Warehouse machines are vital components of any logistics facility, responsible for moving goods internally—from loading docks to storage areas and production to pick stations.
These machines can be categorized into two main types:
- Manual (such as pallet trucks, forklifts, order pickers)
- Automatic (including conveyors, electrified monorails, stacker cranes)
Additionally, warehouse machines can be classified based on the specific processes or operations they perform:
Warehouse Machines for Loading and Unloading at the Docks
To facilitate the receipt and dispatch of goods at docking areas, the following machines are typically used:
- Pallet Trucks and Stackers: Pallet trucks are the most commonly used and versatile handling equipment, available in both manual and electric versions, suitable for transport operations at floor level.
- Counterbalanced Forklift: These forklifts excel at loading and unloading trucks, featuring forks that extend from the front. Unlike pallet trucks and stackers, counterbalanced forklifts are faster, can operate both inside and outside the warehouse, and utilize a lever mechanism with a large rear counterweight.
- Automatic Truck Loading Systems (ATLS): ATLS enable the automated insertion and removal of pallets from trucks with minimal operator involvement.
Choosing the right equipment for loading docks is critical, as these areas serve as the main access points for any logistics facility.
Warehouse Machines for Depositing and Extracting Unit Loads
Here’s a look at popular machinery for placing and retrieving products from racks:
- Forklifts
- Stacker Cranes and Trilateral Stacker Cranes
- Pallet Shuttle
- Miniload System
Warehouse Machines for Transporting Goods
These machines are responsible for moving loads from one point to another:
- Forklifts: Any forklift type can temporarily carry goods between two points, with counterbalanced forklifts being the most common due to their speed.
- Conveyors: Comprising a series of rollers, conveyors transport loads (boxes or pallets) along a circuit, powered by electric motors for safe, controlled movement. Roller conveyors operate according to the instructions from the warehouse management system.
- Overhead Chain Conveyors: These are designed for transporting hanging items, featuring an aerial circuit with continuously moving chains and various supports for holding items such as boxes and garments.
- Electrified Monorails: This transport system consists of automatic trolleys driven by electric motors, moving along a rail that can be suspended from the ceiling or fixed to the floor.
- Pallet Lifts: Also known as vertical conveyors, pallet lifts are integrated into conveyor lines to raise or lower pallets several feet, allowing access to multiple levels from 16.5' to 131'.
- Bridge Crane: This system, formed by one or two girders with a travel motor, is suited for transporting large loads and profiles.
- Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs): move autonomously along a preprogrammed route, guided by wire or laser systems. In contrast, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) adapt their travel based on real-time information from their surroundings.
These machines aim to enhance material flow in the warehouse while ensuring safety in handling and transportation.
Warehouse Machines for Picking
Order picking costs significantly impact a logistics facility's overall operating expenses. Reducing these costs is crucial for success, and the choice of warehouse machinery plays a significant role:
- Order Pickers: Evolving from pallet trucks and electric stackers, order pickers are designed to streamline picking from manual racks, allowing operators to access controls on one side and the load on the other.
- Manual Picking Carts: Used for transporting boxes or complementing order pickers, these carts are ideal for small, easily transportable products.
- Conveyors: Roller conveyors for boxes, totes, and bins can facilitate goods-to-person order picking by bringing products directly to pick stations, allowing workers to remain stationary and complete orders more efficiently.
- Industrial Robotic Arms: These robotic arms assist operators in handling heavy loads, mimicking human motion to enhance the pick-and-place order picking process.
Overall, warehouse machines expedite order preparation, assist operators in their tasks, and minimize errors.
Choose the Best Machine for Your Logistics Facility
With a vast selection of warehouse machinery available, selecting the right one is crucial for optimizing logistics efficiency. This decision depends on several factors, with three key considerations standing out:
- Warehouse layout design
- Required supply chain flow
- Type of goods managed