Industrial operations like manufacturing, distribution and storage require solutions that are effective and affordable, since these are large-scale operations and cannot compromise of safety. Of course, the efficiency of the system will depend on the selection and engineering of the right equipment, which best suits the needs of the warehouse/industry.
Usually, there are three times of automation available for these systems:
- Chain Driven Live Roller (CDLR)
These rollers are designed with heavy duty structural side frames which support the weight of the items. They are powered using chains connecting power from the driven rollers to these.
- Drag chain.
Drag chain is used when the orientation of the pallet is an important consideration. A single shaft delivers power from the motor to the stands on the surface.
- Transfer cars.
These have multiple load positions, as they are usually used to travel a liner path with multiple stops to be utilised for different operations. These usually have their independently driven power sections of the conveyor.
What are the benefits of such a pallet handling system?
- Reduced labour expenses:
Since these systems are fully automated, they require lesser labour to service the warehouses and as a result, labour costs also decrease quite drastically. With a better utilisation of the storage area, the amount of money paid in rent also decreases. The overall efficiency of the warehouse increases considerably.
- The production equipment and products suffer less damage
If manual means are used, then the equipment as well as the product is bound to sustain damages in many forms. Dropping and misuse are the most common causes behind such damage, and this leads to a higher loss margin. Employing automated solutions means that the chances of such damages are reduced considerably, making the process more efficient and cutting down on losses.
- The production area is cleaner and not scattered
Since the system is automated and workers are not necessarily required at every step of the way, the workstation is less clattered with people, improving the level of optimisation and efficiency. More workers not only mean greater labour costs, but also greater chances of mistakes and accidents, and both can be reduced by employing these systems.
- Improved flow of the product
Rather than employing workers to carry items from one place to another, tasking the system with this is more efficient and risk-free. The flow of the product right from production to storage can be overlooked and tracked at any point of time.
- Increased warehouse safety
The safety of the warehouse is a big concern for most entrepreneurs, and since automated solutions reduce the need for workers, this ensures that there will be lesser damage to life during the process. When all the logistical issues are considered, it can be seen that these solutions guarantee safety in many forms, from physical injury, damage to the product and overall equipment failure.
