Coverage of issues relating to automation, labor management, material handling, inventory shrinkage, and labor issues for industrial facilities and the people who operate them.
October Insights: The “Robot Tax”, Worker Concerns with Automation
October 26, 2023
by Scott Stone
Tags: Inventory Management, Automation, Manufacturing, labor, Robotics
Posted in Industry Insights|
AGVs Implementation And Pathway Considerations
June 28, 2022
Automated Guided Vehicles are no longer an anomaly when it comes to adding productivity and efficiency to operations. As robotics of many varieties infiltrate facilities and work alongside human counterparts, adoption is becoming commonplace.
With this new embrace of automation, and specifically AGVs, comes new considerations within your warehouse. Daily interactions lead to new precautions to protect workers and your new equipment from damage. One area that must be addressed is your floors and aisles, for they will see a new age of comings and goings.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, Robotics, AGV's
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Robots and a Safe Environment
March 19, 2020
In this new age of warehouse or facility labor shortage, more and more companies are turning to automation and robotics to help fill in the gap and increase productivity as well. With e-commerce showing no signs of slowing and innovative supply chains being rewarded, you can bet that companies embracing this new dawn are showing better ROI and efficiency. One aspect of adopting robotic help for your warehouse to review is that of safety. While the overall safe environment you provide to your operations is crucial, when adding robotics or automation to the mix it requires a new set of ideas and priorities to ensure your workers and ‘bots can coexist.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Automation, labor, ROI, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
The Impact Of Industrial Robots On Your Workforce
February 14, 2019
A research paper was released last month by two Harvard labor economists highlighted one of the coming decade’s most interesting talking points: the automated labor of the future. We are no strangers to the unique opportunities that adding robots can provide. What this paper sought to do was estimate the current effect of the introduction of robots on wages and employment, while also focus on the future they pose in industrial and manufacturing economies.
With this kind of research being conducted (with many more studies to be revealed for sure) and a spotlight put on the future robotic workforce, many with facilities that could use their services would be wise to discover how they can benefit. But what, exactly, should you be looking for?
Tags: labor, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Warehouse Robotics – How to Apply Them to Your Needs
May 3, 2018
While warehouse robotics can be thought of as too futuristic, there are many e-commerce fulfillment applications being installed today that are set up to take full advantage of all they have to offer a facility. Some may be leery of this technology, but it would be a mistake to say that robotics would never apply to your warehouse.
Today’s robotic applications are all based on existing applications and technology, not uncharted research, and each generation of technology gets cheaper. Here are some important considerations when looking at applying warehouse robotics today.
Tags: Robotics, warehouse flow, Manufacturing, e-commerce
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Why Your Order Pickers Should be More Like Fast Food Workers
March 22, 2018
by Scott Stone
Order picking operations in today’s rapid, ecommerce-driven market are faced with increasing demand and customer expectations on one side, and a fluid labor pool on the other. This isn’t dissimilar to the labor challenges experienced by fast food companies. What can you do to cope with this?
Tags: Automation, labor, Robotics
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
Factors for Robotic Bag Palletizing Systems
March 2, 2017
by Scott Stone
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.
Tags: labor, ergonomics, Robotics
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
Planning the Future of Your Warehousing Operation: Don’t be Left Behind
January 24, 2017
by Scott Stone
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.
Tags: warehouse technology, distribution center, Robotics, internet of things
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|
The Future of Robotics: An Interview with FANUC America
October 8, 2015
by Scott Stone
More and more companies are adding various forms of robotics to their operations as they seek to improve productivity, enhance worker safety, and keep labor costs down. We recently spoke with Wes Garrett, Packaging Account Manager at FANUC America about robotics in the material handling industry. He provided some great information regarding cost of ownership, indicators robotics may benefit an operation, and trends in new technologies.
Tags: palletizing, Robotics, Packaging
Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|