Convergix Marketing, Author at Convergix Automation

8 Ways Automation is Transforming Last-Mile Delivery

by Convergix Marketing | May 29, 2025 | Feature Article

Automation solutions can help the transportation industry overcome the final hurdle in

last-mile delivery

Businesses around the globe pour seemingly endless amounts of energy into optimizing their supply chains, from sourcing and production to order fulfillment. The irony is that, after all this work, the final mile can be logistically the most difficult to get right.

It isn’t hard to see why. Earlier parts of the supply chain are more fully under a business’s control. Conditions within a factory are seldom influenced by the weather, and the middle stages of transportation often take advantage of economies of scale to get the most goods to the most people by the most efficient routes.

But the final mile, which is to say, the final leg of a journey from the nearest transportation hub to the customer, has any number of variables, most of which are difficult or impossible to control for. Poor weather, bad traffic, unforeseen road conditions, or broken down delivery vehicles can all upend a the most careful logistic planning and cause untold headaches.

However, last-mile automation, while still an emerging technology, is quickly proving itself to be an effective, low-cost solution for transportation companies. Here’s how.

1) More efficient parcel sorting

When packages come into a local transportation hub, several steps must first take place before they begin their last-mile journey. These steps include identifying them, determining which route will be the most efficient, and loading them onto the correct vehicle. Modern vision technology makes it easier to scan and sort parcels, while robots can lift and transport objects of irregular sizes and weights.

2) Round-the-clock delivery

Transportation automation means that traditional delivery hours may soon be a thing of the past. With autonomous vehicles able to operate around the clock, there’s no reason you need to give up on a package if it doesn’t arrive with the four O’clock post. Deliveries could also be made over weekends and holidays without needing to schedule more drivers.

3) No unplanned downtime

Downtime is a part of any process, but there’s a big difference between downtime that has been planned for and that which comes as a surprise. Autonomous vehicles can reduce both planned downtime (no need to stop for lunch or to use the bathroom), and unplanned downtime (sensor monitoring to determine when a vehicle is due for repair).

4) Easy scalability

In 2020, ecommerce orders rose over 30% compared to the year before. The rise in sales, combined with increased Covid disruptions and supply chain shortages, meant many businesses struggled to scale smoothly. But although the pandemic is abating, e-commerce is as strong as ever. Automated systems are an efficient way to grow the size of a last-mile fleet, without the need to hire and train more workers.

5) Transportation safety

Traffic accidents are a nightmare for any transportation company, for obvious reasons. They’re also an unavoidable risk. However, autonomous driving systems combined with the newest generation of delivery vehicles can drastically lower these incidents. Autonomous vehicles aren’t hindered by weariness or distractions, and delivery technology that doesn’t use the roads is less likely to be involved in an accident.

6) Purpose-built transportation technology

We’re used to packages being delivered by a mail truck, but this may not be the case for much longer. Some large companies, such as Walmart, are already investing in drone delivery as a viable way to deliver products directly to a customer’s door. Another option would be small delivery droids that could move down sidewalks. Both these options could effectively bypass traffic, and would be more space-efficient than a truck, making it possible to keep a larger fleet.

7) Green delivery

Autonomous delivery technology can also take better advantage of green energy solutions than traditional delivery vehicles. Because they operate around the clock, they can better optimize charging time, and won’t have to plan for gas stops. Deliver solutions that move down the sidewalk or fly through the air also spend less time idling in traffic.

8) Efficient returns

Returns are a necessary evil for most companies. As much as businesses don’t want the hassle of processing them, they also recognize them as a reasonable expectation for online shoppers. At the same time, most consumers find the returns process to be onerous, increasing their purchasing hesitations. Autonomous delivery vehicles could also make it easier for customers to handle returns by providing a way to schedule a robot or order a drone to pick up their packages.

Customers care the most about the last mile, that’s why automation can be the key to delivering satisfaction

After all the work that goes into transporting a product hundreds of miles from the warehouse to the final destination, it can feel unfair that so much of the customer experience depends on the last mile. Industry leaders, such as Amazon, have only raised the bar, providing consumers with affordable same-day delivery and tracking that will notify customers when their parcel is only a few stops away.

The good news is that this experience doesn’t have to be limited to Amazon, nor does it have to come at the cost of stressed or overworked drivers. Last-mile automation may soon mean faster, safer, and more reliable delivery for all customers—and at a reasonable price.

Convergix can help transportation and logistics businesses be part of this transformation. From parcel sorting to delivery, our automated solutions can help your business across the finish line. Contact us today to learn more.

8 Applications for Automation in Cannabis Production

by Convergix Marketing | May 22, 2025 | Feature Article

Masked worker inspecting row of cannabis plants

With a boom in demand for CBD oil and marijuana, cannabis producers need efficient ways to increase production

It should come as no surprise that today’s cannabis industry is thriving. In 2020, legal marijuana sales hit a record of USD 17.5 billion, and that number is only rising for the foreseeable future. Another cannabis product, CBD oil, is seeing even steeper market growth, with projections showing that it will grow another USD 29.9 billion by 2025.

While the high demand is good news for cannabis growers, it comes with a hitch. Producing a high-quality cannabis product is a lengthy, multi-step process that requires careful monitoring and delicate handling to avoid waste. For years, this process has been done largely by hand, and automated solutions are only beginning to emerge. This places cannabis growers under a lot of pressure to find efficient, cost-effective ways to get their product to market quickly.

Fortunately, while many cannabis growers have yet to automate, that doesn’t mean automation is a bad fit for the industry. In fact, there are several factors that make cannabis an ideal candidate for automation. The following are eight key points in the production process where automation can make a difference.

1) Planting

While cannabis can be grown indoors or outdoors, many cannabis cultivators have preferred indoor growing conditions due to the finer control over environmental conditions and the possibility for extra growing seasons. And for indoor gardeners, vertical farming is the best way to maximize space to get the highest crop yields for the smallest footprint.

At Convergix, we’ve developed automated systems that can plant crops in vertical towers, monitor growth, and clean and replant towers after harvesting.

2) Harvesting

When cannabis plants have reached maturity, they are harvested by either cutting them off at their base, or cutting off the topmost branches first, and the bottom branches a few weeks later to give them more time to mature. While this sounds simple, the trick is in the timing. It can be difficult to judge the appropriate harvest time without careful monitoring. The ideal time is when the trichomes (the sticky, resin-producing glands on cannabis flowers) turn from clear to milky or cloudy.

While this may sound like a difficult task to automate, modern vision systems can be programed to detect indicators of maturity on plants. A system that could visually inspect plants around harvest time and cut portions which are ready for processing could save labor while also improving product quality.

3) Drying and curing

After harvesting, cannabis plants go through a lengthy period of drying and curing. The initial drying process takes about a week, and requires careful temperature control to ensure the plants are neither too moist nor too dry before they are cured, which takes an additional several weeks.

Throughout this process, careful climate control is essential, both to help the plants dry correctly, and to prevent crop loss due to rot or mold. Automation can not only help move plants in and out of storage, but can monitor the storage conditions as well.

4) Bucking

Bucking is the process of removing the leaves, stalks, and stems from the cannabis flower, which has the highest concentration of cannabinoids. Done by hand, this process is tedious and time-consuming. However, an automated bucking machine can both remove the flower from the dried plant, and also grind the bud for optimal CBD extraction.

5) CBD Extraction

There are three main ways to extract CBD from a cannabis plant: ethanol extraction, CO2 extraction, and oil extraction. No matter what method is chosen, traditional factory automation techniques can help move product through the extraction process.

6) Production

Once CBD has been extracted from a plant, it can be added to a range of consumer products, from oils to creams to edibles. The popularity of these products has been a driving force behind the cannabis boom, and many automated solutions exist for traditional production methods of these consumer products to manufacture, package, palletize, and ship them to your supply chain.

7) Testing

Cannabis consumers have shown themselves to be savvy customers. Many go out of their way to search for products that are high in quality, even if it means paying a premium. Testing CBD oil for purity and potency is an important step to help producers verify the quality of their product.

Automation helps ensure consistency at all stages of production, but when it comes to testing, it affords an efficient and reliable way to demonstrate your commitment to high standards.

8) Hemp Biomass Management

Waste is an unavoidable part of agriculture, whether it comes from lost crops due to pests or inclement weather, or as a result of growing an entire plant just to harvest the buds. While vertical farming can significantly lower crop loss, it’s simply not possible to grow and harvest cannabis without producing a large volume of excess biomass.

Fortunately, the leftover stalks, seeds, and leaves can all be transformed into useful products, including biofuel, fiber products, and oils. Automation can be used not just to produce these products, but to gather, package, and ship biomass to the appropriate facilities for processing.

Agricultural automation lowers production costs and keeps crops from going to waste

To produce high-quality cannabis products, cultivators need systems that can accurately monitor their crops while also handling their product with delicacy and care. While these may seem like difficult tasks, the reality is that modern automation solutions are not only capable of handling these procedures, they can often do so more efficiently and with less waste than traditional growing and harvesting methods.

At Convergix, our experience in the agriculture industry includes work with vertical farming as well as traditional agriculture. We are also automation experts in the consumer goods manufacturing space, and in developing automated logistical solutions to get products from one location to another. If you would like to discuss how automation could aid your cannabis business with us directly, contact us today.

5 Advantages of Robots in the Machine Tending Space

by Convergix Marketing | May 15, 2025 | Feature Article

Using advanced robotics for material handling in a space already occupied by automated equipment offers numerous benefits to both manufacturers and machine operators.

Modern manufacturing has advanced so far in recent decades that almost every factory includes some kind of automation. As automation has become more ubiquitous, the role of human beings within manufacturing has gradually changed. People have transitioned from craftwork, producing whole goods by hand, to being line operators who complete only one task at a time, to being the operators of advanced machinery that accomplish thousands of tasks a minute.

Now, modern robotics is beginning to take over the operation of automated machinery, with humans moving to jobs that involve the large-scale tending and overseeing of factory operations. While this may seem like bad news for workers, it is actually great news for both factory floor operators and manufacturers as a whole. Here are 5 advantages robots offer manufacturers in the machine tending space.

1) Reduce the number of human operators needed for undesirable jobs

Automation—and especially robotic automation—is often presented as a threat to the workforce. However, robots are often replacing human workers in jobs that are dull, dirty, dangerous, and often a combination of all three.

The repetitive nature of many factory tasks leads to repetitive stress injuries in workers. Operating with mechanized parts exposes workers to grease, grime, and other particulates. And being in close proximity to heavy industrial equipment moving at lightning speed poses obvious safety risks.

Most workers don’t want dirty jobs that can lead to injury, and no good employer wants to see their workers injured. Robots provide a solution that benefits both parties and frees human workers for higher-level tasks that can’t be automated.

2) Improve production speed, quality, and consistency

One of the proven advantages of automation is that it improves production quality by reducing opportunities for human error. If this is true for the automated tasks themselves, it is just as true for the material handling tasks that prepare machines for those automation. Whereas many factory jobs involving human operators currently require humans to place and position parts for an automated task, robots can take over this material handling process with greater precision and often greater speed.

Speed, in these circumstances, is a particularly important factor. Faster production processes mean higher output, but asking workers to work faster is a surefire recipe for accident and injury. Robots can increase their speed more reliably, and their components can be monitored for wear and tear, and scheduled for maintenance before a breakdown occurs.

3) deploy robots in tight spaces to handle difficult-to-reach components

On top of increased speed and accuracy, there are some tasks for which human operators are simply not suited. Reaching inside an assembly to attach a component at an awkward angle, for instance, can be difficult for many human operators to achieve. In some specific applications, it may not even be possible. Human arms are only so long, after all. Robots, on the other hand, can be designed to reach difficult places, and have fewer constraints when it comes to the angles and positions at which they place objects.

Robots are especially applicable for material handling in injection molding, where the plastics involved are heat sensitive. Robots can pick and place newly molded parts using pneumatic grips and vacuum-powered suction attachments and quickly and accurately place them on the production line for the next step in the process.

4) Repurpose robots for different tasks

One of the biggest advantages robots have over built-in-place machinery designed to accomplish one specific task is that robots can be repurposed for multiple uses. This reduces the risk any manufacturing company takes by investing in robots. If they change product lines or come out with an updated version, robots can be easily reprogrammed to handle the new task.

This has the greatest advantage for small manufacturers, who produce at a lower volume, and may want a robot that can take care of multiple tasks in a production cycle. A robot can be programmed to handle one task at Station A, then relocated to Station B to perform a completely different task within the same production run. And this can be done as many times as needed to finish the cycle. For small manufacturing, this flexibility is crucial to maintain efficiency.

5) Future-proof your manufacturing company against the approaching skills gap

As we mentioned earlier in this article, many machine-tending factory jobs are undesirable, which has contributed to a large-scale exodus in the workforce from manufacturing jobs in general. Unfortunately, with fewer and fewer qualified manufacturing workers available, and a large portion of this workforce nearing retirement, many companies are approaching an employment cliff where they will no longer have the labor they need to complete projects.

Robots help remedy this in two ways. First, they can take over the jobs that are soon to be left unfilled. Second, they create newer, higher-prestige jobs that pay better and are more likely to attract skilled laborers who want to work in a high-tech industry. Robots are showing that the days of gritty manufacturing are coming to an end. A sleek, high-tech industry lies ahead.

Convergix can design robotic solutions for your machine tending needs

At Convergix, we have decades of experience designing automated solutions to improve the work environment for machine operators, the product quality for consumers, and the business efficiency for manufacturers. We can do the same for your company by putting our experience with advanced robotics to use in service of your manufacturing needs.

Whether you are a large company trying to improve conditions on the factory floor across several locations, or a small manufacturer hoping to invest in a reprogrammable robot that can be used in numerous settings, we can help. Contact us today to get started.

4 Manufacturing Advantages of Build-to-Print Fabrication

by Convergix Marketing | May 1, 2025 | Feature Article

Avoid production delays with build-to-print manufacturers who deliver components built to specification.

When a client approaches a manufacturer with a fabrication need, the work they are looking for can be split into two rough categories: design and spec, which involves developing a production process from scratch, and build-to-print, wherein the client already has blueprints and technical drawings and simply needs the component manufactured according to existing designs. Build-to-print manufacturing isn’t the star of the show in most cases, but in the right circumstances, it can be an invaluable tool for companies to have at their disposal.

At Convergix, our most involved projects are design & spec, but our build-to-print capabilities are part of what allow us to be such an effective partner to our customers. If you’re wondering how build-to-print fabrication can be useful to you, here are its four greatest advantages.

1) Replace broken components with exact replicas

Say you have a production line that is essential to your business operations. One day, you notice that one of the components of that production line is wearing down and will soon break. You don’t have the replacement piece you need to get it up and running again—but you do have the blueprints.

A build-to-print manufacturer can work from your blueprints to manufacture a replacement piece. Because the replacement will be an identical component, you don’t need to worry about whether it will fit or not, nor do you have to go through a more lengthy process of redesigning that portion of your production line. In fact, if you spot the issue soon enough, you can have the replacement component ready to go before your production grinds to a halt.

2) Scale Production by Duplicating Existing Machinery

If build-to-print can be used to replace components on existing machinery, it can also be used to duplicate an entire machine. This can be invaluable for businesses that need to scale production quickly, because it allows them to remain flexible and responsive to the demands of a shifting market. Being able to reproduce an entire production line means they can have confidence that the quality of the product will remain consistent.

Build-to-print is also helpful in situations where the original equipment manufacturer may no longer be available to produce another round of machinery. So long as your business has the blueprints for your production line, you can replicate it down to the last detail.

3) Replicate proven processes for new iterations on old designs

In some cases, one portion of a design works perfectly, and a manufacturer wants to keep that component while updating other elements of the same design. Instead of starting the design over from ground up, build-to-print allows manufacturers to integrate the original components into the new model.

In regulated industries, this poses a distinct advantage. If companies can show that one portion of a design matches a previously approved portion, it can expedite the approval process. Build-to-print can give the assurance that the manufacturing processes between versions are consistent.

4) Streamline handoff from R&D to manufacturing

Some businesses have highly-developed research and development departments that are in charge of the designing and prototyping of a manufacturing process. They may want to keep control over certain aspects of that process, and only work with fabricators on specific portions.

Build-to-print gives companies the freedom to focus intensely on core research portions of their business, safe in the knowledge that when the time comes for production, they have a trusted partner who can work with their designs to manufacture components exactly to spec.

When is design & spec manufacturing a better option?

While build-to-print offers clear advantages in many applications, it is not always the best choice. An automation partner who can work with your company at earlier stages of the design process has a level of production expertise that can yield a more efficient manufacturing workflow. They can also make it easier for smaller teams to work more quickly, by supplying the additional engineering manpower necessary to see a project through to completion.

For instance, at Convergix, our engineers work with computer simulations to plan the layout of a production line. We’re also experts in testing and validation, which we can incorporate directly into a manufacturing process to ensure product quality. The earlier we can work with our customers and the design of their project, the more readily we can incorporate our expertise into a production design.

Work with an automation partner who can handle both.

The bottom line is that you should find a manufacturing partner who can handle both design & spec and build-to-print. If your business needs to fabricate a component for an automated assembly on short notice, who better than the automation expert who helped you build the assembly in the first place?

Convergix Automation Solutions has over 200 years of combined experience in the manufacturing space, and in that time we’ve learned to work with manufacturers of all sizes, on projects that range from full assembly builds to the reproduction of a single component. If you have a build-to-print need, contact us today. We can be sure you get the parts you need to keep your factory running.

How Advances in SLAM Technology Are Expanding Robotics Applications

by Convergix Marketing | Apr 24, 2025 | Feature Article

Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) technology is at the heart of many of the most recent advances in autonomous robotic capabilities.

Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) is fundamental to autonomous robotics. While early visions depicted human-like robots navigating complex environments, achieving this required overcoming significant technical hurdles. SLAM systems, enabling robots to map their surroundings and localize themselves in real-time, are now transforming industries. Understanding their evolution and applications reveals their growing impact.

Challenges of SLAM Technology and Current Advances

Early SLAM relied heavily on LiDAR, which uses light pulses to create 3D point clouds. While effective for basic navigation, LiDAR lacks semantic understanding. It cannot interpret signs or recognize objects beyond their shape.

Vision systems, employing multiple cameras, offer richer information. Machine learning allows them to interpret visual data, identify objects, predict movement, and utilize fiducial markers for precise localization. However, historical limitations included high computational demands. Recent advancements in processing power have significantly reduced these limitations.

Another challenge is the “closed loop” problem, where accumulated mapping errors lead to localization failures. Combining LiDAR and vision systems, alongside grid maps and landmarks, mitigates this, creating more robust and accurate localization.

Applications for SLAM Technology

Improved machine vision is driving the adoption of mobile robots in diverse applications:

Autonomous Vehicles: LiDAR already assists with collision avoidance. Machine vision enhances this, enabling interpretation of road markings, signs, and landmarks for advanced navigation and autonomous driving. This technology is essential for self-driving cars, allowing them to perceive and react to dynamic road environments.

Factory Navigation for Robots: SLAM is widely used in manufacturing for inventory management, palletizing, and assisting human workers. Combining vision and LiDAR improves safety and expands robotic capabilities, enabling complex tasks with precision and efficiency. Mobile robots can handle large, complex parts, and adapt to changing factory layouts.

Consumer Robots: SLAM enhances household robots. Roomba-like devices can navigate more efficiently, avoiding obstacles like pets and furniture. Vision-enabled lawnmowers can autonomously maintain lawns, staying within boundaries and avoiding flowerbeds. This technology expands the utility of consumer robots, making them more intelligent and adaptable.

Logistics and Last Mile Delivery: Automation addresses logistical challenges, particularly “last mile” delivery. Mobile robots and drones, guided by SLAM, navigate streets and airspace, locate drop-off points, and avoid obstacles. This technology aims to streamline package delivery, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Mobile Technology is the Future of Modern Industry

Innovation is crucial for businesses to remain competitive. Companies must adopt cutting-edge solutions, like advanced SLAM systems, to create new automation possibilities. These systems enable applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to vertical farming.

The integration of advanced sensors and AI-driven processing is pushing SLAM systems beyond their previous limitations. The ability of robots to not only map but also understand their environment opens up possibilities in various sectors. In manufacturing, robots can now adapt to dynamic environments, collaborate with human workers, and perform complex tasks with precision. This leads to increased productivity, reduced errors, and improved safety. In logistics, SLAM enables efficient and reliable delivery systems, reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction. Autonomous vehicles, guided by robust SLAM systems, promise to revolutionize transportation, making it safer and more efficient.

The development of more powerful and efficient processors, coupled with advancements in machine learning algorithms, is accelerating the progress of SLAM technology. This rapid evolution will lead to more sophisticated and versatile robotic systems that can tackle increasingly complex tasks.

The future of robotics is intertwined with the advancements in SLAM technology. As robots become more capable of navigating and understanding their environments, their applications will continue to expand, transforming industries and improving our daily lives.

We Can Help You Integrate Mobile Robotics Into Your Processes

At Convergix, we recognize that, for businesses to stay at the leading edge of their industry, they need access to the latest solutions. We make sure to stay on top of emerging technologies so that we can understand how they can be used to create new automation solutions. Our focus on innovation has helped us develop advanced systems in industries ranging from autonomous vehicles to vertical farming. If you have an automation need, contact us, and we would be happy to discuss solutions with you.

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