An Introduction to KFI’s In-House Design Team: Studio 540

designer drawing

Studio 540 is KFI’s internal design studio, capable of providing insight into projects that require ergonomic and aesthetic innovation. 

Studio 540 is KFI’s in-house design studio. With skilled industrial designers and animation specialists, Studio 540 offers services to KFI customers that few other organizations can. From 3D renderings and CAD modeling to virtual reality presentations and concept animation videos, Studio 540 goes above and beyond for KFI’s customers.

Through an established design process and thorough communication, Studio 540 creates sketches, models, animation, virtual reality environments, and brings real products to life.

Step One:

Ideation- The first step in the Studio 540 process is always ideation. A good product is conceived by addressing consumer needs and improving products through innovation. Once a business case is established, Studio 540 begins multi-departmental collaboration and offers an array of solutions in the form of expressive sketches.

Step Two:

Sketching- Our designs then consider the many facets of a project and create the first depictions of the product through sketches. Aesthetics, mechanics, ergonomics, assembly and manufacturability are further explored with refined sketches. Sketches are styled to reflect skid resistant surfacing and visual strength. Ergonomics considerations are developed to solve the end user’s needs.

Step Three:

CAD Modeling- Sketching is followed by a more technical creation of the product through CAD Modeling. Studio 540’s design team is capable of realizing 3D forms through solid/surface modeling techniques.  High fidelity CAD models help the Engineering team incorporate design aesthetics into the final product.

Step Four:

Rendering- Moving on to the rendering step in the process means building on the 3D models and creating realistic digital creations. Photorealistic images enhance CAD data with simulated light, advanced materials and camera perspective. Renderings of both existing and conceptual products are essential for effective marketing and are one of Studio 540’s specialties.

On the Desk Computer With CAD Software and Design of 3D Industrial Machinery Component. In the Background Robot Arm Concept Standing in Heavy the Dark.Industry Engineering Facility.

 

Step Five:

Model Making- The fifth step focuses on preemptively identifying and solving conceptual issues through Model Making. Improving the ergonomics of conceptual products can be addressed early on with model making.  Using foamcore, 3D printing and metal fabrication, costly problems can be proactively identified and solved before tooling is made.

 

Step Six:

Virtual Reality- After a model is approved, the Studio 540 designers bring the product to life through Virtual Reality. Full-scale CAD data from Studio 540 or the Engineering team can be dropped into vehicles and environments for an immersive exploratory experience.  Ergonomic considerations can be easily explored through Virtual Reality capabilities.

 

Step Seven:

Animation- Lastly, our skilled designers create unique animated pieces to showcase product capabilities.  3D animations exhibiting the functionality, style and innovation of products are an indispensable tool for promoting and communicating our product capabilities to consumers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEouPdoDRkY

 

How to Choose the Right Pallet for Your Organization

pallet cart with boxes

Learn more about TriEnda’s distribution series of pallets to find the best solution for your organization.

With a multitude of shipping pallet options in the market, choosing the right pallet for your organization’s needs can be difficult. Luckily our distribution series of pallets is easy to understand and has the durable material handling solutions you’ve been looking for.  

Our Strong, Durable and Lightweight Shipping Pallet

TriEnda’s lightest weight pallet is the Economy. This strong, durable pallet may be lightweight, but it holds up to big projects. With a static rating of 1,500 pounds, this petite pallet packs a punch. If your organization is looking for a no-frills, cost efficient shipping solution, the Economy is the way to go.

small format pallet

Versatile Industrial Shipping Pallets

The next level of shipping pallets leads us to the Industrial. With two size options, lipped edge capabilities, and a high-profile version that fits with competitor models, this is the most versatile option in TriEnda’s arsenal. The regular Industrial pallet comes in both a 40 x 48-inch and 42 x 48-inch designs. Additionally, the 40 x 48-inch pallet has the unique capability of being created with lipped edges to make sure product remains securely in place during transport. No matter the model, these durable pallets support a static capacity of 2,500 pounds and will hold up to whatever you need to load them with.

Automotive Pallet

Thermoformed Heavy Duty Pallets

At the height of our pallet pyramid you will find the Heavy Duty pallet. This super star pallet has, quite literally, been engineered for performance. Used best in rugged, everyday industries like grocery, food service, and many more, this workhorse pallet sports ergonomic handholes and oval leg designs that are compatible with most nestable pallets in the market. The thermoformed manufacturing process makes this pallet durable in colder temperatures like freezer settings, which makes it more forgiving than similar injection molded products. With a reputation of outstanding performance in some of the largest grocer chains in the nation like Kroger and UNFI, we’re positive that the Heavy Duty pallet is ready for your organization.

Distribution Series Pallet

TruGrip™ Technology

Something all these pallets have in common is their TruGrip™ surface. This is an antiskid material unlike any other. With the highest coefficient of friction on the market today, it not only reduces loss of product but also helps keep your organization safe. The TruGrip™ material prevents slippage of boxes as well as slippage on fork tines or floors. The Distribution Series also uses the impact absorbing TriMax™ design to further protect your product and personnel. This means you can rest easy knowing your product and your warehouse staff are safe.  

TruGrip™ isn’t the only reason these pallets stand out though. With options like grommets, coditherm, stripe identification, custom logos or labels, and drain holes, this series of pallets truly has something for any need your business has. Made with recycled HDPE material, this thermoformed series also focuses on sustainability. Between TriEnda’s pallet buy back program, the long life of our plastic pallets, and the 100% reusable nature of our materials, these pallets are environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Our focus here at TriEnda is always on the customer, that’s why we have produced this series of pallets with our customers in mind. From the lightweight Economy and diverse Industrial, to the durable Heavy Duty, we have the right fit for every shipping need.

Didn’t see what you are looking for here? Contact us, we look forward to working with you to create custom solutions for any project! Stay tuned for a new product in the distribution series of pallets launching soon!

What to Look for in a Plastic Pallet Manufacturer

2 workers talking with hardhats on

Discover which traits are key when choosing a plastic pallet producer.

If you’re in the market for a new plastic pallet manufacturer or plastic pallet distributor, you will likely have questions about selecting the best one for your business. You want to be sure whatever company you partner with has quality products and is responsive to your questions and needs.

In search of a plastic pallet manufacturer or distributor, it’s important to keep these things in mind:

  • Commitment to quality
  • Custom solution capabilities
  • Focus on safety
  • Environmental responsibility
  • Dedicated team

When your product’s safety and security are on the line, it’s critical to ensure that you are choosing the right manufacturer for your shipping and storage needs. Read on to learn more about the qualities to look for when looking for a new plastic pallet manufacturer or distributor.

Commitment to quality

The products you’re shipping and storing are valuable, so you’ll want to protect them with a high-quality material handling solution. At TriEnda, we are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of products. Our plastic pallets are designed with durability in mind which means that the material is impact and weather-resistant, while also being sanitary and easy to clean. Our custom resin and vertical integration approach to manufacturing means you’ll receive the highest quality product possible, every time.

Custom solution capabilities

Every business’ needs are unique, so the products your plastic pallet manufacturer offers to you should be too. Our pallets are engineered and constructed for use in various industries including automotive, retail, and grocery. Need further customization? TriEnda is home to one of the largest in-house engineering teams in the industry. Our team of engineers are here to help design and create a plastic pallet solution according to your requirements. From load types and configurations to tailored designs for identification and tracking technologies, learn more about the custom design inputs we use to ensure the material handling solution you choose will meet your needs.

Focus on safety

From their manufacturing floor to your business, safety should be a top priority for the plastic pallet distributor you select. Look for a company that has ISO 9001 certification and is continuously focused on improving the safety of their manufacturing process. At TriEnda, we’re ISO 9001:2015 certified and are always looking out for our team’s safety. Our plastic pallets are also designed with your team’s safety in mind, built to nest and stack safely and, in some cases, prevent slippage with our TruGrip ™ technology. We have also developed solutions that include ergonomic handholes to help increase efficiency and safety for the end user.

Environmental responsibility

When it comes to plastic packaging solutions, look for a manufacturer who understands their responsibility to the environment, and strives to develop eco-friendly procedures and best practices. We are proud to be part of the Reusable Packaging Association and offer a pallet buy-back program to reuse and recycle old pallets. All the scrap and trim material that accumulate in our facility is recycled for reuse in production. Every day, half of the plastic sheeting we create is composed of reused materials from our in-house recycling efforts.

Dedicated team

Your plastic pallet manufacturer should be prepared to answer your questions and suggest solutions that meet your organization’s needs. At TriEnda, our team is ready to work with you on any sort of custom plastic pallet or material handling solution that best fit your product and business. Our team is passionate about the work they do, and we’d love to work with you.

Are you ready to discover why we are the right plastic pallet manufacturer and plastic pallet distributor for you? Contact our sales team online or give us a call today at 800.356.8150.

4 Things You Need to Know About Machine Tooling Repair

plastic pallet

Discover how our in-house machine tooling repair service works.

As a leading plastic pallet manufacturer, our in-house machine tooling repair service helps us maintain and repair your tools to ensure production-ready status. Look into what this service does, how it all works, who can benefit from it, and the advantages you can expect from machine tooling repair.

Our machine tooling services

Regularly updated and well-maintained tools are necessary to create custom material handling solutions. By using the latest technology, we can manipulate tooling in-house to meet your ever-changing needs.

We proudly offer the following machine tooling services:

• Machining: Shape tool into specified design
• Welding: Fuse tool for long-lasting results
• Fabrication: Custom tooling solutions
• Upgrades: Improve the current tool
• Modifications/Maintenance: Implement changes that improve tool performance
• Machine Tooling Repair: Mend any damage in the tool

We can form the tool’s gauge/material thickness anywhere from .060 inches to .450 inches, depending on your request. Contact us to learn more about the tooling services we provide.

Our machine tooling repair process

When you choose to take advantage of our in-house machine tooling repair services, you’ll find an unmatched consistency in what we do. We follow the same step-by-step process every time:

1. We start by going over the specifications of the tool.
2. We take note of the requested changes and ask for the CAD data and blueprints or drawings.
3. Once we have all the required information, we create a quote.
4. Upon your approval of the quote, we begin to generate parts for your review.
5. You have the option to provide a purchase order up-front or make the payment after the sample parts meet your satisfaction.

Our process is easy, accurate, and streamlined, so you can focus on what you do best.

Who can benefit from our machine tooling service?

If you already have tooling on-site at our facilities, we can easily make any adjustments required to meet your specifications. However, if you don’t currently have tooling on-site at our facilities, you can still utilize our services. Our team of engineers have developed a reverse engineering process that allows us to re-create any tool. Once the tool is re-created, we then keep it on hand which allows us to implement any future changes to welding, fabrication, upgrades, or modifications based on your needs.

What are the advantages of machine tooling repair?

When you move forward with our machine tooling service, you will also enjoy the following advantages:

• Easily upgrade tools to a new level
• Efficient repair of molds
• Maintenance and modification as needed
• On-site welding and fabrication
• Convenient access to our “one-stop-shop” for all product needs

We take great pride in our work, and it shows. At every step of the process, you can rest comfortably knowing that our talented teams will use the latest technologies and advancements to prepare your tooling for production. We are committed to quality and lead the way in the material handling industry and custom products.

As your needs continually shift, so does our product and service offering. You can count on us to provide the products and services you need to keep your supply chain running smoothly. Contact our sales team online or call 800.356.8150 today to learn more about how our machine tooling repair service can benefit your company.