Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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LinkMisr Shares How Warehouse Automation Transforms Operations

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By Thomas R. Cutler

One of the benefits of warehouse automation includes increasing speed. Automated systems instantly identify the locations of all items in a particular order increasing speed.

Warehouse automation systems optimize routes and maximize productivity during the product retrieval process. Warehouse automation speeds up inventory management processes by using the technology to automatically count items.

Maximizing space is another advantage in automating warehouses. Utilizing lift trucks that complete product retrieval and storage tasks reduce the need for wide aisles that accommodate large pallets and pallet jacks and workers. [Read more…] about LinkMisr Shares How Warehouse Automation Transforms Operations

Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

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By Thomas R Cutler

According to Jason Spera, CEO and Co-Founder, Aegis Software, a quality-driven mindset across every layer of an enterprise, strategically enhances process visibility and compliance to enable improvements in both cost and customer satisfaction.

In today’s customer-centered world, meeting the needs of customers is more demanding and business-critical than ever. Simultaneously, manufacturers struggle to reduce operating costs as margins compress and the competitive landscape intensifies.

This dichotomy and a pressure to “choose” between reducing costs and delighting customers is not mutually exclusive. Best-in-class manufacturers recognize there is no tradeoff; they take a holistic approach to quality management that allows them to excel in both arenas. [Read more…] about Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Much attention has been paid to the small and mid-sized manufacturer. As local and regional job creators that attention has been well-deserved.

However, the reality is large manufacturers continue to represent a significant portion of jobs within the sector, and new solutions geared to their needs are among the most innovative and dynamic.

Project Business Automation (PBA) is a new category of business systems built specifically to support large project-based manufacturers from end-to-end. [Read more…] about Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

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By Thomas R. Cutler

A recent Gartner survey showed 57 percent of manufacturing leaders feel their organization lacks skilled workers to support smart manufacturing digitization plans. Most agreed a long-term strategy is necessary to develop the connected factory worker.

“Our survey revealed that manufacturers are currently going through a difficult phase in their digitization journey toward smart manufacturing,” said Simon Jacobson, vice president analyst, with the Gartner Supply Chain practice.

“They accept that changing from a break-fix mentality and culture to a data-driven workforce is a must. However, intuition, efficiency and engagement cannot be sacrificed. [Read more…] about Small Manufacturing Leaders Look for Long-Term Strategies: Connected Factories Driving Demand for Robotics Engineers

Reducing Complexity for Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers Finally Possible

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Reducing complexity for engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturers is finally possible. More than 50 percent of all manufacturers now acknowledge aspects of plant operations include customization.

Many ETO companies assume it is impossible to automate the entire end-to-end process surrounding product configuration, design, engineering, and production. [Read more…] about Reducing Complexity for Engineer-to-Order Manufacturers Finally Possible

Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Autonomously driven forklifts, whether in distribution centers, manufacturing, or some hybrid, are much more cost-effective than manned forklifts for extremely repetitive processes.

They can be integrated into continuous round-the-clock operations covering several shifts. Self-controlling these trucks can coordinate perfectly in terms of routing and speed. This enables material flows to maintain optimal levels and the energy consumption is kept to a minimum.

The additional benefit reported by facilities managers includes substantially less damage to shelving, loads, pallets, and other trucks, as they navigate more accurately and safely than manned forklifts. [Read more…] about Rapid Growth of Autonomous Forklifts