How We Helped: Stories from our Customers

Ultimation has an entire warehouse of great suggestions for solving material handling problems. But our customers are just as creative. They’ve found some great new uses for our in stock, quick-ship products. Here are some recent examples:

That’s how we roll

Roller and Bracket Kayak Transport

After a long day on the lake, the last thing one of our customers wanted to do was load the pontoon fishing boat onto the utility trailer. But a couple of two-packs of 17” rollers and brackets made this task a whole lot easier. And it was gentler on the pontoons.

“Mounted them on 2x4s and voila! Problem solved,” the customer writes. “Easy on and easy off by lifting one end while the other glides along the rollers.”

It’s all in the detail

A customer needed a solution to clean and detail wheels after track day…but didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a commercial set-up. Ultimation’s roller and bracket set earns the checkered flag.

Roller and Bracket Set Wheel Detail

“I mounted these to a piece of wood and they allow me to clean/detail my wheels,” writes the customer. The durable rollers have a 100-pound capacity and the set costs less than $50.

Building a better (truck) bed

Flow Rail Truck Bed Solution

Ultimation’s Flow Rail 5’ long Skate Wheel Conveyor helped one customer make moving materials in and out of a truck bed easier.

“Bought six pieces, cut them to fit my 8-foot bed,” the customer writes. “Works really well for 8-foot drawer boxes.” Another customer says: “I like the fact the material is heavy duty and I’ll be able to cut into 1 foot lengths.”

The weight capacity is 260 pounds per foot when they are fully supported and uniformly loaded.

For more solutions, visit Ultimation’s online store.

Four Good Things Happen When You Motorize Your Old Gravity Roller Conveyor

Retrofit kits can quickly and cost-effectively deliver technology benefits

Companies that have an existing gravity roller conveyor can extend its life and upgrade its function by converting it into a Motor-Driven Roller (MDR) conveyor system.

Making the upgrade involves adding new motorized rollers, motor controllers and power supplies, while keeping current frames and leg supports.  Photo-eye sensors also can be added to move products from zone to zone.

Ultimation offers retrofit kits to convert gravity roller conveyors to MDR conveyors.  The kits come pre-configured to suit existing conveyor frames, making implementation quicker and costs lower than purchasing an entirely new system.

“When it comes to conveyor system updates, sometimes the best solution is to start where you are, rather than from scratch,” says Kali Cresent, Ultimation’s e-commerce general manager.  “Existing conveyor systems can often be updated quickly and cost effectively with a few, simple upgrades through a retrofit kit.”

MDR 10' Long x 24" Wide Shipping Warehouse

Ultimation customers who have made the change to MDR technology have noticed four things:

More productive employees.  The post pandemic staffing crisis continues, with 3.4 million fewer Americans working today compared to February of 2020, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.   Business of all types have had to adjust to constrained workforces.  A distance that requires two or three employees to move product along on a gravity roller conveyor might only require one employee on a MDR conveyor system.

Quiet, energy-efficient operations.  MDR conveyor systems use 24-volt DC technology. The result is a conveyor system that uses electricity very efficiently, only using energy when actively moving cargo. The system also is low-noise, providing a safer and more comfortable workplace.

Simple, plug-and-play installation, maintenance and repair.  The retrofit kits are a simple ‘snap-in’ conversion format.  Installation can be done by end-user maintenance or engineering teams.  In addition, if repairs are needed in the future the modular components can be easily replaced by in-house teams, reducing downtime.

Elimination of product damage and bottlenecks.  MDR conveyors use sensors and controls to ensure packages don’t get damaged by crushing against each other. Loads continue moving along the MDR conveyor until they get close to (but do not touch) the product unit in front. As a result, there are no gaps or bottlenecks in the line.

Ultimation is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer and serves the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfillment and delivery segments.

The retrofit kits, as well as a full range of replacement parts including motors, motor controllers, belts and ready-to-run conveyors are available through the Ultimation online store.  Many conveyors and parts can be shipped the same day.  In addition to the conveyor system components, businesses that are looking for a quick update also can get needed technical support through the Ultimation team.

Connecting with a Global Network for a Sneak Peek at the Future

Providing a conveyor system that perfectly fits the business needs of a small-to-medium sized manufacturer or large distribution center requires a global network.

There’s an ever-growing need for efficiency and automation in most companies to meet growing demands. As a result, today’s material handling and conveyor system requirements are much more advanced. This requires expertise from companies located around the world.

Kali Cresent, general manager, Ultimation Online Sales and Parts, recently traveled more than 8,000 miles to connect with that global network in Düsseldorf, Germany, which Interroll sponsored as part of its Rolling On Interroll® (ROI) partner program.

“Powered roller conveyor systems and components are an important, growing part of the business,” says Kali.  “The partnership is an initiative by Interroll to bring together companies that integrate its products and produce different parts of these systems.  It’s a way to support innovation among companies that have complementary businesses.”

Interroll Academy Huckelhoven-Baal

Powered roller conveyor systems support the revolution underway in manufacturing that some call Industry 4.0, which focuses on innovative, automated processes. Advantages to using power roller conveyor systems are that they are safer, quieter, and easier to maintain. These newer conveyor systems can replace traditional, chain-driven systems that use large, gear motors.

At the conference, the partners got an exclusive sneak preview of new conveyor solutions currently under research and development before going to market.

“Understanding the products that will soon become available is a big advantage to us as we are helping our customers plan for their future needs,” says Kali.

Kali also had the opportunity to tour a couple of Interroll facilities, in addition to taking advantage of training and networking opportunities.

“It was great to see the Interroll manufacturing processes,” says Kali. “It is very clear that they’re passionate about what they do and take great care to deliver a quality product.”

For more information about Ultimation Industries, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com. For more information about Interroll, visit https://www.interroll.com/. For more information about the Rolling On Interroll® (ROI) partner program, visit https://rollingoninterroll.com/.

STEM Students – Grow Your Good Idea for Vertical Farming Into a $1,500 Scholarship

College STEM students have until Dec. 15, 2022, to submit ideas on how to use conveyors in vertical farming applications for a chance to earn a $1,500 scholarship from Ultimation Industries.

College Students Scholarship Opportunity Ultimation

The scholarship links two things the team at Ultimation is passionate about – STEM education and vertical farming.

As a leader in conveyor technologies and automation, we understand the need to support today’s students who will be leading tomorrow’s work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As a key supplier of vertical farming conveyors, we see the potential in this rapidly growing business sector. Our technologies are already helping large-scale facilities across the United States and the Middle East achieve their potential. These vertical farms are growing food more efficiently, without pesticides, during longer growing seasons and, often, in urban areas.

Last year’s scholarship winner was Jonathan Wright, a computer engineering student at Utah State University. Jonathan shares the Ultimation team’s enthusiasm for vertical farming. His idea uses a gravity-driven system and robotics that revolves around separate towers that can move independently of each other in response to the changing needs of the plants.

What you need to know to submit your idea:

  • Scholarships are only awarded to students enrolled in accredited U.S. colleges or universities.
  • You must major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) discipline.
  • Students must be high school graduates.
  • Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
  • The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. High school students are not eligible.
  • Employees and children of employees of Ultimation Industries, LLC are not eligible.
  • The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2022.

You can find complete guidelines, detailed eligibility rules and the online form to submit your idea at Ultimation STEM Scholarship: STEM College Scholarship – 2022 | Ultimation Industries LLC (ultimationinc.com)

Ultimation Adds Portec Belt Curves and Conveyors to Tackle the Toughest Material Handling Environments

Airport mainstay can move heavy items quickly for a variety of industries, with minimal maintenance requirements

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (Nov. 1, 2022) – The same conveyor technology that moves more than 4 billion pieces of luggage annually is now available for other industries that require durable, low-maintenance, high-speed material handling solutions, according to Ultimation Industries. Portec belt curves and conveyors by Interroll are used by some of the biggest airports in the world and can now be ordered through Ultimation, the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer. Ultimation specializes in solving productivity challenges with fast-to-deploy solutions.

 

“Portec belt curves are durable enough to transport heavy bags through the airport system day in and day out on demanding timetables that don’t allow for downtime,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation. “When they do need maintenance, Portec’s easy serviceability can help get operations back up and running quickly.”

 

He added that other industries with demanding material handling environments, such as distribution centers, parcel handling operations, food/wine/beverage facilities and vertical farms can also experience similar benefits with Interroll Portec systems.

Portec Belt Curve Application

Ultimation is one of the leading integrators for Interroll and Portec equipment. Ultimation designs, builds, and integrates customized solutions from Interroll and Portec into a customer’s existing system. The complete range of Interroll modules are available through Ultimation:

 

  • Belt Curves are available in curvatures ranging from 15 to 290 degrees and can be used in a flat application or can work on an ascent or descent.
  • Spiral Chute Masters are made of fiberglass and resemble a slide to allow for downward travel aided by gravity.
  • Spiral Lifts are the perfect solution for vertical transport when space is a factor. The spiral lift can range in radius while keeping product orientation stable throughout the lift/descend.
  • Merges/Diverges allow for conveyors to diverge and combine with different conveyors in a swift and efficient manner.
  • Belt Conveyors are available in different configurations ranging from horizontal format to incline and decline formats.

 

“Portec belt curves are low maintenance and very durable, with belts known to last 10 years or longer in some cases,” said Canny. “If the belt does begin to wear out, replacements can be reinstalled in minutes since the frame construction provides easy access to the belt.”

 

Replacement parts and systems for Interroll belt conveyors and Portec belt curves, including a range of belts, bearings, gear motors, drum motors and complete conveyor sections, are available through Ultimation for purchase. For more information about conveyor solutions from Ultimation Industries, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com.