Solutions for Warehouse Automation
In a post-pandemic world, old-line solutions cannot keep up with consumer demands.
As shelves become emptier and emptier, manufacturers need instant results from machines to maintain an assembly line and market growth within the industry.
The consumer-packaging industry has been impacted the hardest within the manufacturing sector. In the 21st century, producers require intelligent solutions to keep factory operations running at capacity and profitable.
This is where robotics warehouse automation systems come in. As the robotic automation industry grows, we are coming closer and closer to being able to build a robot warehouse of the future. The core concept of the smart factory is designing “lights-out” warehouse systems where artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotic warehouse workcells have automated every phase of production.
Intelligent machines are now commonplace, which is one of the only ways to cultivate success in a progressively aggressive landscape. Automated warehouses will provide a future for businesses in a post- COVID-19 supply chain.
Let’s review the fundamentals of incorportating automation within warehousing systems.
What Makes a Warehouse Automation System Work
Warehouse robotics is becoming a staple for manufacturers all across the world. Warehouse automation works by using AI and machine learning (ML) along with hardware such as robotics and sensors, where a whole production line can direct itself. Automated warehouse robots can also be aligned and programmed to work within existing workflows.
Today’s automated warehouse solutions are systems that are customized based on a client’s needs and are capable of an array of jobs, including transporting materials, maintaining a line, and automating the most taxing factory roles.
Benefits of Different Warehouse Robot Solutions
The importance of robotic fulfillment order systems should not be underrated. Producers need flexibility and scalability when working with large SKU (stock keeping unit) to meet any dimension, pace, or payload requirement.
These are some of the benefits of adopting a warehouse automation system.
Increased
Warehouse Safety
Robotic workcells are fundamental to establish a strong foundation for automated warehouse systems. By automating mundane and dangerous tasks, the physical and mental well-being of the human workers improves as they move to more complex jobs. This act alone also reduces employe turnover and increases employee retention.
Lower
Error Rates
There’s a reason they call it human error. On a factory floor, it’s impossible to eliminate excess errors and waste with labor heavy jobs. Mistakes happen, but mistakes cost money. Robotic automation drastically curbs costs by executing a job perfectly all day long without error.
Mobile and Compact Technology
Manufacturers need to be able to maximize production by providing an economical, consistent, and productive warehouse. Vertical integration can serve producers by saving valuable floor space, especially with automated warehouse storage robots and retrieval processes.
Reduced
Warehouse Costs
Factories that depend on picking and sorting typically have an exceptionally high body requirement. This leads to a massive amount of time being dedicated to laborer’s fulfilling orders. By replacing workers with intelligent machines, clients will not only speed up production, but more employees to where they will be needed most.
Efficient Warehouse Automated Picking Systems
Picking is a critical part of warehouse operations. Using advanced vision systems and adjustable grippers, these machines possess the levels of reliability, accuracy, speed, and quality control. The system can run all these facets of a producer's workflow, which will demonstrate how efficient a line can be.
Types of Warehouse
Automation Technology
The selection of logistics robots available to manufacturers is a vast one. Here are some of the capabilities you can expect from these robotic workcells.
Transportation
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are the transportation solution for factories. The workcells can move inventory to every corner on the users' factory floor. AGVs were designed to replace forklifts and pick carts driven by employees.
Inventory Management
Automated warehousing storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) refer to computer-controlled operating systems that automate inventory management, while storing and retrieving goods at a moment’s notice. AS/RS are constructed to conduct rapid retrieval and placement of products this hardware typically is equipped with warehouse execution software.
Man's Best Friend
Manufacturers need to be able to maximize production by providing an economical, consistent, and productive warehouse. Vertical integration can serve producers by saving valuable floor space, especially with automated warehouse storage robots and retrieval processes.
Decasing and Decanting
Factories that depend on picking and sorting typically have an exceptionally high body requirement. This leads to a massive amount of time being dedicated to laborer’s fulfilling orders. By replacing workers with intelligent machines, clients will not only speed up production, but more employees to where they will be needed most.
How to Automate Your Warehouse
While the warehouse automated solution is an ideal one, it is challenging for smaller producers to gain access due to initial high investment cost.
These are insightful questions to ask when automating a factory.
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Are there consistent delays in delivery because of a lack of employees?
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Can you identify any labor-intensive warehouse tasks?
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Have you noted a decline in order fulfillment capacity?
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Do you repeatedly recognize inaccurate counts of inventory?
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Is there legacy or manual warehouse management tools installed in your facility?
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Have you witnessed a decline in your data in relation to customer satisfaction?
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Do you have any fluctuations in your workforce employment rates that effect the abilly to meet changing demand?
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Do you have a buy-in from key stakeholders?
You need to answer these types of questions before you commit to a robotics company or machine.
What Varieties of Warehouse Robotics Are Available to You
Every day, RIOS Intelligent Machines and other warehouse material handling companies are working to advance their technology to tackle more complex and niche issues.
Keep these things in mind when making robotic considerations: Will there be a direct impact on cost savings? What is the impact of the process on an enterprise-wide effort? Are there any major upcoming changes to the process?
With robots-as-a-service (RaaS), it gives each warehouse access to the benefits of automation without having to be paid upfront. Companies like RIOS offer alternative investment options, such as RaaS at a non-CapEx financial model, which allows businesses of all sizes to integrate this technology into existing workflows.
In a tight labor market, it is imperative for operations to investigate warehouse automation robots.
