Why Better Process Partners With Vention to Simplify Complex Automation

In custom automation, the details matter. For Patrick Olson, Director of Business Development for Automation at Better Process, client automation projects never stop at anything less than perfect.

Better Process is an industrial systems integration and manufacturing operations firm based in Loveland, Colorado. The team offers several types of automation solutions, with a specialty focus on vision-guided robotics.

Patrick himself is involved with many aspects of the business, particularly business development and growth. He’s the go-to person for customers moving from initial automation planning conversations to building out clearly defined solutions.

Vention and Better Process have worked together since 2021, which is why they teamed up again to bring a complex client automation project to life.

One Automation Workflow, Endless Parts

Automating an AMR, conveyor, collaborative robots, grippers, and controls with one workflow is a tall order. As integration partners, Better Process was tasked with turning that automation setup for a Manufacturing and Logistics company into a field demonstration, which could then be deployed as a full-scale operational system. This meant:

• Conveyor and robot sequences needed to be seamless, so pallets moved consistently between demonstration stations.
• The system needed to simulate part handling, component installation, inspection, and defect sorting.
• The demonstration had to be flexible but repeatable enough to support phased scaling. This included plans to add a second robot and gripper in the short term.

After gathering their “must-complete” list, which included several aspects of an automation workflow, Better Process turned to end-to-end solution Vention for modular hardware and MachineLogic controls.

Better Process worked closely with Vention’s application engineers right from the initial project scoping. Vention walked them through the modular hardware platform, allowing Better Process to build a practical foundation for their application with future expansion in mind.

The team then used Vention’s programming and simulation environment, MachineLogic, to program and coordinate how the conveyor, robots, and station sequences move in sync. Amanda Faigal, part of Vention’s applications engineering team, assisted Better Process with assembly, electrical integration, and programming phases throughout the process.

“We were excited to apply automation, robotics, and material-handling technologies in a new and engaging way with Vention. We had an opportunity to combine an AMR interface, conveyor movement, collaborative robots, grippers, and simulated quality control into one setup. Vention’s modular automation platform allowed Better Process to develop the application in phases and expand its capabilities over time.”

The program overall was built in under one week, and once operational, Vention helped Better Process envision the expansion of an additional robot and gripper for pick-and-place demonstrations. The reliability, accessibility, and flexibility of deployment and expansion created a foundation for future collaboration and partnership between both teams.

The initial client project centered on developing an automation demonstration in which an AMR cart is delivered to and docked at a conveyor. After implementing MachineLogic controls to operate the conveyor, robot sequence, station timing, and the overall workflow, the project later expanded to include an additional robot and gripper. The workflow moves through the following stages:

1. The AMR cart is docked, and the conveyor automatically advances the pallet to a designated stop point.
2. The first collaborative robot then simulates industrial operations like part handling, component installation, and defect sorting.
3. The second collaborative robot, with the gripper, then demonstrates pick-and-place operations before the pallet proceeds to the end of the line.

Building a more autonomous workflow gave Better Process’s client a seamless and scalable demonstration. From initial scoping to the end of expansion, the automation project took roughly a month to complete.

If Patrick and his team had used a conventional, fragmented automation approach, it would have taken three to five times as long. Faster deployment means a shorter payback period and better overall time-to-value.

“Better Process used Vention’s MachineLogic environment to program and coordinate the conveyor, robots, and station sequences. We were provided prompt technical support during assembly, electrical integration, and programming whenever we needed it. The system’s flexibility also supported a later expansion that added a second robot and gripper for pick-and-place demonstrations. Overall, the engagement strengthened the partnership between Vention and Better Process and created a foundation for future automation projects.”

Why an End-To-End Solution is a Must

Better Process has worked with Vention for several years for a number of reasons. First and foremost, Vention is the only end-to-end solution for industrial automation, meaning:

• There’s a foundation for mechanics, automation, and controls for integrating conveyors, collaborative robots, grippers, and material handling.
• A CAD environment in MachineBuilder can develop the assembly.
• MachineLogic can support programming and simulation.
• The MachineMotion AI controller can operate robotic sequences, conveyor movement, and station timing.

The Versatility of Vention

When asked about the partnership, Patrick and his team expressed that Vention is an ideal solution for many sectors, including manufacturing, technology, and other organizations exploring industrial automation. He noted that Vention is also a fit for businesses looking for modular, flexible automation.

“Vention is particularly well suited for companies seeking a flexible and modular approach to automation system development. We would highly recommend the platform for robotic demonstrations, proof-of-concept systems, training cells, and production applications.”