Automation has recently gained popularity across a wide range of businesses, most notably through businesses looking at ways to enhance the production of their warehouses and factories. Warehouse automation is an incredibly efficient approach to relieve stress on your staff while guaranteeing higher levels of productivity than you can often achieve on your own. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
JR Automation
Holland, MI | 833-800-7630JR Automation has extensive experience in a range of assembly solutions, from stand-alone operator-assisted stations to larger, fully automated assembly lines. We specialize in integrating assembly, welding, and material handling automation systems into your production process. Our solutions include feeding systems, riveting and screwdriving, palletizing and depalletizing, pick-and-place solutions, and more. Contact us to learn more!
Dixon Automatic Tool, Inc.
Rockford, IL | 888-375-3000A recognized leader in automated assembly products. Stay competitive with Dixon's robotic screwdrivers, auto-fed screw & nut drivers, auto-fed part placers, parts feeding systems & assembly cells, including robotic assembly & vision. Every Dixon product is manufactured to assure accuracy & dependability for repetitive assembly. Dixon supports Machine Integrators with assembly products & stations. Contact us today and we will help you find the best product for your application!
Eckhart
Warren, MI | 517-512-4233Eckhart designs, builds, and sustains assembly lines for the largest operations in the world. Solutions include lift assists, torque systems, conveyance, AGVs, robotics, collaborative robotics, 3D printed tooling, poka-yokes, sub-assembly stations, and error proofing vision systems.
Advent Design Corporation
Bristol, PA | 215-781-0500Advent design has been in business for over 35 years providing custom automation solutions, engineering, integration solutions and machine safety services. Contact us today to discuss your project needs and see how we can help you achieve your goals.
Eriez
Erie, PA | 814-835-6000We have an extensive selection of products to pick from and we are confident we can find the perfect solution for your application. Our world-class items are proven for reliability and longevity. You can count on us to supply you with the best.
Del-Tron Precision, Inc.
Bethel, CT | 203-778-2727Del-Tron Precision is your one-stop shop for ball & crossed roller slides, multi-axis positioning and motor-ready lead screw stages, air actuators, recirculating slide guides and crossed roller rail sets. Custom linear slides are available.
ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.
Apex, NC | 919-772-0115ATI is a recognized leader in Automated Assembly Products and Services. To stay competitive, take advantage of our products such as Auto-fed Part Placers, Pick & Place Mechanisms, Placer/Presses, and Feed Systems.
VAC-U-MAX
Belleville, NJ | 800-822-8629If you are looking for quality assembly machinery, you’ve come to the right place! We have years of manufacturing experience in pneumatic, vacuum, and conveying. Our goal is to provide the perfect solution to your automated equipment needs. We provide our products for companies around the world to ensure that your needs are met 100 percent of the time. Contact us today for details!
Many of the crucial tasks that sustain your warehouse e.g. receiving, sorting, storing or picking, packing, shipping, replenishment, and returns, can all be aided by warehouse automation. A lot of the operations in your warehouse can now be automated with today's technology.
What is Warehouse Automation?
Warehouse automation may be defined in more than one form. It includes the tools and robots that help staff with operations involving inventory from the time materials enter the warehouse until a finished piece leaves. Using warehouse automation systems may lower labor costs, boost safety, and increase productivity and accuracy for warehouses.
Under one definition, warehouse automation can be regarded as businesses using machines' accuracy and endurance to constantly perform repetitive jobs for extended periods of time without getting tired. Humans are still involved in some warehouse automation solutions, which handle anything from unloading containers to order fulfillment.
Types of Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation can be achieved in numerous ways, each having its own unique advantages. Under the general heading of "warehouse automation," many technologies that support human workers or independently complete activities from beginning to end are included under this term. Below are some of the noteworthy types of warehouse automation technologies:
Collaborative Mobile Robots
Collaborative mobile robots support workers during the picking process to increase picking accuracy and productivity. Some collaborative mobile robots optimize picking routes and jobs based on the status of the warehouse and the priority of the workload. Collaborative mobile robots provide many advantages, such as adaptability, dependability, scalability, shorter walking distances, and higher productivity.
Sortation Systems
Sortation systems use a variety of technologies to detect and separate things, guiding these items to specified places for returns processing, picking zones, or packaging stations. Sortation systems also help direct products to the right locations or to the relevant bins.
Pick-to-Light Systems
Pick-to-light systems assist employees in finding the right items to satisfy orders by using LED lights and barcodes. Pick-to-light systems supplement human labor by minimizing walking and increasing efficiency by quickly identifying an item’s location for pickers.
Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems
Automation can be used to store and retrieve items via automated storage and retrieval systems, or AS/RS systems. Automatic guided vehicles that travel along wires or magnetic strips can be found in many warehouses. Robots that are autonomously mobile and equipped with laser guidance systems may maneuver through more-complicated warehouse environments, including those that may have more frequent foot activity in general. Systems for automatically categorizing inventories are also employed to help assist in delivering goods to the appropriate areas.
Benefits of Warehouse Automation
Some of the prominent benefits of warehouse automation are given below:
- Increased contentment among employees by reducing boring, repetitive, or dangerous tasks
- Improved data analysis and accuracy
- Fewer instances of stockouts
- Optimized warehouse layout
- Improved inventory management
- Enhanced workplace security
- Fewer shipping mistakes
- Reduced loss from inventory
- Enhanced coordination of material handling
- Increased accuracy of order fulfillment
Applications of Warehouse Automation
The following is just a very small sample of the industries employing warehouse automation technologies along with a basic understanding of why, or where, this automation is used by these industries:
- Automotive- from making various automotive components to delivering parts to workers
- Food packaging- for increasing quality and hygiene standards by removing workers from stages of production
- Medical- for monitoring product expiration dates and providing more accurate picking
- Construction- by storing, sorting, and retrieving the equipment needed for a job
- Plastics- for reasons ranging from removing staff from dangerous environments to helping make delicate parts
