Inventory and tool management are low-hanging fruit for companies looking to reduce losses, and industrial vending machines are just what they need to minimise inventory loss of equipment and supplies or theft.
Industrial vending machines are similar to the typical vending machines found at supermarkets and airport terminals and work the same way but with a lower risk of cash or inventory loss.
These machines only vend parts and equipment, allowing companies to reduce excess inventory by reducing on-hand stock to only what is needed for daily operation.
With an industrial vending machine, you can bridge the time gaps between material and component demand and their delivery to the right people and processes. Besides minimising loss, they can also make your business more efficient.
Typically, you would need to source the industrial vending machine from one supplier and the software from another. But at TFC, you can get the machine, the software, and the services under one roof, which is convenient and improves customer experience.
Advantages of Our Vending Machine Services
Industrial vending machines provide substantial benefits to the industrial processes that use them compared to those that rely on traditional inventory methods. Some of the key advantages of having an industrial vending program include;
Shrinkage control
Using an industrial vending machine can increase the amount of accountability at all levels of production. The system improves the monitoring of high-value tools and components at the employee level.
Limits can be set on the quantities of items released at each point to prevent over-usage, enhancing control of tool circulation.
Safe storage of chemicals
Chemicals are a part of many industrial processes. The chemicals can pose significant risks to employee health without proper and safe storage. Industrial vending machines can be configured to properly store hazardous chemical materials in locked and controlled-access cabinets.
Further, the cabinets can only be programmed to access sensitive materials for particular employees.
Easy monitoring and reduced consumption
Operation managers can effectively monitor and control tools and component circulation. They can also control consumable and expendable items.
Most industrial vending machines have real-time inventory analysis software that helps provide an accurate picture of expandable items, tools, and gauges used daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
Other advantages of having an industrial vending machine are;
- Prevent stock-outs
- Limit obsolete items
- Optimising inventory storage footprint
Components of An Industrial Vending Machine
We deliver industrial vending machines as one complete unit. But inside it, different components work together to help you realise the above-mentioned benefits.
The cabinet
Our industrial vending machines have a hermetically sealed, triple-layered, multi-door cabinet to provide the highest level of security. But we can customise the cabinet’s features to suit the client’s application and requirements.
Most of our industrial vending machine cabinets are designed for positive pressure ventilation, which uses natural convection current to keep the components inside at a negative pressure atmosphere to the outside atmosphere to reduce contamination.
The safety system
Our industrial vending machines are defined by our unique and innovative safety system. The safety system is integrated into the cabinet. It triggers an alarm if any doors are open without using the vault handle. It’s supposed to prevent the accidental release of harmful products that could cause damage to the property.
The dispensing system
The dispensing machines have an auto-dispensing system that only allows for single-item release. This can be adjusted on client request and the application in question. The semi-auto function ensures each item will be counted for added accountability while reducing the risk of unauthorised access to the items.
How Do Industrial Inventory Control Vending Machines Work?
The machine is filled with tools, consumable items, or components necessary for the current process. The machine can be accessed by authorised personnel in several ways.
The user can select the tool required from a touchscreen mounted on the front of the machine and provide a form of machine-readable identification tag.
Other options might require the employee to scan a barcode on an employee tag, biometrics, proximity or smart cards. Once the user is confirmed, the machine will dispense the necessary tool or component in a few seconds and enter the necessary details into a request log. When the item is returned, the machine stores the info and updates its inventory.
Software for Industrial Vending Machines
TFC supplies and provides vending machine services and inventory management tracking software. Providing the hardware and software allows us to better determine delivery to the client and customise the vending machines to match your needs and applications.
The software easily tracks parts and supplies. It allows management to create transaction and inventory reports easily.
The software can also track orders by customer or work order so the right parts are delivered at the right time.
The software can deliver real-time stock and sales report, save time in money management and tracks inventory through every aspect of the business, among other functions.
What Industries Benefit from Industrial Vending Solutions
Industrial vending machines have a limitless number of applications. But they are primarily leveraged in the following industries;
- Construction
- Aerospace
- Automotive and Transportation
- Manufacturing and machining
- Utilities
- Government and military
The industrial vending machine can be used to dispense various industrial tools and components like;
- Medical tools and supplies
- Precision tools and gauges
- Communication devices
- Work tools like screwdrivers, drill saws, and wrenches
- Personal protective gear (PPE)
- Machine calibration equipment and gauges
- Computer components like keyboards and mice
Industrial vending machines are a win-win solution for companies of all sizes. They require minimal maintenance, have low-cost associations, and provide many benefits to the businesses that use them.
With TFC, you will also get servicing for the machine, ensuring you have nothing to worry about as far as the maintenance of the vending machine is involved.
With comprehensive, customisable, and quality solutions, you can find everything you need in an industrial vending machine from TFC. We have the experience and the technology to deliver effective and convenient industrial vending machines that make a real difference in your business.
The term “COSHH Storage Containers” specifically pertains to regulations in the United Kingdom (UK). COSHH stands for “Control of Substances Hazardous to Health,” and it is a set of regulations in the UK that aim to protect employees and others from the health risks associated with exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
These regulations apply to all businesses in the UK that use, handle, produce, or store hazardous substances. Employers are required to assess the risks posed by these substances, take measures to control exposure, and provide safe storage solutions like COSHH Storage Containers when necessary.
Follow us