While the attendance was down this year at EXPO Richmond, the people who did show up were looking to buy. The big problem is that most machinery suppliers to the pallet and low-grade lumber industry are experiencing manufacturing delays when it comes to equipment. If you want something in two years, you better order it now.
Only a handful of pallet-related suppliers ran equipment at the show. Many more had equipment on display, and increasingly suppliers had videos or sales literature at the show. A number of people told me that they combined the show with visiting some nearby plants. That is always a good strategy to maximize your time and trip.
The companies that had live equipment running were Alliance Automation with its Robotic Pallet Dismantler; Baker and its Blue Streak portable bandsaw; Go Fast with its latest chop saws and notchers, Pallet Chief with its Pallet Chief II, IV and deck-mat machine models; Viking with its redesigned Champion QC-306; and Wood-Mizer with its Pallet Hawg bandsaw dismantler.
The following are some innovations, featured equipment or company developments that I heard about at the show.
Alliance Automation unveiled its new iPallet inspection system designed for recyclers, repair depots and pallet management facilities. This vision system makes a 3D scan of each pallet and gives the operator a 2D image. Each pallet is quickly analyzed to see how it compares to detailed grading criteria. Pallets are then sent to the proper stack or part of the line for the next step in the process. It can inspect pallets ranging in size from 20"x20" to 48"x48".
The iPallet system can sort multiple pallets in seconds, eliminate unnecessary repair costs and offers high grading accuracy. This system is designed to increase inspection throughput while improving accuracy and giving an electronic way to monitor inspection compliance. This machine saves labor on sorting, grading and stacking. iPallet provides a number of usable reports and analysis. To find out more, contact Alliance Automation (https://allianceautomation.com/pallet-industry/) or call 419-238-2520.
Go Fast Manufacturing displayed its new CS-Series chop saw. Go Fast redesigned its chop saw with heavier construction and improved safety guarding. It features a quick cycle time, simple operation, carbide tipped blades and a movable board stop system. Go Fast stated, “Great for end cuts, the chopping action on this machine keeps material in place for accurate counts.”
Go Fast also introduced a new grade resaw with 3" mega roll guides and 30" band wheels. The low profile design of the new grade resaw allows the operator to easily see past the cut. Go Fast explained, “These saws are some of the heaviest in their class. Weighing in at over two tons and using ¼” tubing throughout, the strong 30HP motor allows these saws to cut through even the hardest and driest species of wood.”
Go Fast also featured its D-3 deduster. Besides removing dust, it also de-burrs stringy material off the sides of boards. It comes equipped with Go Fast’s Board Knocker System.
In addition, Go Fast unveiled its new reseller relationship with Advance Lifts. It is now a reseller for these lifts and can offer the same standard pricing as the manufacturer. These lifts can be used to reduce workplace injuries and relieve worker fatigue while improving materials handling. Go Fast has also partnered with Northtec to offer dust collection systems for smaller saws and systems to reduce clutter, remove wood dust particles from the air, and provide cost effective material handling of wood dust without having to put in a large system. For more information, call (800) 854-7439 or visit www.gofastmfg.com.
Pallet Chief ran three machines. The new owner, Ranga Ranganathan, is pushing things into overdrive at the pallet machinery supplier. He has owned the company for only a few months and is bringing his years of experience in manufacturing excellence to improving the product line. He has created an inside sales team to improve customer service, reduced lead times by optimizing its manufacturing plant and shifting to semi-automatic welding. Ranga said, “We are working to have the best lead time in the industry. Right now, it is four weeks on our entry-level machine, the PC II. And it takes only 16 weeks on the fully automated PC IV nailing system.”
Pallet Machinery Group (PMG) had a re-manufactured nailing machine on display. This machine is headed to the Timberman in Camak, Georgia. PMG offers machinery repair, rebuild, and upgrading services, and carries an extensive parts inventory to help bring your machinery back on line as fast as possible. In addition to repairs, PMG can breathe new life into your older pallet equipment with custom upgrades, modernizing the technology of your older pallet machines to bring them up to today’s standards and keep them performing for years to come. These services include: electrical kit field upgrades, hydraulic upgrades, oc turner and upgrades for Duo-Matic™ Machines.
Viking Engineering & Development had on display and ran its Champion QC306 pallet nailer. With a single operator, it can produce upwards of 500-600 pallets/shift. The flexibility of the QC306 Pallet Machine allows for optional mat and block production capabilities, extended pallet sizes, and quick changeovers. This versatile machine can also utilize new and reclaimed lumber. In addition, Viking promoted its new training program called Viking University. This online portal is free to customers and features maintenance/training videos as wells as networking forum for Viking customers.
Currently, the portal has 14 Turbo 505 videos and five Champion videos with additional videos being developed and added regularly. Viking’s goal is to grow and develop the program based on customer feedback and requests. Viking University is currently hosted through the Google Classroom platform; you will need a Google account to access it, which is free to set up. To sign up for Viking University, visit https://www.vikingeng.com/viking-university-enrollment. For more information on Viking’s nailers, call (763) 571-2400.
Viper Industrial Products announced its new TimberWolf high-speed pallet nailing machine. This two-operator machine uses PLC controls and smooth servo motor controls. It is made from domestically sourced components, such as Siemens, SMC, Airtac, Snyder Electric and more. This makes acquiring replacement parts easier than some other machines on the market. Viper is offering a five-month lead time on a new machine, which is sure to get the attention of many who need help right now. Viper claims its user interface is easy to operate and train. For more information, contact Viper at http://www.viperindustrialproducts.com/ or call (501) 679-6814.
