Forklift News - Matex exhibits range from simple to high tech

The Toyota Material Handling stand at Matex 2007

Simple ideas, like corrugated cardboard pallets and a reinvention of the wheel, are butting up against the latest in RFID and fast-charge technology at Matex 2007 in Melbourne this week.

Hong Kong-based Innovative Packaging Products has developed corrugated cardboard pallets as a one-way system for exporters keen to reduce freight costs.

The interlocking cardboard structure is manufactured in China and flat-packed for later assembly, said Bill Langford, managing director of Australian distributor Pallet-Lok.

It is made from either recycled cardboard capable of withstanding a 500kg load or virgin material able to withstand two tonnes.

Cardboard pallets can reduce the freight weight of wooden pallets by 7kg to 9kg. The cardboard could be waxed for moisture resistance and needed no fumigation, Langford said.

Another complex idea made simple on display at Matex is the Rotacaster, a multi-directional wheel developed by mechanical engineer Graham Guile and his late father, Henry.

Guile said the Rotacaster had potential for several applications in the materials handling industry. It was making its debut at Matex and he was seeking expressions of interest.

"My father and I developed this over several years in the early ‘90s, but unfortunately he didn’t live to see it reach the patenting stage,’’ Guile said.

"My dad was a great reader and originally he called it the Ezekiel wheel after the biblical prophet in the Old Testament who spoke of a chariot that had wheels that moved in all directions.

"That interested dad and he knew there must be an engineering solution."

The result is an injection-moulded wheel made from aliphatic polyketaone polymers with transverse rollers on nylon bushes. that can withstand a 2,000kg crush load. The total load bearing can be up to 75kg per wheel.

Guile has commissioned a plant at Tuncurry, in northern NSW, to begin a three-shift manufacturing operation that he predicts will produce 100,000 wheels per shift per year.

A special guest at the Toyota Material Handling (TMH) exhibit was John Aker, president of Aker Wade Power Technologies, which manufactures the UniMAX and TwinMAX line of fast chargers for electric forklifts.

Aker spent last week talking to TMH dealers across Australia and this week fielding inquiries at Matex. He was due to fly back to Virginia, in the US, tomorrow.

"I have made two first-class contacts with significant companies so far here at Matex,’’ said Aker, who claims General Motors among his major US clients.

His talk today at Matex’s interactive warehouse display was on "Opportunity rapid charging" and the cost-savings to be derived from partially charging batteries between shifts.

"In the next two to three years, as battery-charging rates improve, fast charging will eliminate the need for battery change-outs," he said.

Aker says the 21st century will become known as the electric century as fast-charging’s materials handling application translates to other forms of transport.

He said the uptake of fast-charge technology would be cost-driven, as his modelling suggested the cost of the technology could be recouped in less than 18 months.

Peacock Brothers, Alpha Warehouse Solutions, Intermec and Cascade Australia had a combined stand to demonstrate their joint project, a fully integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) forklift.

Intermec supplied the RFID equipment; Peacock Brothers was responsible for installation, software, customisation and assembly; Alpha provided the Baoli forklift; and Cascade supplied the backrests.

As reported in Forkliftaction.com News www.forkliftaction.com/news/newsdisplay.aspx?nwid=4028 in March, the system has wireless internet and Bluetooth capabilities.
Peacock Brothers’ marketing co-ordinator Craig McKenzie said the system, which allowed forklift operators to register barcodes, even when obscured, without leaving the truck, saved time and reduced injury rates.

The display was backed by a seminar by Cal Anderson, of the RFID Association of Australia, titled "Practical approaches to automating workflow in logistics".

McKenzie said reaction to the RFID forklift at Matex had been good, although the show had had a slow start on Tuesday.

Matex organiser Nicholas Tossman acknowledged opening day attendance had "tapered off by the afternoon" but said he was pleased with yesterday’s attendance rate.

"I think Australia will follow America’s lead when it comes to exhibitions, which is that there is an upswing of people coming back to them," Tossman said.

"Everyone’s got their websites these days and sure you can get a lot of your information from them but now people are also saying ‘I want to touch and feel the product’ and that is why they come along to these things. Problem solved. You expect to see Melbourne people at a Melbourne show but I’ve been surprised by the number of people I’ve seen here today who have come down from Brisbane and New South Wales."

Other exhibitors included Crown, which displayed its new Pro5 series of pneumatic forklifts.

Held at the Melbourne Convention & Entertainment Centre to coincide with a National Manufacturing Week exhibition, Matex continues tomorrow.
For more exhibitor information, visit www.matex.com.au.

Cardboard pallets before assembly

Discuss Forkliftaction.com News stories in the Discussion Forums!