Modern innovations and technologies have revolutionized the way a factory operates. Labor-intensive manual processes have given way to automated processes with minimal or no human intervention. Computer-controlled automation systems are part of every value-added area of the entire production chain, as are the various application-based software to manage them, resulting in a higher level of production at higher speeds with lower costs. costs in a modern factory.
The warehouse or warehouse is an area of a factory where automation and technology have had a relatively late and moderate entry. However, given the scope of the applications and the projected added value that it can generate throughout the production chain, there has been an increase in the use of automated systems and technologies.
Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) is an essential part of a modern warehouse. ASRS primarily consists of storage racks, storage and retrieval equipment, and a Warehouse Management System (WMS) which is a software application. Moving forward from conventional storage and retrieval equipment in a warehouse like AGV, the ASRS system is programmed to operate according to load dimensions and delivery speed for a particular load type. ASRS sends information related to cargo movement to warehouse management systems that process the data and guide automated warehouse control systems (WCS) that maneuver other warehouse equipment in tandem.
Conventional material handling systems involve labor or small machinery to move and store products in a warehouse using pallets that are stored using a single or double deep rack. This method is extremely tedious as it requires the manual maintenance of a large amount of data on the location and quantity of stored products. A large investment in the resource is required to maintain the conventional material handling system; it also requires a large amount of time, which leads to a slow process chain in the warehouse.
Advantages over conventional systems:
• Conventional forklift trucks and battery stackers offer greater strength in capacity, while ASRS offers the same workload at all levels of the storage system.
• ASRS systems are self-maneuvering and, therefore, do not require an operator during equipment movement.
• Being an electrical equipment, no battery charging time or backup batteries are required, therefore ASRS offers 24/7 availability.
• ASRS is capable of moving standard and non-standard loads in a volume of uniform size (container, pallet, etc.).
Factory owners are rapidly adopting ASRS for their warehouses. But, if you are setting up a new factory for your business, integrating ASRS into your warehouse can be a very beneficial and prudent decision, as you can benefit from the cost-effective ease of integration better than retrofitting ASRS into an existing warehouse setup. .
Benefits for the entire supply chain management in the new factory:
• ASRS requires a small operating island and is a very dense system, minimizing floor space usage and maximizing storage capacity and density.
• ASRS helps reduce costs by minimizing the number of unnecessary parts and products in inventory.
• ASRS reduces labor involvement in operations, lowering overall operating cost and increasing safety
• ASRS helps model and manage the logical representation of physical storage facilities
• Enables a seamless link with order processing and logistics management to pick, pack, and ship products on or off site
• ASRS generates data on the movement of loads (tracking where products are stored, which suppliers they come from and how long they are stored), to help companies better manage inventory.
• Allows the total effectiveness of the production in raw materials, packaged products and finished products, thus eliminating the possibility of production failures.