IEN: Has mass customization come to the MH sector? How can vendors meet such demands?
Romaine: Remstar has embraced "mass customization" for decades. With the largest selection of types of AS/RS equipment, the most models, the most standard sizes and variations available in the world . . . which is why we have sold more AS/RS systems than most of our competitors combined.
We recognized long ago that every user has unique needs and requirements. From facility sizes, user requirements, different applications, etc. we have responded by designing MH systems and equipment that provide facilities with as much flexibility as possible while providing high manufacturing standards, fast delivery times (in as little as 10 days), quick installation, competitive pricing, and high levels of reliability.
IEN: How do MH vendors handle lean/agile manufacturing mandates?
Romaine: Carousels and VLMs are the definition of lean manufacturing. They provide fast and easy implementation, accurate savings projections on labor, space and operations efficiencies, plus an outstanding ROI (return on investment). Carousels and VLMs provide one of the highest ROI ratings of any equipment found in a facility. The need to create orderly, logical, and duplicable processes is the keystone of lean manufacturing, as is using carousels and VLMs.
Many facilities implement lean manufacturing to improve a process, but what happens when that process is improved, but not enough? For example, let''s say an initiative''s objectives might be to reduce employee sick time (due to injuries), increase productivity, and combine two cells into one to save space and increase efficiencies. These objectives would be analyzed and solutions discussed. Using shelving or drawer systems will only provide so much efficiency (they are limited to physics of bend, reach, and size) and for argument sake can improve a cell by 20%. When analyzing carousels and VLMs in the equation, you can find efficiencies that can hit up to 60% and greater. Now it is a business decision (return on investment and internal rate of return), which is the crux of lean manufacturing: improving facilities one cell at a time to provide the best rate of return possible.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users of MH vehicles, equipment, systems, components, materials, software, and services?
Romaine: We are seeing new MH equipment designed to provide higher levels of density, productivity, ergonomics, and flexibility (mass/personalized customization). Remstar''s new Shuttle XP Vertical Lift Module (to be announced and presented at Promat) is designed to improved vertical storage up to 80% by reducing clearances and tolerances to below half an inch, increasing productivity by having faster tray delivery times, increasing ergonomics by providing tray delivery to every user''s unique height and reach requirements, and increasing flexibility by having more tray sizes and unit heights, widths, and depths.
IEN: What are the R & D hot spots? Which ones are closest to commercialization?
Romaine: Shuttle XP VLM. Many other things are not yet ready for announcement.
IEN: Do you believe there is potential for RFID in material handling applications in the manufacturing, assembly, and/or processing space? Please explain.
Romaine: Yes, when the technology is there. Chips have to decline in cost while increasing in accuracy and reliability. This technology will have a major impact in 3-5 years in the small parts handling MH market. Today it is impacting the pallet MH market and touching on cases.
IEN: How do you cope with the pressure of evolving standards?
Romaine: We cope with the pressure of evolving standards by leading the process. Horizontal carousel safety standards ANSII MH24.1 is scheduled for final approval December 10, 2004. This is the first safety standard for carousels ever put in place. It reflects years of work by the Carousel & VLM group of MHIA. Its goal is to provide users of carousel systems the knowledge to have the most efficient and safest horizontal carousel system possible.