When a damaged rack column is replaced or repaired, the state of the base plate (sometimes called foot plates) at the bottom of the column must also be assessed. The presence of base plates significantly reduces the risk of the industrial steel storage rack sliding or falling over should it be impacted.

One of the many well-documented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been consumers’ shift to shopping online instead of in-store. In an attempt to meet the rapidly rising demands of e-commerce against the backdrop of an existing labor shortage and new social distancing restrictions, more operations are exploring their automation options, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

A series of 20 different areas should be reviewed, as detailed in MH27.2 Daily Operator Checklist for Enclosed Track Crane or Monorail Systems, a free document offered by the Monorail Manufacturers Association (MMA) of MHI.

Warehouse operations, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers that invest in ergonomically designed technologies and training to help workers safely perform physical tasks will improve both their wellbeing and overall productivity. 

Investing in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is a great way to improve your operation’s efficiency. However, this efficiency boost can be achieved in one of two ways: quickly and smoothly, with the minimum of fuss, or via a long, painful and potentially expensive commissioning process. Consider the following six areas to help ensure you take the smooth path to success.

Can you imagine a future where technology allows your employees to manipulate machines with their brain waves instead of manual controls or a keyboard? It might not be as far off as you think. By harnessing the brain activity of individuals and developing an understanding of how they react over time, these pioneers hope to provide businesses and industries of all kinds with a tool that will enable a new workplace paradigm defined by enhanced worker safety, performance and productivity.

Increasing efficiency in the final mile of delivery has become an obsession in the supply chain logistics field. Among the innovative solutions that are receiving heavy investment and research, automation and robotics offer some of the most eye-catching and promising possibilities.

COVID-19 has been a catalyst for companies to not only reevaluate existing and historic technology deployments, processes, systems, best practices and benchmarks, but also to reset their overarching approach. Many are now taking a much broader view of the complete, end-to-end dynamics of the value chain, as opposed to having a singular supply chain focus.

The supply chain industry experienced some “ah-ha” moments throughout the pandemic, one of them being the lack of insight into all levels of suppliers.

Companies who already invested in Industry 4.0 prior to COVID-19 found themselves in a better position to respond to the crisis. Companies that did not adopt Industry 4.0 prior to the pandemic found themselves unable to quickly adapt, lacking support from digital technology.