Industrial Manipulators and Sustaining The Textile Industry
While many industries have been affected by the fallout of COVID-19, there’s one that’s had particular struggles.
The textile industry has been working to recover from loss of traditional production during the pandemic. Even as early as April, the International Textile Manufacturers’ Federation reported that 31% of all industry orders had been canceled.
In order to return to their normal operations, the textile industry has had to analyze their current process and create a more sustainable model for their warehouses. That’s where industrial manipulators can help.
While industrial manipulators can help several industries (e.g., packaging and food and beverage), they are specifically helpful for textiles.
Industrial manipulators offer various options for textile warehouse managers looking for ways to invest in versatile solutions, regain productivity and lessen pressure on their current employees.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly how material movers can help textile facilities.
FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS
Textile warehouses can have a range of products and items that need to be moved, including:
- Spools of thread
- Rolls of material
- Large bolts of ready-to-ship fabric
- Boxes of clothing to be shipped to suppliers
- Bales of stuffing for pillows or other furniture items
Because product transportation needs change so frequently in textile warehouses, industrial manipulators are a perfect solution. Industrial manipulators can be customized to fit several different needs in your warehouse, even if your facility has unique height, weight or space specifications.
By creating your custom industrial manipulator, it can be repurposed for several different uses and can move products up to 900kg. Manipulators come in several styles, including pneumatic or mechanical gripping styles and either column-mounted, overhead fixed or floor trolley mounted configurations.
Regardless of your setup or requirements, there are versatile and reliable industrial manipulators that can help keep your warehouse running at the necessary production speed to stay sustainable.
REDUCE DEPENDENCY ON MANPOWER
Unfortunately, warehouse injuries are incredibly common, and many of them are due to accidents that could be avoided.
As the textile industry is experiencing a boom in production demands, this can quickly turn into increased pressure on your employees to move faster, carry heavier items and spend less time spotting potential threats to their safety.
While it’s essential to make sure your warehouse is running effectively, it cannot be at the expense of your employees’ health. For example, one of the most common injuries in warehouses is ergonomic strain. This strain is caused by excessive repetitive movements such as lifting heavy objects and products. Injuries like these can easily lead to back, leg and foot injuries that become chronic and cause future loss of time and expensive worker’s compensation claims.
Industrial manipulators help reduce the likelihood of ergonomic strain, taking away the pressure on your employees’ bodies and creating a smoother production process in general. These machines help keep your employees safe while maintaining the necessary efficiency you need for sustainability.
FAST-TRACK PRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has put new pressures on the textile industry. While the production of many standard items has hurt many warehouses, there has still been a demand for the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) and face masks.
Because of this pivot in orders, textile warehouses are seeing additional job openings to help meet these requirements. While these extra hands can help, it’s crucial to avoid potential warehouse burnout, as we discussed above.
If you’ve noticed that your warehouse efficiency is taking a hit due to new product orders, it’s time to review your production process to see where it can be improved. The best way to begin this is by asking questions like:
- Are there areas of your facility experiencing backups or delays?
- Are there tasks that involve manual lifting of or physical contact with products that could be replaced?
- How effective are your current workflows?
- How accessible are your current storage systems for your employees?
Production can be streamlined by adding material movers like industrial manipulators, as your employees can focus less on heavy lifting and more on perfecting their process and increasing overall productivity.
LEARN HOW INDUSTRIAL MANIPULATORS CAN HELP
The need for textile items like PPE and masks aren’t going away any time soon. As the textile industry adapts to these new circumstances, warehouses must begin investing in the tools that will allow them to keep up with these demands.
Sustainability requires that warehouses meet their suppliers’ needs while ensuring their employees can stay safe and healthy during the current crisis.
Dalmec’s customizable and adaptable industrial manipulators are innovative tools your warehouse needs to help your employees stay safe and do their job effectively.
If you have any questions about an industrial manipulator for your business, contact us today to learn more about the options for your warehouse.