It is essential that a company carefully implements and supervises all processes at the end-of-line since these will guarantee a successful operation within the production plant.
These are the areas that must have special attention:
Conveyor systems and mergers
Once the product is boxed, it is vital to carry it through a conveyor system. Usually, these conductive lines reduce flows from different lines into a few in order to take the products to a sortation zone before going to the warehouse or shipping areas.
Sortation system
Conductive lines are classified at the end of the line by means of sorters, which are automated equipment that provide a quick and efficient distribution to different destinations thanks to a barcode reading.
Palletizing
Another essential product at the end-of-line is palletizing.
The selection of this process is based on the capacity of the lines, since it can be conventional palletizing (35 boxes per minute) or robotic palletizing (2-4 simultaneous lines). Selecting one or another will depend on the flow required after receiving the products from the sortation system.
Once palletized, products are taken to the warehouse using either a forklift or an AGV´s.
Warehouse
When the product arrives to the warehouse, it can be stored by conventional and selective racks or by stacker cranes.
Stacker cranes are automated systems with robots that allow high storage capacity with high flow and inventory control (13 height levels and up to 40 meters high).
One of the advantages of automated warehouses is that they are customized designs according to the batch and kind of products or special conditions required.
Do not forget that, in order to reach an efficient intra-logistics design, you must have a WMS. This control system supervises positions, expiry dates, products’ batches and infinite number of varieties that guarantee a successful industrial process.
Having old operation methods can cost you even the continuity of your business. Remember, the more automated your operation is, the greater certainty, capacity and corporate competitiveness you have.
If you need a specialized advice, do not hesitate to contact us. Your workflow and corporate growth is our priority. Call us now!
