Workplace automation can transform business by reducing errors, increasing efficiency, and cutting costs. Scott Stone, E-business manager for Cisco-Eagle, Inc., discussed how automation is becoming increasingly affordable to operations of all sizes and scope in the current Seegrid blog. “While cost of manual labor has dramatically increased in recent years, automation equipment, including robotics, conveyors, palletizers, has seen a relative decrease in costs, or at very worst has held steady when the cost of everything else from land to energy to labor has increased,” explained Stone.
Stone described how robotics and automation increase safety and enhance operational efficiency with 3 best practices for safety:
Safety and ergonomics equipment such as safety gates, motion sensors, and guard rails help make automation equipment safer and more productive.
Automation technology such as robotics, carousels, palletizers, and sortation systems can make warehouse operations safer by automating potentially unsafe tasks that would otherwise be handled by employees.
While safety automation (including everything from steel guard rails or emergency stop switches to motion sensors and lights) can prevent or respond to hazards in a way employees cannot, it’s important to avoid over-reliance on these innovations by constantly reinforcing safety training.
Stone noted, “As advanced technologies continue to propel distribution and manufacturing operations forward and contribute to the re-shoring of many of these types of operations, it is more important than ever to take advantage of industrial automation to ensure operations run at peak performance. But that does not mean businesses need to sacrifice safety in the process.”
Scott Stone is the E-business manager for Cisco-Eagle, Inc, a provider of integrated material handling and storage systems for industrial operations. Stone has over 23 years of experience in industrial operations and marketing. Cisco-Eagle is a Seegrid Sales Partner.
About Seegrid
Seegrid Corporation (www.seegrid.com) provides simple, affordable, flexible vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the material handling industry. Seegrid robotic industrial trucks, flexible AGVs, are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid automated pallet trucks and tow tractors optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Robotic industrial trucks deliver a rapid return on investment, improve facility safety, and reduce equipment and product damage. Recently named Manufacturer of the Year, Seegrid was also awarded the Gold Medal Award at the WBT Innovation Marketplace 2013 competitive event. Seegrid was named to the Food Logistics Top 100 software and technology providers. Seegrid is a Finalist for the 2014 Edison Award in the Applied Technology category and Industrial Productivity sub-category.
Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.
Seegrid Corporation - USA
www.seegrid.com
Amanda Merrell
Marketing Director
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-379-4500
