How Can Industrial Automation Help Your Business Compete and Succeed?

John C. Maxwell quoted “Change is inevitable.  Growth is optional.”  This holds very true for industrial operations and the manufacturing industry.  Businesses that are responsible for processing, packaging, and assembly of goods must be prepared to adjust to change in order to grow their business and adapt to new business dynamics.

New industrial automation technologies can help your business to meet these changes head on.  While your plant may already have conveyors, pipes, pneumatic valves and actuators and other industrial devices, it may be time to review your equipment and determine if an upgrade or replacement is in order.

• Conveyors – newer technologies have improved conveyor systems in many ways.  Conveyors can be fitted to run at variable speeds, have much easier cleaning and maintenance mechanisms, and meet very stringent federal regulations.
• Pneumatic equipment – from pipes and tubing to valves and actuators, pneumatic equipment must function reliably and safely.  These pressurized components can cause serious issues if they are not assembled and maintained properly.  Newer pneumatic equipment provides very sturdy and reliable materials that can last longer than older equipment.
• Motion control and automation – the newest sensors and motion software can monitor production and assembly lines in real-time.  Automated routing and notifications provide the ability for the plant operations to run seamlessly and meet aggressive schedule deadlines.

There are also vision inspection systems and logic software packages available that can even further automate plant operations.  The benefits to industrial automation include more reliable and predictable results, higher productivity, cleaner environment with less noise, and safer work conditions. 

Before investing in any new equipment, plant managers should have a review of their operations by trained experts who understand industrial automation and can help in applying new technologies.  During the audit and review, sensors can be checked, conveyors can be tested, pipes and other materials can be inspected for compliance.  In addition to the equipment review, an expert should sit down and discuss the business goals and objectives.  Is the plant meeting productivity requirements today?  Will there be a need to increase productivity or change production lines in the future?  How adaptable does the plant need to be in order to handle multiple types of products?  What levels of productivity should the plant achieve in order to meet sales and profit goals?

Industrial automation can be very beneficial to businesses that need to move their current products and be prepared for changes to those products in the future.  Discuss your plant’s options with a trained expert who will come up with a plan to help your business to stay ready for change and growth.