[Article]: Key Infrastructure Upgrades That Keep Automated Plants Running Smoothly

Whether you preemptively upgrade infrastructure for automated manufacturing or replace outdated equipment, modernizing your facility can improve production efficiency, worker comfort and throughput. Here are the types of enhancements that managers should consider and some of the best companies to source them from.

Key Infrastructure Upgrades for Plants

How new is your material handling infrastructure? Technology advances quickly. If the equipment and integrated control systems that unload, move, store and retrieve goods are more than a few years old, upgrading could be highly beneficial.

As you upgrade equipment, your factory’s electrical needs change. Utilities and power distribution equipment may not be exciting, but they’re mission-critical. New machinery often increases power demand and requires a different voltage, so you may need to replace your transformer. Medium voltage dry type transformers are ideal since they run clean and quietly.

While you’re at it, you should consider replacing the rest of your building systems. A simple upgrade can optimize your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, improving temperature control and indoor air quality.

Remote monitoring can help you keep an eye on the entire factory floor — even if you’re miles away. This infrastructure typically comprises Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors, data sharing protocols, cloud computing platforms and user-friendly dashboards.

Even if your operation is small, it takes a lot of computing power to run advanced technologies. Edge computing infrastructure, consisting of servers and platforms, ensures everything runs seamlessly and latency stays low. Preventing delays is essential when you rely on artificial intelligence decision-making or automated guided vehicles.

Where Can You Source These Solutions?

Here are the top five solutions providers you can rely on when upgrading your facility.

1. ELSCO Transformers

Founded in 1912, ELSCO Transformers has grown into the top manufacturer for medium voltage dry type transformers. Its catalog spans units from 500 to 3,750 kVA. Since it began building its own systems in 1988, it has had zero failures. In-stock Quick Ship units can be on their way to you within 24 hours, depending on your design modifications.

It builds every transformer with 100% copper windings because, compared to aluminum, copper is a superior conductor, handles short circuits better and lasts longer under stress. They often last beyond 35 years due to their exceptional build quality. That’s why new indoor dry types come with an industry-leading five-year warranty.

2. Trane

What started as a family plumbing business in 1885 has grown into a national company. Smart building solutions provider Trane offers whole-building solutions that can modernize your factory. Its precision engineers work with you to create designs that will deliver reliable performance for years to come.

The company offers intelligent controls with IIoT integration. The wireless sensors enable adaptive monitoring and control, remote access, and real-time visibility. Its air-handling units work in both harsh industrial environments and clean rooms. You can connect them to smart thermostats and building automation systems — even non-Trane equipment — for seamless integration.

3. JR Automation

Material handling solutions provider JR Automation provides sortation and classification, inventory management, palletizing and depalletizing, packaging, and storage and retrieval infrastructure for production lines and warehouses. It designs and produces custom equipment. 

Whether you need to prepare your factory for self-guided vehicles, pallet conveyors or collaborative robots, it can help you automate critical operations. Its seasoned engineers conceptualize, design, build, program and install solutions for nearly every application, including food and beverage or aerospace. 

4. RACO

Established in 1948, RACO has spent decades refining its remote monitoring, real-time reporting and data-logging solutions. Its systems have collectively monitored facilities worldwide for over 5 trillion hours. This company takes build quality seriously. One of its oldest known units has been operational for over three decades. 

RACO’s hardware and software are highly modular and customizable. Tailoring them to your needs makes implementation easier. Whether you install a PLC-integrated alarm or a cloud-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, the cost is a fraction of that of traditional SCADA. 

5. MachineMetrics 

The IoT Edge Platform from MachineMetrics provides end-to-end visibility, eliminating blind spots and guesswork from operations. You can sync your floor data with your enterprise resource planning software or advanced planning and scheduling platform to keep all mission-critical insights in one place. 

Like the other companies on this list, this business doesn’t use proprietary parts to make things more complicated. Its platform can connect to any make and model of equipment right out of the box. It is fully configurable with custom workflows and reports. It even has open APIs, which support advanced use cases.

Why Were These Suppliers Chosen?

These solutions providers were selected because they have the expertise, skills and passion that others don’t. It’s not enough to source an off-the-shelf infrastructure upgrade — you need to do business with a company that has your best interests at heart.

These companies use high-quality materials and design with industry standards in mind. That’s why so many have technology that’s still operational after decades in the field. If you run into technical issues, they have U.S.-based support staff standing by. Some even provide emergency replacement services.

Many of these automated manufacturing infrastructure options use nonproprietary parts and can integrate seamlessly with other equipment, so you aren’t locked into using a single vendor. This makes scaling much easier — and your future self will thank you.

These suppliers offer the best infrastructure upgrades for automated plants, from medium voltage dry type transformers to edge computing platforms.

Steps to Select a Trustworthy Supplier

Performing due diligence ensures you select a reputable solutions provider. It also helps you decide which company aligns with your facility's needs and budget.

Assess Supplier Qualifications

Their qualifications demonstrate their skills, experience and credentials:

• Certifications tell you an independent third party has verified their claims.
• If they have a large service area, they can support you as you scale and expand.
• A fast turnaround time ensures products ship quickly, minimizing downtime.

Gauge Engineering Expertise

You can gauge engineering expertise by assessing material and build quality:

• Equipment built with high-quality materials helps ensure a long service life.
• If their solutions outlast their competitors’ products, you know they prioritize quality.
• Their products should be durable, wear-resistant and defect-free.

Evaluate Technical Capabilities

Evaluate their technical capabilities by reviewing research, development and testing:

• They should employ senior engineers with extensive technical experience.
• If they can build custom or modular equipment, you know their expertise is extensive.
• The best suppliers design and manufacture their own solutions.

FAQs About Key Infrastructure Upgrades

Before approving infrastructure upgrades, you need to answer several questions to make decision-making more straightforward.

What Is the Acceptable Downtime Window for Installation?

Your downtime window for installation will differ depending on whether you retrofit a transformer, replace material-handling systems or transfer data to the cloud. Set an acceptable time frame, giving yourself some room for error.

Are the Upgrades Compatible With Existing Infrastructure?

There is no “it should work” in this field. If you’re wrong, you could face an expensive equipment failure and unexpected downtime. Ensure upgrades are compatible with your existing systems.

How Easy Will It Be to Train Operators and Technicians?

Getting used to new infrastructure can take time. Depending on what solution you deploy, you may need to retrain operators and technicians. Make sure to wrap up training before installation. Otherwise, you may experience hiccups during operation.

Will Spare Parts Be Readily Available and Arrive Quickly?

Whether you install a medium voltage dry type transformer or a cloud-based SCADA, you may eventually need replacement parts. If you can’t get them from the original supplier, you’ll have to have an alternative vendor in your back pocket.

Looking to the Future of Your Upgraded Facility

Sourcing infrastructure for automated manufacturing doesn’t have to be challenging — you don’t have to put off important work to sort through low-quality providers. These five suppliers can deliver reliable, high-quality solutions tailored to your needs.