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Dive into the breakthroughs and industry trends that are redefining the future of robotics and automation
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Smarter Movement with Material Handling and Conveyor Automation
Today, many companies are shifting toward smarter material handling and conveyor automation. As production lines scale up, manual handling of materials becomes costly and error-prone. Material handling…
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The Realities of Reshoring: U.S. Manufacturers Narrow the Price Gap Thanks to Automation
Traditionally, China has been the go-to supplier for the lowest-priced parts. However, international tariffs, geopolitical instability, and supply chain disruptions are driving more companies to look for…
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How Specialized Robots are Driving Automotive Manufacturing
The automotive industry has been known for manufacturing efficiency and innovation since Henry Ford revolutionized the assembly line. Today, robotics have become the backbone of automotive manufacturing,…
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Wes-Tech Teams Up with Reshoring Initiative to Help Manufacturers Justify Reshoring with Automation
Buffalo Grove, IL – Nov. 5, 2024 – Geopolitical instability and other looming supply chain disruptors are pushing many companies to take a serious look at reshoring.…
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The Industrial Automation Advantage: Rising to Consumer Expectations in a Fast-Paced Market
Manufacturers of consumer goods are encountering higher consumer expectations than ever before and are turning to industrial automation to help them rise to the challenge of these…
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4 Use Cases for Machine Tending in Manufacturing
Machine tending is the process of using robots to automate tasks associated with operating industrial machines, such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, metal presses, plastics molding,…
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The Past, Present, and Future of Material Handling in Manufacturing
Material handling is a crucial aspect of modern industrial operations. It involves the movement, storage, and control of materials and products throughout the manufacturing process. Effective material…
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DFAA Strategies: Optimizing Product Design for Automated Assembly Success
Design for automated assembly (DFAA) is a strategic manufacturing approach that not only boosts efficiency but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of the…
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Advancing Automation: The Intersection of Machine Learning and Robotics
Machine learning (ML) and robotics are intersecting in a way that pushes the boundaries of what automated systems can do.
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5 Steps to Determine Factory Automation Readiness
The United States factory automation market is growing, and manufacturers now face an almost perpetual question about their factory automation readiness—whether to introduce or increase automation at their…
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How An Automotive OEM Found Multiple Solutions with Tech-Trak
When a Big Three U.S. automotive OEM needed an automation solution to address their changing manufacturing strategy, Wes-Tech delivered with Tech-Trak single-strand pallet conveyors plus the integration…
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What is Machine Vision? Applications and Trends You Should Know
The global machine vision industry is expected to reach a market value of $18.4 billion by 2028. As a robotics integrator, we’re particularly interested in the use…
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8 Key Criteria for Your Industrial Automation ROI Calculation
What are the top factors that drive return on investment for factory automation? Attaining production goals and minimizing operating process costs are the first—and sometimes only—criteria that…
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2024 Manufacturing Industry Trends: Outlook and Expectations
What does this year hold in store for manufacturers in the United States? The U.S. manufacturing industry could witness a transformation in 2024 as the sector embraces…
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Industrial Automation in 2023: A Year in Review
As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s look at the trends that shaped (and continue to shape) the industrial automation landscape. A few overarching movements characterized this…
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Discrete Manufacturers: Consider Reshoring with Industrial Automation
Does reshoring make sense for discrete manufacturers? Of course, it’s a nuanced question, but with advances in industrial automation, reshoring has become a realistic possibility for many…
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4 Ways Industrial Automation Helps Ensure the Die Casting Industry’s Success
Wes-Tech recently exhibited at the North American Die Casting Association’s Congress & Tabletop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As we’ve noted before, the die casting industry as a…
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Addressing the Die Casting Industry’s Labor Problem
As you may have heard, the die casting industry expects huge growth in the coming years. While this is exciting news, the industry will face significant challenges…
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Industrial Automation: A Viable Solution for Labor Shortages
The labor shortage crisis is real and widespread, and it’s not going away any time soon. The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) recently cited Deloitte Insight’s prediction…
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Solving the Puzzle: Supply Chain Strategies, Tech, and Automation
A recent article from Michigan State University asks some timely questions: We thought these were excellent questions, and so we thought we’d take a closer look. What…
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Factory Automation and Reshoring
All indications are that America’s industrial reshoring trend will accelerate through 2023 and beyond, and that reshoring’s financial justification will be driven in large part by factory…
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Adding Value through Automation: Increase your Manufacturing Throughput
Often, our customers’ primary focus for their automation investment is increasing their manufacturing throughput. But how do companies really achieve the most optimal throughput? The Wes-Tech team…
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Manufacturing Automation Trends in 2023: Reshoring
2023 is here, and as we discussed in our post on The Future of Manufacturing, manufacturers can gain an advantage through awareness of automation trends. By paying…
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Increase Your Efficiency with the Wes-Tech Gantry System
Efficiency within your space can lead to higher profitability and return on investment. At Wes-Tech, our proprietary products have been designed and developed to seamlessly integrate into your…
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The Future of Manufacturing
Industrial companies make products that shape our daily lives, such as clothing, food, and products used in the construction of the buildings and roads we use every…
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The Next Wave of Innovation through Manufacturing Automation
Manufacturers are increasingly benefiting from greater efficiency, reduced risk, and opportunities for innovation made available by the automation revolution. In addition, as we discussed in our recent…
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Flexible Tech-Trak® Conveyor Systems improve your ROI.
At Wes-Tech, we understand that maintaining flexibility in your production capabilities can be the difference that leads to success. That’s why we engineer equipment that can flex…
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Wes-Tech Solves Complex Manufacturing Challenges
Each time we work with a client, the Wes-Tech team starts by listening. While there are similarities across the industry, every manufacturing operation is unique, so we…
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Combating The Rising Cost of Labor
The last few years have introduced a number of variables, including a low unemployment rate, high consumer demand, high inflation, a skills shortage, an aging workforce, and…
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Conversation with an Expert: Design for Automated Assembly
Conversation with: Bill B.Topic: Design for Automated Assembly (DFAA) Traditionally, when it is time to design a new product, the Designers focus on the product itself and…
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Conversation with an Expert: Functional Safety Requirements
Conversation with: Matt D., Controls EngineerTopic: Functional Safety Requirements Safety has been on manufacturer’s minds since the Industrial Revolution, but ever since the U.S. Congress passed the…
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Conversation with an Expert: Simulation in Automation
Conversation with: Alex S., Mechanical EngineerTopic: Simulation in Automation We sat down with Alex, one of our expert Mechanical Engineers, to talk about simulation in the design…
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Best Practices for Manufacturing Productivity
For most manufacturers, increased productivity means increased profit. We recently read an article from Electrek titled “Tesla now operates the most productive car factory in the US,”…
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Driving Productivity
For most manufacturers, increased productivity means increased profit. We recently read an article from Electrek titled “Tesla now operates the most productive car factory in the US,”…
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Conversation With an Expert: Considerations for Robot EOAT Design
Conversation with: Tom M., Senior Mechanical Engineer & Alex W., Senior Controls Engineer – Considerations for Robot EOAT (end-of-arm tooling) Design With the integration of robotic equipment…
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Conversation with an Expert: Industrial Controls Architecture
Conversation with: Mike T., Electrical EngineerTopic: Industrial Controls Architecture In the current manufacturing environment, it has become increasingly possible through Industrial IoT (internet of things) and Industry…
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Conversation with an Expert: Data Exchange / MIS
Conversation with: Mike P., Controls Engineering ManagerTopic: Data Exchange / MIS As you know, in factories people and machines work together to reach production and bottom-line goals.…
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Conversation with an Expert: Communication Protocols for Automation Success
Conversation with Zach P., Controls EngineerTopic: Communication Protocols Proper communication protocols are critical to the success of your automation integration. Each piece of equipment in your factory…
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Delivering the Best Solution On Time, Every Time
The Wes-Tech team delivers custom-engineered solutions to solve your complex manufacturing challenges. Our 3-step process – Define, Develop, Deliver – ensures our team can help you get…
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Creative Problem Solving and Engineering Expertise, Right Where You Need It
The Wes-Tech team delivers custom-engineered solutions to solve your complex manufacturing challenges. Our 3-step process – Define, Develop, Deliver – ensures our team can help you get…
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Define the Problem to Find the Best Possible Solution, On Time and In Budget
The Wes-Tech team delivers custom engineered solutions to solve your complex manufacturing challenges. Our 3-step process – Define, Develop, Deliver – ensures our team can help you…
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5 Key Benefits to Manufacturing Automation
Now that we’ve been in the business of manufacturing automation for over 45 years, we’ve invented ways to introduce automation into almost any environment. We’ve seen trends…
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