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The automotive industry involves maneuvering and transporting many very heavy, high-value parts. Third-party manufacturers often produce EV batteries, driveline assemblies, stampings, and castings before being transported to the automotive manufacturer for vehicle assembly. With the increased production of electric vehicles, these parts have become even larger and heavier, making steel pallets essential for handling these unique and highly sensitive parts. Essential Factors When Handling Automotive and EV Components When evaluating material handling equipment for automotive or alternative energy applications, here is what really matters for selecting pallets and equipment that can withstand every facet of your operations: Cycle Count How [...]

Assembly lines and sequencing areas in forklift-driven facilities require different solutions than those that use carts and dollies. Monument equipment needs to be stable and sturdy, capable of handling heavy loads, safe for operators to use, and ergonomically safe. Industrial turntables are a monument solution that reduce strain on operators, reduce walk times, and help with space constraints on the assembly line. Here is how the simple, effective design of industrial turntables increases safety and productivity for manufacturing processes. What are Industrial Turntables? An industrial turntable is a low-profile table designed to rotate in 90 or 180 degree increments, [...]

Lift tables provide a safer, more stable way to raise and lower heavy loads in a warehouse or manufacturing plant. They do so using either pneumatic or hydraulic lifting technology, both of which can handle thousands of pounds of weight without the need for a forklift. While hydraulics provide a powerful lift, they come with risks and drawbacks that make them difficult to manage and maintain, especially in comparison to pneumatic lift tables. We’ll explore the key differences between the two main types of lift tables and explain why pneumatic lift tables are the best choice for safety, cleanliness, [...]

One of the biggest bottlenecks in manufacturing facilities is transporting parts and materials throughout the warehouse for kitting and sequencing. In forklift-driven facilities, a lot of time is spent moving heavy bins of parts to and from workstations, which poses significant safety risks to personnel on the manufacturing floor. Tilt carts are a safer, more ergonomically efficient option for kitting and sequencing lanes in manufacturing processes. With better pick heights and safer transportation throughout the warehouse, a tugger-and-cart fleet is the best approach for kitting and sequencing. Tilt Carts vs. Static Dollies: What’s the Difference? Even in facilities well-versed [...]

Dollies (or “carts”) are an integral part of a lean material flow in any production process. They eliminate the need for forklifts, reduce floor clutter, and increase efficiency in transporting materials and parts throughout a facility. But with all the different options available for dollies, how do you choose the right one for your purposes? That’s what we’re here to help you figure out. Considerations for Choosing the Right Dolly Carts vs. dollies — they’re actually one in the same, simply two different times! The two main types of dollies or carts we’re going to talk about are static [...]

Industry 4.0 is the latest industrial revolution, characterized by an uptick in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) integration. These technologies have significantly improved both security and efficiency in manufacturing, in part due to the detailed data analytics these innovations have made possible. How Industry 4.0 Uses Data Analytics Data analytics are collected from several sources, depending on the manufacturer’s technology and operations. Machines and sensors collect data around speed and efficiency while quality control systems identify product defects and flaws in the production pipeline. Data is a big part of what makes Industry 4.0 so revolutionary, lending insights to [...]

Laser technology has advanced significantly over the past few decades. However, for a while, we were still using traditional methods that weren’t quite cutting it. That is, until we discovered fiber laser technology. We started by investing in the Trumpf 2D Sheet Laser and quickly discovered the power and efficiency of these all-in-one machines. From there, we invested in the Trumpf Bending Cell—not fiber laser cutting technology, but equally important to our production—and more recently, the Trumpf tube laser. The Impact of the Trumpf 2D Sheet Laser In the past, jobs that required laser capabilities would require us to [...]

Ergonomic equipment is a valuable component of any production floor, helping reduce and prevent workplace injuries. With both carts and monument solutions, the ultimate goal of ergonomics is to reduce strain from repeated actions like bending over, squatting down, or lifting the arms above the shoulders. What are Ergonomic Carts and Dollies? Ergonomic carts and dollies are designed to tilt at 30, 45, or 60-degree angles, presenting the part to the operator either line-side or in a sequencing center in a way that makes it more comfortable and less strenuous to pick up. These ergonomic solutions can be adjusted [...]

The interconnectivity of technology and manufacturing equipment, known as the “Internet of Things” (IoT), has already been transformative across every step of the manufacturing process. Recently, the IoT has made its way into container management, changing the way we think about visibility and tracking products throughout the supply chain. The Role of IoT in Container Management Container management is always complex, especially when multiple containers are being sent between facilities all over the country (or the world). Effective container management means always knowing which parts are in which bins and on which trucks going to which plants, leaving a [...]

Cobots have been part of American Manufacturing’s welding workforce for over two years now, and we continue to find new ways to utilize them for improved productivity and enhanced safety throughout our manufacturing processes. At the same time, we still have several more traditional industrial robots in our welding family. So why not go all-in on cobots? What exactly makes a cobot different? Discover more about our welding robots and how they work together to serve our customers. Cobots vs. Other Industrial Robots: Key Differences Safety and Collaboration The greatest difference between cobots and industrial robots comes down to [...]