Material Handling Systems Automation & Consulting
 
 

The Material Handling Blog

 

Read More Articles

Retrofits and Cutovers: What to Know Before Modernizing Your Automation System

Ahmed Arif
December 18, 2024
At Bastian Solutions, we see a lot of live operation projects every year – enhancements or...Read More
Tags: automation, automated systems, cutover, good project managers, Project Management, system cutover, warehouse management system, distribution center, retrofit
Posted in General Blogs

3 Key Factors in Goods to Person Throughput Design

Brent Davis
January 10, 2024
From a mechanical standpoint, a goods-to-person system certainly can attain the tote delivery rate...Read More
Tags: automation, goods to person, picking, system design
Posted in General Blogs, System Automation, Business and Consulting

Tackling Returns: An Online Clothing Retailer Changes the Game

Kyle McCarty
December 14, 2022
Dealing with returns and reverse logistics can be a struggle for ecommerce order fulfillment -...Read More
Tags: automation, automated packing, ecommerce, Product returns, retail automation, reverse logistics, returns, right-sized packaging, polybag
Posted in General Blogs, System Automation

4 Questions to Ask Before Selecting Goods-to-Person Solutions

Linda Grady
August 17, 2022
Over the past few years, the phrase “goods to person” has become mainstream. As distribution...Read More
Tags: automation, AutoStore, goods to person, Servus
Posted in System Automation

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
Tags: automation, artificial intelligence, End of Arm Tooling, End of Arm Tools (EoAT), goods to robot, robotics, robotics each picking
Posted in General Blogs, Industrial Robotics

3 Lessons on Navigating Complex Multi-Site Automation Projects

Luke Sutton
March 03, 2021
The word “complexity” usually garners feelings of fear or hesitation. At Bastian Solutions...Read More
Tags: automation, good project managers, Project Management, retrofit, multi-site, global projects
Posted in General Blogs

Supply Chain Returns: Strategically Handling the Post-Holiday Rush

Ryan Borgerding
January 13, 2021
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season now over, many would think that retailers and...Read More
Tags: automation, Bastian Material Handling, customer experience, Product returns, returns
Posted in General Blogs

Drones en la Cadena de Suministro

Carlos Candia
December 09, 2020
Era sólo cuestión de tiempo para que los proveedores logísticos, los integradores y las diferentes...Read More
Tags: automation, drones, Spanish, supply chain, espanol
Posted in General Blogs, System Automation, Bastian Mexico, New Trends and Technologies

Multi-Site Project Implementations: Consistency Drives Efficiency

Kyle McCarty
November 18, 2020
As the global effects of COVID-19 continue to play out, demand for contactless shopping via...Read More
Tags: automation, communication, ecommerce, Project Management, supply chain, project lifecycle
Posted in System Automation, Project Management, The Supply Chain

Pandemic Accelerated Growth: 5 Ways AGVs and AMRs are an Asset to Your Operations

Chris Morgan
November 12, 2020
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are transforming the way...Read More
Tags: automation, AGV, End of Arm Tools (EoAT), goods to person, industrial manufacturing, Industrial robots, retail, tuggers, 3pl, AMR
Posted in System Automation, Material Handling Equipment, New Trends and Technologies

Black Friday Prep: Peak Season Trends

Matt Kuper
November 06, 2020
Although 2020 has been an unpredictable year with unprecedented commerce demands, this year...Read More
Tags: automation, Black Friday, peak season
Posted in System Automation, Business and Consulting, Material Handling Equipment

Microfulfillment Part 2: Pros and Cons

Greg Conner
July 29, 2020
The term “microfulfillment center” has quickly become one of the top buzzwords in material...Read More
Tags: automation, AutoStore, ecommerce, Perfect Pick, retail, micro-fulfillment, warehouse, microfulfillment, robot, electronics
Posted in General Blogs, System Automation, Business and Consulting, Industry News, Material Handling Equipment

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
Tags: automation, cobots, collaborative robots, industrial manufacturing, manufacturing automation, covid 19, coronavirus
Posted in General Blogs, System Automation, Industrial Robotics, Manufacturing

Automation in Software Development

Ryan Ristau
April 23, 2020
Automation in software can be a very powerful thing, when done correctly. Here are some tips on how...Read More
Tags: automation, Exacta, warehouse software
Posted in Controls & Software

Robot EoAT Tool Changers: How & Where They Are Used

Mitch Stevens
April 07, 2020
On any given production line, workers pick up different specialized tools to complete different...Read More
Tags: automation, Bastian Robotics, end of arm tools, End of Arm Tools (EoAT), Robotic Automation
Posted in System Automation

Building the Business Case for Distribution Center Automation

Dustin Crandall
February 06, 2020
While there is often a compelling ROI for automating your DC operations, there are several other...Read More
Tags: automation, business growth, Return on Investment (ROI)
Posted in Business and Consulting

Automation is Here to Stay (and Improve Your Life)

Blake Bearden
November 21, 2019
I often get asked about automation’s effects on employment. Here are some lessons from history that...Read More
Tags: automation, lessons learned, history
Posted in System Automation, New Trends and Technologies

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
Tags: automation, Bastian Robotics
Posted in Industrial Robotics

Automation's Effect on Flexibility

Joe McGrath
July 31, 2019
When exploring automated solutions, it’s important to consider not just the benefits, but the...Read More
Tags: automation
Posted in System Automation

Drones in Supply Chain

Carlos Candia
July 09, 2019
Drones are becoming increasingly popular in multiple industries, but will they ever become an...Read More
Tags: automation, drones, Technology
Posted in New Trends and Technologies

4 Signs It's Time to Replace That Outdated Conveyor System

Sky Hernandez
April 30, 2019
Conveyor systems can last a long time, but even the best maintained systems only last so long. Here...Read More
Tags: automation, Conveyor, system upgrade
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

Technological Advancements Enabling the Growth of Robotic Picking

Jason Tenorio
April 04, 2019
In the very near future, robotic picking will become mainstream, facilitating a 24/7 picking and...Read More
Tags: automation, Bastian Robotics, ecommerce order fulfillment, order fulfillment automation, picking, robotics, order picking, robotic picking
Posted in System Automation, Material Handling Equipment

3 Advanced Features of the Bastian Solutions Conveyor Shoe Sorter

Andy Eckerle
April 02, 2019
From day one, the main design criteria for our Bastian Solutions conveyor shoe sorter was maximum...Read More
Tags: automation, Bastian Material Handling, Material Handling automation, shoe sorter, ZiPline, ZiPline Conveyor
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

Palletizing and Depalletizing with Cobots

Geoff Schreiber
March 28, 2019
Palletizing and depalletizing with collaborative robots just made a huge step forward. These...Read More
Tags: automation, Case Palletizing, cobots, collaborative robots, conventional palletizing, depalletizing
Posted in System Automation

7 Energy Considerations for Material Handling Automation

Kyle Dorge
March 11, 2019
Automation can provide a wealth of benefits with the right system. Don't overlook these 7...Read More
Tags: automation, automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), automated systems, automation systems, energy efficiency, goods to person, goods to person technologies, Material Handling automation
Posted in System Automation

Labor Management’s Role in Automation

Justin Willbanks
February 21, 2019
While effective labor management is vital in any operation, it’s critical to not lose sight of its...Read More
Tags: automation, labor, material handling industry, labor management
Posted in System Automation

Trends Driving the Case for Distribution Center Automation

Mike Senuta
January 31, 2019
An overview of the economic and technological trends that are increasing demand (and ROI) for...Read More
Tags: automation, distribution center automation, Return on Investment (ROI), supply chain trends
Posted in System Automation, Business and Consulting

Integrating Conveyor into a Part Press Operation

David Musch
January 25, 2019
When trying to determine the best automated solution for a manufacturing application, it’s...Read More
Tags: automation, Conveyor, industrial automation, Industrial Robotics, manufacturing
Posted in System Automation, Manufacturing

AutoStore Black Line: Your Questions Answered

Derek Cribley
January 15, 2019
What's different about the new AutoStore Black Line? We've put together a Q&A so you can learn...Read More
Tags: automation, AutoStore, ecommerce, ecommerce order fulfillment, goods to person technologies, Order fulfillment, order fulfillment automation, picking technology
Posted in System Automation

AutoStore Black Line : Reponses a vos questions (French)

January 15, 2019
Qu'est-ce qui différencie le nouvel AutoStore Black Line? Nous avons préparé un Q&R pour que vous...Read More
Tags: automation, AutoStore, ecommerce, ecommerce order fulfillment, goods to person technologies, Order fulfillment, order fulfillment automation, picking technology
Posted in System Automation

Which Products Should Go into a Goods-To-Person System?

Ahmed Arif
January 03, 2019
Considering a goods-to-person system, but not sure which one to choose or what to put inside? Start...Read More
Tags: automation, goods to person
Posted in System Automation, Business and Consulting

Lessons From the Amazon Effect

John Knudsen
December 19, 2018
How the retail and material handling industries have evolved to service increasing...Read More
Tags: automation, consulting, customer service, e-commerce, ecommerce
Posted in New Trends and Technologies, The Supply Chain

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
Tags: automation, AGV, AGVs, Automated Guide Vehicles (AGVs), automated guided vehicles, automation system, warehouse automation
Posted in System Automation, Industrial Robotics, Material Handling Equipment

5 Advantages of a Cobot from Universal Robots

Adam Kulon
October 30, 2018
Do you want to automate a process in your facility without breaking the bank? Here are 5 advantages...Read More
Tags: automation, cobots, collaborative robots, robotics
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

A Guide to Testing Your Warehouse Execution System (WES)

Alex Haines
October 16, 2018
A WES is a powerful tool that can help a wide range of warehouse DCs. Here’s what’s required to...Read More
Tags: automation, automation software, Exacta, Exacta Warehouse Control Software, software, Warehouse execution system, WES
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

Automated Picking Technologies for Omni-Channel Fulfillment

Mike Clemens
October 11, 2018
There are many automation technologies available to improve omni-channel fulfillment – but which...Read More
Tags: automation, AGV, AGVs, Automated Guide Vehicles (AGVs), automated storage and retrieval, goods to person, goods to person systems, goods to person technologies, goods-to-man, omni-channel distribution, omni-channel fulfillment, robotic AGV
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

How Industrial Automation Helped Detroit Recover

Sean Struve
October 04, 2018
With the perseverance of its manufacturing industry and the help of innovations like industrial...Read More
Tags: automation, automotive manufacturing, manufacturing, robotics
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

5 Cobot Applications for Distribution Centers

Christopher Dyjak, Greg Conner
August 22, 2018
From picking, packing, palletizing and beyond, here are some distribution center applications that...Read More
Tags: automation, cobots, collaborative robots, industrial automation, Industrial Robotics, Industrial robots, robotics
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

Increase Revenue with Automatic Stretch Wrapping

Bastian Solutions
July 26, 2018
You spend millions of dollars to get your product to the customer as fast as possible. So why let...Read More
Tags: automation, Palletizing, stretch wrapping
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

5 Key Steps to Your Next Material Handling System Modification

Ahmed Arif
June 20, 2018
In today's fast-paced, demand-driven world, material handling system modifications are almost...Read More
Tags: automation, material handling system, Project Management
Posted in Material Handling Equipment, Project Management

Adopting Automation and Change Management: What to Expect and How to be Prepared

JD Stumpf
May 23, 2018
Whether its automating the picking process with goods-to-person (GTP) technology or the...Read More
Tags: automation, change management, supply chain consulting
Posted in Business and Consulting

New Brew of Software for Beverage Distribution

Chris Bratten
May 16, 2018
Consumers are getting more tech savvy when it comes to purchasing goods. The common trend is to be...Read More
Tags: automation, beverage distribution, ExactaBEV, supply chain software
Posted in System Automation, Controls & Software

Understanding OSHA Safety Standards for Conveyor

Greg Conner
May 09, 2018
Conveyor equipment can be dangerous if not used in the proper manner and with necessary safety...Read More
Tags: automation, Conveyor, OSHA, safety
Posted in Material Handling Equipment, Project Management

The Highway to Success – Enhancing the Value of the Workforce through Automation

Chris Graver
February 28, 2018
Last year, MHI published its “Material Handling & Logistics US Roadmap 2.0”. The Roadmap explains...Read More
Tags: automation, business, economy, MHI Roadmap, trends
Posted in Business and Consulting, The Supply Chain

Industrial Real Estate Considerations for Goods-to-Person Technologies

Blake Bearden
February 21, 2018
Just as the internet has been an enabler for e-commerce, today’s modern goods-to-person (GTP)...Read More
Tags: automation, goods to person systems, industrial real estate
Posted in System Automation, Business and Consulting

Mini-Load ASRS: What is it & why does Australia need it?

Bastian Solutions
January 24, 2018
ASRS is the short way of saying “Automated Storage and Retrieval System.” Although these systems...Read More
Tags: automation, Australia, AutoStore, case study, mini-load ASRS
Posted in System Automation

6 Considerations when Integrating Cold Room Conveyor

Gina Labou
December 21, 2017
Many of us think about winterizing our car or home, but your conveyor system also needs protection...Read More
Tags: automation, cold room, Conveyor, Maintenance
Posted in Material Handling Equipment

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
Tags: automation, cobots, collaborative robots, Industrial Robotics
Posted in Industrial Robotics, New Trends and Technologies

Beyond Conveyor: The Evolution of Material Handling Technology

Mike Czernik
August 24, 2017
Whenever asked about my job, most questions revolve around conveyor and racking, but I can’t help...Read More
Tags: automation, AGVs, goods to person, material handling technologies
Posted in New Trends and Technologies

Is Your Warehouse Traffic Resembling a Busy Interstate?

Jake Ethridge
June 22, 2017
Self-driving cars are the future of our roads, but manufacturing and distribution centers have been...Read More
Tags: automation, Automated Guide Vehicles (AGVs), autonomous vehicles
Posted in System Automation

A Review of the Distribution Automation Landscape in Mexico

Carlos Minjares
June 16, 2017
We all know and believe that automation is the future (and in some cases, the present), but what’s...Read More
Tags: automation, consulting, economy, LATAM, Mexico
Posted in Bastian Mexico, Business and Consulting

Augmented Reality (AR): The Future of Supply Chains?

Mark Curtis
March 24, 2017
Augmented reality and virtual reality are new technologies being applied to the ever evolving...Read More
Tags: automation, Augmented Reality, e-commerce, engineering, Picking Technologies, safety, Technology, virtual reality
Posted in New Trends and Technologies, Controls & Software

Project Management: A Tool for a Successful Automation Implementation

Alejandro Gracia
February 09, 2017
Project management is a critical piece to any successful automation system implementation. From the...Read More
Tags: automation, Project Management
Posted in Bastian Mexico, Project Management

Taking Ownership of Your New Automation System

Sheila Dooley
December 07, 2016
A customer who is ready and willing to take ownership of their new automation system is more likely...Read More
Tags: automation, customer relationships, Material Handling automation
Posted in System Automation, Project Management, The Supply Chain

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
Tags: automation, ergonomics, Industrial Robotics, safety
Posted in Industrial Robotics

3 Steps to a Great Turnkey Material Handling System

Jonathan Syrett
August 20, 2015
A turn-key material handling solution is the complete design, build, and installation of material...Read More
Tags: automation, Project Management, turnkey material handling system
Posted in System Automation, Project Management

ROI Factors in a Material Handling Automation Project

Danny Watson
April 08, 2015
Introducing automation into a business can be a large and intimidating project. A good deal of time...Read More
Tags: automation, Return on Investment (ROI), space savings
Posted in System Automation, Business and Consulting

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
Tags: automation, Industrial Robotics, Robot Labor
Posted in Industrial Robotics

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
Tags: automation, articulated robots, delta robots, Industrial Robotics
Posted in Industrial Robotics

The Top 3 PC-Based Software Features for Industrial Controls Programming

Kevin Alexander
September 18, 2014
When programming controllers for an industrial automation project, I base my platform (PLC, PAC, or...Read More
Tags: automation, controls engineering, PAC, PLC, programmable controller
Posted in System Automation, Controls & Software

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
Tags: automation, Industrial Robotics, Missouri, robotic integrators, robotic manufacturers, St. Louis
Posted in System Automation, Industrial Robotics, Material Handling Equipment
Results: 61 Blog Posts found.

Archives

Latest Case Study

 

20220224-DENSO-Toyota-Core-tow-tractor-tugger-agv-autonomous-vehicle-automotive-distribution-loading-pallet-transfer-cart_3

Denso

Learn how AGVs helped Denso achieve a 48% reduction in process defects and 33% reallocated labor to better positions with no eliminated roles. 

Learn More

 

Close