by Sky Goller

If you’re considering introducing industrial robots into your production line, it is a good idea to examine all the advantages and disadvantages they will bring to your company. Industrial robots increase the efficiency of your production process because; there are endless amounts of tasks and functions they can be programmed to carry out. Robots have a higher accuracy level which allows them to achieve higher quality products while using a fraction of the time and resources that humans in your production line would. Continue reading →

by Yesenia Vasquez

Who knew all those old robot movies would end up having some truth to them? Technology continues to advance with each day that passes and robotic tech continues growing. Collaborative robot arms are in style just like ripped jeans, but why are they so helpful?

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1. What is your automation goal?

People come to us with many reasons to automate. The most common reasons our customers bring to us is improved productivity, improved quality, reduced scrap, safety, and much more. A clearly defined and communicated goal prior to project launch will help ensure success before dollar one is spent. All too often we are brought in to fix a competitor’s solution where goals weren’t defined early enough, leading to disappointment and sometimes failure to execute.

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Why develop and SQF compliant system?

The SQF (Safe Quality Food) Institute is recognized by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) which gives companies the recognition they need to supply products to leading manufacturers and retailers worldwide. More and more food processors and food packaging manufacturers recognize the importance of becoming SQF certified to meet customer demands and to stay competitive
in the marketplace. To become certified:

• Facilities must verify and validate the existing compressed air used is clean and free of any contamination that could harm the food or consumer.

• In situations where compressed air comes into contact with food, either directly or indirectly, high efficiency filters must be in place at point-of-use.

• Facilities must have a preventative maintenance program in place to ensure proper filter maintenance as well as regularly testing compressed air to verify there is no bacteria present.

• When testing for bacteria, aseptic sample collection needs to be used. (Testing will be conducted either in-house or by contracted third party)

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piLIFT® SMART, a genuine breakthrough in vacuum lifting. Smarter, more energy-efficient, quieter, ergonomic by design, and utilizing the same principles of physics as all vacuum lifters, Piab’s piLIFT® SMART represents a paradigm shift as the market’s first Industry 4.0 ready vacuum lifter. piLIFT® SMART takes ergonomic vacuum lifting to a new and higher level, essential for meeting our customers’ needs and to ensure the continued development and success of their industries.

Smart data features based on internet connectivity enable Piab’s piLIFT® SMART vacuum lifter to deliver on the promises of Industry 4.0. Sensing and monitoring movements and responding quickly to user intentions, the user-friendly vacuum lifter will lift and weigh loads simultaneously, collect and log data, making process statistics and analyses immediately accessible to the user through web platform log-in.

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The new generation of modern consumer protection laws are becoming more comprehensive and all inclusive. As a result, the manufacturing industry is shifting safety and quality control focus from reactive damage control measures to proactive quality control implementations. It is widely recognized that most of these quality related issues arise due to faulty product or packaging, contamination or incorrect labelling.

We can all recall the many instances when companies have had to recall entire stock of food, medicine or electronic goods because they were unable to trace the cause and extent of fault for contamination. This not only causes unnecessary wastage but also deals a blow to the company reputation and consumer trust in the product, not to mention the losses to the consumer themselves.

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It can feel like a bad “case of the Mondays” all week, every week if the work environment just doesn’t work for employees. We have all experienced days that feel like we are pulled in different directions and can’t focus to get anything done. From cramped desks, to awkwardly positioned desk heights, the work environment can deeply impact everything from employee happiness to productivity and, ultimately, the bottom line.

At Brenner-Fiedler, we know our human resources are the most important resources we have. To combat the negative effects of an uncomfortable work environment – a cause of many work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)  -we created custom workstations using the trusted brand of aluminum extrusion we have used successfully in hundreds of builds – Maytec. This simple change made a world of difference. Continue reading →

Automation is a word still feared by many employees – but it shouldn’t be. Industrial automation technology decreases hard labor and improves safety while increasing productivity by as much as 2% annually. At Brenner-Fielder, we work with you to ensure you understand all of the things that automation can accomplish. Our highly trained staff partners with you to ensure you understand what industrial automation solutions are appropriate to your specified goals. Continue reading →

City of Riverside's Innovation Spotlight on Brenner-Fiedler

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[Transcript]

There’s been a lot of talk lately about keeping manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Brenner-Fiedler, a company based in Riverside, California says it’s doing just that by hiring engineering students from local colleges and universities and focusing on automation.

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The Facts

Cylinders vs. Generators

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