Author name: Mao Ye, P.E.

Investing in a packaging automation system enables manufacturers and packaging companies to amplify their productivity by allowing a more constant output of product, especially during periods of increased consumer demand. Packaging machines increase productivity and reduce inefficiencies, though production rates can vary considerably depending on the type of product packaged and automated machinery used in the packing […]

At first glance, the term “robotic process automation” may conjure up images of robots operating on a factory floor. In truth, the actual robots in the automated process are the software “bots” that instruct other applications. Robotic process automation, or simply RPA, is essentially the automation of business processes by one computer program over another. As a

At first glance, the differences between factory automation vs process automation may appear subtle. After all, they both are classified under the broader rubric of industrial automation, and each system leverages automation technologies and incorporates it into production processes. However, there are fundamental differences between the two. Where one system uses automation to operate machines

Every manufacturer requires some sort of quality control to ensure its products leave the factory without defects. This is especially true for producers of smaller precision components. One key element in quality assurance (QA) today are automated visual inspection systems.  What Are Automated Visual Inspection Systems?  Essentially, these systems are the production line’s eyes, using

Product manufacturers require labeling systems that print product labels onto a diverse range of objects. These need to stick to packaging and products that come in multiple shapes and sizes, with the varied types of industrial labeling systems each meeting specific needs. Nine Types of Industrial Labeling Systems In order to efficiently and quickly label products, each

Industrial automation is a system that allows manufacturing companies to increase productivity through computerized technologies. Programmable automation is one such automated manufacturing system designed to accommodate batch processes and facilitate changeover of products. Like any industrial automation process, programmable automation features production equipment tooled with computer-controlled devices that control and monitor a sequence of functions and

There is no doubt that hard and flexible automation processes have changed the nature of manufacturing. Smart factories now account for $500 billion in the global economy with that number rising each year. The benefits are many – automation streamlines equipment and processes, with greater efficiency and quality. From increased productivity, output, accuracy and safety

In today’s production environment, manufacturers have several different industrial robot types available to provide them with custom automation solutions. Industrial robot applications perform such tasks as welding, pick and place, advanced assembly, shipping, raw material handling, quality control, and product packaging. Easily adaptable with a number of configurations and designs, industrial robots allow manufacturers to integrate

It’s clear that manufacturing automation is not going away anytime soon; in fact, there’s been an increase in automation since the 2008 recession. An obvious benefit of using manufacturing automation workflows is cost-effectiveness. How Much Money Will You Save? There’s no exact formula for determining how much money your company will save, but there are a few

Source tagging is the most effective security strategy that retailers use to prevent theft. The process involves the direct application of electronic security tags to consumer products at the “source” (the facility that manufactures and/or packages the product) rather than by in-store labor. Source tagging saves retailers time and money because securely protected, ready-to-sell merchandise