There are many ways to transport products vertically in a warehouse or manufacturing operation, each with its distinctive advantages and limitations. These methods can range from extremely basic – a forklift and a pallet – to fully-integrated, automated systems. Vertical conveyors are one of the most common methods for certain loads and situations. What are some of the integration factors for these conveyors, and how can you handle them?
Tags: work platforms, conveyors, mezzanine
Posted in Lifting & Lift Systems|
You’ve seen them pass so close in your facility it stopped you cold. Keeping forklifts and pedestrians from collision (or even close encounters) is a critical element of safety within any facility that uses both. Creating a safe culture that improves these interactions is the goal of any team, and there are many solutions available.
Outfitting your workers and trucks with proximity warning systems is a solution designed to improve these interactions. These systems are a crucial component of occupational safety strategies, significantly diminishing the likelihood of accidents and incidents between pedestrians and vehicles, and effectively fostering a culture of heightened safety awareness among employees
As proximity warning systems evolve, they now boast new features. Notably, some are exploring dual detection zones, with the thought of extra protection. This innovation prompts us to question: does an extra detection zone boost accident prevention effectiveness?
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Beverage handling systems have always been challenging. Cartons of expensive wine and liquor are heavy – and dense. And prone to damage. Sometimes these loads can be perishable and need to move fast through a system from picking to packing. The need to serve both retail and ecommerce customers from the same facility also complicates these design challenges.
Tags: warehousing, product damage, ergonomics, order fulfilment
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
Insufficient safety measures in warehouse and distribution centers can have severe repercussions, including injuries, operational downtime, product losses, property damages, and potential legal actions. Of particular concern are accidents involving collisions between forklifts or other vehicles and employees or visitors.
Within busy operations, a forklift or other vehicle may eventually run into existing rack. While the rack may not require immediate replacement, storage capacity and product throughput may be compromised for some time. If overloaded, or loaded incorrectly, a rack can also collapse, spilling the inventory to the ground. Employees and visitors must also be protected from vehicle traffic.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
I suspect you’ve heard somewhere that your dock is the “lifeblood” of your facility. Certainly, there’s no denying this reality, given that so much consistently flows in and out of this highly charged area. The name of the game is to create the most efficient movements within your dock while also keeping a watchful eye on the safety and security of those within it.
To move more and reap more from that, you want to allow for any type of delivery vehicle to enter and exit. There’s certainly a wide variety, and enhancing your existing physical dock location and limitations is key.
Posted in Docks & Shipping|
Improving the ergonomics of any warehouse operation may be the single easiest way to improve productivity – and that’s aside from the obvious safety and labor force protection aspects. Consider all the ways people move and work every day, every week, every year. Those repetitive motions take a toll both on the people doing the work and overall productivity. Ergonomics and productivity are not only related: they’re essential to each other.
Posted in Safety & Ergonomics|
Above: pallet racks are installed both to the side and in front of dock doors in tight space. Palletized loads are floor-staged nearby, further squeezing space.
Warehouse shipping docks are one of the busiest areas in any warehouse. You have the buzz of constant activity as shipments are received or processed out the door, with a mixture of people on foot, forklifts, carts, floor scales, pallets and storage areas. There may be extendable conveyors or other equipment in the same relatively compact footprint. During busy times, it gets more congested and less workable.
It’s also a popular area for palletized storage on, near and around the area. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Tags: forklift safety, shipping docks, loading dock safety, Receiving
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Every company that operates forklifts struggles with pedestrian safety problems. The issues are well-documented; forklifts are often the most problematic safety machinery in any operation that utilizes them.Â
Tags: plant safety, forklift safety, forklift
Posted in Forklift - Pedestrian Safety|
Conveyors and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are both used in logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing, but have critical differences in terms of functionality, flexibility, and applications. Neither system is inherently superior to the other based on the use case, situation, load and operational goals. When you need to build a product transport system, they can often work in tandem to create the best solution.
Posted in Conveyor Optimization|
You could write a short novel–maybe a long one–about ROI for industrial automation projects.
If you’ve engaged in large-scale distribution or manufacturing automation projects, you probably have a good start on that very thing. ROI is a complicated endeavor with moving parts and shifting priorities. Because investments are always competing with other concepts, it often comes down to this: what’s most important to your company, your business environment and your industry.
Tags: order fulfilment, Automation, return on investment
Posted in Order Picking & Fulfillment|
