About Us: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Insight Automation?
How can I contact Insight Automation?
What is the experience level of the Insight Automation staff?
What does Insight Automation do?
How are systems supported?
What is the difference between styles of conveyor?
What does Insight Automation offer besides control systems?
What are some of the money saving technologies to which you refer?
What is the selection process for various control area networks?
How can I receive information on Insight Automation's equipment and services?
Does Insight Automation work in e-commerce fulfillment?
What is the difference between integrated controls and a control system?
When should I consider automating my facility?
When should I use refurbished equipment?
Does Insight Automation provide aftermarket services?

Insight Automation provides electronic intelligence for automated materials handling and manufacturing operations. The company strives to provide more than just a control box. In today's manufacturing and distribution environment, our customers are asking for more feedback information from their production areas. Most clients ask for improved performance, lower costs and easier to maintain systems. Insight Automation integrates systems with both conventional, discrete controls and networked multi-platform controls systems. Insight's innovative tools and concepts add value to any project.

Insight Automation's headquarters can be reached at:

Insight Automation Inc.
2748 Circleport Drive
Erlanger, KY 41018.

(800) 764-6356

E-mail: info@InsightAutomation.cc

You can also use the Contact page on our website.

Insight Automation employs seasoned leaders from the materials handling industry. The average industry tenure of an Insight Automation employee is over fifteen years. We seek engineers and technical staff who attempt to advance the state of controls functions rather than just repeat the old way of doing things. Experience is essential, but innovation in a fast changing technology is the only way we can ensure a good value to you.

Insight Automation is a leading integrator and designer of materials and information flow systems. We are a solutions provider for consumer goods and business-to-business manufacturers and distributors. Our systems solutions employ a broad line of standardized control packages and custom designs for package conveyors, high-speed sorters, pallet and unit handling conveyors, monorail conveyors, automatic palletizer and depalletizer interfaces, warehouse management interfaces, robotics integration, and specialty machinery. Insight enjoys capabilities in developmental software and hardware for special needs.

From the installation until you are operating, Insight works with clients to ensure operational efficiencies. Once you are in operation, you may have need to call us as your situation changes, or new needs arise. We look forward to continuing work with our clients. By staying abreast of your operations and needs, we are better able to suggest new ideas as your business plan evolves and the technology for controls progresses and improves.

Any Insight system is eligible for consultative review for future updates, at no charge. We believe that all systems may need parts at some time. Insight Automation is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, and can be reached at (800) 764-6356. Or simply e-mail your spare parts request to info@InsightAutomation.cc.

There are many types of conveying systems. Insight takes a primary mission to work with conveyors which have electro-mechanical drive systems and serve functions such as sorting, merging, transporting, accumulating, aligning for automatic identification, and traffic flow management. As various functions are performed, our clients increasingly want the information sent from the factory/distribution floor to the central information system for the business. By being able to integrate the up to the minute information to managers, we help to provide accurate just in time ability to make adjustments for flow and production changes or problems. Two commonly used conveyors for unit handling are belt and roller conveyors, utilized in a variety of transportation and accumulation functions.

Aside from their physical differences, the main difference between a belt conveyor and roller conveyor is in their usage. In most cases, the two types of conveyor can be used interchangeably. In certain applications, however, belt conveyors have distinct advantages. In the beverage industry, for example, belt style conveyors handle product gently, which is important when handling the thin cardboard 12- and 24-pack containers. Roller conveyor is the product of choice when transporting large cases or pallets of product because of its flexibility and strength. Motorized roller conveyor offers low profile, intrinsically safe conveyance in applications where lower noise levels must be maintained.

In many automation projects, the controls systems are a major budget item - up to one half the cost. By participating with the early stages of a system's conceptualization, Insight can often save time and money as well as lead their clients to a better performing system. The early involvement allows for the maximum employment of control technologies to save money and increase efficiencies. When we enter at a later stage in a project, such as after the conveyor has been proposed and designed, the controls must be designed to fit what is to be, not what could be or even should be -- there can be significant differences in the options available to the client at that point in time.

Aside from innovative, state-of-the-art controls integration, Insight Automation offers integrated materials and information flow solutions, consulting, installation and training, and engineered-to-order software solutions that synchronize the processes and tie all the equipment together. For your aftermarket needs, our engineering staff offers a full range of services and support for Insight Automation's and other original equipment manufacturers' machines and systems.

Conventional control systems typically utilize a central control panel and logic processor that interfaces with the motors, sensors, solenoids, etc. through individual circuits. Conventional control systems may have hundreds or even thousands of feet of single conductor wires in large conduit systems. A more flexible approach to system controls involves a distributed control system that typically places the I/O (input/output) module devices near the point of use or even embeds the I/O within the control device (e.g. sensor, solenoid)! By working with signals to the modules, the control and power distribution for a system can be modularized and extended. This saves thousands of dollars in wiring, makes a system more streamlined, and simplifies maintenance. Distributed control systems seldom have a total system breakdown due to minimized single-points of failure - a major advancement inherent with the design. Insight has been an innovator in the use of distributed systems, and can offer its clients a true value in this area.

There are a multitude of control area networks available. The most popular (in no particular order) are DeviceNet, Profibus, Interbus, Lonworks, SDS, Ethernet, and Remote I/O. All control networks offer the advantage of organizing numerous functions. No single network is the answer for all needs; each application must be carefully reviewed to select the right network for any given application. Environment, equipment speed, redundancy, maintenance familiarity, industry sector, performance, and cost are all important factors to consider. Insight will help provide a clear choice in networking for your unique requirements.

You can download product literature from our web site through our Resources or Products sections. You can also request literature by contacting us directly. If you have specific questions or enjoy a human voice, kindly call us at Insight Automation at (800) 764-6356 or e-mail us at info@InsightAutomation.cc.

Yes, e-commerce has unique issues and Insight is positioned to provide the efficiencies needed. Through our own products and services and those of other third party companies, Insight Automation offers unique e-commerce capabilities. Proven building blocks: motorized roller conveyor control, high-speed automated sortation, automatic package identification, order tracking, picking, queuing, staging, and the most demanding warehouse/industrial management interfaces are utilized to provide the right integrated system. Flexible systems that are expandable and scalable are implemented in weeks, not months, and offer you the fastest return on investment in the industry.

Integrated controls cover a range of conveyors, machines and functions, which work in harmony to create a system. The controls are organized to work together - thus integrated. Single controls work for a lone function, but are not typically linked with other processes. By integrating, we provide better information gathering, safety control, flow management, and labor savings.

Insight Automation is a leading provider of integrated materials and information flow systems for both manufacturing and distribution environments, offering solutions that combine materials flow, information flow and storage systems with products from third-party vendors. We offer everything from consulting, installation, and training, to the software and controls that tie the equipment together.

Insight Automation's systems and solutions can help address manufacturing and operations objectives that are common to many industries, such as improved customer service, improved product quality, improved ergonomics and employee safety, improved inventory management, improved plant productivity and reduced operating costs. The choice to automate is not hard. Potential efficiencies, labor savings, safety issues, aging work force issues, and information controls all make a profit possible from an automation investment. We can help you determine the benefits, and gladly work with first time investors in automation.

When you decide to update your operation, you can either purchase new equipment or upgrade your current equipment. If you choose to remanufacture, our engineering group will take your existing equipment and/or control system - including non-Insight Automation equipment - and completely rework it from the ground up. Upgraded machines and systems cost less than new equipment and may be covered by the same warranty as new Insight Automation equipment, offering a cost-effective alternative to upgrade or modify your operations for new applications. Contact us at 1-800-764-6356 or e-mail us at info@InsightAutomation.cc.

Yes. Insight Automation's engineering division offers a full range of services and support for various original equipment manufacturers' conveyors and systems. Our services include parts management, service engineering, training and audits, and refurbishing.