Choosing the right material handling equipment is the foundation of an efficiently operating warehouse. It's what determines whether internal processes - from material handling to storage - run quickly, smoothly and without interruption. Material handling is a key component of any warehouse and manufacturing space. Modern conveyors, advanced specialized equipment or Industry 4.0 technologies can significantly improve work efficiency, reduce the risk of errors and increase safety in the company.
What systems are worth considering and how to choose the equipment best suited to your warehouse needs? Here are some tips!
Proximity transportation - what to pay attention to?
Selecting the right material handling equipment is not just a technical decision, but more importantly a strategic action to affect the efficiency, safety and effectiveness of the warehouse. What should you pay attention to first and what questions should you ask yourself?
What challenges are you facing?
Before deciding on equipment, it's a good idea to understand what problems and limitations exist in your warehouse. Ask yourself some key questions:
- Does your warehouse have limited space? What expansion options do you have - horizontal or vertical?
- Is the flow of goods smooth, or do outages occur? What causes them?
- What kind of products do you transport? Do their weight and dimensions affect the efficiency of your processes?
- Is the receipt and release of goods simultaneous or at different times?
- Do you work in harsh conditions where human labor is hindered - freezer, cold storage rooms
Every warehouse is different. The analysis begins with a detailed understanding of its operation. It is important to take into account the specifics of the company's operations, available resources and potential limitations, such as non-standard spaces or non-simultaneous receipt of goods.
What do your warehouse processes look like?
Well designed handling equipment should support key processes in your warehouse. To achieve this, it makes sense to answer the questions:
- Is the transport of goods only horizontally or also vertically?
- What does order picking look like? Is the process fast and accurate?
- Are there any non-standard operations in the warehouse, such as repacking or sorting goods?
- What equipment do you already have and what is missing to automate key processes?
Each of these aspects influences the choice of appropriate technologies. For example, in multi-level warehouses, telescopic systems and conveyor elevators will be helpful, while for intensive picking it is worth betting on Pick to Light systems.
How to choose material handling equipment for your warehouse?
1. conveyor systems
Conveyors are the backbone of material handling. Depending on your warehouse needs, you can choose:
- Roller conveyors - They are great for transporting parcels with regular shapes. They are easy to integrate with other systems.
- Belt conveyors - Ideal for shipping smaller or irregular loads, such as wrappers.
- Chain conveyors - Indispensable for heavy loads such as pallets or metal components.
- Transport carts (up to 60 m/min) - A mobile solution for large facilities to move loads quickly.
2. specialized equipment
In more advanced warehouses, it may be necessary:
- Telescopic systems - Ideal for loading and unloading goods in areas with limited space.
- Transport by elevator - Allows the transport of goods between levels of the warehouse.
- "Pick to Light" system - streamlines order picking by showing the employee the correct products to pick, eliminating errors and speeding up the process.
- Storage stackers - automate the processes of storing and retrieving goods from high-bay racks.
- Depalletizers and roller turntables - automate the process of repackaging or rotating loads for further processing.
Proximity transportation - where to start a project?
Advanced Industry 4.0 technologies, such as WCS/CCS (Warehouse Control System) or 3D visualizations, can help you plan your processes accurately. It is important that the solutions are not only tailored to your current needs, but also take into account the possibility of scaling as your business grows. One thing is certain - close transportation is an investment that quickly pays for itself - both in the form of time savings and increased warehouse efficiency.
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