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Warehouse automation

  • Set-up time in production and intralogistics

    If a machine or a production site, i.e. individual facilities or entire production lines, is set up for a special processing operation and equipped with the necessary tools, the duration...

  • The production cycle

    In a broader sense, a production cycle is the production process that begins with the raw materials and ends with the finished product. In a narrower and above all in...

  • The Internet of Things (IoT) and intralogistics

    The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the networking of physical objects (fitness bracelets, smart home, connected cars, industry 4.0) and the virtual world (software/Internet). Physical objects, in particular, are equipped...

  • The packaging logistics

    Packaging logistics is a sub-area of logistics; it is a link between production and distribution. In addition to packaging materials, packaging logistics also deals with the corresponding processes and structures...

  • Continuous conveyor / discontinuous conveyor

    Both the continuous conveyor and the discontinuous conveyor belong to the conveyor technology category. Both systems are used to transport goods from one place to another. They differ in that...

  • Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

    Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology for the unambiguous and contact-free identification of objects (goods, living beings and states) of any kind. It enables fast and automatic data acquisition...

  • Advantages and disadvantages: centralized and decentralized warehouse

    In distribution logistics, the determination of warehouse locations represents a strategic decision. A basic distinction is made between centralized and decentralized locations, which can have different effects on logistics costs...

  • Swarm intelligence – What we logisticians can learn from ants...

    You may think estimating the weight of an ox, as described in Part 1 of this article, is hardly a complex task. But these mechanisms can be used to solve...

  • SAIL – the system architecture for intralogistics from VDI /

    “Innovation and Standardization” is the title of a working group of the Intralogistics Forum of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), which brings together renowned machine and facility manufacturers, IT companies,...

  • AutoStore: Storage technology from Norway

    AutoStore is a Norwegian storage technology and, according to the company of the same name, is especially suitable for use as an automated small parts storage. The respective storage system...

  • Two-dimensional codes: stacked codes, matrix codes, QR code, DataMatrix code

    The one-dimensional bar code is commonly used to label goods and services. However, since the data density of such codes is low, applications intended for this purpose use two-dimensional codes...

  • Inventory in companies and in logistics

    In the inventory, the assets of a company are determined on a key date; in this way, assets and liabilities are specifically documented. Such an inventory is a prerequisite for...

  • The Jidoka principle in production and logistics

    The Jidoka principle describes the ability of a machine, a plant or an entire system to switch itself off in case of errors, quality and production problems. Jidoka forms the...

  • Vogel’s approximation method

    The approximation method according to Vogel is a heuristic procedure that is mainly used in distribution logistics, for example to solve a transport problem. It belongs to the field of...

  • CPFR – Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment

    CPFR stands for Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment and is a further development of Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), known from supply chain management. CPFR requires that all information along the...

  • The picking time in intralogistics

    The picking process itself and the associated picking time are usually a conglomerate of personnel- and cost-intensive processes, whose complexity depends on the business processes of the company. The picking...

  • Picking method Pick-by-robot

    The picking type Pick-by-Robot means the picking of goods, carried out by so-called perception-controlled logistics robots – without human intervention. Perception-controlled logistics robots are a further development of autonomous systems...

  • The picking method Pick-by-Vision

    Pick-by-Vision is a picking process in which a picker uses data glasses and context-related information to compile articles or goods for customer or production orders. The data glasses, also known...

  • Augmented Reality in logistics and service

    Augmented Reality (AR) describes the computer-aided extension of human perception of reality. From the users point of view, the real and virtual worlds merge with each other. The advantage: Through...

  • Key figure system in intralogistics

    Although a complete bundling of all key figures arising in warehouse and distribution systems is possible nowadays, it is difficult due to the multi-layered nature of complex systems. Using a...

  • The (hanging) bag sorter

    The Pouch sorter / Bag sorter belongs to the category of logistic sorting and distribution systems. A (hanging) bag sorter system makes it possible to transport hanging and flat packed...

  • The picking travel time

    The order-picking way time is the sum of the time required for picking a single order or batch; measured from the starting point of picking via the picking locations to...

  • The storage location management

    The storage location management ensures that a storage location is recorded or occupied in width, height and depth. It covers two different topological aspects. On the one hand the overall...

  • The process-oriented warehouse planning

    The process-oriented warehouse planning already takes into account in detail key positions relevant for planning such as assortment or stored goods, loading unit, and storage type during the so-called conceptual...

  • Optimization through process chain management

    Process chain management serves to organize business processes in intralogistics and other industrial segments. According to Otto Schlichtherle, Logistics IT Consulting, it combines process-oriented thinking with the alignment of processes...

  • Ergonomics in the warehouse

    Ergonomics in the warehouse aims at the adaptation and creation of workstations which, taking into account the human physique, enable the worker to carry out activities as comfortably as possible....

  • Definition – WMS – The Warehouse Management System

    TheWarehouse Management System (WMS) is an indispensable software for the control and administration of stocks (see also Inventory Management) and storage locations within closed operations (e.g. distribution centers or manufacturing...

  • Material flow control as a service for a distribution center

    Material flow control, also known as material flow computer or material flow control system (MFCS), is very often described as an order management directly assigned to materials handling equipment. However,...

  • Buffer line

    A buffer section is used to intercept jams within the material flow, to avoid bottlenecks and idle time within different processes and to collect inventories for forwarding. It can be...

  • Information in intralogistics

    Information describes the meaningful content of a message, which is of value for the recipient. The receiver can be either a human or a machine. The sent or received information...

  • Heijunka lean method

    The Japanese lean method Heijunka pushes a production where the production flow of the parts market is continuously guaranteed despite market fluctuations. This avoids transport and idle times and distributes...

  • The distribution center

    A distribution center is an interface in the form of a building complex that functions exclusively within a logistics network. This can be a warehouse, a transshipment point or both...

  • Storage and retrieval machine

    A storage and retrieval machine (SRM) is a storage device with which load units can be stored, transferred and retrieved. The storage, transfer and retrieval performance of a storage system...

  • The importance of material flow

    According to VDI, “material flow” is the interlinking of all processes involved in extracting, processing and distributing goods within defined areas. Material flow includes all forms of the passage of...