The Material Handling Blog

Maximize Floor Space, Optimize Ops with Robotic Buffering Systems

Michael Yochum

March 22, 2023

Order fulfillment operations play a crucial role in today's fast-paced world, where customers...Read More

Bringing the Future to You at ProMat 2023

Grace Stafford, Katie Smith

March 15, 2023

The fierce competition for warehouse space and fulfillment labor combined with growing customer...Read More

The Comprehensive Solution for Fluid Trailer Loading: ULTRA BLUE® Automated Robotic Truck Loader

Trent Wideman

March 08, 2023

Floor or fluid trailer loading is a common task that companies utilize to maximize the cube...Read More

End of Line Palletizing - Central vs. Local Robotic Palletizing

Mitch Stevens

October 26, 2022

For manufacturing companies facing challenges of labor availability, increased order volume and...Read More

Cobots Address Labor Shortages for Friesens Corporation

Trent Wideman

September 28, 2022

Facing increased customer demand, space limitations and limited labor resources, Friesens...Read More

New Goods-to-Robot Systems Take E-Fulfillment to the Next Level

Matt Kohler

September 21, 2022

Over two decades ago, the internet made its way into households, retail, and manufacturing...Read More

Reimagining Order Fulfillment with Robotic Piece Picking Solutions [Infographic]

Bailey Ludlam, Clay Britton

July 13, 2022

Transform warehouse operations to achieve smarter, more accurate, 24/7 order fulfillment with piece...Read More

Outfitting Industrial Robots for Extreme Warehouse Environments

Joe Brandt

April 20, 2022

Hot, cold, corrosive – these environments, and more, inherently require a little extra care when it...Read More

Creating Warehouse Extensibility: Goods to Person and Robotic AI

Matt Kohler

March 09, 2022

Adapting to uncertain markets, goods to person continues to prove to be a robust foundation for...Read More

A Few Points to Remember When Palletizing Bags

Mark Zeilinger, Steven Hogg

December 16, 2021

Putting a bag on a pallet and conveying it is a simple enough concept; however, the variations in...Read More

Manufacturing Automation: 3 Key Technologies for Improved Safety and ROI

Katie Smith

October 06, 2021

Compact and scalable automation options are trending across consumer-facing markets like grocery...Read More

Automated Empty Case Delivery via Robots and Overhead Monorail

Mitch Stevens

August 18, 2021

In many distribution centers, timely order fulfillment relies on operators having access to empty...Read More

4 Ways Warehouse Industrial Robots Can Maximize Your ROI

Trent Wideman

June 30, 2021

Analyzing the tasks, rates and capabilities can help not only maximize the robotic system but also...Read More

Accurately Visualize Robotic Systems with Computer Simulations

Michael Cunningham

June 09, 2021

As industrial robotic technology has improved over the years, so has related simulation software. ...Read More

Top 3 Myths about Industrial Robotic Integration

Megan Churchill

April 07, 2021

In today’s environment, technology and automation are growing and advancing at a drastic speed....Read More

Investments are Causing Massive Disruption in the Automation and Robotics Field

Alex Haines

March 17, 2021

The amount of new technologies emerging to support distribution and supply chain automation is also...Read More

Smarter Robotic Each Picking, Now Powered by AI

Clay Britton

March 10, 2021

Robots have been around for a while now and some may now consider them a commodity. They take...Read More

10 Types of Ancillary Equipment for Industrial Robotic Systems

Trent Wideman

September 03, 2020

Now, more than ever, companies struggle to staff industrial areas due to the ongoing labor...Read More

Implementing AGVs with Robotic Palletizing Systems

Scott Hendricks

August 05, 2020

An automated guided vehicle’s (AGV) key role when interacting with robots is the delivery/removal...Read More

Microfulfillment Part 1: What is Microfulfillment?

Ahmed Arif

July 22, 2020

Without a doubt, microfulfillment is one of the hottest trends in supply chain. The ability to get...Read More

How Automation is Helping During a Pandemic

David Musch

May 14, 2020

Because of COVID-19, many manufacturing companies are finding themselves needing to change...Read More

Finding the Right Solution: Supercapacitors vs. Batteries

Tiffany Greyson

August 28, 2019

When making a decision, it’s important to fully consider the benefits and disadvantages of each...Read More

The Customizable Gripper That’s Changing Robotic Handling

Adam Kulon

March 26, 2019

Until recently, handling delicate products required a human touch. The flexibility and dexterity of...Read More

5 Questions to Ask When Considering AGVs

Mason Cole

November 30, 2018

Wondering whether automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are the right solution for your material...Read More

How to Avoid the 6 Most Common Pitfalls of Robotic Palletizing System Startups

Ollie Langhorst

June 07, 2018

“Garbage in, garbage out.” As this phrase applies to robotic palletizing systems, the system...Read More

Collaborative Robots Part 2: Benefits and Expanding Capabilities

Nathan Busch

November 16, 2017

Industrial robots play a large part in the automation of industrial environments, but collaborative...Read More

Collaborative Robots Part 1: Pros, Cons, and Applications

Ahmed Arif

November 14, 2017

Once you know the strengths and weaknesses of cobots, where do they make the most sense? ...Read More

Is it Time to Automate Your Machine Tending?

Michael Cunningham

July 18, 2017

With the continued advancement of the automotive industry and the high demand placed on...Read More

Top 10 Things to Know About Robotic Palletizing

Matt Kohler

February 07, 2017

There are many factors to consider when implementing a robotic palletizer. What goes into creating...Read More

The Top 4 Benefits of a Robotic Document Inserter

Jason Nowak

January 04, 2017

A Robotic Document Inserter can accurately place the proper paperwork into your case or carton...Read More

Is the World ready for the New Frontier of Robotic End of Arm Tooling?

Maxx Wright

November 01, 2016

With recent innovations in technology, Robotic End of Arm Tooling concepts are rapidly becoming a...Read More

Top 10 Things to Know About Industrial Robots

Matt Kohler

September 08, 2016

The need to reduce labor cost, improve ergonomics, maximize system efficiency and speed, and...Read More

Leaning on Smart Manufacturing

Maxx Wright

August 16, 2016

In the modern world of industrial robots and manufacturing, there are many new and innovative...Read More

How to Choose and Work with a Robotics Integrator

Matt Kohler

July 07, 2016

Choosing the proper integrator to partner with to accomplish an organization’s strategic goals for...Read More

Machine Tending Robots: The Importance of Part Positioning

Steven Hogg

February 10, 2016

One of the key aspects of a robotic machine tending system is part positioning. It is critical...Read More

Ergonomic Benefits of Industrial Robotics

Matt Kohler

November 05, 2015

Hundreds of thousands of people have to deal with risky work environments, dodging workplace...Read More

5 Robotic Cell Layout Considerations

Matt Kohler

October 09, 2015

In a robotic application, many times the goals are safety, labor-cost, throughput, or ergonomics. ...Read More

Project Spotlight: New Robotic Bag Palletizing EoAT

Kayla Wohldmann

September 23, 2015

Bastian Robotics recently redesigned and upgraded our robotic bag palletizing End of Arm Tool...Read More

Industrial Robotics in the Automotive Industry

Jason Nowak

September 17, 2015

Industrial robots have been associated with the automotive industry ever since their inception over...Read More

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance for Your Automation Systems

Bastian Solutions

September 03, 2015

We’re hearing more and more from material handling and packaging automation facilities that having...Read More

Project Spotlight: Utilizing the Auxiliary Axis Servo of a Robot

Kayla Wohldmann

August 11, 2015

In this month’s project highlight, we’re diving into a recent project in which we used the...Read More

Your Complete Guide to Robotic Case Packing Systems

Steven Hogg

July 23, 2015

Robot-based automation is also an excellent alternative to manual operation. In addition to...Read More

The Most Important Factors of a Robot in a Machine Tending Application

Jason Nowak

June 16, 2015

When deciding what machine tending robot best fits your application, it is important to look at a...Read More

Robotics in the Food and Beverage Industry

Jason Nowak

May 28, 2015

As government regulations become more stringent, retailer demands continue to increase, and...Read More

How to Get the Most Life Out of Your Industrial Robot

Colin Shipley

April 30, 2015

There are several ways an industrial robot can wear out sooner than intended. On average, most...Read More

Project Spotlight: Integrating a Transfer Robot

Steven Hogg

April 22, 2015

In this month’s product highlight, we are going to focus on a very important aspect of a recent...Read More

Robotic End of Arm Tools: Get a Grip on Your Product

Rob Stepanek

February 03, 2015

A colleague wrote earlier about the ways of getting a grip on a product. He emphasized the...Read More

Cross-Training: The Key to Manufacturing Success

Ben Viorel

January 07, 2015

When it comes to manufacturing, schedules are constantly being shifted and moved around in order to...Read More

Giving Thanks for Great Customers

Matt Kohler

December 19, 2014

It’s always good, especially around the holiday season, to give thanks for all our good fortunes...Read More

Unforeseen Benefits of Adding Robot Labor to the Workplace

Geoff Schreiber

December 17, 2014

Robotic automation is becoming more commonplace in the manufacturing realm, with general industry...Read More

Industrial Robots by the Numbers

Jason Nowak

December 08, 2014

Numbers are an extremely powerful tool. They can help us calculate, quantify, and analyze just...Read More

What’s Old is New Again: The Many Uses for Used Robots

Mark Colzani

November 24, 2014

The modern-day industrial robot is one of the most robust technologies and will generally last for...Read More

4 Ways Industrial Robots Provide Flexible Packaging Automation

Matt Kohler

November 17, 2014

The current manufacturing landscape is subject to rapid changes in demand, presenting the need for...Read More

Breaking News: Rosie the Robot is Real

Clay Britton

November 06, 2014

Remember when Rosie the Robot, the famous maid from The Jetsons, was a fantasy character every...Read More

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Benefits of 3D renderings and simulations

Michael Yochum

October 24, 2014

A key component in our sales process is the creation of 3-D renderings and simulations. With...Read More

Machine Tending: Is It Truly a Robot’s Paradise?

Jason Nowak

October 16, 2014

Machine tending can be some of the most grueling and hazardous work conditions for an industrial...Read More

Introduction to Industrial Robots: What You Need to Know

Colin Shipley

October 10, 2014

If you work with robots every day like I do, it feels almost second nature when selecting the right...Read More

Industrial Robot Proof of Concept: Verify Functionality and Avoid Risk

Kayla Wohldmann

September 04, 2014

Due to the complexity of certain industrial robot projects, a Proof of Concept (PoC) is sometimes...Read More

Another Broken Pallet! Tips for Better Pallet Handling

Geoff Schreiber

July 10, 2014

Although handling pallets might seem simple, there are many considerations when selecting the right...Read More

A Poem About "The Robot Industry" in Honor of National Robotics Week

Steven Hogg

April 11, 2014

As a Robotics Application Engineer, I work to develop systems that are innovative and push the...Read More

Automated Case Picking Systems: Finding the Right Fit for Your Company

Derek Cribley

September 11, 2013

As an increasing number of companies move toward the use of automated case picking systems, it is...Read More

The Importance of 3D Models in Automation

Jason Nowak

August 29, 2013

Have you ever spoken to a client about a proposal that you’ve spent days, weeks, or even months on,...Read More

Innovative Robotic End of Arm Tooling

Geoff Schreiber

June 12, 2013

As a design engineer in the robotic material handling field, I am always looking for new and...Read More

How Industrial Robotics Improve the Economy

Mark Colzani

June 05, 2013

There have been many discussions regarding Americans losing jobs to overseas manufacturers and to...Read More

Automation Products and the Traits of a Rock Star Distributor

Ben Viorel

May 10, 2013

As an independent systems integrator, Bastian Robotics is able to source virtually any technology....Read More

The Intangible Benefits of Used Equipment

Mark Colzani

January 17, 2013

Used automation equipment is seen by some as too risky an investment, and by others, as an easy way...Read More

Transitioning from a FIRST Student to a FIRST Mentor

Tom Hazelrigg

January 16, 2013

A stadium is packed, adults and kids filling the stands and watching in anticipation. Fans loudly...Read More

The History of Robotics [Infographic]

Bastian Solutions

December 12, 2012

Industrial robots are incredibly advanced thanks to new technologies in controls, vision systems,...Read More

Is a High-Speed Robotic Palletizer in Your Future?

Matt Kohler

October 17, 2012

High-level conventional palletizers have dominated the high-speed palletizing industry, and for...Read More

Can You Handle It?

Steven Hogg

September 13, 2012

Every robotic system revolves around the product it handles, so having a thorough understanding of...Read More

Manufacturing Renaissance in the U.S.?

Mark Colzani

July 26, 2012

It wasn’t all that long ago U.S. manufacturing prowess was the envy of the world, but then numerous...Read More

Saving a Troubled Project (and Re-gaining the Customer's Confidence)

Geoff Schreiber

April 26, 2012

While no one enjoys being in these positions, at one time or another every company will experience...Read More

Is Leasing an Option for Automating Your Distribution Center?

Mark Colzani

March 01, 2012

Leasing larger, higher priced equipment is a very common practice for all sorts of companies, large...Read More

The Sensitive Engineer: Using Monte Carlo Simulation to Understand the Sensitivity of a Complex System

Bastian Solutions

November 23, 2011

During the design process of any system, it is desirable to know how the possible range of input...Read More

The Pros and Cons of Implementing a Robotic Mixed Pallet Building System

Jason Nowak

October 14, 2011

The topic of robotic, or automatic, mixed pallet building has come up quite a bit recently, so I...Read More

Choosing Between a Robotics Integrator or Manufacturer

Jason Nowak

June 13, 2011

I've had the opportunity to work for both integrators and for a manufacturer of industrial robotic...Read More

Thinking Outside the Box is Key to Innovative Solutions

Matt Kohler

April 28, 2011

In today's business world, many employees--including myself from time to time--wear multiple hats...Read More

Benefits of Single Sourcing Your Manufacturing Automation Partner

Bastian Solutions

March 22, 2011

With the summer project season just around the corner many industrial manufacturing companies are...Read More

Robotic Palletizing vs. Conventional Automated Palletizing

Bastian Solutions

January 26, 2011

When a business decides to automate its palletizing process , there are essentially two choices:...Read More

7 Industrial Robotics Hazards and How to Avoid Them

Steven Hogg

January 05, 2011

Many companies wonder whether robots are safe to implement in their facility. Although an...Read More

The Importance of Hiring the Right People

Shelby Shay

October 04, 2010

Bastian Solutions recognizes that our talented and driven employees are responsible for the success...Read More

Mixed Load Palletizing: Can it be done?

Bastian Solutions

July 15, 2010

The good news is that this long talked about concept has been proven within the last few years. ...Read More

Solving Distribution Space Constraints and Preparing for Growth

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