Manufacturers face persistent financial challenges stemming from regional inflation, international conflicts, an aging workforce, supply chain disruptions, health epidemics, and other compounding factors that converge to create complex issues. Entrepreneurs who proactively re-evaluate their strategies and consider automating their processes are indeed ahead of the curve.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations equipped with automation technology have consistently shown greater resilience in responding to sudden changes compared to those without such capabilities. Familiarly known is the notion that investing in automation and robotics was a means by which companies adapted to the shortage of staff. Simple jobs such as palletizing, however, were relatively easy to fill until recently. The availability of accessible staff, relaxed e-commerce regulations, and reduced product intricacy facilitated seamless business operations involving outsourced labor.
As we converse, the monetary surroundings has undergone a profound transformation: the accessible talent pool is dwindling, while e-commerce expands and product diversity grows exponentially. As industry headwinds intensify, companies are investing increasingly in automation technologies, with collaborative robotics being a notable area of growth. Cobots, such as palletizers, are increasingly winning over producers due to their greater accessibility, compact design, and more budget-conscious nature. This enables them to effectively manage individual, productivity, and adaptability challenges. This text explores how these automated palletizing programs have gotten important instruments in industries akin to meals & beverage, shopper items, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Individuals: Enhancing workforce dynamics
Automation is increasingly taking on tasks that humans no longer require to perform.
South Korean fishing company Korea Pelagic sought assistance in finding workers to stack pallets of frozen fish within a temperature-controlled environment. Working at heights on extremely tall pallets, where palletizing fish in a cold environment demands physical endurance, renders it challenging to find willing workers. Only a handful of people have been willing to undertake this arduous, soul-sucking task. To ensure timely and efficient meal shipments, Korea Pelagic leveraged automation technology to streamline their production processes.
The introduction of a palletizing collaborative robot (cobot) proved to be the optimal solution in addressing the complex requirements of this challenging environment. By implementing the cobot, not only did the manufacturing process thrive in cold temperatures, but also saw a remarkable 200% boost in productivity, paving the way for more fulfilling and sustainable jobs for their employees. .
TIDI Merchandise, a leading provider of infection prevention and patient safety solutions, struggled with inefficiencies due to a shortage of personnel. To meet production demands, one individual was responsible for managing two critical tasks. As production rates slowed due to overburdening, a mounting backlog arose, simultaneously taking a toll on employee morale and limiting the company’s capacity to accept new orders, ultimately hindering TDI Merchandise’s overall performance. TIDI Group invested in cutting-edge end-of-line automation technology, specifically in automated palletizing programs, to streamline its manufacturing processes and optimize efficiency. The resolution effectively tackled operational hindrances, reduced ergonomic issues, and significantly boosted employee job fulfillment.
As the prospect of automation loomed, many workers fretted about the potential loss of employment to robots. Individuals now expect employers to invest in supporting and serving their employees. By leveraging automation, individuals can liberate themselves from tedious tasks and dedicate their time to more strategic pursuits. If employees aren’t genuinely invested in their work or don’t feel valued by their employer, they are likely to leave. Among younger individuals, there’s an increasingly common trend of job-hopping to accommodate their diverse interests and passions.
In keeping with , . Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are rebuffing traditional, physically demanding employment opportunities, thereby further exacerbating the shortage of available workers. As the trend persists, businesses will ultimately be forced to invest in automation.
Companies should invest in their employees to boost employee loyalty and reduce turnover rates. For businesses prioritizing employee well-being, investing in merchandise like TIDI’s Worth Stream Supervisors like Cameron Lemke underscores the value of fostering a supportive environment to boost morale and retain top talent.
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“When working with an organization that prioritizes its employees, investing in their well-being is a no-brainer. It’s a simple way to make them feel valued, supported, and encouraged to remain with the company for the long haul.” |
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Cascade Espresso, a leading roasting and co-manufacturing company, confronted the challenges of persistent labor shortages and concerns over the safety of its guide palletizing operations. As a direct result of deploying advanced automated palletizing models, workers have experienced enhanced job satisfaction and security. The system’s flexibility enabled a smooth integration, thereby optimizing productivity and allowing employees to progress. Within a mere 5-minute span, we successfully trained an operator in the operation of our cutting-edge cobot. Now, entry-level workers, including those who operate palletizers, are initially employed at a lower wage scale, with opportunities for career advancement and increased compensation as they progress within the organization. As a logistics powerhouse, Palletize processes an impressive 6,500 transactions daily, while also fostering the growth of its workforce.
To preclude unforeseen outages from occurring. While often overlooked, the palletization process can surprisingly become a constraint that hinders overall efficiency. When operating in a single-piece flow environment, it is crucial that the overall cycle time aligns with the tempo of the bottleneck process. By implementing automation, organizations can effectively eliminate production bottlenecks, thereby reducing cycle times and aligning them more closely with the desired takt time. By streamlining their palletizing process with automation, Cascade Espresso successfully addressed labor shortages and eliminated production bottlenecks.
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“The straightforward process guidelines had become overwhelming, requiring an inordinate amount of time before machines shut down due to operators struggling to keep pace with palletizing demands.” Watch the . |
Cobots ensure a consistent, environmentally sustainable production flow, enabling optimized asset utilization and timely supply chain performance.
TIDI Merchandise successfully leveraged key benefits in productivity by integrating automated palletizing systems. The team documented their process from the primary palletizing cell. Cells subsequent to that point have seen a remarkable 25% increase. The productiveness features enable manufacturers to maximize resource allocation, minimize production costs, and maintain competitive pricing strategies effectively.
By integrating robotic palletizers into their operations, food manufacturers can significantly boost productivity. Spanish bread manufacturer Antic faced challenges with manual palletization on its two production lines. The corporation sought a scalable, automated solution that could adapt to diverse product weights, thereby accelerating the manufacturing process efficiently. Labour shortages escalated the imperative for finding a swift and effective decision-making process. Their search ultimately led them to a palletizing collaborative robot that operates two automated production lines.
Automated palletizing programs significantly enhance efficiency by seamlessly integrating with production workflows. A user-centric software platform simplifies the process of reconfiguring the palletizing cobot for various new field sizes and pallet arrangements, streamlining operations with ease. The robotically generated and optimized trajectories, as well as cobot actions, are seamlessly produced. Robotiq leverages innovative assistant instruments and streamlines setup processes with ease. Enter necessities akin to:
- Field dimensions, weight, and orientation
- Pallet dimensions
- Pallet configuration
The software empowers individuals to work independently rather than requiring them to laboriously operate the system. Within a few minutes of guidance, operators can successfully operate the automated palletizer to stack bins efficiently.
Despite facing significant financial pressures in their manufacturing operations, companies strive to adopt a customer-driven approach to management, rather than being driven by external factors. Factories must remain agile and productive to thrive in today’s fast-paced market.
Napco, a leading espresso distribution company, emphasizes the increased productivity that arises from implementing palletizing software solutions. Within a short period, the lead operator, lacking any pre-existing knowledge of robotics, demonstrated an impressive ability to grasp and operate the system effectively. system that efficiently stacked boxes.
The flexibility and modular design of automated palletizing systems enable seamless scalability. With the ability to replicate and integrate additional models onto distinct production lines, manufacturers can adapt seamlessly to shifts in demand. . With scalability factored in, alongside a relatively short payback period of one year, organizations can expect a substantial return on investment and drive meaningful bottom-line benefits.
Automated palletizing programs with built-in cobots have turn out to be indispensable allies for meals & beverage, shopper items, and pharmaceutical producers dealing with continued financial pressures. These initiatives enable individuals to overcome labour-related obstacles, boost productivity, and cultivate flexibility.
At Robotiq, we adhere to established guidelines to develop a standardized resolution that’s easier to scale, repeatable, and straightforward to utilize. We perceive the financial pressures in manufacturing and we’ve got expertise working with meals & beverage, shopper items, and pharmaceutical producers.
Get started with ease – implementing your plans is often easier than you think? Discuss an opportunity with one of our seasoned automation experts to get started on your project?
