Category: MIM

MIM Group to Participate in Madrid’s Major Trade Shows: Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics & Automation

MIM Group is pleased to announce its participation in two of the most important events of the year in Madrid: Advanced Manufacturing (November 20-21) and Logistics & Automation (November 27-28), both at the IFEMA trade fair center.

Advanced Manufacturing: The Future of Industry 4.0

Advanced Manufacturing is the event that brings together pioneers in advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0. MIM Group will present its latest innovations in advanced manufacturing, demonstrating how its solutions can transform the efficiency and productivity of industrial operations. This trade show provides an opportunity to connect with other industry leaders, explore new technologies, and strengthen strategic alliances.

Logistics & Automation: Innovation in the Supply Chain

Logistics & Automation is the must-attend event for everyone involved in logistics and supply chain automation. MIM Group will be present to showcase its advanced logistics solutions that optimize every stage of the process. Your participation in this trade show is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how your innovative technologies can take logistics efficiency to new levels.

These trade shows represent an invaluable platform for MIM Group, allowing them to highlight their commitment to innovation and excellence in the industry.

Less than a month ago, we were in the middle of the SIL Barcelona 2023 trade fair, held on June 7, 8, and 9, where more than 400 companies exhibited and attracted 15,000 visitors.

It was three days full of knowledge, meetings, and reunions, where we once again participated as exhibitors. Our stand featured a giant screen where, through explanatory videos, we showed visitors and other exhibitors the different 360º services we provide in our holding company for the industry.

This was a very special edition, as it was the 25th edition of SIL, and this is precisely the fair where MIM Group has participated the most times, and the one that has seen us grow over the 20 years we have been offering intralogistics and maintenance solutions. Visitors’ attendance and curiosity at the stand were notable, as they showed interest in the optimization of industrial maintenance and the control of all preventive and corrective machinery operations. These were three highly effective days at the SIL Barcelona trade show.

To conclude the last day of the trade show, we decided to dedicate the last few hours of the event to a jazz concert at our stand, which was very enjoyable for everyone.

In the coming months, we’ll be taking a break from trade shows, but we’ll be back with a lot of energy and enthusiasm for Logistics & Automation Madrid 2023, which will take place on November 29th and 30th.

As you may know, we exhibited at the SIL trade show in Barcelona on June 7th and 9th. To commemorate our participation, we appeared in the newspaper La Vanguardia on Wednesday, June 7th. There was a special section dedicated to SIL, and the interview with Mr. Medir Lecha Puig, CEO and Founder of MIM Group, was available inside. The newspaper was available for purchase at any newsstand and was distributed at the entrance to the event on Wednesday, June 8th. The interview was also published digitally on La Vanguardia’s website.

In it, Medir talks about the beginnings of MIM Group and how the company evolved from just five employees to the more than 300 that make up the holding company today. It also discusses some of the 4.0 technologies that our technicians use daily in the logistics centers where we serve our customers.

What indicators do clients use to measure you, and how do they help you become more efficient? How does a 360-degree approach work?

Medir Lecha answers these questions and many more. In this post, we’ve summarized what you can find in the interview, but to read it in full, please click the link below.

READ INTERVIEW

Team Building activities are coming to MIM!

This July, the HR department launched its “Team Building” activities.

Currently, we have more than 300 employees at MIM, and we aim to grow as a company and as a team. We are interested in ensuring that our work goes well as a company, but we also care about ensuring that the human value that underpins MIM is known outside of the workplace so we can generate new synergies among all of us.

For this first Team Building event, we decided to hold a cooking workshop specializing in rice and paella dishes. The goal was for all participants to help each other prepare three different types of rice dishes, always with the assistance of Chef Xesco. The positive thing we took away from this team building was the teamwork and the fact that everyone was pulling in the same direction to achieve a common goal.

The Upcoming Rise of Drones in Logistics Plant Maintenance and Automation

What is a Drone?

A drone, or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), is a small aerial vehicle piloted and controlled remotely by radio control. Its name comes from the English word “drone,” which means male bee. For a few years now, drones have been testing and are being used in warehouses and logistics plants, such as collaborative robotics and 4.0 technology.

Although some parcel delivery companies have been testing and implementing drones for more than five years, many aspects are still in the development and improvement phase. Currently, drones are not capable of handling all the logistics needs of a company. Currently, they are quite fragile, and their transport capacity is limited depending on the weight and dimensions of the package to be transported. There is also an open issue regarding the legal and legislative framework for their use.

What applications can they be used for?

Predictive Tool

Among the different technologies that can be incorporated, a thermal imaging camera can be installed. This camera can fly over the facilities and detect hot spots at risk of failure. These cameras, using GPS, can send the exact location of the equipment to the system for a more thorough inspection.

Goods to Person

Companies in the automotive sector have begun using this technology for internal transportation in production plants, and its use is similar to that of an AMR or AGV. This action reduces time and is performed autonomously, although always supervised by a pilot.

Surveillance Systems

This technology is used to maintain the security of large logistics areas such as warehouses, logistics plants, and factories. They have a greater field of view than conventional video surveillance cameras because drones can be constantly moving and not static in a specific location. Furthermore, they can access hard-to-reach places.

Warehouse Stock Management

These drones can communicate with warehouse management software (WMS) and are capable of recording and reading barcodes. They also capture real-time images of the location of the read package, allowing them to detect products in incorrect locations, access hard-to-reach shelves, and perform inventory checks.

Additional Implementations for Multiple Functionality

In addition, they can be equipped with technological accessories to perform specific functions and obtain technical results from a specific field.

GPS (Global Positioning System) To know the location of each drone in the fleet at all times and monitor its route.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)/Barcode and QR code readers. Allows for recognizing codes to identify equipment or merchandise and provides support in the WMS with items in difficult locations.
Motion sensors. To recognize structures, objects, and people, thus avoiding potential workplace accidents.
Thermal imaging cameras. To take infrared photographs and analyze the status of hard-to-reach machinery and equipment to perform predictive maintenance.
What can it contribute to logistics?

Time savings
Increased production
Reduces workplace accidents
Better stock control
As maintenance evolves, new innovations and technologies are emerging to achieve faster, more precise, and more efficient maintenance. Drones are one of these new solutions that are just beginning to be introduced in the industry, and there is still a long way to go to fully realize their potential and solutions for industrial maintenance.

What is Big Data Analytics?

Big Data is a huge volume of data from multiple devices, which can be grouped, examined, and evaluated to obtain information to improve the efficiency of business operations.

Different Types of Big Data

Within the vast field of Big Data, we can find five values that demonstrate the versatility of the data used and the difficulty of processing and transforming it into relevant information for a company’s decision-making.

Volume
This data comes from the different devices linked to the logistics plant, and the data is generated automatically, which means analyzing a very large volume.

Variety
Currently, there are a wide variety of technological devices that are used, either wholly or partially, in the work environment, so their origins are very diverse. Social media, smartphones, bank transactions, etc.

Accuracy
With a large amount of data from different sources, a significant percentage of it arrives incomplete or incorrect, so its accuracy must be reviewed.

Speed
It must be taken into account that, with today’s high level of technology and the large number of devices, data is generated at an unimaginable speed, so its relevance tends to be perishable, with the rapid emergence of new data.

Value
Once the data has been collected and converted into information, it has significant value for companies that leverage it to improve their business strategy and stand out from the competition.

Where can we get the information from?

GPS

With geolocation, we can have a tracking history of the internal fleet (AGV/AMR, forklifts, etc.) and external fleet (trucks, containers, etc.), and with the extracted data, we can understand its efficiency and potential improved procedural routes.

RFID

With sensors, we can obtain data on the various processes and operations performed by different industrial equipment and even know how long a package has been in the logistics plant, allowing us to establish more efficient routes.

CMMS

With the various information entered into the software, data can be extracted and analyzed to prevent breakdowns and schedule preventive maintenance actions.

WMS

It is used to control warehouse management, and thanks to this software, we have data that helps us understand the stock in the warehouse, as well as its location, records of incoming and outgoing goods, etc.

CRM

With the data extracted from the CRM, we can gather customer information and predict demand, as well as understand their needs and improve products or services to increase sales.

With Big Data analytics, companies can improve their business strategies with better process management and efficiency.

MIM GROUP RETURNS TO LOGISTICS&AUTOMATION 2022

Once again, MIM Group will be participating in the Logistics&Automation 2023 trade fair. The event will take place on November 29th and 30th in Hall 7 of IFEMA in Madrid.

The Logistics&Automations trade fair is one of the largest meeting points for logistics professionals in Spain, encompassing four sectors: Warehousing and Equipment, Intralogistics and Supply Chain, Robotics and Automation, and Traceability and Services.

MIM Group will have a demo space where we will showcase some of our projects for intralogistics and e-commerce automation. Later, we will update you with information and news about this year’s MIM Group at this important trade fair.

If you are interested in visiting us, you can register for free using the button below.

GET A TICKET

And if you can’t wait until the fair to learn about our services and solutions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

Are you interested in our products and services?

Send us an email or call us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Artificial Intelligence in Industry and Logistics

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been one of the key driving technologies of Industry 4.0, which has brought about a major change in the way industry operates, achieving greater human-machine interaction. Several studies have stated that more than 80% of companies have already begun to investigate the use of AI in their businesses, and although we may not be fully aware of it, AI has been in our daily lives for much longer than we think. We are beginning to see it commonly in facial detection on smartphones and virtual voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. But what exactly is Artificial Intelligence and how is it used in industry?

What is artificial intelligence?

It is the combination of algorithms that create technological systems capable of perceiving, understanding, and acting similarly to human abilities. With the help of Big Data, AI processes large amounts of data and learns from it, allowing for more precise and complex decision-making. Consequently, solutions and improvements are achieved in the different sectors where AI is used.

What applications does AI currently have in industry?

When designing, generative design uses this technology to automatically generate designs based on specific characteristics that optimize the design. It also takes into account factors such as materials, manufacturing processes, and costs, which are fundamental in the design phase.

Furthermore, failure patterns in industrial equipment are analyzed to predict when maintenance will be necessary to avoid unwanted downtime that could cause financial problems for the company. Machine learning algorithms are also used to analyze different manufacturing processes to identify potential production problems and thus comprehensively control and monitor the entire plant.

Until now, one of the challenges companies faced was identifying relevant and useful data. AI significantly accelerates this process, as it is capable of processing large amounts of data and finding beneficial solutions to improve business. With the data that AI can analyze, it is possible to predict product demand and also solve production problems, such as bottlenecks, thereby optimizing the supply chain.

Advantages of using AI in logistics centers

It automates routine processes and tasks so employees can dedicate their knowledge to more valuable tasks.
It reduces costs thanks to the greater operational efficiency generated by the introduction of AI in various operations.
It drives technological advancement and opens up new opportunities for business development.
It can optimize energy consumption and identify more environmentally friendly materials and practices.
Its impact on today’s industry

The implementation of AI in factories, warehouses, and logistics plants has revolutionized the way we work in industry and has undoubtedly generated a series of advantages for companies and customers.

Just-in-time: This logistics method has led to the optimization of production based on demand. AI enables production to adapt to the order, and with the help of algorithms, delivery times are shortened.

Consumption Transformation: Purchasing habits often fluctuate over time, and data analysis helps us understand consumer preferences and changes in demand.

Changes in the Labor Market: With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, new specialized jobs in these technologies have emerged. Although their development is progressing rapidly, all their potential uses in the industry are still unknown.

Integration with a CMMS system in a factory

A CMMS is a computerized maintenance management system that typically schedules preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance tasks. To perform equipment maintenance, asset data is collected in the form of a digital twin. Work orders are recorded in the program, in addition to information for machine and equipment maintenance. IoT devices send the data to the CMMS system for analysis and processing; these are connected to the factory, warehouse, or logistics plant network.

What is a CMMS in Logistics?

A CMMS allows for optimal control over the management of asset maintenance activities across all facilities. Among other things, it allows us to easily create KPIs, reports, and dashboards that highlight deficiencies, areas for improvement, and maintenance expenditures at our facility. For a CMMS system to be truly efficient, it must allow for planning, assigning, executing, reporting, and monitoring all work orders from a single interface.

Components of a CMMS:

Computerized (database)
Maintenance (recording work orders or repair requests)
Administration (asset status overview, e.g., engine and turbine performance)
System/Software (set of features that a CMMS has)
For example, one of the modules of a CMMS is the Maintenance module. It is responsible for generating work orders, which collect the following information: time used, cause of maintenance, sensor counters, maintenance personnel involved, tool spare parts, and finally, a description of the work performed. All this information is found in the reports generated by the CMMS.

Advantages of a CMMS

It is key to improving productivity, as it increases equipment availability and increases operator efficiency.
It helps drastically reduce breakdown costs (preventive maintenance) and also contributes to reducing defective products and eliminating unnecessary stock purchases.

Its Stock Management application also helps keep track of the spare parts needed to maintain the assets in a warehouse or work center.

MIM Report at Logistics & Automation Madrid 2023

MIM concludes the 2024 trade show season with the most important trade show in Spain, Logistics & Automation Madrid, held on November 29 and 30 at IFEMA. This trade show is the leading meeting point for the logistics sector in the Iberian Peninsula, where companies can find solutions for storage, automation, robotics, software, and any other proposal for intralogistics improvement. This year’s edition drew 10,644 visitors, a 6% increase compared to the previous edition.

This year, MIM’s exhibition featured a 24 m² stand with a giant LED screen showcasing the various services and solutions that MIM can provide to companies, from the design and creation of a sorter to its maintenance and cleaning. As a new feature, our stand also featured a 5-meter-long telescopic conveyor with a maximum extension of 11 meters, which was well received by fair visitors. Also, Easyfairs (the fair organizers) selected us to participate in the Live Tours, which are visits to stands that feature a notable new product or innovation for the logistics sector. MIM was selected to participate in the Live Tour “Automation and Robotics for Packaging and Logistics,” where we presented SIGMIMONE, a Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) management tool for controlling an automated logistics warehouse.

Attendance and interest at the group’s stand were notable, both among customers already familiar with the technology and among new ones interested in optimizing their industrial maintenance and automating logistics processes.