Collaborative Robots

Manufacturing automation has been public since the 1970s. Advances in technology, including robotics, big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things have improved manufacturing process since then.

Collaborative robots (also called cobots) are far-reaching across the industry. Rather than take over for humans completely, cobots can work alongside them to improve efficiency and reduce hazards.

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Cloud Computing

Across “health care, Laboratory Information management systems (LIMS), hospitals, pharmaceuticals, drug discovery research & development”, automated platforms and applications cloud computing (computing on demand via the Internet) has become inescapable.

Its initial appeal has often been the huge capacity of outside data storage through file-sharing services that now include Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Amazon Web Services or Apple iCloud. But software as a service (SaaS) that no longer has to be locally installed is swiftly becoming an even more important part of cloud computing.

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Contract manufacturing companies perform an essential function in today’s globalized economy. They enable companies to focus on producing their core product while experts help to manufacture equipment to automate and simplify systems and process. And so, it’s important to choose the most qualified organization to help on your next project. (more…)

Ensuring universal accuracy throughout manufacturing and production is essential to your company. However, whenever the human element is involved, it can often result in variances of a final product.

Using visual and manual inspections in production may result in slight variations of a product, especially when multiple technicians and employees are involved.  To best avoid these variations within production, an automated Titration system is needed. (more…)

What is a LIMS System?
A laboratory information management system (LIMS), is a software-based solution with features that support a modern laboratory’s operations. Key features include sample management, stability studies, workflow management, sample tracking, and data quality support. The features and uses of a LIMS have evolved over the years from simple sample tracking to an enterprise resource planning tool that manages multiple aspects of laboratory informatics.
Historically the term “LIMS” has tended to refer to informatics systems targeted for environmental, research, or commercial analysis such as pharmaceutical or petrochemical work. “LIS” has tended to refer to laboratory informatics systems in the forensics and clinical markets, which often required special case management tools.

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Laboratory teams are continually looking for ways to better improve their productivity and maximize the long-term value of their testing work.  Many companies are now choosing laboratory automation solutions to boost their work and maximize the efficiency of their testing processes.  Our team at AB Controls has many years of experience building and integrating the latest laboratory automation solutions, and in this post (which is more up-to-date and revised version of an older popular post), we’ll explore more on their benefits and practical applications on : (more…)

Investopedia defines ROI as a performance measure for evaluating efficiency of an investment.

ROI = (Gain from Investment – Cost of Investment)/Cost of Investment.

However, I must say that this might be an oversimplification.

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After covering how automation can increase efficiency and decrease costs, we will now be looking at how automation can decrease injuries in factories, laboratories, and hospitals. According to a 1997 study titled “Cost of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses”, there were 13 million work related injuries that cost approximately $132 billion dollars. Although this number is down from 1992 it could still be reduced significantly.

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Being a company that specializes in Automation, AB Controls, Inc. realizes that there are many benefits to using automation in your laboratory, manufacturing plant, hospital, and etc. So over the next week and a half we are going to focus on three key topics surrounding automation, efficiency, repeatability, and injury prevention. This is part 1: How Automation Increases Efficiency and Decreases Costs.

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When I began this job a few months ago I found myself hearing the words pharmaceutical and biotech quite often.  Not a science person by any means, so these words didn’t mean too much.  I knew they referred to companies that deal with drugs but that was the extent of it.  I decided today that I was going to find out what those companies actually do and the difference, if any, between the two.

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