Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN October 2002

PRODUCT UPDATE

Organize your product and keep it moving.

RM-1255
A stacker crane offers an economical alternative to a forklift truck for repetitive operations. Full pallet loads weighing up to 4000 lb can be transferred from conveyors to the floor for handling with pallet jacks. Full loads can also be double-stacked. The RM-1255 can be custom manufactured for automated movement along x, y, and z axes, with rotation about the z axis. Operating costs are low and maintenance is easy. The unit can be operated in automatic, semiautomatic, or manual modes. Newcastle Company, Inc., New Castle, PA; 724/658-4516; www.newcastleco.com.

Modular Infeed System
A modular infeed system can be added at the infeed of any existing folder gluer to improve finishing efficiency. It offers high-performance feed and exact placement with infinitely variable pitch. Also, the elimination of top carrier belts creates an open design that allows optimum quality-defect scan of windows, bar codes, and print. Features include computer-sequenced carton feed that is independent from the belt speed, and a live side guide that ensures perfect carton alignment. The low-pressure vacuum keeps blanks flat and in position as they are fed into the folder gluer, eliminating overhead belts and conventional nips and accelerator rollers. Leading-edge positioning lugs provide label or coupon placement accuracy up to 0.005 in. Roberts PolyPro, Charlotte, NC; 704/588-1794; www.robertspolypro.com.

M-420iA
A four-axis, modular-construction, electric servo-driven robot has a 40-kg payload and a remote mechanical and control unit. The M-420iA is designed for high-speed manufacturing applications including packaging, palletizing, material handling, machine load/ unload, and parts transfer. Equipped with PalletTool, the robot is able to handle cases at rates of up to 26 cycles per minute. The M-420iA's small footprint can easily replace small end-of-the-line palletizers in high- production-changeover industries like pharmaceuticals. The company's palletizing simulation software, PalletPRO, provides an efficient way to set up a palletizing cell. It offers the ability to verify system throughput, robot reach, cell interference, and pallet configuration. Users can create pallet workcells and define palletizing parameters by creating unit loads with PalletTool PC. Fanuc Robotics, Rochester Hills, MI; 248/377-7570; www.fanucrobotics.com.

Cross-Belt Sorter
Sorting at speeds of up to 413 feet per minute, a cross-belt sorter is a flexible and efficient choice for high-volume distribution centers and warehouses. It is specifically designed for items that present the most difficulties during sorting, such as fragile items, a diverse mix of items, high-friction items, items that require horizontal discharge, and items that must maintain their precise position and orientation throughout the entire sorting process. The cross-belt sorter handles articles up to 66 lb. By bridging items across two or three trays, it copes easily with very long and unusually sized items. The system attaches all relevant information to an item prior to the sorting process, ensuring that the handling of each item is optimized. FKI Logistex Crisplant, Frederick, MD; 240/629-1300; www.crisplantinc.com.

Copyright ©2002 Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News