Robotics increase performance, reduce labor: handling products from single or multiple lines,...

The end of the manufacturing process line is the point in material handling where bottlenecks must not occur. There's a misconception that because it's the end of the line, the flow of material can stop. The flow does not (or should not) stop until the product is out the door.

Industrial robot sales, in general, are lagging previous years. There is, however, some encouraging information for the material handling sector, according to Donald A. Vincent, executive vice president, Robotics Industries Association (RIA).

"It's clear that the robotics market contin