The composition structure of warehousing and logistics equipment and the advantages and disadvantage

With the development of logistics towards supply chain management, enterprises are increasingly emphasizing the unique role of warehousing as a resource provider in the supply chain. Warehouses are gradually transforming into distribution centers, which is warehousing logistics. Warehousing and logistics equipment mainly includes three-dimensional warehousing equipment, sorting systems, lifting equipment, etc., which can form automated and mechanized warehouses to stack, store, and sort items. Warehouse logistics can fully utilize space and reduce labor costs, but its drawbacks are also obvious, such as high investment requirements, long construction cycles, and lack of flexibility. Let's learn about warehousing logistics below!

1、 What is warehousing logistics

Warehouse logistics refers to the use of self built or leased warehouses, sites, storage, preservation, loading and unloading, and delivery of goods. The traditional definition of warehousing is given from the perspective of material reserves. Modern "warehousing" is not the traditional sense of "warehouse" or "warehouse management", but rather warehousing in the context of economic globalization and supply chain integration, and is a type of warehousing in modern logistics systems.

2、 Equipment composition of warehousing and logistics equipment

1. Stereoscopic storage equipment

By utilizing automated three-dimensional storage equipment, it is possible to achieve high-level rationalization, automated storage and retrieval, and simplified management of the warehouse. Its function can be summarized as:

(1) High rise shelving storage. Save land and make full use of warehouse space to increase storage capacity.

(2) Automatic access. Improve the efficiency of inbound and outbound operations, liberate manpower through mechanical automation, and reduce labor intensity.

(3) Computer control. Automatically store and manage information accurately, and print various reports automatically.

(4) Can be used in conjunction with other conveying equipment to connect production, warehouse, and logistics as a whole, reducing management costs.

2. Sorting system

The sorting system adopts a centralized management and decentralized control management mode, which integrates sensors PLC、 The combination of hardware and software modules such as computers, networks, and electronic picking to meet the process and management requirements of sorting systems. The overall task of this system is:

(1) Realize information exchange between control system and information management system.

(2) The sorting process is highly automated.

(3) Realize a highly coordinated operation between the sorting process and the stocking system.

(4) Realize real-time monitoring of the entire device operation process.

(5) Implement sorting control for daily processing of orders ≥ 8000.

(6) Realize automatic replenishment according to sorting requirements.

(7) Implement system protection for existing data in case of abnormal shutdown; When restored to normal, it can continue to operate in its original state.

3. Lifting equipment

Lifting equipment, also known as elevators, hoists, or elevators, is a form of vertical up and down reciprocating conveying. It is a transport device that combines horizontal conveyors and vertical lifting equipment, and is a relatively advanced special mechanical equipment. Its working principle is to use the up and down reciprocating motion of the lifting platform to achieve vertical conveying of materials, and different types of conveying equipment can be installed on the lifting platform to cooperate with the entrance and exit conveying equipment, making the conveying process fully automated. The up and down travel of the lifting platform can transport materials, and the material can flow in both directions simultaneously during one cycle of the lifting platform.

3、 The advantages of warehousing and logistics

1. Adopting an automated three-dimensional warehouse to fully utilize space

Automated three-dimensional warehouse is an important component of modern warehousing, using a multi-level elevated warehouse system for storing goods, with a height of over 30 meters. Different types of elevated structures can be set up according to needs: high-rise (greater than 12 meters), middle (5-12 meters), and low rise (less than 5 meters). This can save nearly 70% of the floor area compared to a flat warehouse.

2. Realize mechanization and automation to improve the management level of warehouses

The automated three-dimensional warehouse system consists of shelves, stacker cranes, inbound and outbound conveyors, automatic control systems, and management information systems. It can automatically complete the storage and retrieval operations of goods according to instructions and automate the management of warehouse goods, making material handling and warehousing more reasonable. Due to the use of shelves for storage and combined with computer management, it is easy to implement the principle of first in, first out, and storage for new goods to prevent natural aging, deterioration, rusting, and other phenomena of goods.

3. Reduce dependence on manual labor demand

Especially in reducing human resource costs in special storage environments, with the adoption of automation technology, automated warehousing can adapt to the needs of special situations such as darkness, toxicity, and low temperatures.

4、 The disadvantages of warehousing and logistics

1. Large investment and long construction period

The main body of automated warehousing is composed of automated warehouses. The basic components of an automated warehouse include: buildings, shelves, tally areas, management areas, stacking machinery, supporting machinery, related management systems, and information systems. These hardware and software require high capital investment and installation and construction costs. The construction project of automated warehouse needs to be evaluated and designed, including necessity assessment, technical assessment, system development, and sensitivity analysis. This requires an analysis of factors such as warehouse throughput, storage capacity, and types of order goods in the past and next 3-5 years, as well as performance evaluation and selection of equipment, all of which require a long time cycle and significant investment in manpower, materials, and time.

2. Fixed material throughput and types, lacking flexibility

After an automated warehouse is built according to the plan, the type of warehouse, throughput of materials, and capacity of the warehouse are fixed. At this time, if external factors suddenly change, the warehouse does not have strong adaptability and change ability, which is a lack of elasticity.