These days, to remain competitive businesses need to take advantage of new innovations and technologies to reduce their costs and increase their productivity. One way of achieving this is to automate repetitive tasks so that your staff can focus on other work. Developments in technology and robotics means that battery handling is an ideal activity for increasing your efficiency through automation.
Here are some ways you can save costs with an automated battery handling system.
- Reduced Manual Time
The time it takes for your staff to manually remove a forklift battery and exchange it for one that is fully charged can be easily reduced by using an automated system. If we assume that two staff spend 15 minutes changing a battery, the automated system can reduce this to three minutes, and there are 10 battery changes in a shift, you’ll gain an extra two hours every shift for your staff to focus on other work. Over time, this can lead to significant labour savings.
- Reduced Staff Injuries
Every time an employee has to perform a manual handling operation, there is a risk of injury. This is particularly true for battery handling, as batteries are extremely heavy and the load will need to be maneuvered into place. An automated system removes this risk to your staff, decreasing staff downtime and potential Workers’ Compensation claims.
- Increased Output
A by-product of the increased efficiency that an automated battery extractor brings is increased output from your operations. Whether you are unloading pallets or other functions, the time saved with an automated battery changing system means that more work can be done in the same shift. This lowers your overall operating costs, saving you money.
- Reduced Plant Downtime
Finally, using an automated changing system gives you reliable and consistent battery attachment, so that there is less downtime from having to stop and adjust the battery. Some manufacturers also have certain maintenance tasks that can be done at the same time as the battery change, making the most of the time that your plant is out of action. And by removing the operator from the changing process, equipment is less likely to be damaged, saving you not just the plant downtime but also the cost of repairs.
What types of automated systems are available?
If you are thinking about using an automated battery transfer cart, there are fully automatic systems as well as semi-automatic, man-aboard systems depending on your needs.
Fully automatic systems—such as the Battery Bull Electric—have a user compartment and controls to allow for manual override if required. For smaller operations, the Mini Auto Changer is a great option for an automated battery change system.
Start Saving Today
If you’re interested in making your processes more lean and efficient, an automated battery change system is an easy way to start introducing automation into your warehouse. The cost savings that you’ll make will soon pay for the initial investment, as well as keeping your staff safe and happy.