Automation (CONT’D FROM PAGE 30)
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Connell: Great points, Dennis do you want to add to that? Wood: Automation is not a replacement for leadership, you cannot automate good leadership. I think Bill Gates said that if you automate an efficient process, you enhance the process. But if you automate an inefficient process, you expose your inefficiencies. And so, leadership, good box makers, those are key to capitalizing on the automation. Connell: Keith, any processes in your operation that can- not be automated? Thomas: The operators that will need to maintain the au- tomation equipment and we’ll probably need to add an automation engineer or automation technician that real- ly understands the programming as well. That’s another thing the automation I feel brings into it as a whole other programming layer that’s interfacing technologies that our normal technicians aren't used to with laser sensors and camera sensors and vision and so forth. Connell: In terms of your hand automation, is it more like what we talked about with our cobot welders? Thomas: Yes, that’s the hope with our packing line. We’re spotting lines where we're putting the boxes on the racks, those robots, they’re doing a pick and place operation, which is pretty well dialed in. This new era that we’re com- ing up to, and we're ready to order our equipment in about two weeks, is of putting cotton in boxes, putting lids on boxes, putting those boxes into a master carton. There’s not something out there that does that, we're really start- ing from scratch with that so I’m kind of holding my breath. I'm hoping I’m here next year to tell you all how it went, but that's where I would be with that. Connell: Those tasks that you have to do manually, all that specialty stuff that cannot be automated, is that your inde- pendent advantage when you look at your competitors or are they having to do things the exact same way? Thomas: Well for us, we’re looking at it the opposite way. We’re looking at it more that by automating these manu- al processes, it’s something our competitors are going to have a tough time catching up to us. Connell: Anybody else have anything to add to that? Cohen: I would say I agree. For us, and I think it depends on the independent in the room, because each business is unique, but for us we want to do as little manual interven- tion as possible. It’s just a different mindset.
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator.
AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com
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BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com
hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
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Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
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Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
Wood: One of the things I learned going down this road
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32 October 16, 2023
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