Automated Lift Systems for Manufacturing Applications
Autoquip is at the forefront of technological advancements, bringing innovative automation, advanced control systems, and intelligent design to the manufacturing industry—an industry that is constantly growing in size and complexity. It also becomes more competitive.
Businesses across all sectors of the manufacturing industry are looking for processes, procedures, and technology to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability to propel them from a weak position into a strong one, or from a competitive position to a dominant position as quickly as possible. The right technological enhancements placed in the workflow at the right place can lead to the greatest improvements in those processes and procedures in the shortest amount of time.
One way we deliver on that promise is designing application-specific solutions that combine high-quality lifts with electronic automation and advanced control systems. We help our customers create new workflows that improve their overall operation by adding advanced automation.
Top 4 Benefits of Automation in Modern Manufacturing
In modern manufacturing automation refers to using technology to accomplish specific tasks, freeing up human operators for high level problem solving. At Autoquip, the goal of automation is to increase efficiency, productivity, and accuracy in the production process, to reduce manual labour, and to minimize human error. Let’s look a little deeper at some of the benefits automation can bring:
- Increased efficiency — Profitability is made possible through increased efficiency. Machines, robots, or automated processes utilized in key aspects of the workflow, the workflow itself can be completed faster. Individual tasks can often be performed more precisely than the work of human crew members, who are then free to complete more complex tasks.
- Increased quality — Automating tasks generally means higher quality control. Reducing a solid majority of errors increases output at higher quality, but for less cost. A business is able to offer customers better, more affordable products produced at faster speeds.
- Improved Data Collection and Analysis — Tasks done by humans generally require more manual collation of information, which can be time-consuming and prone to error. Automating tasks means data is more easily collected and can be analysed for future improvements.
- Cost savings — Due to the two exceptional benefits above, automation saves you labour costs, reduces waste and increases efficiency.
The fact is simply this:
Introducing automation machines or tools should decrease costs and ultimately deliver greater profits to the business.
Lifts that support essential manufacturing applications such as conveyor systems, precision positioning, assembly systems, high travel, and high capacity lifts can all benefit from automation. This allows businesses to shorten time to market, reduce staffing costs, and ultimately increase revenue.
The Power of Advanced Control Systems
Implementing automation alone, no matter how sophisticated, won’t take you to peak performance. Control systems must work in tandem with other components to generate the ultimate benefit—the reason advanced control systems are an integral part of an automation strategy.
Controls typically include:
- High-tech sensors
- Switches
- Programmable logic controller (PLC)
- Human-machine interface (HMI)
Intelligent control systems ensure that lifts not only deliver optimal performance, but they also simplify lift operation and equipment servicing which contributes to durability—that’s additional cost savings for you.
Automation power combined with advanced control systems provide the data, access, and reporting critical to the manufacturers as they strive to keep production running smoothly.
Integrating Intelligent Design: Harness All the Power
Autoquip can also help customers leverage the power of the cloud by adding AQ Connect, our intelligent monitoring system. It combines with automation and advanced controls to form a fully integrated, optimized operation.
The AQ Connect smart panel delivers the ultimate in control, generating real-time status updates, built-in communication, and diagnostics that can all be managed remotely. In other words, it brings versatility to all the benefits listed above.
AQ Connect comes standard with all VRCs and is available as an optional feature on our other lifts.
Out-of-the-Box Industries Utilizing Our Powerful Combinations
Let’s explore a number of industries that are harnessing the full power of automation, advanced control systems, and intelligent design.
(Click here to learn about our extensive work in the aerospace industry.)
Material Handling Lifts for Cannabis
Since its legalization in 2016, cannabis has become a money-making powerhouse within the United States. The U.S. cannabis market is projected to exceed $30 billion in sales in the next year as new markets like Alabama, Connecticut, and New Mexico are established.
Learn more about the industry’s expected growth here.
Businesses in the cannabis industry often require custom material handling equipment for their unique facilities. Vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) can be designed and manufactured to help transport large quantities of inventory, supplies, and more.
Whether it’s through growing and harvesting, multi-level processing, or supply distribution, our team has been able to help these companies succeed in this ever-growing industry.
Automated Lifts for Wood Production
Woodworking demands precision and care. As such, finding the right automation to work with sensitive or textured surfaces, complex shapes, and optimized cycle times is a must.
Freeing up shop labor, while still maintaining streamlined processes, can drastically improve a business’ bottom line.
Some of our custom designs include a foot-operated saw-feed or plane-feed lifts for elevation adjustments, pneumatic and hydraulic lifts for delicate furniture assembly, and much more.
In one specific example, our high-travel scissor lift demonstrated durability and versatility in the wood stacking industry, providing dependable performance under heavy loads. Our custom solutions improved operational efficiency on shop floors and industrial settings. The lifts’ ability to handle varying loads and heights without interruption demonstrates robustness and adaptability in demanding environments.
Custom Automation for Distribution
In today’s world, customers expect speedy shipping times and early delivery dates. As such, distribution remains one of the fastest-moving industries in the world. Autoquip has helped position distribution centers to achieve stellar productivity through our extensive line of custom material handling equipment.
To ensure products are properly moved across the supply chain, we supply reliable lifting solutions through custom-tailored machinery. This can include:
- Integrating high cycle mechanical lifts with automated systems Equipping hydraulic scissor lifts with powered conveyor belts
- High-performance freight lifts (also known as VRCs) transferring products to mezzanine level
Labor constraints, supply shortages, and the ability to pivot based on customer requirements continue to create pressure for manufacturers working to meet production demands. Our team can provide custom solutions to drive forward your business’s capabilities while improving overall efficiency for multi-level facilities.
Let’s Put These Powerful Tools in Your Hands
By using automated lift systems, advanced controls, and intelligent design, a vast array of business types now operate with superior reliability, efficiency, and predictability.
The results are obvious—higher quality products, increased production, faster production, reduced chance of worker injury, improved morale, and less equipment downtime.
Work one-on-one with our experts to create a customized system to best fit your facility and application. Call us at 1 (877) 360-6777 for a free personal consultation today, or click here to get started on a quote.