Making the most of your next change
Automation systems are designed to improve efficiency, capacity and productivity. But as businesses grow, relocate or change the way they operate, there can come a time when an existing system is no longer suitable for the operation.
Whether you’re moving to a new facility, upgrading your automation, changing your warehouse layout or simply removing equipment that is no longer required, professional decommissioning is an important part of the process.
Done correctly, decommissioning can minimise disruption, protect valuable equipment and help businesses make better use of their existing space and assets.
What does automation decommissioning involve?
Decommissioning an automation system involves much more than dismantling conveyors and removing equipment.
A professional approach can include:
- Meticulous planning to ensure hardware is removed safely and with minimum disruption
- Safely isolating and dismantling automation equipment
- Removing conveyors, sortation equipment, controls and associated hardware
- Planning the removal process to minimise disruption to ongoing operations
- Identifying equipment that can be relocated or reused
- Preparing equipment for transportation to another site
- Working with approved disposal or recycling routes where equipment is no longer required
- Removing redundant equipment to create additional operational space
- Supporting the installation of a replacement or upgraded system
Careful planning is essential, particularly where automation is integrated with other warehouse equipment, building infrastructure, WMS/WCS systems or electrical installations.
Relocating, reusing or replacing your automation
Not every decommissioned system needs to be scrapped.
In some cases, equipment can be carefully dismantled, transported and recommissioned at another facility, helping businesses make better use of existing assets.
In other situations, the equipment may have reached the end of its useful life or no longer provide the performance required. Professional removal and disposal can then ensure the old system is cleared efficiently and safely.
There is also another opportunity that businesses sometimes overlook: reconfiguring the same site.
A change in warehouse layout or operational requirements can create an opportunity to remove an existing system and replace it with a new, more efficient solution. By reviewing the available space and current processes, businesses can potentially improve material flow, increase capacity and make better use of their facility.
Decommissioning with the future in mind
The best decommissioning projects don’t simply focus on removing what is already there. They consider what needs to happen next.
For example, removing an outdated conveyor system could create the opportunity to:
- Improve the flow of products through the facility
- Release valuable floor space
- Increase storage capacity
- Reduce unnecessary product travel
- Introduce more effective automation
- Improve access for operators and maintenance teams
- Prepare the operation for future growth
This is why choosing a partner with experience across both decommissioning and automation installation can be valuable.
At CSL Automation, we have extensive experience professionally and efficiently decommissioning automation systems for our customers.
Our experience includes moving equipment to new sites, managing the disposal of equipment that is no longer required and removing existing systems to make way for new automation.
Where appropriate, we can also support customers with the design and installation of a new system on the same site. This provides an opportunity to reassess the operation, make better use of the available space and replace an inefficient or outdated system with a solution designed around current requirements.
As an independent systems integrator, we can look at the operation as a whole rather than simply replacing equipment on a like-for-like basis.
Planning your next change?
Decommissioning doesn’t have to be a disruptive end to an automation system. With the right planning and expertise, it can be the first step towards a more efficient operation.
Whether you are relocating equipment, disposing of redundant automation or looking to replace an existing system with a more efficient solution, CSL Automation can help you plan and manage the process from start to finish.
Talk to CSL Automation about your next automation decommissioning project.
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Thank you for your interest in CSL Automation. As one of the UK’s leading conveyor and automation integrators, we can help maintain your automation system.
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