If we think about all of the ways that home delivery of goods has changed over the past five, ten, or fifteen years, there is a lot to take in. We are not simply seeing more products bypass brick and mortar stores, we are also seeing new types of products make their way directly from warehouses to homes. This has been made possible thanks to significant developments in warehouse storage, especially high-speed sorting and conveyors. Our team at DMW&H has been keeping an eye on some of the important trends revolutionizing sorting and storage, so let’s take a look at some important topics to keep you ahead of the curve.
SIZE
If you drive through a residential neighborhood on recycling day, you are going to see a visual that is quite different than it might have been just a few years ago. Packages of all different shapes and sizes are now making their way from online retailers and into homes. This expansion (or perhaps reduction) of package sizes has presented new challenges for sorting and storing items in warehouses. Today, vertical pouch systems can be implemented to increase space usage and streamline the movement of small items. Similarly, there are conveyors and sorters today that are capable of handling larger items, like furniture or cookware, which could only be handled manually in the past. As with many other parts of the industry, adaptability and modularity of your conveyor systems is key, especially when dealing with products of different sizes. The key to speed is having a movement network that can easily handle all of the different sizes of products your business offers.
SPEED
A big part of the push with modern conveyors has been increased speed. Better motors and drive systems have allowed warehouses to operate with greater efficiency as goods are moved in from suppliers and out to customers.
However, speed comes with some challenges. It is important to strike a balance, one where packages can still be tracked easily by bar code readers and do not get lost during automated sorting. Speed is only as good as efficiency, in the end. Increased speed can also mean more wear-and-tear on conveyors, belts, and motors. Our team at DMW&H has put a lot of time into finding the sweet spot between speed, reliability, and efficiency of conveyors. If you are thinking about updating your conveyor system, we would be happy to recommend some great products and layouts that will help you find that sweet spot between speed, efficiency, and durability.
ENERGY
Automated sorting has become so popular because it has allowed human workers to focus on the jobs they do well, limiting mundane or labor intensive tasks. The tradeoff here is that as you implement high-speed modern conveyors and packaging systems, your energy footprint is going to increase. Conveyors that can handle products of different sizes, sort instantaneously, and operate non-stop require a lot of energy. The key goal in implementing a sustainable conveyor layout is keeping energy costs low, in order to reap the full benefits of automation. Our team at DMW&H has followed this trend closely over the last five-to-ten years, and would be happy to share some tips with you about energy savings. Give us a call or email today!