DEMOUNTS TO DIGITAL ROUTES
Page 32
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
NEXT WEEK'S third Distribution Services Show at the Wembley Conference Centre in North London offers the visitor a unique spread of exhibits covering the whole spectrum of storage, warehousing, distribution and transportation.
Well over 100 companies are showing everything from forklift trucks to loading-bay levellers to contract hire services; there is something for everybody. The exhibition takes place from Wednesday to Friday, October 9-11 inclusive. Entrance is free by registration ticket which can be filled out on the spot or obtained in advance from the organisers on 01-900 1234.
A sample of the services and equipment on show is given below: a full report on the exhibition will appear in the October 19 issue of CM.
Stokvis is showing its range of warehouse and loading dock equipment such as doors and hydraulic dock-levellers alongside its new Stokis-Lagab demountable vehicle body system (not shown). The Lagab demountable system is a Swedish design, for which Stokvis has the UK marketing rights. The equipment adds about two tonnes to the unladen weight of a 16-tonne rigid chassis. Hystcr's latest range of electric forklift trucks will be shown by Barlow Handling. These trucks, which have lifting capacities of between one and three tonnes, have several unusual features. One of these is the Hyster Montrol single control pedal for acceleration and forward/reverse selection. The vehicles are available with twoor three-stage or free-lift masts, and conic with a claim of extremely low noise levels — 69dB(A).
There arc 18 models in the new XL range, with two basic configurations — the economy XL and premium XLE. Hyster says they are aimed at indoor/outdoor operation such as loading and unloading of lorries.
Barlow will also be promoting its other materials handling equipment and systems, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and highbay narrow-aisle warehouse systems.
Istel, the computer services company owned by BL, is showing off its computerised vehicle routeing and delivery scheduling system VISIT. Istel claims that VISIT is the most advanced system of its kind available, and that it will run on many different small computers.
VISIT can be programmed to consider criteria such as delivery time restrictions and individual vehicle capacities in suggesting optimum delivery routes. Routes are displayed in colour on the computer screen for the operator to check out — and to modify and experiment with using local knowledge, for instance.
Istel says that the creation of an optimum route should take about 20 minutes: after that, the computer will print out the driver's routeing instructions. '[he system is already used by BP Oil and Associated Dairies. Longdon Truck Equipment, the British concessionaire for Zepro tail lifts, is showing two different lifts designed expressly for 3.5tonne vans and trucks. The Zero lifts are electrically driven, using the vehicle's 12V system.
The KZ-5-140 column-type lift has a 500kg capacity, with a platform measuring a maximum of 2,200 x 940mm, and will lift to a height of 1,400mm. The aluminium lift has a total weight of 160kg. It conies as a boxed kit for a price of i21,295 plus VAT, complete with fitting instructions and the option of a fixed or remote operating switch.
The LZ-6-110 cantilever lift is more robust. As standard, this An unusual new security device is being launched by Enigma Electronics at the show. The Enigma Electronic security seal is aimed at preventing any unauthorised opening of a vehicle or container and uses of a random number recording system.
The scat is a small, selfcontained unit which is fitted to the vehicle or container, near to the door. It senses the closing of the door, and then displays a randomly-generated six-figure number. The idea is that this number is noted on the delivery documents, to be checked when the door is opened at the other end of the journey.
The electronic seal is priced at £175 plus VAT. steel unit has a 1,070 x 2,080min platform (though wider platforms can be supplied) and a lifting capacity of 600kg. In this case, the electrics power an hydraulic pump which supplies one lifting cylinder and two tilting cylinders. These are controlled by a fixed switch and a remote One on a spiral lead — though the latter can be replaced by a radio control unit. Microcomputers applied to a whole range of distribution problems will be seen on the Distribution Planning Systems (DPS) stand at Wembley. Among the systems which DPS will be showing is CARP (computer-aided route planning) which, it says, is simpler than the 'full-blown' computer systems and makes more use of the operator's own experience. DPS also has its computer-aided warehouse planning system (CAWP) on show: this is claimed to help warehouse managers to estimate workload and make the best use of manpower and equipment.