Industrial facilities of all types face workflow bottlenecks that hamper productivity and slow key processes. Whether the obstacles lie in production, quality control, materials handling, or supply chain management, targeted industrial automation solutions promise breakthrough improvements.

As Pacific Blue Engineering has shown over its 20-year history of successful implementations, today’s industrial automation technologies deliver dramatic gains by streamlining workflows from start to finish.

Streamlining Core Production Processes

The right industrial automation solution directly addresses two specific challenges in core production processes—rigid mechanization that limits output and lack of connectivity that results in data and visibility gaps. Powerful technologies like robotics, conveyor systems, sensors, and data analytics integrate to optimize workflows by flexibly adapting to product changes while capturing nuanced process data. The latter enables analytics-driven insights for continual refinement.

For example, custom automated assembly lines incorporate leading-edge robotics with smart conveyors and quality assurance cameras. Production managers gain extraordinary production visibility to keep high-mix assembly humming along smoothly and catch errors early. Introducing this industrial automation solution dramatically increased output for a medical device maker and improved quality control-together delivering significant annual savings.

Monitoring and Managing Material Flows

Industrial automation solutions smoothly orchestrate complex workflows for moving materials—from raw ingredients arriving at food processors to sub-assemblies traversing large-scale manufacturing plants. Intelligent conveyor networks avoid interruption and bottlenecks to optimize material flows, while integrated sensors and controls provide end-to-end visibility.

Additionally, automated storage and retrieval systems deliver materials on demand to streamline operations. This precision in planning, adapting, and monitoring material flow translates directly into greater agility, plant throughput, and capital efficiency.

As an example, an automated material handling solution with automated guided vehicles (AGVs), automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and integrated software controls for a chemicals distributor could address critical previous challenges with inefficient truck loading/unloading and inventory management. The automation would result in less wait time at truck docks, warehouse space savings, and software dashboards delivering full visibility. Overall operational costs decline while productivity improves, adding profit right to the bottom line.

Revolutionizing Quality Assurance Processes

Without hyper-efficient automation technologies, quality assurance creates a tedious chokepoint prone to human oversight, unnecessary scrappage, and delays between the production and shipping of finished goods.

Industrial automation solutions can fuse robotics, machine vision, sensors, and software analytics into integrated quality assurance automation. Machines meticulously perform tasks humans cannot while eliminating human inspection errors.

Automated visual checks identify microscopic defects. Automated controls quickly adapt processes when deviations occur, minimizing discard volumes. This real-time detection and correction when issues arise (rather than afterward) keeps yield and throughput high.

Pacific Blue Engineering undertakes full-fledged quality automation projects as well as targeted assistance through supplying advanced controls engineering.

Industrial Automation Solutions Drive Workplace Safety Improvements

Amid seeking dramatic workflow improvements, industrial automation also promises vital gains for workplace safety. By taking operators and employees out of dangerous situations and reducing direct contact with hazardous equipment or materials, customized industrial automation solutions mitigate safety risks.

Automated machines strictly adhere to precise programmed instructions without succumbing to the fatigue or distractions leading to human errors. Integrated sensors add further protection to minimize potential machine failures and accidents. Additionally, ergonomic risks like repetitive heavy lifting are removed through material handling automation.

As a result of these multilayered safety mechanisms plus reducing site injuries and illnesses, many companies experience significant reductions in insurance costs. The benefits cascade both operationally and financially from strategic industrial automation implementations.

Ultimately, people remain a facility’s most important asset, and improving their safety through increased automation is a worthwhile investment.

Industrial Automation Solutions are a Path to Breakthrough Performance Gains

Innovative industrial automation solutions directly address today’s urgent needs for optimized productivity, flexibility, and process improvements.

As a full-service specialist in controls engineering, Pacific Blue Engineering delivers customized solutions matching each client’s most critical requirements, from production and materials handling to quality control. From breakthrough ideas to smooth ongoing optimization, Pacific Blue Engineering promises transformative automation solutions for workflows posing the biggest obstacles.

Revolutionize your workflow. Contact Pacific Blue Engineering today at (657) 201-8603 or request a consultation online.