Dmitriy Nesterkin, a graduate student employee of the University of Arkanas RFID Research Center, has recently developed a new test data management system for use in the Lab. His software application will allow test data to be stored and analyzed from within one system. In recent weeks, the RFID Research Center has also added two Masters of Information Systems (MIS) students to their staff. These two students have successfully extended a software application that was written by former student employee, Jarrod Bourlon. This application will now be able to handle new inputs and outputs.

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OSHA has released an eTool (which is basically just an informational web page) for powered lift trucks that you might find useful. It has drill-down information on the following categories:

• Basic  Types and Fundamentals – The differing types and fundamentals of powered trucks
• Operating the Forklift – the basic operating rules and safe work practices
• Understanding the Workplace – how workplace conditions can affect safe operation
• Training Assistance – operator training required by OSHA

This information specifically addresses OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck requirements [29 CFR 1910.178]

In July, Hytrol Conveyor Company started shipping conveyors with EPAct efficiency motors. The company ships conveyors standard with the motors, at no extra charge. This is a significant upgrade. Besides the savings from EPAct compliance, these motors are invertor-duty from 15hz to 6hz. It also carries a two-year warranty, an extra year compared to the previous, standard duty motors. Generally, the mandated efficiency levels of EPAct motors fall somewhere between the present efficiencies of Baldor’s standard motors and Baldor’s Super-E®premium efficient motors.

The energy savings component varies by motor, hours in usage, loads, and other factors. If you are interested in details, contact us for assistance.

Due to Hurricane Ike, the previous dates for the WERC (Warehouse Education Resource Council) were cancelled. The Council has rescheduled.  The new dates for this intensive 3-day seminar are November 10-12, 2008. WERC typically packs useful, solid information into their seminars, so if you’re in South Texas or feel like traveling there, this one may be worth your time. According to WERC, attendees will learn:

• How to identify the precise problems that are the most troublesome in your warehouse
• Which operations require your attention and how to prioritize work demands
• Why leadership and communication skills are important to managing people, boosting morale, and solving labor/management conflicts
• How to lay out your warehouse for good space utilization, material handling compatibility, and optimum flow efficiency
• Which equipment and technology enablers best suit your operations for storage and handling as well as order picking and order selection.

See WERC.org for complete information. Those who registered previously do not need to re-register.

When you are running an operation with lots of racking, it isn’t uncommon to have to replace an occasional upright or beam, or to add new bays onto an existing row. Sometimes you cannot avoid it, as the rack was purchased years ago, by someone else, or from a source you can’t even locate. It might be that you bought used rack and need to fill some gaps in, or it may be perfectly good, 10-year old rack that just needs some  damaged components replaced.

This is done all the time, and although it isn’t an optimum situation for rack stability and safety, you can minimize the issues by following the following guidelines:

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