In this installment of Cisco-Eagle’s Shoptalk series, Markus explains how our AisleCop forklift safety system works to prevent dangerous pedestrian-forklift accidents in aisles, blind crossing and other dangerous areas in a facility.
Shoptalk: How Does AisleCop Work?
December 10, 2019
Tags: Shoptalk
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
When Pallet Rack Expertise is Critical
November 7, 2019
by Scott Stone
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.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Vertical Considerations For Automated Programs
October 3, 2019
With e-commerce operations moving at an ever-increasing pace, you must take every advantage to meet consumer expectations. You not only want to save the customer time on their order, but also gain manufacturing and processing time by doing so. With careful consideration and a robust process, each aspect at play in a distribution center or warehouse could be an opportunity to save seconds.
To maximize every advantage, more facilities are turning towards automation to meet those strong demands. By utilizing automation, a distribution center can provide a more flexible and efficient environment in addition to more accurate orders delivered on time. The ability to scale and grow with automation is also an attractive one. But to jump headfirst into the automation process is a daunting task, and can cause an operations manager cause for concern. Two overlooked areas that can become a “tipping point” for this process are mezzanines and VRCs.
Tags: vrc, mezzanine, vertical reciprocating, Mezzanines
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
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|
E-Commerce Propels 2019 Distribution Center Metrics Study
August 6, 2019
The annual DC Velocity/WERC (Warehousing Education and Research Council) DC Metrics Survey is out for 2019. This research is conducted every year and offers us insight into what measurements are most critical according to DC managers. As we know, the only constant is change, and this year showcases how e-commerce pushed accuracy and capacity to the forefront of DC managers’ minds.
Tags: distribution center, warehouse, e-commerce, ecommerce
Posted in Warehousing & Distribution|
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|
Load the Barbell: Heavy Lifting Options
April 18, 2019
When you need to move heavy loads, you want equipment that offers the flexibility of a CrossFitter with the power of a power-lifting beast. Lifting heavy loads is no small feat, and understanding which option will work best for your facility, plant, or warehouse will keep your lifts in good form without sacrificing strength.
Tags: jib crane, gantry crane, warehousing, warehouse, manufacturing equipment, hoist, chain hoist, cranes
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
How to Reduce Warehouse Noise
April 16, 2019
by Scott Stone
Anyone who works in a production facility or distribution center knows how loud these places are. The sound of forklifts, the constant whirr of conveyors, the thrum of generators, and the steady beat of all things mechanized can be overwhelming. There are also specific, distracting noise producers, such as small engines, stampers, and generators. Over time, people adapt to this environment, “tuning out” noise as much as possible.
Research from the National Institutes of Health is clear: sound affects productivity. It’s also unsafe on a number of levels for industrial workers.
Tags: conveyors, labor
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
How Heat Saps Warehouse Productivity, Causes Errors and Reduces Retention
April 2, 2019
by Scott Stone
Warehouses, shop floors, and manufacturing facilities can be difficult environments for workers, and heat makes it even harder. Hot days and hard work conspire to reduce productivity and increase errors. We’ve found some research that spells out exactly how much, and have some recommendations to reduce the issues.
Tags: labor, ROI
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|