The Material Handling Blog

“Let’s look at this thing from a standpoint of status. What do we got on the spacecraft that’s good? “ –Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), “Apollo 13.” There’s a lot of genius in that simple question. If you haven’t watched the movie, it’s worth a few hours of your time. The quick summary is that the mission was in serious trouble, Gene Kranz had just put on the flight director vest, and he was beginning the process of recovering not just the equipment, but most importantly, the crew of the Apollo 13 spacecraft. The genius in the question is recognizing that you have no ability to reach an endpoint if you don’t know where you are at the beginning.

Building, storing and moving pallets is often what most people think of when they hear the word “warehouse.” And they’re not entirely wrong, pallet handling operations are critical to the effective flow and performance of many manufacturing and distribution facilities. Outbound pallet handling is often the focus of most companies in this space, as these processes appear to be most impactful to the end-customer. However, inbound pallet handling operations can be equally important to the overall production and fulfillment process. Manual palletizing and movement of inbound product in distribution and manufacturing centers often presents challenges due to labor-intensive processes, ergonomic concerns and safety risks. To address these issues, automation can be implemented to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

In today's dynamic business landscape, companies face numerous external challenges such as ever-expanding competitive landscapes, supply chain issues and changing customer demands. To overcome these and improve their internal processes, businesses are increasingly adopting TOC (Theory of Constraints) principles. This blog presents a compelling real-world application of TOC at one of the world's leading home appliance suppliers. This case study not only underscores the effectiveness of TOC but also provides practical insights on how these principles can significantly boost operational efficiency.

Is your warehouse struggling with inefficiencies, space constraints or the need for faster fulfillment? The AutoStore system, an innovative goods-to-person storage solution, is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. With its unique cube storage design and robotic automation, AutoStore offers configurability, flexibility, and efficiency for modern warehouses. AutoStore is an excellent solution for companies that need to maximize the storage space within their facility. Partnering with a skilled integrator like Bastian Solutions ensures seamless implementation and optimization of the AutoStore system, revolutionizing your warehouse operations.

Pallet storage is the silent engine of any warehouse or manufacturing facility. It’s the backbone that keeps everything else running smoothly—from intake and storage to inventory management or preparation for shipping. While often overlooked, efficient pallet management ensures operations flow seamlessly.

This coming Friday, October 4, we celebrate Manufacturing Day, it's a perfect time to pause and recognize the remarkable efforts of our manufacturing team members. Each day, their skills and dedication drive our success, and this celebration is a reflection of the vital role they play in shaping the future of our industry.

Automation solves many operational challenges in today’s forward-thinking warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. From reducing labor costs to increasing order accuracy and throughput, material handling automation has become essential to modern operations. But while it’s tempting to look at automating specific tasks, the real value comes from considering how each solution fits into the overall system.

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, businesses are increasingly relying on automation to meet customer demands, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're in manufacturing, logistics or any other industry that relies on automated systems, the ability to handle spikes in demand efficiently can make or break your operation. One essential step in ensuring your system can perform under pressure is conducting thorough robotic simulations before installation.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of engineers is more critical than ever. As technology advances and industries transform, the next generation of engineers must be equipped with both technical expertise and practical skills to navigate the many challenges posed by employers, customers and technology. My recent experience teaching an Introduction to Sales Engineering class for the Industrial Systems Engineering department at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) provided insight into the next cohort of engineers and how they are prepared to make an impact in the future.

Fire safety is a critical concern in warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution facilities due to the potential for significant damage and loss. In Canada, stringent regulations around fire suppression systems often surprise customers looking to install material handling automation equipment. These regulations particularly impact facilities handling flammable products such as textiles, fragrances, and aerosols.

In the ever-evolving world of automation, selecting the right robotic system for your application can significantly impact efficiency, precision and overall productivity. Among the multitude of options available, articulated robots and gantry robots are two popular choices. While both have their unique advantages, there are several compelling reasons why articulated robots often stand out as the superior choice for many industrial applications.

In modern material handling warehouses, efficient product transport through conveyor systems plays a pivotal role. While conveyor systems are pretty straightforward, there are various elements that help to achieve that efficiency. A key facet of any conveyor solution is the control card, which manages the flow of goods through conveyor zones. These cards provide users complete control over product singulation and release, ensuring products are moved precisely when and where they are needed to optimize the entire automated material handling system.