High-quality gear motors from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS are a crucial piece of the manufacturing puzzle for this Georgia-based automation provider.Consider the following scenario: guided by vision sensors, a robot spots a product on a moving conveyor, determines its exact position and, in one fluid motion, picks it up and places it into a waiting assembly, carrier tray, or shipping container. What human operators once found tiring—or at least tedious—the robot performs flawlessly, hour after hour, even long after its flesh-and-blood coworkers have gone home for the evening.Given the ongoing shortage of skilled workers, we can expect to see many more such scenarios, especially as the U.S. ramps up its reshoring efforts. That's where John London, Director of Operations at MESH Automation, comes in. "Getting parts and products positioned precisely without fail—there's little room for error," he says. “That’s long been one of the primary challenges with many competing automation systems. But not for us.”Since its founding in 1999, MESH Automation of Dawsonville, Georgia, has been meeting these and other automation challenges head-on. The company designs and builds robotic palletizing, machine tending, material handling, and warehouse control systems for an eclectic mix of customers across practically every industrial manufacturing sector.Whether they’re building solutions for automakers and their tier suppliers or food processors, roofing material producers, fertilizer manufacturers and many others, MESH and its 40+ employees work to provide robust and reliable automation systems by focusing on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence.Proud PartnershipsPart of this success stems from strategic partnerships with some of the leading names in automation. These include FANUC, Siemens, and Cognex, to name a few, all of which contribute to MESH Automation's reputation for quality and dependability. But with automation comes the equally important need to bring products and materials to and from the machine tool, packing station, or inspection system, and do so without fail.For this critical task, MESH depends on a supplier with equivalent recognition throughout the industry: NORD DRIVESYSTEMS. “I like to tell people that, even though we build conveyors, we're not a conveyor company,” says London. “Still, we make a lot of them, and pretty much all are located within 30 feet or so of a robot.”For the past three years, he adds, each of these conveyors has used NORD helical worm gear motors tomove whatever’s sitting on top of it.This particular partnership began thanks to a COVID-induced supply chain disruption; after MESH Automation’s previous gearmotor supplier ran into inventory problems, London and his team reached out to their distributor, Motion Automation Intelligence of Birmingham. The sales representative there suggested they give NORD a try. Unfortunately, the very first shipment hit a snag—the motors arrived damaged in transit."That's when I knew NORD would be a good company to work with," London says. “Their standard lead time was six weeks at the time, but they were able to deliver replacement motors in just two, keeping us on schedule. That told me a lot about their emphasis on customer service.”This support level continues to this day. In one recent example, a MESH apprentice accidentally wired three motors incorrectly, causing them to burn out during startup. After being notified of the situation, NORD's Charlotte plant prepared replacements within a few hours, allowing a MESH project manager to pick them up that afternoon. "That was a big deal for us, and it reinforced what I already knew: NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is a solid company, as is our relationship with them," London says.Diverse NeedsThe partnership with NORD has served them well. As noted earlier, MESH enjoys a diverse customer base, with no industry segment exceeding 25% of its business. “We don't want just one industry feeding us," London explains. "Despite their differing needs, however, we're able to cost-effectively deliver automated systems to each of these industries due to our use of pre-engineered platforms, which we can easily modify for specific applications.” He laughs. “No two are identical, although we do use terms around here like 'half identical’ and ‘three-quarters identical’ to describe the level of customization needed to meet customer requirements.”NORD helps in this respect as well. For instance, MESH technicians can quickly change the gear ratio on any motor, a normally onerous chore made possible by NORD's modular, interchangeable components. This flexibility allows them to easily adjust the speed and torque to match the application without having to stock additional components. And when a special order is called for, notes London, "They've pretty much had whatever we need in stock or available within a couple of weeks."Whatever the customization level, these platforms often fall under the “MAC” family of automation cells—the MACTend for machine tending, the MACPac for packaging tasks, the MACGrind for finishing small- to medium-sized parts, and so on. Together with its assortment of process-specific “bolt-on” modules, each offers a starting point for MESH engineers to design what are effectively custom solutions but without the associated price point.Prove ItAmong the many customer success stories posted on the company website is a manufacturer of carpet tiles, which needed to feed "master" tiles to a press that cuts them into smaller pieces, a step known as "planking." Here, MESH delivered a cell containing a pair of vision-equipped robots and custom end-of-arm tooling ableto replicate the delicate but ergonomically taxing motions of a human operator.In another, a company that constructs hurricane-proof sheds wanted an automated way to screw the wall and roof panels to the wooden frame. In the past, this operation proved both labor-intensive and error-prone. Yet MESH designed a system with two robots, each armed with a screw gun to fasten the panels, following pre-programmed paths and working around window and door openings while ensuring consistent attachmentquality.And a company supplying machined components to its automotive customer desired to augment its human workforce by going “lights out” for three days at a time. This endeavor wouldn't be notable except for the fact that two different castings were used to produce six different part numbers, which meant that the system had to be "smart" enough to identify each workpiece before loading it into the CNC lathe. MESH accommodated this requirement by integrating a vision inspection system into the cell, reading each casting number and tracking it both during and after machining.Each of these solutions and many others share a common theme: the need for dependable conveyors to move products, parts, and materials into and out of the cell. Without them, nothing happens, which is why the company continues to rely on NORD products, despite their being a bit more expensive than those of the previous supplier.Says London, “We buy around seventy NORD gear motors each year and are actually paying slightly more than we did before, but the partnership we've built is well worth the extra money. We’re not one to beat someone up on price and then run away when there's an issue—instead, we place great value on suppliers who offer a fair price and stand behind their products. That’s what NORD does.”Fast MoversMESH's latest project may be its most ambitious yet: a robotic induction system for e-commerce sortation, which debuted at the recent ProMat 2025 trade show. The system uses a vision-guided robot to pick items from bins, scan barcodes on either side of the box, package, or envelope, and place each on a high-speed conveyor feeding a bomb bay-style sorter. Here again, the system depends on NORD worm gear motors to keep everything moving.London notes that the scanning capability eliminates a key limitation of current systems, where operators must place items with barcodes facing upward. “Our system doesn't care which way the label faces. It also picks 1,800 items per hour—well beyond what a human operator can achieve. We think it’s the first such solution on the market.”When asked a question that’s at the top of mind for many—whether automation is putting people out of work—London pushes back. “Our robotic cells don't replace people—they move them to better jobs. For example, I’ve seen how the companies that implement automation can often expand their quality control efforts. They put more energy into making sure products meet higher standards. And because workers no longer have to perform the repetitive, oftentimes strenuous tasks common in manufacturing, they’re able to spend more time on process improvement, oversight, and other value-added activities. It's better for everyone involved and makes the company more profitable to boot. That's what automation delivers.”About NORD DRIVESYSTEMSWith more than 4,900 employees, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has been developing, producing, and selling drive technology for over 50 years, and it is a global leader among full-service providers in the industry. In addition to standard drives, NORD delivers application-specific designs and solutions for special requirements, such as energy-saving drives or explosion-protected systems. NORD has subsidiaries and sales partners in 80 countries worldwide. The dense sales and service network guarantees optimal availability, enabling short delivery times, and customer-oriented service. NORD produces a very diverse range of drives for torques from 88 lb-in to more than 2.5 million lb-in, provides motors in the power range of 0.16 – 1,341 hp, and manufactures frequency inverters with the required power electronics of up to 200 hp. Inverter solutions are available for conventional control cabinet installations as well as for decentralized, fully-integrated drive units. Visit nord.com.ContactArielle SPOTTS608-850-1444Arielle.Spotts@nord.com

Kollmorgen, a global leader in motion control and automation solutions, today introduced the Kollmorgen Essentials™ motion system, a new line of servo motion solutions that makes high-performance motion control easier and more affordable for virtually any axis of motion. These thoughtfully pre-configured systems enable simple sizing and selection, while multiple onboard communication protocols ensure seamless integration into the most common controller environments. With unmatched ease of installation and commissioning, Kollmorgen Essentials ensures reliable performance across key industrial applications, from packaging and warehouse automation to material handling and forming. This is achieved while significantly reducing engineering time and overall system costs.Each Kollmorgen Essentials motion system combines an optimally matched servo drive, a servo motor with integrated absolute multi-turn feedback, and a combined power/data cable.A Versatile, Feature-Optimized Servo DriveThe Kollmorgen Essentials drive includes multiple protocol options, allowing the user to select between fieldbus types: EtherCAT®, EtherNet/IP™ or PROFINET® at time of install. The multi-axis synchronization capabilities allow designers to have precise control of multi-axis systems via a choice of CIP Sync™, PROFINET IRT or EtherCAT. This fieldbus flexibility gives all customers access to Kollmorgen’s high-performance motion within their existing environments, without the typically associated higher system cost. It also simplifies the ordering processes and inventory management for machine builders supporting different types of communication protocols for a global customer base. Functional safety capabilities are provided through integrated dual-channel STO, SIL2/Cat 3 PLd.These compact, feature-optimized drives are easy to install and commission with the Express Setup feature in the Kollmorgen WorkBench software. Drive setup, configuration and tuning has been simplified, even for engineers with little motion experience, with the simplified graphical configuration tool that supports them throughout the entire commissioning process. And the full suite of WorkBench tools is also included for more advanced motion programming and tuning tasks.The Kollmorgen Essentials servo drive is available for supply voltages of 120–240 or 240–480 VAC and delivers continuous power up to 4,000 watts at 3, 6 or 12 amps.A Powerful, Precise Servo Motor with Advanced, Integrated FeedbackKollmorgen Essentials servo motors are rated at 120, 240, 400 or 480 VAC and are designed for the most common power requirements from 200 to 4,000 watts. Each winding delivers a rated speed of 3,000 rpm, with peak performance reaching up to 6,000 rpm. An integrated 24 VDC brake is optionally available. Industry-standard mounting reduces the need for excess inventory and improves field flexibility. With a simple, innovative shaft key kit, users can adapt the shaft configuration to any coupling type—ready, off-the-shelf, for any application.In addition to this flexibility and the exceptional torque density, quality and reliability Kollmorgen customers have come to expect, each servo motor features our innovative SFD-M multi-turn absolute encoder. TheSFD-M provides single-turn resolution of 24 bits and multi-turn resolution of 16 bits. Using power-harvesting technology to eliminate the need for battery maintenance or the risk of battery failure, it retains absolute positioning information even when the system is powered down or during a power failure.With the integrated SFD-M device providing multi-turn absolute feedback to the highly responsive drive, customers can expect positioning performance comparable to Hiperface® or EnDat® feedback. This high-performance device is included at zero additional cost over an equivalent motor with resolver feedback.Single-Cable Technology and Optional AccessoriesKollmorgen has pioneered the development of single-cable technology that combines power and data, an innovation that is offered as a standard feature with the Kollmorgen Essentials motion system. This technology enables faster installation; just one cable to route and one connection at the drive and motor. It also enhances reliability with strong immunity to electromagnetic noise and fewer connectivity errors. The Kollmorgen Essentials motion system offers combined power/data cables in a variety of lengths in stock, with lengths up to 25 m available. The system is also optionally available with regen resistors, line filters and spare drive-side connectors. The Kollmorgen Essentials motion system supports DC bus-sharing, which balances energy between the connected drives, contributing to energy savings and a more constant DC link voltage for better control performance.Essential Performance, Features and Value, in One Complete System“Kollmorgen has always been the motion leader for torque density, responsiveness and control in compact systems that offer the flexibility and features to suit practically any application,” said Chris Cooper, Global Director, Product Management. “We’re pleased to now offer all these advantages in complete, optimized systems that allow design engineers to more easily and affordably integrate Kollmorgen high-performance motion across all axes of their machines, with easy connectivity to their existing PLC environments. The new Kollmorgen Essentials motion system is truly a game-changer for our business and the essential industries we serve.”Specifications are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the product user to determine the suitability of this product for a specific application. Kollmorgen Essentials is a trademark of Kollmorgen Corporation. Regal Rexnord is a trademark of Regal Rexnord Corporation. The following are believed to be the trademark and/or trade names of their respective owners and are not owned or controlled by Regal Rexnord Corporation. EtherCAT: Beckhoff Automation GmbH; PROFINET: PROFIBUS PROFINET International; Hiperface: SICK AG; EnDat: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.www.kollmorgen.comAbout KollmorgenKollmorgen, a Regal Rexnord brand, has more than 100 years of motion experience, proven in the industry’s highest-performing, some of the most reliable motors, drives, linear actuators, AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) control solutions, and automation control platforms. We deliver breakthrough solutions that combine exceptional performance, reliability and ease of use, giving machine builders an irrefutable marketplace advantage.ContactLinda Mecimore540-633-3688linda.mecimore@regalrexnord.com

Suite of electric lift trucks, telematics that enable efficient fleet management recognized for environmental and business impactGREENVILLE, N.C. – (Sept. 18, 2025) – Yale Lift Truck Technologies announces its selection as a finalist for the 2025 World Sustainability Awards, part of a select group of 95 leading companies across 15 categories, including DuPont, Heineken, General Motors and The Kraft-Heinz Company. The company has been shortlisted in the category of “Non-Software Sustainable Technology Provider of the Year” for its full lineup of electric lift trucks featuring Yale Vision™ telemetry, which enables operations to monitor truck performance and efficiently manage their lift truck fleet based on the data generated by the solution.“When a warehouse comes to us with sustainability goals, we aim to support them in two ways: by empowering them with tools to improve efficiency and by providing them with electric solutions that don’t require compromises on performance,” said Brad Long, North American Brand and Global Activation Manager, Yale Lift Truck Technologies. “This recognition isn’t just about the deep lineup of trucks, technology and other solutions – it’s about meeting our customers where they are and matching them with what’s right for their specific needs.”Yale offers one of the industry’s widest ranges of battery-electric motive power sources, including lead-acid, thin-plate pure lead and lithium-ion, making lift truck electrification accessible to a wide variety of operations. And whether an operation is switching from internal combustion engine power to electric or just upgrading their battery power, Yale helps customers evaluate the right power option for their budgets and other requirements like run time and charging. Switching just one 5,000-pound sit down ICE forklift truck to an equivalent lead-acid model can save operations nearly $400,000 per year on fuel and maintenance costs, and reduce their annual CO2 emissions by more than 670 tons.For operations interested in lithium-ion power, choosing an option integrated from the factory provides two key benefits. It allows businesses to forgo the hassle of an aftermarket battery pack retrofit and provides a lift truck designed specifically around the smaller form factor of the battery pack. This approach enables a variety of ergonomic features that enhance operator comfort and productivity. Additionally, these trucks require none of the drawbacks of off-gassing and battery maintenance, both of which are characteristics of older lead-acid battery technology.Earlier this year, Yale announced that the introductory level of the company’s Yale Vision telemetry solution comes standard on several key electric warehouse lift trucks and ICE models. The wireless monitoring telemetry offering allows warehouse operations to track equipment utilization and monitor idle time, enabling customers to reduce time in which equipment is on, but not traveling, lifting, lowering or otherwise working.About the AwardThe World Sustainability Awards spotlight outstanding organizations, leaders and teams who are driving change and helping to build a better future. Winners will be announced on Oct. 16, 2025 following the World Sustainability Congress.About Yale Lift Truck TechnologiesYale Lift Truck Technologies leverages over a century of material handling experience and substantial investment in innovation to bring some of the most advanced technology-driven lift truck solutions to market. The company offers a full line of award-winning lift trucks, including reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks, pallet jacks and trucks, pallet stackers, tow tractors and counterbalanced forklifts, as well as powerful operator assist solutions, proven robotics and a wide range of power sources to help customers adapt to today’s demanding supply chain. Yale and its independent dealer network support these solutions with comprehensive after-sales service, parts, financing and training.Yale Lift Truck Technologies is a division of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Inc. (NYSE:HY) which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and operates globally.ContactBrad LongYale Lift Truck Technologies252-412-3652brad.long@hyster-yale.com

Volume 4: Developing Your Soft Skills - Making a Successful Leap from the Classroom to the Workplace is the final textbook in the Fundamentals of Warehousing and Distribution series. The first three volumes in the series gave you an understanding of warehousing, distribution, and the technologies that play a critical role in the supply chain. Volumes 1 and 2 introduced the equipment, technologies, and processes used by all warehouses and distribution centers. Volume 3 described the most common types of warehouse designs, how they perform, and how they differ. This volume will help prepare you for your job in the workplace and help you refine the skills that will help you succeed and grow your career. The goal of this volume is to familiarize you with the responsibilities of the workplace beyond a basic job description and give you the tools you need to succeed. Many of the skills you’ve developed during your school years will help you succeed in the working world. Time management, organization, self-discipline, and relationship building are just as important as the mathematics and grammar skills you’ve practiced as part of your schoolwork. This know-how, along with your understanding of materials-handling equipment and systems, will serve you well in the workplace. Publication Date: 2025. For more information or quotes on special quantity shipping, contact the MHI Knowledge Team (education@mhi.org). 

The American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) offers this handy tool to evaluate limits for lifting and otherwise handling objects.

This guidance document represents user considerations associated with multi-level shelving. It was developed by the Storage Manufacturers Association (SMA) and is intended to provide useful information and guidance for owners, users, designers, purchasers, or specifiers of material handling equipment or systems. It is advisory only and should only be regarded as a simple tool that its intended audience may or may not choose to follow, adopt, modify, or reject. The following information does not constitute a comprehensive safety program, cannot guard against pitfalls in operating, selecting, and purchasing such a system, and should not be relied upon as such. Such a program should be developed, and an independent adviser should be consulted in doing so.

 A 420,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility sits on a 25-acre site that centers on the movement of aerospace parts and structures via tooling carts, forklifts and bridge cranes. Material handling equipment was required in a new building to lift lightweight spacecraft structures, weighing under 1,000 lbs. Hansen knew who to call — Dave Spears, Regional Manager — West at CraneTech. 

A large muffler manufacturer had concerns about worker safety and fatigue during the assembly process of their exhaust assemblies. The company decided on several Easy Arms with slide handle controls and custom gripper end tooling. The new setup allows a single operator to move the exhaust assemblies all around the welding area effortlessly and quickly.

In this automotive industry application, Cynergy Ergonomics designed a system to assist operators in the handling of superchargers during manufacturing/assembly through the packaging phase with a single lift assist device. One system consists of a telescopic rigid mast manipulator using a Gorbel iQ GForce in a nested trolley configuration; this operates in a double aluminum bridge Gorbel free standing workstation crane system. Another iQ G-Force feature is programmable virtual travel limits. This feature is used in conjunction with tooling mounted proxy switches to activate/deactivate preset travel stop elevations, placing the tooling in the exact position needed for pick and place operation

Compact, heavy-duty axis with two carriages optimizes space requirements and cycle times of dynamic handling applications Linear axis can accommodate two masses weighing up to 385 kg each Can be individually configured as a single axis or as a part of a multi-axis system Suited for applications with high drive torques and short cycle timesBosch Rexroth is expanding its CKR series of compact modules with an innovative dual belt axis for dynamic handling with a total load capacity of up to 770 kg. The new CKR-280 heavy-duty axis combines the functions of two linear axes into one linear system. Two, independently driven carriages in a single frame enable dynamic applications with high drive torques and short cycle times. The compact, dual-handling system reduces valuable installation space and increases productivity, while saving time and costs for engineering, assembly and commissioning. The new solution can be utilized as a single axis or combined with other linear axes into a multi-axis system, with the option also to include a drive package.Whether in battery production, intralogistics or machine tool automation, many industries are increasingly seeking compact handling solutions that can move large payloads with high dynamics. With the new dual belt version of the CKR compact module series in size 280, Bosch Rexroth offers a space-optimized, heavy-duty axis that can handle two payloads up to 385 kg each and drive torques up to 250 Nm.To enable fast and easy engineering, the compact modules can be configured online in lengths up to 5.50 m. Bosch Rexroth can also deliver longer travel ranges on request. High accelerations of up to 5g and a maximum speed of 5 m/s provide the optimal conditions for short cycle times with high precision and a repeatability of +/- 0.05 mm. Depending on the requirements, a variety of travel profiles can be implemented independently.After its market launch, the CKR-280 heavy-duty axis will also be integrated into the e-tool chain as a new size for single-axis and multi-axis systems.For more information on Bosch Rexroth’s complete line of compact module solutions, please visit boschrexroth-us.com.About Bosch RexrothAs one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile and Industrial Applications as well as Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions, engineering and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, around 32,600 associates generated sales revenue of 6.5 billion euros in 2024.To learn more, please visit the local country sites:USA: www.boschrexroth-us.comCANADA: www.boschrexroth.caMEXICO: www.boschrexroth.mxThe Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 417,900 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2024). According to preliminary figures, 
the company generated sales of 90.5 billion euros in 2024. Its operations are divided into 
four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The 
Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 470 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 86,900 associates in research and development, of which nearly 48,000 are software engineers.Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.iot.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com.Contact Bosch Rexroth CorporationEden Estabrook(704) 942-4227Eden.estabrook@boschrexroth-us.com

Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are an established and popular power source for consumer electronics, tools, appliances, and now passenger cars. One market which stands to benefit from the cost, efficiency and performance advantages of lithium-ion batteries is that of material handling equipment.This document presents an overview of the Lithium-Ion platform, including advantages and challenges of Lithium-Ion systems.

This Guideline was developed by the Lift Manufacturers ("LIFT"), an Industry Group of the Material Handling Institute ("MHI"); and represents suggested practices and considerations for precautionary labels on Industrial Scissors Lifts and Tilters. It is intended to provide useful information and guidance for owners, users, designers, purchasers and/or specifiers of such equipment. It is advisory only and should only be regarded as a simple tool that its intended audience may or may not choose to follow, adopt, modify, or reject. The following information does not constitute a comprehensive safety program, cannot guard against pitfalls in operating, selecting, and purchasing such a system, its repair or its replacement, and should not be relied upon as such. However, such a safety program should be developed, and an independent adviser should be consulted in doing so.

This is a paid advertisement. Rehrig Pacific transforms beverage distribution by optimizing every step of direct store delivery to save time, reduce errors, and boost profitability. From innovative warehouse solutions and AI-powered pallet wrappers to specialized material handling tools like the Duo Lift and Duo Merch that streamline driver and merchandiser workflows, these innovations deliver a better way for customers to succeed in this fast-paced industry.