The future is changing, the economy is getting better, everyone wants their merchandise tomorrow, and there isn’t enough labor to meet this growing demand. Thankfully, even though the current labor market is quickly becoming saturated, new technologies are emerging at an even faster pace to mitigate this long-term problem.
For years you have hired additional people to meet increased demand and paid overtime to address seasonal peaks, sometimes even utilizing third party companies to assist with workload equalization. Now, just for a moment, picture in your mind what I’m about to describe and start thinking about your own application. Although potentially different, the concept may be similar.
Technology Comes into Focus
You enter a dimly lit distribution center and hear noise but see very few people. It’s kind of eerie but as you get closer you see a pallet of various sized cases. A robotic arm with a special tool at the end is picking these cases off the pallet, rotating the cases until a barcode is read, and then placing them on the conveyor. The conveyor then transports them to an area that has multiple high-speed cranes (mini-loads). These cranes take each case and randomly store them somewhere within this 30-foot tall x 100-foot-long enclosed storage system. You wonder, where are these cases going and how will I ever find them?
Wouldn’t that be cool? Well, all this technology is already here and available for your application.
Equipment that Handles these Activities
- Warehouse Management System (WMS) – absolutely the heartbeat of automation. Keeps track of your cases from start to finish.
- FANUC Robotics – the world’s leader in robotic applications coupled with a state-of-the-art vision system that allows for mixed case palletization and de-palletization.
- Conveyor – allows the transport of product from one area to another.
- Mini-load Systems – stores product automatically within an enclosed system. A bar code or RFID tag tracks the location and quantity of everything stored.
This approach is quickly becoming mainstream, as it is proven technology and often with a compelling ROI. Not only are you addressing this growing problem of a shortage in qualified labor but you are eliminating the drudgery and injury possibilities associated with people doing repetitive lifting.
The Path to Innovation
Remember, this equipment can be used in many ways, not just for what I’ve outlined. A robot can
If you pick eaches out of cases, the mini-load is perfect. Simply download a pick list and the mini-load crane will go get that case for you, and return it once completed. It does all of this in the most efficient way, by bringing goods to the picker.
Maybe you deal with pallet loads. It’s the same general concept of storage but the system deals with pallets instead of cases.
Don’t Run Out of Time
You still have time!
Well Done Mr. Rick. Compelling read and very thought-provoking.
Thx for sharing!