Material Handling Automation

Material handling automation services provide single source automated equipment and systems solutions for the material handling process. They can act as consultants to help a client determine best approach for automating the factory, leaving the client to acquire the necessary equipment; or they may provide full-service consulting, helping with the plan, then supplying and installing the desired equipment. Material handling automation service providers offer a wide range of general material handling automation services, including equipment and systems design, systems integration, factory automation, and warehousing solutions, to complete the project, application, or systemic factory upgrade.  Some of the most commonly used tools and equipment include: automatic guided vehicles (AGV), automated storage and retrieval (ASR) systems, carts, trucks, dollies, conveyors, cranes, hoists, winches, lifts, pallet transfer systems and palletizers, parts feeders, pick and place equipment, and web handling devices.

Many material handling automation services providers offer additional upgrade possibilities in addition to planning and equipment. Many of these services focus on computer software and computer automation of the factory floor. Some of the most popular computer related upgrades include control systems and computer driven assembly line capabilities, manufacturing cells (to make various portions of the factory independent control areas), and systems design and integration. Additional capabilities for material handling automation services include powder and bulk handling, cleanroom applications, and custom equipment design.

Material handling automation services providers are used in many industrial sectors, including: aerospace and aeronautics, agriculture, automotive, computer, electrical, electronics, fiber optics, food and beverage, furnace and heat treatment, general industry and manufacturing, medical, plumbing, microelectronics and semiconductor, and telecommunications. Each one of these industries offers their own challenges to be solved. For example, aerospace products need to be manufactured to exacting tolerances, often include military specifications (MIL-SPEC). The needs of this type of factory would be much different than a mill that is looking to upgrade the manner in which it processes and conveys bulk solids or powders. This, too, would be different from an assembly environment that is designed to manufacture semiconductors, which would call for exacting tolerances within a cleanroom atmosphere. All of these industries can be, and are often, served by material handling automation services.

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