Hasco helps hurricane victims; AI-powered robots for recycling; looking back at the decade: Machinery Minutes, Nov. 18, 2024

In this episode of Machinery Minutes, we give you the rundown on these three topics:

Hasco, a supplier for tool and mold making, is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts by opening up its warehouse to store and distribute donations. Learn how you can help. 

Artificial intelligence software from EverestLabs is helping robots sort recyclables at California’s Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station in Fresno.

As PMM turns 10, we are looking at people who made significant contributions to the industry during the past decade, as well as the most significant events and movements.

Transcript

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week I share with you three things you need to know in three minutes. You can read the complete stories on plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com.

No. 1 – Hasco, a supplier for tool and mold making, is supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts by using its Fletcher, N.C., warehouse for storing goods including donated chain saws, storage bins, portable heaters, blankets, plastic cutlery and even new mailboxes to replace those destroyed in the storm. 

The company decided to help people in the area after its warehouse survived without damage despite nearby devastation resulting from Hurricane Helene barreling more than 300 miles inland between Sept. 26 and Sept. 28. The company, in partnership with the Mission X missionary group and contacts throughout the plastics industry, is helping people rebound.

To learn more, read Karen Hanna’s story: “Hasco provides support in Hurricane Helene relief efforts.”

No. 2 – Artificial intelligence software from EverestLabs is helping robots sort recyclables at California’s Cedar Avenue Recycling and Transfer Station (also known as CARTS), in Fresno.

With the support of the Recycling Partnership, CARTS, owned by Caglia Environmental, recently set up three six-axis Fanuc robots, all offered as a turnkey solution from EverestLabs.

Using EverestLabs’ RecycleOS, an artificial intelligence, analytics and robotics software solution, the robots sort PET from three categories: pigmented or opaque PET, PET bottles and thermoforms.

The robots join AI-powered robots already employed for the recovery of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene, as well as four optical sorters for various material streams.

Interested in learning more about the technology and whether it could help your business? Read our story headlined “EverestLabs' robots sort recyclables with help of AI.”

No. 3 -- As PMM turns 10, we look at people who made significant contributions to the industry during the past decade as well as the most significant events and movements.

Bill Carteaux and Matt Seaholm are among those highlighted, and workforce challenges and growing demands for automation are among the top trends.

Want to find out what else made our lists? Read the articles “10 years, 10 trends in plastics machinery” and “10 years, 10 influential people in plastics machinery” to learn more.

Those are my Top 3 items you need to know for this week. We will have a new list every Monday.