Pneumatic Suction Offers Ergonomic Solution for Mississippi Laminator

At the Iuka, Mississippi, laminating plant of International Converter, plant managers had a problem. Workers lifting the 40-pound sacks of wax beads into melting tanks were experiencing way too many workplace injuries. Risks included exertion, repetitive motion, awkward positions, and even falling hazards. There had to be a better way than the existing process, in … Read more

Wood, Cardboard, or Plastic: Which Makes the ‘Greenest’ Pallet?

Many companies today are looking to up their “green cred” among consumers by touting environmentally friendly policies and practices. Going “green” is not only good for business — many customers today will opt for businesses that they perceive to have the smallest carbon footprint — but it’s also good for the planet. The material handling … Read more

New Products Unveiled to Help With Material Handling

A number of companies have come up with new products to assist in material handling. Starship Technologies, a robot manufacturing company in the UK, tested its delivery robot in Washington, D.C. the week of March 21. The robot resembles a small buggy with a functional storage compartment large enough to hold two grocery bags. The … Read more

Augmented Reality Can Help Workers Be More Productive

A maintenance worker approaches a piece of machinery that has broken down. But instead of opening a heavy service manual, unfolding bulky schematics drawings, or struggling with outdated plans, he simply puts on a pair of glasses and has all the information and technical detail he needs instantly. A futuristic science fiction fantasy? No, this … Read more

New OSHA Reporting System Paying Dividends in Employee Safety

A new law that requires employers to report serious injuries to the US Occupational Safety and Health and Administration within 24 hours of hs resulted in increased workplace safety nationwide, the agency announced. Since the law went into effect last year, employers reported 10,388 workplace accidents involving severe injuries, including 7,636 that required hospitalizations and … Read more

Toyota Testing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Forklifts

The Prefectural Government of Kanagawa in Japan, Toyota and three private sector companies have partnered to create a low-carbon hydrogen supply chain that will produce hydrogen to be used in fuel cells to power forklifts. Electricity produced at the Yokohama City Wind Power Plant will be used to electrolyze hydrogen that will be compressed, stored … Read more

Coming Soon: Smartphones that Can Last Longer than a Week

Smartphones have definitely changed the way most of us live our lives. There’s probably one in your pocket right now. You may even be reading this on your iPhone or Galaxy. But while smartphones offer unprecedented access to information, shopping, entertainment and more, there’s still one thing that’s very, very stupid about smartphones: Their batteries. … Read more