Blog
Packaging Line Automation
With a goal of reducing costs, consistently producing high
quality product and increasing profits, selecting the right level of automation
for a packaging line can be tricky: it’s not as simple as throwing together a
bunch of robots and automation.Two automation options may be available depending on the
application: full automation and partial automation. Fully automated systems
operate with virtually no human interaction whereas partial systems are still
somewhat dependent on worker invol
…
Mar 15th 2017
Collaborative Robots Bring the Efficiencies of Automation to Manufacturers of All Sizes
The automotive industry leads the pack in deployment of industrial
robots, but in 2016, robot sales spiked for the North American food and
consumer goods industry, which found use for new collaborative robot equipment
in applications such as pick and pack and palletizing.Collaborative robots continue to rise in popularity among
smaller manufacturers due to their more compact size, application and
programming flexibility as well as the relatively low cost compared to
traditional robots. The
…
Mar 8th 2017
Following Amazon’s Lead with Robots
If ever there was a benchmark for efficiency, Amazon wins.
According to CNN Tech, Amazon’s human employees spend less than one minute handling
an order – the rest is done by robots and automation.With the addition of robots, Amazon added more merchandise space into each automated fulfillment center by 50%. The old practice
forced workers to traipse the aisles in search of an item, but now, a robot
picks up an entire bookshelf, positions it before the worker and even tells him where on
the s
…
Mar 6th 2017
How Artificial Intelligence Leads to Innovation
While some people fret about a reduction in human workforce
through implementation of automation and artificial intelligence, proponents reframe
this objection by pointing out that relieving humans of mundane tasks will
allow them to function in more innovative roles.Many AI developments focus on elevating the human experience
by providing insight coupled with increased productivity. AI allows the
collection and analysis of massive amounts of data to recommend and anticipate actions
while
…
Mar 2nd 2017
Questions in Automation
Automation is the application of technology to control a
manufacturing process. Automation consists in controlling actions by first
asking questions. For example, consider putting a label on a bottle. There will
be many steps. A short segment of the process might look like this:Question 1: Is a label in place?
Action: Print the label.
Question 2: Was the label printed?So the general sequence for any action is:
1. Can the
action happen?
2. Do the
action.
3. Confirm
the action, usual
…
Feb 20th 2017