This month we’re highlighting the insurance perspective of safety, robotics and AI; the importance of well-thought-out storage systems for aerosols; and whether our domestic manufacturing boom is here to stay. We also touch briefly on what the coming months look like for freight rates and industrial construction.
Insights: Insurance, Productivity and Automation
August 29, 2024
by Scott Stone
Posted in Industry Insights|
UL 508A Panel Certification: Why It’s Critical for Reliability and Safety
August 22, 2024
by Scott Stone
Most every automated warehouse system utilizes programmable logic controls control systems that interface between hardware and other software. PLCs easily integrate with other control systems – Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), WMS, WCS and enterprise resource planning software for better monitoring, data collection and overall system management. They provide robust, local and flexible programming that can evolve as needs change.
Tags: Manufacturing, conveyor systems, UL
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Insights: Top States for Business Climate, Factory Layout
July 18, 2024
by Scott Stone
This month’s Insights focuses on top states for new factories, autonomous technology and the latest on manufacturing workforce development.
Posted in Industry Insights|
Automation: It’s Not All-or-Nothing
July 9, 2024
by Scott Stone
If your operation is mature, up-and-running, and delivering results, is it possible to automate individual steps and achieve excellent ROI? The answer is yes — but only in cases where your process is well-defined and correctly segmented into steps you can analyze for productivity gains. This kind of localized productivity is often the intersection of productivity and automation.
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Insights: The 4 Pillars of American Manufacturing, Warehouse Heat and More
June 27, 2024
by Scott Stone
This month’s insights focuses on the “four pillars” of American manufacturing strength, along with an analysis of a 2024 panel on the robotics and automation picture. Because we are the start of a very hot summer, we included an analysis of how you should approach any HVLS warehouse fan implementations as well.
Posted in Industry Insights|
It’s Critical: Pallet Rack Load and Application Drawings
June 18, 2024
by Scott Stone
It’s a fact of life: companies need to adapt to new business, and that means the warehouse.
Your customer base might change. Your company’s inventory strategy could differ from year to year, which means new loads and shifting layouts. You may need to move racks from one place to another or supplement them with new components or replace damaged ones. To be sure your warehouse is safe, you should have load and application drawings.
Tags: facility safety, warehouse design
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
May 2024 Insights: Supply Chain Academy, Robots & Safety
May 28, 2024
by Scott Stone
This month, we delve into the Oklahoma Manufacturing Supply Chain Summit, the confluence of safety & automation, a dive into American manufacturing productivity and more.
Posted in Industry Insights|
Palletizers: Robotic vs. Conventional
May 7, 2024
by Scott Stone
Palletizers are great for higher-volume operations. They increase palletizing speed, increase safety, and build solid, consistent pallets without human intervention. In today’s tough labor market, palletizing is one of the best places to automate and reduce manual involvement. Fully-automated systems come in two basic varieties: conventional and robotic, either of which could be the right fit for your operation.
Tags: Palletizers, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Scissor Lift Platform Options for Improved Productivity & Ergonomics
April 4, 2024
by Scott Stone
Building a more ergonomic material handling operation almost always equates to building a more efficient one. People who don’t need to bend, strain or lift as often are usually more effective, faster and less prone to injury. If it takes energy or time to turn, lift or maneuver a load, it’s this simple: you’re losing productivity. Many companies use scissor lift tables to help them lift heavy and bulky loads and can make the process even better by understanding what happens when that load reaches its desired height.
Tags: Conveyor, ergonomics, facility safety
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
Vertical Conveyors Loading and Unloading Integration
March 21, 2024
by Scott Stone
There are many ways to transport products vertically in a warehouse or manufacturing operation, each with its distinctive advantages and limitations. These methods can range from extremely basic – a forklift and a pallet – to fully-integrated, automated systems. Vertical conveyors are one of the most common methods for certain loads and situations. What are some of the integration factors for these conveyors, and how can you handle them?
Tags: conveyors, mezzanine, work platforms
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|