Inter-Building Transport
Large warehouses and distribution centers have the challenge of moving pallets from one side of a build to another. This could be movement from inbound, long- or short-term storage, to an outbound or quality control area. Regardless of where the pallets are moving to and from, manual operators are required to travel long distances moving…
Automating Milk Runs in Production
A typical application for manual operators is to drive tuggers pulling carts, with materials to be delivered to multiple locations, in a production facility, aka a milk run. A robotic lift truck solution automates tugger routes by removing the need for manual operators to drive in loops all day. The robotic solution has a capacity…
A Guide to Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation has transformed the nature of the industry, bringing robotics, equipment and software to nearly every task in the facility. As automation technology becomes more attainable and affordable, warehouse organizations must have a pulse on it. Adopting automation techniques will be crucial to staying competitive and getting ahead of the curve. As a trusted…
The Future of AMRs and AGVs in Material Handling
In December 2022, OTTO Motors hosted “The Best of Both Worlds: Unlocking the Productivity of AGVs and AMRs”: a webinar that analyzed the differences between AMRs and AGVs, from their technology to their applications. This webinar introduced the idea of Graph-based Planning, an algorithm that enables manufacturing facilities to achieve the benefits of both AMRs and AGVs…
Budget Considerations When Selecting an AMR Solution
Autonomous material movement technologies, specifically autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), have gained popularity as the answer to labor shortages, supply chain disruption and employee safety concerns in manufacturing facilities around the world. As you research options, you will want to understand what technologies are available, how they differ, and the related costs, to implement them. Every…
Trash Removal
Robotic lift trucks have the best return on investment when they are continuously working. A robot can be used in many ways, but instead of sitting idle it should have other low priority tasks to complete. One of these tasks can be bringing trash from multiple locations in a facility to a compactor or drop…
Dock Leveler and Truck Restraint System Support and Sales
Having high-quality, dependable dock equipment is important for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is safety. Eastern Lift Truck Co.’s Dock & Door Division sells all different types of dock equipment, including a variety of dock levelers and restraint systems, and provides the routine maintenance and emergency repair service needed to keep…
Benefits of Material Handling Equipment Solutions
Warehouses and distribution centers are busy work environments that require a steadfast focus on efficient layout and workflow to optimize productivity and remain competitive in their market. Thankfully, forward-thinking facility operators have a variety of material handling equipment and design solutions at their disposal to improve dock-to-stock cycle times and order-picking capacity, reduce product damage,…
Work In Progress Goods
One task in a manufacturing process is moving work in progress goods from one working cell to another. This is typically done by conveyor systems, manually driven tuggers with a train of carts or manual pallet jacks. All these solutions require labor or expensive transport systems. Robotic lift trucks can provide multiple solutions to these…
Empty Pallet Removal
Within a manufacturing cell, pallets containing materials come in, and empty pallets need to be returned. These pallets can contain anything from packaging material, work in progress goods, or raw materials. Once the product is used up, and more is required, empty pallets need to be removed, or stored for future disposal. Robotic lift trucks…
Should You Rent, Buy or Lease a Forklift?
Forklifts fulfill critical material handling applications each day by helping workers lift and move products and raw materials across varying applications, distances, and heights. Choosing the right forklift for your operation involves careful thought and consideration. After you determine what type of forklift you need, you still have a crucial decision to make — how…
End of Aisle to Outbound Staging
Inside a warehouse, material needs to be removed from racking and be brought to some form of outbound staging areas. This is done with reach trucks not only taking pallets from height but then doing long distance horizontal transport or reach trucks placing product in a local staging area where another manual operator does the…
