Automation and the Warehouse Enviroment
Some warehouses are
completely automated,
and require only operators to work and handle all the tasks.
Pallets and product move on a system of automated conveyors, cranes and automated storage
and retrieval systems coordinated by programmable logic
controllers and computers running logistics automation software. These
systems are often installed in refrigerated warehouses where
temperatures are kept very cold to keep the product from
spoiling, especially in electronics warehouses that require
specific temperatures to avoid damaging parts, and also where
land is expensive, as automated storage systems can use vertical
space efficiently. These high-bay storage areas are often more
than 10 meters (33 feet) high, with some over 20 meters
(65 feet) high. Automated storage systems can be built up to 40m
high.
For a warehouse to
function efficiently, the facility must be properly slotted.
Slotting addresses which storage medium a product is picked from
(pallet rack or carton flow),
and how they are picked (pick-to-light, pick-to-voice,
or pick-to-paper). With a proper slotting plan, a warehouse can
improve its inventory rotation requirements—such as first in, first out (FIFO) and last in,
first out (LIFO)—to control labor costs and increase
productivity.[19]
Pallet racks are commonly
used to organize a warehouse. It is important to know the
dimensions of racking and the number of bays needed as well as
the dimensions of the product to be stored.[Clearance
should be accounted for if using a forklift or pallet mover to
move inventory.
Warehouses have changed
accordingly as the economy and the internet shopping has thrived
around the world increasing the demand for quick delivery of
products. Amazon has changed warehousing and automated
warehousing and the expection of same-day delivery. We are
seeing older warehouses in inner cities standing abandoned for
being too small for retrofitting by companies to compete and
deliver goods quickly. All Of these warehouses have similar
problems: how do you staff, and quickly train, a warehouse
worker? This is where automation comes in and it is this
automation that is now critical for companies to compete.
Automated picking systems, automated robots, racking systems and
more are now becoming the norm as demands for quick shipping
increase. With companies experimenting with drone pickup and
delivery, we may soon see drone landing ports on top of
warehouses or next to warehouses with operators all over the
world flying or controlling these drones.
Where does it leave us in
today's environment? I believe that you must have your warehouse
designed by a professional company, and that company then needs
to be able to implement or suggest a solution to guide your
company into this new and exciting age. Kuecker Logistics Group
has the experience and the knowledge to guide you and implement the new
products and services that will lead you to success and to profits.
Written by Joe Rossini
Some information provided by
Wikipedia
Some warehouses are
completely automated,
and require only operators to work and handle all the tasks.
Pallets and product move on a system of automated conveyors, cranes and automated storage
and retrieval systems coordinated by programmable logic
controllers and computers running logistics automation software. These
systems are often installed in refrigerated warehouses where
temperatures are kept very cold to keep the product from
spoiling, especially in electronics warehouses that require
specific temperatures to avoid damaging parts, and also where
land is expensive, as automated storage systems can use vertical
space efficiently. These high-bay storage areas are often more
than 10 meters (33 feet) high, with some over 20 meters
(65 feet) high. Automated storage systems can be built up to 40m
high.
For a warehouse to
function efficiently, the facility must be properly slotted.
Slotting addresses which storage medium a product is picked from
(pallet rack or carton flow),
and how they are picked (pick-to-light, pick-to-voice,
or pick-to-paper). With a proper slotting plan, a warehouse can
improve its inventory rotation requirements—such as first in, first out (FIFO) and last in,
first out (LIFO)—to control labor costs and increase
productivity.[19]
Pallet racks are commonly
used to organize a warehouse. It is important to know the
dimensions of racking and the number of bays needed as well as
the dimensions of the product to be stored.[Clearance
should be accounted for if using a forklift or pallet mover to
move inventory.
Warehouses have changed
accordingly as the economy and the internet shopping has thrived
around the world increasing the demand for quick delivery of
products. Amazon has changed warehousing and automated
warehousing and the expection of same-day delivery. We are
seeing older warehouses in inner cities standing abandoned for
being too small for retrofitting by companies to compete and
deliver goods quickly. All Of these warehouses have similar
problems: how do you staff, and quickly train, a warehouse
worker? This is where automation comes in and it is this
automation that is now critical for companies to compete.
Automated picking systems, automated robots, racking systems and
more are now becoming the norm as demands for quick shipping
increase. With companies experimenting with drone pickup and
delivery, we may soon see drone landing ports on top of
warehouses or next to warehouses with operators all over the
world flying or controlling these drones.
Where does it leave us in
today's environment? I believe that you must have your warehouse
designed by a professional company, and that company then needs
to be able to implement or suggest a solution to guide your
company into this new and exciting age. Kuecker Logistics Group
has the experience and the knowledge to guide you and implement the new
products and services that will lead you to success and to profits.
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