Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MLF 2010 Volume: 4 Issue: 1 (February)
Process Control Enhancements
Take Supply Chain (formerly ClearOrbit), innovator of software solutions to power demand-driven value networks, recently released Xtended Process Control (X.PC) 5.7d, an upgrade to the company’s software that accelerates and streamlines supplier collaboration and extends lean processes by connecting manufacturers and distributors with supply chain partners worldwide to procure goods and services. To date, dozens of organizations have cut hundreds of millions of manufacturing and supply chain dollars by automating their supply networks with Take’s X.PC.
X.PC 5.7d includes a variety of new features and modules that improve operational efficiencies and user experiences, including: Web labels; a quick search toolbar; an engineering quality collaboration module; an expanded accounts payable module that allows suppliers to create credits as well as invoices, print invoice PDFs, and view invoice holds; and additional enhancements to existing purchase order and ASN functionality.
“As many corporations turn to collaboration to gain supply chain efficiencies, the speed at which a solution can be used to on-board external entities becomes an important factor,” said Dusty Knight, Take Supply Chain vice president of professional services. “This release of X.PC enables the rapid on-boarding of suppliers, contract manufacturers and other critical supply chain partners so that corporations can see faster time-to-value for the solution.”
Knight added that with X.PC, Take Supply Chain provides the ability within the demand driven supply network to manage demand visibility and improve communications across any size global partner network.
More Storage, Better Utilization
Akro-Mils, a North American provider of storage, organization and transport products, has introduced six-inch high ShelfMax products. Available in four sizes and five colors, the bins offer a larger storage capacity—85 percent more space—than traditional four-inch bin sizes.
According to the company, their new bins have a front opening that is .75 inches higher than standard four-inch products, hold 25 percent more than competing six-inch bins, are durably constructed to outlast corrugated bins and allow loading without spreading or cracking, have optional width dividers to expand sorting options and efficiencies, and are easy to label for quick inventory identification.
The ShelfMax bins can be used alone or with Akro-Mils’ open or closed steel shelving, wire shelving, pick racks and bench racks.
Floor-to-Truss Storage
Government facilities can reclaim up to 85 percent of the space used by traditional shelving, cabinets and rack storage in existing buildings by using floor-to-truss space maximization. KardexRemstar automated storage and retrieval systems such as Shuttle VLMs and carousels help to reduce the amount of physical space that is required to store material while reducing costs and optimizing the available floor space.
The company’s automated storage and retrieval systems help state, local and government organizations to comply with Executive Order 13423 by providing sustainable solutions for most facilities. By optimizing otherwise wasted space, companies can construct smaller, more energy efficient buildings, shrinking the construction footprint by up to 15 percent in some cases, conserving natural resources and reducing maintenance costs.
Newly freed-up floor space can be converted for value-added purposes. Operator productivity can be increased up to 66 percent by using automated storage and retrieval systems, helping to reduce a facility’s labor requirements. The systems can provide a ROI in less than 18 months for many applications including file, folder and office supplies, tool and die storage, maintenance and repair operations and many more.
Rugged Subsystem
Parvus has previewed a new MIL-COTS rugged mission computer subsystem based on the low-power Intel Atom Z530 1.6GHz processor with Gigabit Ethernet and MIL-STD-1553 databus connectivity.
Optimally designed for size, weight and power-constrained military/aerospace vehicle and aircraft installations, the new DuraCOR 820-A small form-factor rugged processor delivers processing and multimedia performance comparable (or better) to Pentium M-based DuraCOR solutions, but with less power consumption, double the RAM memory capacity, and dual Flash Solid State Disks (SSDs). The system is equipped with a 28V high efficiency power supply compliant with MIL-STD- 1275 and MIL-STD-704 voltages, spikes and surges, which makes the unit compatible with not only airborne, but also military ground vehicle platforms. System I/O includes 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x MIL-STD-1553, 3x USB 2.0, 2x RS-232, 2x PS/2, 8 DIO, and VGA, which are brought out through lightweight, high-density MIL-38999- like connectors, making the product an ideal solution for a variety of unmanned and manned command and control applications.
The DuraCOR 820-A offers a compact mechanical design (~3 pounds, ~3 inches height) very similar in form factor to flight-qualified legacy Parvus DuraCOR 820 systems currently deployed in unmanned aircraft systems and other military applications. The unit is fanless, conduction cooled and designed for use under extended temperature (-40 to +71C) and other demanding MIL-STD-810F environmental conditions (thermal, shock, vibration, altitude, humidity). The new 820-A model offers enhanced ingress protection from dust and water immersion, along with improved filtering and shielding from EMI/EMC conditions. The system is designed to meet and will undergo MIL-STD-810F and MIL-STD- 461E environmental and emissions/ susceptibility qualification testing as it prepares for production.
Fire-resistant Mechanic’s Glove
Safariland, a BAE Systems line of business, introduces its durable fire-resistant mechanic’s glove with Nomex. These feature-laden gloves are designed to protect the hands during the toughest jobs, provide a superior grip when using heavy tools, and also offer fire-resistant capabilities. The palms are made of goatskin, known for its natural fire-resistance capability, and the backs of the hands feature DuPont Nomex fabric for excellent heat and flash protection, which protects against flame and will not combust at up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
The gloves have reinforced fingertips with Toughtek grip patches and abrasion-resistant heel pads in the palm for extra protection during torquing motions. Ergonomically designed for comfort in a bulky glove, this model features foam reinforcements in the finger and knuckle areas. The backs also provide ergonomic comfort with split foam for protection of the hands. With a double-layered reinforced leather cradle, this model offers excellent protection over the entire hand, while ensuring the dexterity necessary to get the job done.
RFID Distribution
Guard RFID Solutions Inc. has entered a distribution agreement with VT Milcom of Virginia Beach, Va., to provide its next generation RFID platform to the company’s health care, government and industrial customers. “VT Milcom has proven capabilities for sophisticated technology deployment, and serves a range of key customers who can utilize our platform for a wide variety of applications,” said Zahir Abji, GuardRFID president & CEO.
Vancouver, Canadabased GuardRFID is a provider of active RFID solutions for health care, industry and enterprise, including asset tracking and management, inventory control and enterprise security applications. The company offers the smallest active tags on the market. VT Milcom is an ISO-2001:2000 certified large business specializing in providing its customers professional and technical services in the fields of information technology, command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance command, and air traffic control applications.
VT Milcom President Walter Yourstone said, “With our high level of expertise and competencies and GuardRFID’s advanced RFID technology solutions, we have the synergies to provide superior solutions and services to our joint customers.” ♦