KNOWLEDGE Supply chain optimisation
Brian Cook, Senior Product Manager, Conductix-Wampfler, says there are three ways to optimise your supply chain with overhead crane systems.
L Brian Cook
ike most industries, manufacturing has felt the weight of supply chain disruptions and challenges over the past two years. From
product delays, like copper and electronics, to labor shortage issues, the industry has been charged with rethinking supply chain processes and how to leverage technology and automation. As a result, industry experts are seeing a partial recovery, meaning that while there are still problems with product orders, the supply chain is experiencing more consistent and reliable lead times for large- scale projects.
For those working in manufacturing warehouses and facilities, overhead crane systems fall into that “technology and automation” category, and those who have learned to utilize them effectively have seen a significant impact on operational processes. Specifically, there are three ways overhead cranes can help streamline and strengthen supply chain operations as part of an overarching modernization strategy.
1. Increasing operational efficiency To successfully boost supply chain processes with overhead crane systems, it is important to prioritize efficiency and throughput. This starts with ensuring your warehouse or facility is a safe working environment. Roughly 300 deaths occurred from 2011-2017 due to crane-related
Regularly scheduled check-ups are vital.
accidents. By upgrading your overhead cranes with modern safety features like collision avoidance systems or automated sensors, you can ensure that your employees are working under safer operating conditions. Moreover, with reduced risks of accidents or injuries comes less downtime and increased efficiency to keep projects moving forward.
Additionally, when considering efficiency, ensuring your equipment is in quality condition is crucial. Similar to safety considerations, when your equipment is run down or experiences high levels of wear and tear, the result can lead to downtime periods. Not only are your operations paused, but you run the risk of increased maintenance repair costs and loss in ROI. Consider implementing a predictive maintenance plan with regularly scheduled checkups to ensure you operate with secure, safe, and regulated technology.
2. Simplifying controls Another way to optimize your supply chain operation through overhead crane systems is to adopt simplified controls. Depending on your business, this might mean using radio remote control systems instead of pendant pushbuttons or fixed control stations and cabs. Radio remotes allow users to control cranes from anywhere around the load, providing opportunities for more movement and
32 | Spring 2024 |
www.ochmagazine.com
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