With new automation technologies driving advances in the material handling industry, automated solutions are becoming more and more commonplace. And with that, manufacturers are tasked with the ongoing challenge to stay ahead of the game, continuously keeping one finger on the pulse when it comes to automating distribution centers.
Removing the element of physical labor and stressors and instead designing and implementing automated solutions to meet the needs and challenges of the customer is key to becoming as efficient as possible in warehouses and distribution centers. Automated solutions increase speed and accuracy, meeting the needs of customer demands quickly. Recurring labor costs are avoided as the labor becomes automated; therefore providing a more accurate and efficient solution. Implementing automated solutions helps remove the physical labor costs while saving costs incurred on employee benefits such as healthcare.
As our future continues to embrace this technology-driven society, the material handling industry is choosing automation. As labor costs continue to rise while automation costs continue to decrease, there is incentive to maintaining and improving current operations through automation. The future in the material handling industry will rely heavily on this continuum of emerging automation and technology for the industry challenges of the warehouse and distribution centers.
Growing Trends of the Conveyor Industry
The cost of raw materials like steel has been on the rise, due to increases in demand without corollary supply increases. For this reason, cost-effective materials like aluminum are increasingly popular. Another cost-cutting measure is the creation of more efficient conveyor systems to reduce energy costs, and often to come more in line with local environmental regulations. Modern workpiece pallet systems are an example of this trend in action. In short, current trends are toward increasing long-term efficiency while cutting upfront costs in order to maximize total profit margins for the end-user.
Automotive – Increased demand for new vehicles and the continuing automation of automobile manufacturing is a leading driver of demand for overhead and other conveyor systems.
Metal Working – As manufacturing recovers and natural resources dwindle, scrap handling and metal recycling are becoming more necessary and are already more popular than ever. This is increasing demand for heavy-duty conveyor systems capable of carrying large metal pieces in addition to more precise applications like positioning components under dies.
Pharmaceutical – Prescription and over-the-counter medications are a major growth industry throughout the developed world. Similar to the food and beverage industry, sanitation and speedy processing are paramount, leading to a robust demand for modern, versatile conveyor systems
State-of-the art conveyor technology of the future
Interroll’s Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP) was developed by using an holistic approach to designing each process level – whether the ordering process, the planning of the conveyor system or its installation – as efficiently as possible. The modules themselves set a high standard for reliable and solid technical performance. This platform was designed for flexibility, modularity, attractive industrial design and simple handling during assembly and expansions.
Standardized modules
With the new modules in three standard widths, all common materials can be transported reliably. This keeps the expenses for combining different modules into a conveyor solution low and reduces the customer’s stocking of spare parts to a minimum. The platform can be used as a basis for retrofitting systems, allowing new or updated solutions to integrate with the current system, with little to no disruption to the flow of materials. Refined technical details and solutions offer lots of room for the flexibility of our customers. If changes to or expansions of the system should be necessary, the planning is simple this is ideal for raising the productivity of warehouses and distribution centers that already reached their space limit. Largely pre-assembled modules accelerate the installation on site.
Efficient drive solutions
Customer needs, conditions on site, and type of materials to be conveyed define the requirements for a system. The Interroll conveyor modules can be designed for the most efficient solution for each task. Zero pressure accumulation conveying can be implemented with proven 24 V RollerDrives. MCP already has a proven track record of boosting operation performance to new levels in the tire industry, e-commerce, the fashion industry and many more.
References: INTERROLL (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
