Intralogistics
Logistics oversees the material flow from factory to warehouse to final assembly, meaning it is in charge of the transportation and storage of goods. It is specifically in charge of transporting goods from point A to point B in the most efficient way, and deals with what takes place within a company to produce and ship a quality product. Intralogistics can be seen as more of the internal planning, automation, execution, and control of materials within a company, meaning its role takes place from the point the material is received until the product is shipped. Intralogistics plays a huge role in controlling the inside of the business by using data and technology in the warehouse to help create a safer and more efficient workplace, while cutting down maintenance costs.
Automation
Intralogistics is quite like logistics when it comes to its end goal of transporting goods from point A to point B in the most cost-effective and efficient way; however, Intralogistics also concerns the employee and their safety. One of the goals of intralogistics is to automate anything that does not require an employee to be present or to operate, especially jobs that could be potentially dangerous to the employee’s health. One example of this is the use of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and other material handling equipment within warehouses.
The use of AGV equipment and other material handling equipment has allowed warehouses to:
- Move much bigger quantities, more efficiently
- Create a cost-friendly and ergonomically safe environment
- Remove fork trucks from the environment (either completely or where unnecessary)
Ergonomics
Intralogistics does not just focus on automation of the warehouse, but also on the communication and ergonomics of the entire process. The goal of an autonomous world is not to replace human workers with robots, but for humans to co-exist with them creating a more efficient, ergonomic, and beneficial process. The main goals of intralogistics are the same goals that supply chain managers tend to try to achieve. Some of those goals include: safety, efficiency, less overstock, and cost reduction. In addition to AGV’s and autonomous equipment being used in warehouses, material handling carts are also used for moving heavy materials. These carts are another example of ergonomics as they provide an easier way for employees to transport heavy loads while decreasing potential for injury.
Learn More
Integrating AGV carts with an AGV tugger is a simple way to improve the overall productivity of a facility. Eventually, as technology improves, more carts will become autonomous, and material transfers between stations will become more efficient. To learn more about AGV carts and other material handling equipment, click here. Our carts offer flexibility for the ever-changing demands in the manufacturing world. Our team at Jtec will work with customers to determine package and component size. Check out our daughter carts here. Let Jtec help you improve your production!