Scott Stone | Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 21
Cisco-Eagle Logo
Blog Home > Scott Stone > Connect with Scott on Google+

10 Tips: Pick-to-Light Systems for Order Fulfillment

March 16, 2017
by

pick to light for order fulfillment

Light-directed picking is the heavyweight champion when it comes to productivity gains, order picking speed, increased accuracy, and ease of operator development.

Because it’s 100% hands-free and requires no headpiece, it’s also highly flexible for many challenging fulfillment operations. We’ve compiled ten ways to analyze your operation to determine if these systems would be a fit for you. Obviously, more specific information will be needed, but this should get you started.

We spoke with Lightning Pick’s Dave Broadfoot about the best ways to ensure you are making a good pick-to-light decision.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Cheap Forklift Warning Lights Could be Incredibly Expensive

March 7, 2017
by

forklift safety light mounted on carriage

You see them all over the place in warehouses these days – the ubiquitous blue forklift light gliding over the floor ahead of or behind a lift truck as it winds its way between rack rows, down aisles, across docks, and out of trailers. A wide variety of choices are available, including many inexpensive imports with a bewildering number of dense specifications. How can you tell the difference?

Let’s break down the ways you can avoid the “bargain” light that could cost you plenty.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|

Factors for Robotic Bag Palletizing Systems

March 2, 2017
by

Robotic palletizer bag effector

Above: SAS Automation standardized bag-gripper

Palletizing is a standard material handling application for industrial robots, and bag palletizing is one of the most typical applications. Why? Because bag palletizing is simpler and easier than case palletizing. If your operation requires bag stacking/pallet loading – and you want to improve speed, reduce mistakes, and create a more ergonomic system, here are the things you need to know.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Laying the Groundwork for Using a 3PL Service

February 14, 2017
by

warehouse order picking area

Companies are utilizing 3PL services for their warehousing and shipping needs more often than ever. Many of the companies who choose to shift their operations to third parties are e-commerce entities that specialize in producing and selling a product and don’t want to run a storage and shipping facility. Others are traditional distributors, retailers, and others who believe that they should focus on core competencies.

If your company is considering a 3PL for its warehousing, shipping and logistics needs, what information do you need to have ready?

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|

How to Properly Operate a Forklift in Winter Conditions

February 10, 2017
by

A guest post by Tom Reddon of the National Forklift Exchange.
forklift in a snowy lot

Driving a forklift in the snow or ice seems intimidating. However, with modern innovation and improvements, outdoor operations have been revamped and revitalized, even in the most trying of circumstances. Whether it’s flurries or a full-scale blizzard, adhering to these practices will prevent the issues that pile up with each snowflake. The outdoors poses numerous challenges, but there are some practices forklift operators can use to drive safer in these conditions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Material Handling|

Ways to Improve Forklift Driver Visibility and Awareness Factors

February 7, 2017
by

loading a forklift

Driver awareness—or lack of it—is responsible for many forklift accidents

Busy, frazzled, distracted, or plain inattentive drivers whose sightlines are impaired may have accidents. They’ll collide with pallet rack posts, building columns, walls, machinery and a variety of other things. Worse, they sometimes hit people. What can you do to increase driver awareness and the ability to see what’s around them?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|

Tips for Tool Crib Security

February 2, 2017
by

tool crib security cage

In manufacturing, maintenance, and machine shop operations, tools, dies, and bits are among the most likely targets for pilferage. Tools fit the criteria for theft we discuss in our white paper, Reducing Warehouse & Dock Area Pilferage (PDF, 1.3MB, opens in a new tab): “items that are a combination of concealable, removable, available, valuable, or enjoyable are prime candidates for theft.” Items with a high perceived “value per ounce” are at risk. A $200 block that weighs 100 pounds is far less of a target than a $200 cutting tool.

Tools are in demand, easy to sell and expensive. Plus, many of the most expensive ones fit in a coat pocket, lunch box or tool box.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Security|

Planning the Future of Your Warehousing Operation: Don’t be Left Behind

January 24, 2017
by

a concept for mobile robotics

The landscape is constantly changing for warehousing, distribution and order fulfillment operations, but it’s rarely changed so quickly as the last half decade — and will likely change even more the next five years. The rapid growth of smart devices, database efficiency, and robotics guarantees that elite storage and order picking operations in 2025 will be different than those of today.

In fact, distribution centers and warehouse operations that want to thrive must change, adapt and think differently.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

How Dock Operations Improve Customer Service

January 10, 2017
by

flexible conveyors at dock door service

A loading dock is like a football center: It touches the ball every play, but gets no glory when things go well.

Almost all warehouses and manufacturing facilities induct and ship out almost everything through the dock area.  Your shipping and receiving areas are the conduit between your operation and the world beyond. Finding ways to improve operations in the dock area can yield positive results for almost any business. Whether your operation processes 10 pallets or 10,000 packages a day, you can improve the entire operation by optimizing dock operations.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , ,
Posted in Docks & Shipping|

How to Protect Warehouse Pedestrians from Forklift Rear Swings

December 27, 2016
by

fall protection harness system in a warehouse

Forklifts aren’t cars, and they don’t drive like them.

They don’t brake or accelerate like cars, and they certainly don’t steer like them, yet accidents occur far too often because drivers and pedestrians don’t understand the difference. Pedestrians misunderstand the way forklifts maneuver, and the danger of walking or working around them. Forklifts aren’t dangerous to pedestrians only from the front or rear — they can also hit someone on foot from the side, frequently due to rear-end swings, since forklifts swing wide when they corner.

How can your reduce the chances for this type of accident?

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ,
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|

Read our customer reviews