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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How to Calculate Automation ROI
October 10, 2019
by Scott Stone
Tags: Automation, labor, ROI, Robotics
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|
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|
How to Deal with Pallet Flow Jams
May 23, 2019
by Scott Stone
Pallet flow racks are the ultimate in high-density, space-saving storage. When you need to concentrate storage of similar SKUs into a tight space, flow systems are ideal. A single SKU can be loaded into the back of the system and stored multiple pallets deep in a pick position, first-in, first-out order. Like any gravity flow equipment, there is a possibility of jams, and those jams can sometimes be in the center of a packed rack system — and difficult to reach. What are some safe methods to deal with this problem?
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
What to Do When You Can’t Air Condition Your Warehouse
May 14, 2019
by Scott Stone
If you run a warehouse, you’re keenly aware of how hot and uncomfortable it can get on a scorching July afternoon—and you also know how much that affects your workforce, their comfort, their error rates and their ability to get things done. Installing air conditioning may not be feasible for every industrial facility, but there are alternatives.
Tags: ROI
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Conveyors in Difficult Environments
May 2, 2019
by Scott Stone
Conveyors are essential for manufacturing operations, but in some areas where they are exposed to dust, airborne debris, moisture or chemicals, there may be issues with their mechanical components. These environmental factors impact performance, equipment lifespan, maintenance burdens and safety, but can be dealt with if the conveyor is properly designed, used and maintained. Let’s dive into these issues.
Tags: Manufacturing, ergonomics
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|