How to Implement Automation in Brownfield Facilities Without Disrupting Operations
Planning and testing will help keep operations running smoothly. Why Brownfield Automation Is So Complex You’re in a brownfield operation, and you’re about to embark on the implementation of new automation. While the payoff will be worthwhile, getting to that ...
Lessons Learned from Implementing Mobile Automation
While mobile automation technologies like Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) offer substantial benefits in efficiency, productivity, and safety, they also come with challenges that can impact success if overlooked. Recognizing and preparing for these potential obstacles ...
Second Acts: How Used Lithium-ion Batteries Can Continue Performing in ...
The end of a lithium-ion battery’s forklift usefulness isn’t the end of the show. In the circular economy, a battery’s lifecycle can have several acts. Act I – Introduction As discussed previously, the transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion battery (LIB) ...
Maximizing ROI and Mitigating Risks with Robotics
You must make the business case before making the investment. Robots are everywhere in the warehousing industry these days. A look around the showroom of a trade show will feature everything from traditional fixed arms to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), ...
The Evolution of AGVs and AMRs
While not new, mobile robotics are evolving rapidly. Warehousing has always been a largely manual operation, but increasingly, that landscape is changing. With rising labor costs and shortages and improved technologies, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) ...
Recalculating: Including Productivity Gains in Total Cost of Ownership
As businesses transition from traditional power sources like fossil fuels and lead-acid batteries to new energy technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries, it’s easy to get caught up in the dollar signs. It’s a big check. But when ...
Integrating New Automation
Implementing new equipment will yield significant benefits, but the process can be disruptive if not well coordinated. Whether you are expanding your existing automation or embarking on a new automation journey, the anticipated outcomes—enhanced production and savings, reduced errors/quality concerns, ...
Technology Trends
This year represents the culmination of fast-tracking technology in warehousing. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg in technology. Automation moves quickly, and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. Beginning with the pandemic five years ago, technology ...
Charging Forward: What’s Next in Advanced Energy
Mass adoption of advanced energy electric vehicles in the material handling industry is in the early stages, though, it’s been increasing in fits and starts since the turn of the century. With battery science and technology continuing to improve, the ...
Don’t Overlook the Condition of Handhelds
By monitoring your smaller devices, you have an opportunity to boost productivity. Although there is significant automation available to the warehousing environment—and as much good as it can do—the reality is that most warehouse materials handling operations remain largely manual. ...