How Merging Conveyors & Robotics Can Increase Efficiency
Today, there is a plethora of robotic material handling technologies on the market, which means a lot of companies have a lot of different options at their disposal. It is truly impressive to see how much the industry has improved over the years. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how merging conveyors and robotics can increase efficiency and performance, ultimately leading to better results.
The Benefits of Integrating Robotics
Over the last few years, robotics as a technology has been increasing in popularity as many companies are looking for ways to automate. Many experts call this move an “Industry 4.0” as more and more processes are automated, and companies are adding more robots to their activity.
Let’s look at some of the :
1.) It Can Free up a Lot of Space
Clutter is often the downfall of productivity, but by merging conveyors with robotics companies can free up as much as half the space that manually-operated machines would need.
This is also great for enabling smaller or medium-sized companies to run their operations more efficiently, allowing them to opt for a smaller workspace which also reduces costs.
2.) Cuts Manual Labor Costs
Robotics applied in any field inevitably leads to a cost reduction of labor costs. Using robots enables companies to cut back on these costs, as automated conveyors do not require as much manpower to be operated.
Of course, one big drawback here is the loss of jobs, which many people are understandably concerned about. However, this usually only happens when companies introduce automation without considering how to optimize their processes and extend their activity, which in most cases would mean transferring human resources from one department to the other, and not massive lay-offs.
3.) Safer Working Conditions
Human error is one of the leading causes of worker injuries. People aren’t perfect, and they can make mistakes, but in these cases, mistakes can end up quite expensive and dangerous – sometimes fatal.
Through robotics, processes are streamlined in such a way that the risk of injury is greatly reduced, even if you will still need human resources for supervising the overall production process.
This ultimately leads to:
- Fewer worker injuries
- Fewer recalls
- Fewer unsatisfied customers
- Increased profits
Of course, no single action can remove the risk of injury entirely. Companies still need to adopt comprehensive worker safety measures, even if they automate most of their processes.
Contact IPM Today
Merging robotics and conveyors is a move that can bring about many benefits, but it’s essential to consider how you approach the process and do it right the first time. IPM is here to help you every step of the way to ensure you make the most out of your automation efforts.
Get in touch with our team now to find out more about our products and solutions and how we can help. You can send us a message here, or call our office directly at (616) 531-7758 to speak with a representative.
