Litco Develops Inca Half-Pallet

   Litco International, which manufactures Inca presswood pallets, has developed a new half-pallet for the domestic market. The new Inca pallet, which is half the size of the standard 48x40 GMA pallet, will enhance efficiency and reduce costs of shippers of small loads, the company said.

   The Inca half-pallet weighs less than 22 pounds and can be easily picked up and handled manually. It has a space-saving nesting design to allow economical shipment of 2,000 half-pallets in a 48-foot trailer.

   As with other Litco presswood products, the new half-pallet is approved for export under ISPM 15, the international wood packaging regulation. Presswood is made from pre- and post-consumer wood chips in a patented molding process.

   The Inca half-pallet will reduce costs on small loads because they will eliminate over 21,000 pounds of weight for every 1,000 pallets.

   They also will help material handlers eliminate another drawback of using standard full size pallets for small loads, the company said. Many packaging lines are set to detect only loads that are at least 4 feet tall and cannot detect shorter loads that are evened out over a full size pallet. On the Inca half-pallet, the loads will be tall enough to be detected by packaging line readers.

            For more information, call Litco at (330) 539-5433.

AMS Trim Trac Cuts, Sorts Stringers, Boards

   The Automated Machine Systems (AMS) Trim Trac HP with auto sort is a high-speed, chain-driven trim saw for pallet recyclers. It is capable of cutting and sorting reclaimed deck boards and stringer boards at the same time with one operator.

   The AMS Trim Trac HP will cut boards from 16-54 inches long and will cut stringers and deck boards in a single pass. It comes standard with a manual adjustment device to raise and lower the new style ski hold-down, guarding, and an E-stop to meet operating safety standards.

   Other options include dust collection, inclined trash conveyor for removing trim ends, and a VF drive to speed up or slow down the chain conveyor to meet production requirements.

            For more information, call AMS at (877) 267-8384 or see the Web site at www.amssystems.com.

Industry Veterans Launch New Service

   Two names that are familiar to many people in the pallet and lumber industries are joining together to develop a new audit, certification and consulting service for the wood packing industry. John Conway and Jason Robison are combining their expertise to start Conway& Robison, LLC, which is among the newest players in the heat treatment auditing field.

   John Conway most recently worked in sales for Atlas Pallets, Bowling Green, Va. Previously, John served the industry as the technical director for the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. He also worked as a research associate and lab manager at the William H. Sardo Pallet & Container Research Lab in Blacksburg, Va. John’s technical expertise includes pallet design, lumber, testing, packaging sales and ISPM-15 compliance.

   Jason Robison previously worked for Timber Products Inspection, Conyers, Ga. as the head of its export packaging program. Jason has a degree in forestry from Auburn University. He has expertise in auditing, inspections and ISPM-15 criteria.

   “We are unique in that we are only focusing on the wood packaging industry,” said John. “We offer technical capability that other agencies do not have when it comes to pallet design consulting and testing.”

   Conway & Robison has been accredited by the American Lumber Standard Committee for heat treatment auditing. The company intends on serving customers in the Midwest, South and East.

            Visit www.cr-inspect.com or call 540/898-4193 for more information.

Safety Speed Cut Adds Lasers to Panel Saws

   Safety Speed Cut has added laser cutting lines to its vertical panel saws. The new laser will help eliminate miscuts, reduce waste and increase yield.

   The optional laser line is now available on all Safety Speed Cut vertical panel saws except for the 7400 Series and European Style ES52.

   The new laser cutting line increases precision cutting at an affordable price. It also can be mounted on an existing machine or can be purchased as a complete package from the factory.

   The new laser projects a 28-inch cutting line with an adjustable focus and on-demand power switch. The device is powered by a 3volt battery that runs up to 40 hours.

            For more information, call Safety Speed Cut at (800) 772-2327 or visit the Web site at www.safetyspeedcut.com.