AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS AUTOMATION IS THE KEY TO
SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY MICROMOTORS POWER A GREENER SUPPLY CHAIN
T
he supply chain accounts for more than 90 per cent of most consumer goods companies’
environmental impact, according to McKinsey & Company. If it is to achieve Net Zero targets, the UK needs to make changes at every stage of its supply chains. Here, Dave Walsha, sales manager at precision drive system supplier EMS, explores the role of automation in creating a greener supply chain. Industry in the UK is no stranger to robots
— there are currently 101 of them installed per 10,000 employees. While most manufacturers are investing in automation to achieve increased productivity, efficiency and product quality, the potential benefits to sustainability are largely misunderstood. As industry in the UK attempts to reduce its carbon emissions by at least two-thirds by 2035, automation may be the answer it’s been searching for.
FINESSING PRODUCTION Robots can get to work right from the beginning of the supply chain in manufacturing facilities. Manufacturers can employ robots to undertake predictable, physical work, such as welding, food preparation and packaging. These repetitive tasks comprise the majority of manufacturing — around 59 per cent of production activities could be feasibly automated. When human workers undertake repetitive
tasks, attention to detail can slip and mistakes are made. Typically, the defective product must be discarded, contributing significantly to the waste produced by factories. Manufacturers who adopt automated production lines gain a high level of control over the assembly process, which minimises waste from defective goods and ensures customers receive a high-quality product. Additionally, automated equipment can be
28 JULY/AUGUST 2022 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
configured to perform tasks with high accuracy, demonstrating repeatability that is unmatched by human workers. For example, an automated dosing pump can supply the exact amount of materials, such as adhesives, lubricants or sealants, required to the target product area. This ensures that no material is wasted, improving sustainability as well as reducing cost.
ENERGY EFFICIENT WAREHOUSES Energy efficient warehouses Robots are also common within warehouses, with many facilities integrating some degree of automation. But to achieve ultimate efficiency, warehouse logistics must be fully automated. Complete end-to-end warehouse automation
has previously been hard to master, with lorry loading and unloading proving to be a sticking
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