines that run a variety of products. For example, a small beverage line is able to clamp a six-pack differently than a three-pound box of syrup. However, this type may not be suitable for palletizing fragile items or for packaging materials with less tear strength than breach strength.

Fork-style tooling uses a row of forks that comb through conveyor rollers to lift product from the bottom. Fork style tooling is useful for handling irregularly shaped cases and bags, cases with lids, fanfold cartons and packaging that cannot support its own product weight.

On the downside, fork style requires additional space for pattern formation. A large amount of mechanical motion makes this the slowest method, and it is not suitable for depalletizing.

Some operations may require complete layer handling for palletizing, which is expensive due to the ancillary material handling equipment needed to form each layer. This application is ideal for cases without sealed tops.

Hybrid tooling
Sometimes, a combination of two separate robotic tooling types is used to help constrain motion along both the x and y axes during motion, or peripheral tooling is added to handle pallets or tier sheets.

Vacuum-assisted clamping or layer handling can be used when clamps cannot transfer force to the center of the layer due to overpopulation of product or varying patterns. In this case, vacuum tooling is used to hold the layer in place vertically. Vacuum-assisted layer handling is ideal for patterns that include voids for cooling purposes in pasteurization or heat-curing operations. With vacuum-assisted fork-style, forks support the packages from underneath, while vacuum tooling along the back row of the cases keeps them in place.

Clamping-assisted vacuum can be used for tall and light packages, where the vacuum tool is used to lift and move the product, while the clamps keep it from moving horizontally and peeling away from the vacuum. When handling tier sheets or pallets, cylinder-mounted vacuum cups can be used as a peripheral device to pick up tier sheets. A set of pick arms swings into position to pick the pallet and then swings back out of the way during the palletizing operation.

No matter the application, the right end-of-arm tooling can make a big impact on the efficiency and success of the product line. Manufacturers can ensure smooth operations and effective product movement with fewer lost assets by making the right choice, and that’s good for the bottom line

Pallet-Grip helps prevent damage and spillage caused by shifting.  Read more about this product here.

Load Locking System captures wide range of pallet heights.

April 10, 2008 - Available for retrofit on straddle stretch wrapping systems, Pallet-Grip® locks load to pallet with cable of film rolled into bottom wraps and placed below deck of pallet. System captures any style of pallet ranging from 4-6 in. high, while completely wrapping to top of load. By placing cable above fork-truck entry points, containment force is never compromised by tearing film with forks. Suitable for double stacking loads, Pallet-Grip helps prevent spillage and damage due to shifting.

Storeright has a lot to offer its material handling customers such as adjustable pallet racking systems.  Read more about the products and services they offer
here.

Multi purpose material handling machines, forklifts and adjustable pallet racking systems from Storeright

Storeright offers a wide range of material handling systems and services to its customers. Storeright offers pallet racket, which has been designed to be altered easily from its original configuration and thus be easily adjusted. These adjustable pallet racking systems are susceptible to damage and hence needs regular audit and inspection. Hence, Storeright assists its clients with sales, services, design, consulting, installation, inspection, maintenance and safety audit so that the customers are offered with all kinds of services.

Storeright offers its clients with an array of storage and warehousing solutions such as parts bins, industrial compactus, high density shelving, longspan shelving, mezzanine floors and roll front shelving.

Storeright offers a wide range of forklifts that comes in different models. The HDS model of forklifts is heavy duty walkie stackers that can be used for many applications.

The CP01 model of forklifts from Storeright is a cushion type model that has a standard load capacity and load centre.

Storeright offers muck trucks that are a multi-purpose material handling machine and it can be used to move bricks, rolls of turf, paving slabs, pavers, concrete and sand from the construction location. This can be used as an affordable option and can be used by councils, handyman, builders and landscapers.

By reading this article you will learn the properties of corrugated plastic as well as common applications for personal and industrial use.
You can learn the specifics here.

Applications for Corrugated Plastic
Submitted by Leaftech

There are several properties inherent in corrugated plastic that make it the material of choice for several different applications both for personal and industrial use. This material, manufactured from polypropylene resin, is known to be highly durable. In addition, it is flexible and easy to open, as well as light weight. In addition, it is very wear proof, having proved to be very resistant to weather damage as well as harm by various harsh chemicals. Finally, corrugated plastic, like other corrugated materials, is the perfect material in today’s green conscious world, as it is recyclable.

Now that we have had a look at some of the qualities of corrugated plastic that make it desirable, let’s take a look at a few of the common applications of this material.

Industrial packaging. Corrugated plastic has perhaps its most widespread use as a material that is ideal when it comes to industrial packaging. Manufacturers of automotive and electronic parts will often ship the parts in containers made from corrugated plastic. This achieves several different things. First of all, the components are safe inside. The nature of the material means that outside impact will not be transferred to the contents of the package, and at the same time the package is not likely to be compromised by the penetration of water or other liquids. Secondly, while it is very resistant, corrugated plastic is also very easy for a person to get into; a quick cut with a craft knife will open the package without compromising the contents.

Food packaging. The same qualities which allow this material to be successfully used in industrial packaging also make it ideal for food packaging. Manufacturers of egg cartons for shipping, for example, are increasingly making use of corrugated cardboard.

Small pet cages. On the personal use level, many owners of small pets such as hedgehogs, ferrets, and rabbits are finding corrugated plastic to be very useful in the construction of cages. In fact, this idea was adapted from the use of the material within the retail pet industry. Small pets are well protected inside, and owners are still able to see them.

Model Airplanes. The durable nature of this material means that it is an excellent component to use as the structure for model airplanes. These planes are often subjected to harsh treatment, and using corrugated plastic to build them can mean they are indestructible under normal conditions.

Finally, corrugated plastic can be the ideal material for political placards and other types of non-permanent signage (and it is being used increasingly for permanent signage as well). A tough nature and recyclable attributes means that they will last for the duration of a campaign and can then be used for more constructive purposes when the issue has been settled.

You can gather information and guidance in regard to hazards associated with storing liquids in intermediate bulk containers. You can read more about this here.

Safe use of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 I E-mail a friend

This SPC provides information and guidance on the hazards associated with the storage of  liquids in (IBCs). It sets out practical measures on the design, construction, operation and maintenance of storage areas and buildings used for storing packaged liquids. These measures are dsigned to protect people at work and others who may be affected by the storage of packaged liquids.