Industrial engineers have envisioned fully automated factories since at least the middle of the 20th century. But the real race to automate manufacturing can be said to have begun in the 1980s, when US car manufacturers came up with the vision of “lights-out” manufacturing. The idea was to beat their rivals by automating the factories to such an extent that the entire manufacturing process could be left to robots. To a great extent, it has remained only a vision so far. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Manufacturing, Robotics, Industrial Robots, Automation
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Fork lifts are the mules of the industry, and we expect them to just power up and run when we need them to, but there are some very important safety aspects that should be taken care of before every shift. Safety steps that lengthen the service life of the vehicle, assure the vehicle operates as it should, and helps make it more visible to others working in the same space with the forklift. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, forklift, inspection, check levels, fork truck
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
You placed your order and the freight truck just drove up to the dock. As you watch, workers unload the new equipment while the truck driver waits, clipboard in hand, for you to sign off on the delivery.
Stop. Don’t sign the bill of lading just yet.
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Tags: freight claims, shipping policies, damaged goods, damage claim, freight deliveries
Posted in Docks & Shipping|
In the last 200 years 70% of jobs done by American workers have been replaced by automation – and during the next century we will see another automation revolution that replaces 70% of American jobs–again.
Tags: Robotics, workers force, Automation, ergonomics, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
These systems are at their best for open case picking systems. When you’re picking full pallets and cases, they’re less useful, although that depends on the situation. You can mix these systems in a single facility of pick pod area for maximum effect with inventory slotted to match the necessary profile. Each has a role, depending on what you’re picking, how your facility is set up, and the nature of your picking methodology. What might be best for a given situation?
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Tags: pick to light, voice directed picking, RF systems
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
A conveyor system is an investment that you don’t take lightly—you want the best equipment you can buy for your money. The most obvious cost of that equipment will be the cost on the initial invoice, but there’s more to consider when purchasing a conveyor…far more. That’s why you should consider the Total Cost of Ownership for your system, and what you can do to decrease it in the long-term. What are the total costs, and how can you reduce them?
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Tags: ROI
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
When approaching pallet rack choices, cost, storage density and construction elements all play a role in making a choice. While cost is always a prime concern, be mindful that cost is often tied to storage density. Cheaper pallet rack tends to not have as much storage density as more expensive rack. But before you consider cost, you must decide what applications you will use the pallet rack for.
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Tags: mobilized, gravity flow rack, selective pallet rack, structural, seismic
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Forklifts are ubiquitous in warehousing and other industrial operations, but aren’t necessary in many other applications, such as small assembly shops, retailers, auto dealerships, and others that require materials movement but do not need a forklift, with its maintenance costs, safety issues, driver requirements and its footprint in a smaller facility. What methods can you use instead?
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Tags: stackers, lift transporters, powered lift hand truck, portable stacker, counterweight, non-forklift, Material Handling
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
If you’ve got conduit, tubing, rebar, pipe or bar stock, you need cantilever rack – period. Get it off the floor, off of standard shelving and pallet rack, and put it somewhere you don’t have to fight with it each time you need some. If you’re really smart, you’ll put it where overhead lift equipment can get to it – because once you get it stored right, you’ll wonder what the heck you were thinking earlier.
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Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, cantilever rack, crank out shelving, ergonomic, heavy duty cantilever rack
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
We all know what happens to tooling and die when it’s stored haphazardly. Bumped and scratched, a chip here, a nick there, and suddenly your machining just isn’t what it used to be. The quality has slipped, maybe more products are being returned, there’s an increase in customer complaints. It’s too valuable and too expensive to risk. What are your options?
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Tags: lathe, cutter, sheet metal storage, tool & die rack, tooling, machining, CNC
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
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