Pallet rack is the most common storage equipment you will find in most warehouses and industrial storage applications. On its face, rack is simple to specify, purchase and install, but there are situations where you should consult an expert involving space efficiency, seismic zones, safety, difficult loads and other situations. Let’s look into some situations where professional help is necessary.
When Pallet Rack Expertise is Critical
November 7, 2019
by Scott Stone
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Conveyors: Belt or Roller?
October 22, 2019
by Scott Stone
Belt and roller-powered conveyors are specified for a variety of reasons within a given conveyor system. The reasons almost always come down to load characteristics and functionality. Both can be used in transportation, sortation, and accumulation applications. This article delves into the differences and the specific advantages each conveyor type offers.
Tags: Conveyor
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
How to Calculate Automation ROI
October 10, 2019
by Scott Stone
Return-on-investment is critical to automation projects, but justification isn’t straightforward. If you’re trying to convince management to make capital improvements to your operation, a smart, accurate and succinct ROI summary can work wonders. Let’s dive into some methods you can use to understand what to do — and what you can’t quantify.
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Tags: labor, ROI, Robotics, Automation
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
HVLS Fans, Air Flow and High-Bay Warehouse Racks
September 17, 2019
by Scott Stone
HVLS fans are an ideal way to make warehouses and other industrial facilities more comfortable and reduce the cost of air conditioning, but they usually can’t be installed above pallet racks, which dominate the floor spaces of most warehouses.
Tags: temperature comfort, labor shortage
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How to Increase Conveyor Longevity
September 3, 2019
by Scott Stone
Conveyors–as we’ve discussed–have two major costs:
- The cost of conveyor hardware, which should include installation.
- The cost of operations, which should include maintenance, repair and energy consumption.
When you invest in capital equipment, you should be as focused on operational costs as purchase price. Part of that is extending the life of your conveyor system. How can you make sure you get the most out of your conveyors?
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
How Well do Your Forklift Drivers See?
August 13, 2019
by Scott Stone
When forklifts transport large loads across a busy warehouse full of people, visibility is perhaps the most critical safety concern.
Tags: forklift safety
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Hytrol Relationship Focus: EDC’s Order Fulfillment System
August 1, 2019
by Scott Stone
Cisco-Eagle designed and implemented a modern order fulfillment system for Educational Development Corporation that dramatically increased order picking speed, reduced errors and allowed the company to expand. In this video, EDC’s Randall White, Jimmy Cleveland and Craig White explain why partnership with Cisco-Eagle and Hytrol was so critical to the project’s success.
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
How HVLS Fans Make Warehouse Air Conditioning More Efficient
July 9, 2019
by Scott Stone
A few weeks ago, we analyzed the reasons it’s sometimes impractical for some facilities to install HVAC. Yet, productivity studies spell out the reasons why cooler work environments reduce errors and increase productivity. If your facility already has air conditioning, why would you need to add HVLS fans?
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Conveyor Safety Guards, Danger Zones and Injury Prevention
June 25, 2019
by Scott Stone
Conveyors that are designed, tested and installed the right way are safe. They don’t cause a disproportionate amount of injuries and reduce ergonomic strains that can cause longer-term musculoskeletal injuries. Like any other machinery, however, conveyors come with hazards. A conveyor can be dangerous if people are allowed to touch certain moving parts. It’s best to always cover and guard those components.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, conveyor safety
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
Ways to Prevent Damage in Rack Aisles
June 6, 2019
by Scott Stone
Where there are people, forklifts and heavy pallets, there is always the potential for damage. You can walk through just about any warehouse and see dented rack frames, crushed wall sections, damaged pallets and other telltale signs of facility wear and tear. This is why walking around is a great warehouse management technique, but there is more you can do.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|