Tag: worker safety

In high-mix, fast-paced production environments, complexity in material handling is often the rule, not the exception. From the moment raw materials arrive to the final stages of packaging and shipping, the journey of a product through a facility is filled with potential pitfalls.

In any production facility, some processes are easier to measure than others. You can track units per hour and scrap rates with precision. But what about the hidden costs? What about the subtle inefficiencies and risks that quietly drain resources from your operation every day? Too often, a material handling process that seems "good enough" is the source of these significant, untracked expenses.

An industrial manipulator doesn't exist in a vacuum. It is a vital piece of a larger operational puzzle, and the mounting system is an important element. This connection dictates how operators interact with the equipment, how materials flow through the work area, and how adaptable your setup will be to future needs.

The manufacturing industry is facing an unprecedented labor shortage that impacts productivity, profitability, and potentially the long-term viability of companies in this space. That’s the bad news for manufacturers. The good news is that technology — specifically industrial manipulators — can help compensate for the declining workforce.

It only takes a few minutes of browsing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website to see that the data on worker injuries in manufacturing settings is concerning. From those numbers, it’s clear that injuries and fatalities are a significant problem — for the employees involved, of course, and their employers. Fortunately, manufacturers can take steps to protect their workers from painful, often debilitating, sometimes fatal incidents. One of the most impactful actions is implementing industrial manipulators, like lift-assist devices and material handling systems.

Manufacturing companies always seek innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and safety. Implementing industrial manipulators is one of the best ways to achieve those distinct yet related goals. Lift-assist devices are particularly helpful, simplifying operations that are physically taxing, repetitive, and sometimes dangerous when completed manually.

In some contexts, the term “lean” can have negative connotations. People typically interpret a lean year for a business to be one where revenues are down. However, manufacturers are increasingly discovering that becoming leaner in their operations is a very good thing! This article delves into the concept of lean manufacturing — what it is, how it benefits companies, and the techniques and systems that support this idea in production processes

From a business perspective, most companies today are past the worst of the supply chain disruptions and their crippling effects. While little about the pandemic or supply chain problems can be considered “good,” some aspects could at least be labeled “instructive.” One is that the pandemic exposed just how fragile our supply chains are.

Let'slook at the benefits of proper ergonomics to manufacturing companies and their workers and the role industrial manipulators play in improving operations and protecting employee health.