Heavy equipment machinery

If you are an engineer or a manufacturer and your company is involved with material handling equipment, then you are aware that the Internet is a wealth of resources for your industry. Discover in-depth information on a variety of the crucial equipment needed to keep your business operational and running smoothly.

We have the information about the different types of material handling equipment including shipping containers, industrial cranes, equipment cases, electric hoist, loading dock equipment, and tilt tables.

In recent years, material handling equipment vendors, and engineers have reshaped the way industry information is communicated online. Buyers today can take advantage of precise, accurate, and informational websites.

Some of our material handling articles for those just entering the field of material handling and need to understand more about the various equipment used:

Making good use of vertical space in your warehouse
Making good use of vertical space can really help to free up valuable floor space. Remember that all your building costs, including heating, cooling, and rent or mortgage, are for the full space, including the vertical space. Vertical space which is not utilized is actually a wasted business asset. What do you need to do in order to start making good use of all that vertical space?

Material handling software to manage the storage
There are several different materials software handling packages on the market today that are very good. If you want to efficiently manage automated material handling equipment such as automated guided vehicles (AGV), Robotic Palletizers and Depalletizers, and as conveyor and sortation systems (MHE) a good product to look at is the SwiftWCS material handling software.

Electric hoists
Engineers and manufacturers started to recognize the advantages of the Internet and its specifically designed search engines that can connect them with the exact specifications of the equipment that they need to ensure their business run smoothly.

http://www.gbmaterialhandling.com/

Innovative launches for an innovative company, that could have been the theme when Toyota Material Handling launched its new 8-Series forklift truck range in a series of functions around the country.

The state-by-state functions ranged from a cocktail party in Adelaide to a launch BBQ at the Perth Markets’ Cherry Auction. Launch venues included the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, a driver training centre in Perth, and TMH state headquarters in four cities.

Four state dealers conducted combined launches featuring the 8-Series forklifts and the new Toyota Aurion V6, at Toyota car dealerships.

The attendance and level of inquiry at the various state launch functions reflected a customer interest in the new 8-Series machines.

According to Toyoto, the attendance and level of inquiry at the various state launch functions reflected a customer interest in the new 8-Series machines.

The customers and potential customers around the country liked what they saw in the new 8-Series. The 8-Series forklifts meets their wish-list demands by providing increased safety and ergonomics, reducing operating costs and offering greater environmental friendliness.

The innovation showed by the dealerships in their launch activities dovetails neatly with the advances in the new 8-Series over and above the highly-popular 7-Series that it supersedes.

The 8-Series design and development team interviewed some 4500 customers worldwide to obtain feedback on the current industry-leading 7-Series range.

Teams of engineers came to Australia on several occasions to meet with local customers, operators and dealers.

The advancements in the 8-Series reflect Toyota’s kaizen philosophy of continual improvement, and the fact that Toyota has by far one of the large research and development budget in the materials handling industry.

The engineers’ charter for this new range was to raise QDR (quality, durability and reliability) levels from their already high benchmark, a bold aim given the 7-Series’ proven record for QDR.

Outstanding product quality is the key to Toyota’s success, not just in forklifts but across its entire product range, Toyota has one of the world’s strict quality control regimes.

The Toyota 8-Series forklift range initially includes 23 internal-combustion models from one to three tonne payloads, including petrol/LPG and diesel models with the choice of powershift transmission and compact models.

The Toyota 8-Series improvements over the superseded 7-Series begin with its increased ease of use.

Safety features of the Toyota 8-Series range include Toyota’s System of Active Stability (SAS) and Operator Presence Sensing (OPS) as standard equipment.

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/z1/view.asp?id=2749

One of the members of the board of directors or a principal of your firm has just visited a competitor’s automated facility and wants to know if automated material handling equipment is appropriate for your firm. Would you know how to help top management decide?

Automated material handling equipment systems have been around in one form or another since the 1950’s. Different degrees of automation success have been achieved in a variety of applications. Horror stories as well as truly excellent installations abound, sometimes within the same company. How do you go about the process of evaluating automation?

GETTING STARTED

First determine which material handling operations should be considered for automation.

- Receiving?
- Putaway?
- Replenishment?
- Picking?
- Shipping?

After you have decided which material handling operations are candidates for automation, develop a database of operating histories and requirements for the operations you are considering. Automation should only be considered if the stability of the following factors is predictable:

a. Corporate structure
b. Operating requirements
c. Order characteristics
d. Unit load size
e. Carton size
f. Location network configuration

WHEN PROPERLY ANALYZED AND IMPLEMENTED, AN AUTOMATED MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM CAN GIVE YOUR COMPANY A COMPETITIVE EDGE.

If you cannot project a "stable state" for the operation, automation becomes much riskier.

DEFINE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The process of defining what you want the system to accomplish is probably the most tedious task in the process. If you cannot define the system requirements for a particular task you are trying to automate, stop and reconsider automation. You cannot automate what you cannot define. Include your management’s payback hurdle rate as part of the system definition.

VISIT SIMILAR APPLICATIONS

When you have defined the system, approach three or four qualified material handling equipment vendors. Familiarize these vendors with your system requirements and ask them to arrange for site visits and telephone conversations with installed users. If a vendor cannot arrange for you to visit a satisfied user, reconsider using this vendor’s system.

OBTAIN DETAILED BIDS

After you have "qualified" the appropriate vendors, request detailed bid packages from them. In addition to prices, these bid packages should include detailed drawings, information system support requirements, system capacities, installation schedules, start-up assistance required and provided, acceptance test procedures, service agreements and warranties.

EVALUATE THE BID PACKAGE

The process of evaluating the bid packages must be approached very carefully. The vendors will have spent considerable time, effort and money preparing these packages. Your company is going to spend considerable time, effort and money implementing the automated material handling equipment system if it decides to proceed.

A system that does not work properly will not only not improve your operations, but may, in fact, impede them. Therefore, selecting a vendor based solely on price is asking for trouble.

The financial stability and reputation of the vendor and of any subcontractors they plan to use should be high on the list of evaluation points. Before making a final decision, the system should be thoroughly tested using computer simulation. The simulation should be prepared by an independent party - not by the vendor.

IMPLEMENTING THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM

When the process of choosing a vendor has been completed, the real implementation work begins. Insist on close coordination between your project team, your software development team, and the vendor’s team. Treat the vendor’s team as a partner. Establish a detailed implementation schedule immediately and monitor it closely during the entire process. Insist on definable milestones for hardware and for any associated software development.

Prior to start-up, detailed procedures must be written and your software must be documented and tested. Detailed procedures will be the basis for training the personnel involved in using the new automated system. Proper training is the key to success at this point.

Documentation and testing of your software should focus on the elements which drive the mechanical controls as well as those which provide information to the system. Make sure you receive complete system documentation from the vendor. Prepare a good test plan with clear predicted results. Allow sufficient time to complete adequate testing procedures.

After the acceptance test and shakedown period are over, an assessment should be made of how to make the new automated system more effective for your operation. Note any changes needed and obtain vendor’s agreement to make them.

SUMMARY

Automating material handling operations is high risk/high reward situation. When properly analyzed and implemented, an automated material handling system can give your company a competitive edge. When not properly analyzed and implemented, an automated material handling system can become your worst nightmare.

http://www.grossassociates.com/articles/mathand.htm

Specialized industries require specialized products, that’s why we represent the Sennebogen Green Line Products throughout our territory. Unlike many of its competitors, Sennebogen truly understands the value of after sale support and works with its distributors to achieve that end.

In ports, scrap yards, transfer stations, forestry operations – anywhere you find the most demanding material handling applications – the “Lean Green Machines” are again establishing their position as the new standard in purpose-built equipment. These are not converted dirt machines pressed into heavy-lifting service; every green line machine is fully engineered for the extreme duty cycles of the most strenuous material handling tasks.

Offered in 21 different models, SENNEBOGEN green line equipment includes a machine that meets your specific application.

http://www.powerequipco.com/content.asp?page_id=238&uid=&siteid=4

The material handling industrial robot is used to move, feed or disengage parts or tools to or from a location, or to transfer parts from one machine to another. A variation of a material handling robot is used to build and undo unit loads on a pallet. A material handling robot can work 24 hours a day without worries or fatigue. The consistent output of a robotic system along with quality and repeatability are unmatched. There has never been a better time to think about automating your operation with a material handling robot.  RobotWorx sells many new and reconditioned workcells from manufacturers such as: Motoman, Panasonic, Fanuc, ABB, and Others. We offer a warranty, robot training, and prototype tooling for various robot integration packages purchased.

RobotWorx has integrated and installed hundreds of material handling robot systems throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Staffed with factory trained technicians who are on call to answer any questions that may arise, from programming issues to down robots, we make sure each project is completed on time and works to the specifications of our customers.

Material Handling Applications:
The following applications are considered material handling processes: pick and place, dispensing, palletizing, packing, packaging, part transfer, machine loading, assembly, material removal, and order picking.

http://www.robots.com/material-handling.htm

Among the variety of light to medium weight material handling trolleys and carts at Spacepac Industries is the P-Series Lift Trolleys.

Telelift – 100kg capacity manual lift
This telelift is a cost effective portable lifting aid. The lift trolley enables one person to move up to 100kg from ground level to 1200mm safely and without strain.

It is especially designed for loading, unloading and transporting televisions, computer screens or any porous - flat surface such as windscreens, glass panels, microwaves, washing machines, coffee machines, poker machines, etc.

Special features of this P-series lift trolley include the use of the latest suction pad technology and the noiseless reverse braking winch to lower the television/screen to the most convenient and safe position for transport.
The swivel mechanism enables access through corridors, halls and door ways by rotating the television/screen through 90 degrees.

No damage to floor or covering will occur due to the soft inflatable wheels. Concurrently rougher terrains, ascending and descending stairs are a breeze due to the large sized wheels.

Additional Suction Cup which will enable the lifting of larger screens can also be obtained from Spacepac Industries.

Porta Lift - 100kg capacity manual lift
Another manual lifter offered by Spacepac is the Porta lift. It is also a cost effective portable lifting aid which enable solo lifting up to 100kg from ground level to 1000mm.

It can be used for loading and unloading of work vans, trucks, shelves, benches or anywhere with a traditional bend and lift requirement. The Porta lift can also be used to carry and load gas bottles as well if a ratchet strap is attached. The toe plate for loads is approximately 400W x 550L mm.

The Porta lift-trolley functions on a unique reverse braking system, allowing the load to stop at any position without having to lock or unlock pins or ratchets. The lifter is designed for silent operation with a noiseless winch.

With optional Fork Tynes, this lift trolley can be converted into a versatile manual fork lift by removing the platform.

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/E7/0C0490E7.aspx

Materials Handling’s bin tippers eliminate the danger of handling all sizes of mobile garbage bins in the workplace. These bin tippers promote a happy, safe and healthy work environment, necessary for long term production efficiency. The bin tippers are mobile, easily attached and a breeze to use. Don’t break your back.

The MBL series electro-hydraulic bin lifter can empty bins, up to 150kg, with the push of a button. This tipper has a primary vertical lift and eliminates the risk of possible injury from swing arc tippers. It is available in either a 12volt DC, with gel filled battery, 240volt AC or hand power hydraulic pump.

The battery version of the tipper is capable of 80 lifts per charge, has a lockable battery box, built in automatic battery charger, state of charge indicator and a battery isolator switch with removable key. It is used where mains power supply cables may create havoc or be a safety hazard. There is an optional safety cage surround also available. It easily attaches to bulk bins, has a simple connection for wheelie bins and has a folded chute for product direction.

The wheelie bin tippers are ideal for schools, commercial use, hospitals, hotels, retail centres, and industrial use.

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/1D/0C04711D.aspx

Lift and Shift has increasingly become a popular term in the materials handling equipment industry. Kennards Hire, one of the largest equipment hire companies in Australia had realised the need for a Lift and Shift division some three years ago and hence established Kennards Lift and Shift.

With a large range of material handling equipment for all those lifting, shifting and moving jobs, Kennards Lift and Shift has been expanding since its opening and now operates its materials handling business in Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Kennards Lift and Shift has a broad range of hire equipment specific to the materials handling industry, including large chain blocks, machinery skates, hoists and winches, slings and shackles, gantry cranes, jacking equipment and loads more. All equipment is available for short or long term hire.

All Kennards hire equipment is tested and certified and, as they specialise in only material handling gear, the staff are well trained and have the specialist knowledge needed for lifting and material handling solutions.

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/C9/0C0495C9.aspx

Spacepac Industries is offering a solution to your lifting needs. With the material lifts – Series 2000 and 2100 from Spacepac, you will have no trouble lifting heavy items conveniently and safely.

Material lifts – Series 2000 is built for heavy material such as steel beams and/or continuous work. This compact lift offers stronger mast design and a superior cabling system. The shorter mast sections allow the 2000 to travel through doorways without tripping and to fit nicely into vehicles with small storage space. To prevent rusting and enhance its appearance, these material lifts have a new galvanised steel finish.

Unique features of these material lifts include:

· Cable stay brake

· Unique mast hold-down

· Reversible Forks

· Lockable 125mm casters

· Loading bar

· Roller wheels

· Inside-mast cable feed

· 250mm (10") rough terrain wheels

· Fast action stabilizer legs

Its reversible forks can be repositioned for added height or just to get flush with the ceiling, by simply pulling on the plunger pins.

The material lift is so compact, it is ideal for storage in confined areas. So you do not need to worry about loose tools or hardware. With a leg lock mechanism, the lift releases with a push of a button and locks in the stored position. The leg rollers allow the lift to be wheeled around. The forks can be removed by pulling the plunger pins. It is very user-friendly and easy to operate.

With a minimum lifting capacity of 300kg, the material handling lifts Series 2000 can lift up to 460kg. The lift height for standard fork position can reach up to 6.9m, while the reversed forks can get up to 7.5m. All models of the Series 2000 have a lowered height of 1.9m.

Unmatched as a good all around contractor lift, the Series 2100 features a taller mast to reach desired work heights, while requiring fewer mast sections. Hence, the 2100 is less expensive and lighter. The base, forks, winch etc. are similar to the Series 2000. A notable feature is its newly galvanised steel finish.

The lifting capacity for all models in Series 2100 is 300kg. The lift height for standard fork position can reach up to 6.7m, while the reversed forks can get up to 7.3m. All models of the Series 2000 have a lowered height of 2.1m.

Enhanced features:

Fork Extensions

With the push of a button, forks may be extended from 71 to 106 cm. Weight capacity for these longer forks decreases to 90 kg. A second button returns the extension for convenient storage inside the forks.

Boom Carriage

This boom carriage is ideal for installing pipe or lifting "from the top" applications. It uses four attaching plunger pins and has a 100 cm reach. While the hook has five locations, the load capacity decreases from 300 kg to 90 kg when the boom is fully extended.

Pipe Cradle

Great for duct pipe or other HVAC applications, the pipe cradle slides over standard forks.

http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/CD/0C0459CD.aspx

Toyota Material Handling Australia’s (TMHA)’s new headquarters at Moorebank, NSW is one of Australia’s most comprehensive material handling equipment support facilities.

The 18,000-square-metre TMHA facility houses both the national distributor and NSW dealership for Toyota, BT Lift Truck and Raymond material handling equipment.

The combined THMA and TMH (NSW) facility therefore has everything from the TMHA boardroom and history wall to the National Modification Centre for building specialised forklift trucks.

The TMH (NSW) showroom area has as a special exhibit: one of the first Toyota forklifts imported into Australia in 1974 - and now fully restored.

Also included under the one roof are the National Training Centre, National Parts Distribution Centre, the New Equipment Distribution Centre and the TMH (NSW) Equipment Demonstration Centre.

Toyota pioneered specialist technician training for material handling equipment in Australia.

The National Training Centre conducts two training courses per week for service technicians, as well as training in all other areas of the business.

The National Parts Distribution Centre will house 28,000 lines and dispatch an average of 200 line shipments a day when fully operational.

The new Equipment Distribution Centre holds stock predominately for the NSW market, but also ships machines to other markets on a daily basis.

The centre holds approximately $5 million worth of stock at any one time, with the average value of a machine at $18,000 and some machines worth in excess of $100,000.

The TMH (NSW) Repair Workshop and Pre-Delivery Centre has 59 workshop bays, each set up to perform the final customer configuration for new equipment and the major servicing and repairs of any unit in operation.

The centre is currently completing 180 jobs per month.

The workshop area includes a paint booth to paint customer machines in corporate livery and respray rental units, and a wash bay to clean short-term rental units.

The workshop also supports TMH (NSW)’s fleet of 65 metropolitan service vans, out of a total of 99 vehicles state-wide.

The TMH (NSW) Rental Fleet consists of nearly 4000 machines, out of a national rental fleet of over 11,000 machines. More than 1000 TMH (NSW) machines are short-term hire machines.

The National Modification Centre - currently being fitted out - will have the capacity to customise any equipment in the TMH portfolio to customer requirements and Australian Design Standards.

Australia’s current ISO representative for forklift design is the centre manager.

Included in the facility are a specialist press, welding equipment and a tilt table to test forklift stability.

Toyota Material Handling’s new headquarters is at 8 Secombe Place, Moorebank, NSW 2170.