Keep it simple plea
Keep automation simple and reap the rewards, says Toyota Material Handling. The company has a team to advise on automation in warehouse and production facilities.
It urges manufacturers to remember that high efficiency doesn't necessarily need full automation.
A key concept for any project is to keep it simple and modular: automation does not need to be applied to the whole process. Target the solutions appropriately, by identifying the processes which would bring most benefit from automation. Next, take a fresh look at the entire operation and be prepared to examine new solutions for old problems. And finally, think small, says Toyota. You may only need one LGV or two aisles of rack and a shuttle to achieve the desired result – these don't need to be major capital projects.
