ProMat 2023 primed for return to Chicago

Solutions Community

Latest & Greatest advances @ ProMat in 25 minutes
MHI’s Solutions Community is presenting the “Latest & Greatest” products and services you will find at ProMat. Every facet of warehouse operations is represented by the Solutions Community members. A cheat sheet with products, company and booth numbers will be handed out to all attendees to help assure you maximize your ProMat exhibition time. From robots to conveyor to components and software, the full gamut of technologies will be represented.

12:00 p.m., Theater G

EASE (Ergonomic Assist Systems & Equipment)

Maximize workplace safety and minimize risk: Ask an ergonomist
Workplace safety almost always includes a healthy dose of ergonomics, particularly when it involves manual material handling. This unique interactive panel hosted by the EASE (Ergonomics Assist Systems & Equipment) Council will be a focused Q&A with ergonomic experts that will cover ergonomic best practices related to workplace and supply chain safety.

12:45 p.m., Theater H

SMA (Storage Manufacturers Association)

The new SMA standards and S-Mark Certification Program along with best practices that can help mitigate risk
With an increased industry focus on e-commerce, micro-fulfillment and last-mile delivery, shelving and work platforms have become a crucial part of efficient facility operations. The new SMA standards highlight best practices, are a key component to ensuring safety, and will help you prepare your facility for major upcoming changes that apply to boltless shelving and work platform systems.

1:30 p.m., Theater I

MAG (Mobile Automation Group)

High-flying automation: How to maximize vertical storage
This seminar will discuss use cases for different automated compact storage concepts, such as automated very narrow aisle turret truck (AutoVNA), automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and 3D shuttle systems. All three storage concepts have in common that if combined with AI for storage strategies and inventory management the physical material flow level and the digital control level will be at peak performance for today’s challenging times.

3:00 p.m., Theater G

TRG (The Robotics Group)

The importance of risk assessments in automation
Goal of the panel is to discuss, identify and explore plans for mitigating risks when deploying automation. What automation risks should companies be aware of? How do you develop a risk mitigation strategy for automation? How can you be successful implementing and maintaining a risk mitigation strategy? Where is the future of risk management headed with respect to automation?

3:45 p.m., Theater H

CSS (Conveyor and Sortation Systems)

Adoption of automated conveyance and sortation systems
This moderated panel session will share insight, learnings and mistakes in projects focused on ROI outcomes. In addition, how that differs from the business case at hand. ROI goes beyond the efficiency gain. How will the outcomes allow the organization to be different or better than they were before that will allow them to grow? Join us for this interactive session where customers and consultants will share their automation transformation experiences.

10:30 a.m., Theater G

SLAM (Scan | Label | Apply | Manifest)

The business case for SLAM systems in fulfillment centers
Members of MHI’s SLAM Industry Group discuss the business case for optimizing the last 100 feet of the warehouses, fulfillment, and distribution centers. With advances in high-tech robotics and smart systems being developed and implemented upstream in fulfillment centers, it is important that you don’t lose sight of optimizing the end of the process so bottlenecks don’t get diverted to and accumulate at the end of the process—the last 100 feet. Learn what pain points and problems a SLAM system can solve, what the hidden benefits of a SLAM system are, and what kind of ROI you can expect.

12:00 p.m., Theater I

ASRS (Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems)

Reality check: How ASRS assists in the digitization of the supply chain
Panel Discussion: The fragility of many supply chains was brutally exposed during the outbreak of the pandemic: poor visibility, lack of information, lengthy lead times, missing inventory, lack of manpower, over corrections, and the list goes on. Robotics, goods-to-person technologies, wearable devices, sensors, algorithm optimization, and data analytics have become commonplace logistics assets enhancing operational efficiency and significantly impacting customer experience and the day-to-day job of the logistics operator. The more successful supply chains are deploying solutions that can be both easily scaled and globally aligned through digitization. ASRS is such a solution and is playing an ever-increasing role in the digitization of the supply chain, and thanks to its reputation for optimization of space, time and cost.

1:30 p.m., Theater G

ProGMA (Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association)

5 common hazards to people, products & facilities: How proper protective guarding can help mitigate risk
ProGMA is leading the safety industry by pioneering safety standards including the new ANSI guardrail standard MH31.2-2021, which is now a key factor in promoting safety and preventing injury in your facility. Join us as we discuss this standard, how to minimize risk and injury through proper protective guarding, and guarding solutions to prevent rack damage.

2:15 p.m., Theater H

RMI (Rack Manufacturers Institute)

Storage rack safety 101
The safe use of a storage rack system is key to the productivity of a warehouse. We discuss the resources available from the Rack Manufacturers Institute that can be used to design and implement a safe rack system. We discuss the inspections necessary in maintaining a safe rack system. We discuss how to assess rack damage and how to make a repair or replace decision.

3:00 p.m., Theater I

TRG (The Robotics Group)

What’s possible now in warehouse robotics
Warehousing and distribution thought leaders will discuss what’s new and what is needed to tap into the immense value that both people and technology bring to their supply chain performance, how robots (working in harmony with the human factor) can deliver labor savings and what innovative automation means for the future of work. You will hear from a variety of industry experts, including AMR (autonomous mobile robots), pick and place (robot arm), and warehouse drone providers. Participants will take away an action plan on how to define a successful project and get started with these new technologies. Case study examples will be used to illustrate what went right and what could be done differently next time.

4:15 p.m., Robotics Theater

TRG (The Robotics Group)

Tracking project ROI
This moderated panel session will share insight, learnings and mistakes on projects focused on ROI outcomes. In addition, how that differs from the business case at hand. ROI goes beyond the efficiency gain. How will the outcomes allow the organization to be different or better than they were before that will allow them to grow? Join us for this interactive session where customers and consultants will share their automation transformation experiences.

10:15 a.m., Robotics Theater

Advanced Energy Council

Integrated lithium battery in MHE: types, standards, and benefits
“Before a valid debate can be made for any direction of lithium power, we should speak a common language, thus adopting some standard terminology associated with this evolution and exploring the history and possible future of Chassis Integrated, CAN Integrated and Drop-In batteries. In this collaborative forum, you can participate in establishing the language and comparing the pros and cons of available options of battery integration in the ever-changing material handling landscape.

10:30 a.m., Theater G

RMI (Rack Manufacturers Institute)

Planning your rack system: traditional and e-commerce
As e-commerce becomes the norm in warehousing and distribution, the need to adapt storage and retrieval systems is imminent. RMI industry experts will share how rack system designs are changing to meet the requirements in the e-commerce world.

11:15 a.m., Theater H

Solutions Community

Condition monitoring and reliability: foundations of a new frontier
The Condition Monitoring & Reliability Committee will share lessons from real industry experiences—both painful lessons and shining successes when seeking to transform your business with condition monitoring. You can expect to learn about fundamentals of a condition monitoring solution and how it can address common failure modes for materials handling equipment. You will also learn how to build a business case to start your journey by evaluating your potential to lower costs with increased reliability.

12:00 p.m., Theater I

TRG (The Robotics Group)

Integrating in workflows
Integrating workflows in your operations is a critical task—and can make or break your facility. But have you considered all the aspects that impact your operations at an enterprise level? On this panel we will discuss integrating robotics with humans and other standard automation including utilizing multiple robots and automation, a variety of use-cases such as picking and putaway, and more.

2:15 p.m., Theater G

CSS (Conveyor and Sortation Systems)

Machine & operational safety for conveyors
In this seminar, you will gain an understanding of safety component technologies and systems, the major regulatory directives for machine safety, and best practices for streamlining your operations for high productivity. This panel of experts will share the optimal practices and processes to guide users to safe & functional implementation of their conveyance and sortation systems.

3:00 p.m., Theater H