INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

Logistics & Supply Chain

Activity 1 Topic 3

Teacher: Luis Enrique Maldonado Serna

Student: Rubalcava Cruz Elizeth Karina
School No. Control: D21153050
Date: March 10, 2024

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Index

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................3
How is the organization of materials in a warehouse or warehouse?..............................4
Example:.........................................................................................................................................7
What are the ways of working between a manual warehouse and an automated
warehouse?.......................................................................................................................................8
Manual warehouses......................................................................................................................9
Automated storage systems......................................................................................................11
Conclusion:.....................................................................................................................................15
Bibliography:..................................................................................................................................16

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Introduction

The effective organization of a warehouse is a critical component in the supply

chain, directly influencing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Proper
space management, strategic product layout, and the implementation of efficient
systems are critical to ensure a smooth workflow and agile response to market
demands. In this context, we will explore the best practices and key considerations
for organising a warehouse effectively, maximising its storage capacity and
facilitating internal logistics.

Warehouse management plays a critical role in the supply chain, and ways of
working in a warehouse can vary significantly depending on the level of
automation. In the modern context, two main approaches coexist: manual
warehouses, which rely heavily on human intervention, and automated
warehouses, where advanced technologies take on crucial tasks. We will explore
the distinctive features of both ways of working, highlighting the advantages and
challenges they present in the dynamic environment of trade and logistics.

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 How is the organization of materials in a warehouse or warehouse?

The organization of the warehouse must be oriented towards obtaining greater

efficiency from each process, which will have a positive impact on all ongoing
operations. When the warehouse layout is optimised, every square metre of
surface area is fully exploited. But it's not all about spaces and layouts.

The organization of a warehouse is essential to ensure efficient logistics operations

and maximize the productivity of a company. However, achieving an effective
organization is not an easy task and requires planning, knowledge, and
perseverance

The keys to achieving this optimization are:

1. Simplify: Avoid confusion, clutter, or complexity. This can be applied to

everything, for example, picking workers' journeys.
2. Structure: Try not to have overlaps, as they lead to chaos and increase the
level of risk. A good practice is to mark walkways for foot traffic and different
lanes for stacker cranes.
3. Visualize: To improve communication and promote agility, it is advisable to
identify spaces, addresses, areas and locations in a very visual way.
Employing colors for each area and using information labels on products
that include a photo of what's in the box are ideas that work well.
4. Apply logic: Placing seasonal or best-selling products in easy-to-reach
positions; placing items next to others with which they are usually sold; or
storing heavy items closer to the ground to avoid injury and make it more
manageable to pick them up are decisions that help move towards a better
organized warehouse.

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The steps to be able to organize a warehouse effectively are:

1. Choose the right storage system: The first step to organising a warehouse
efficiently is to choose the right storage system. There are different systems, such
as ordered, disordered, block, and flow. The choice will depend on the type of
goods being stored, the distribution of space and the needs of the company. For
example, the sorted system is ideal for precise inventory control, while the flow
system is recommended for perishable goods. It is important to evaluate the
options and select the one that best suits the specific needs of the warehouse.

2. Make the most of vertical space: A key aspect in the organization of a

warehouse is to make the most of the available space. To do this, it is essential to
use racking and storage systems that allow goods to be stored at height. Metal
shelving is an excellent choice due to its strength and versatility. In addition, there
are models such as the Picking rack, designed to support heavy loads. By making
the most of vertical space, storage capacity is increased and workflow within the
warehouse is optimized.

3. Automation and technology: they are key allies in the organization of a

warehouse. The implementation of automated systems, such as the "Internet of
Things" (IoT), makes it possible to streamline processes and improve operational
efficiency. For example, the use of barcode readers, PDAs and warehouse
management systems (WMS) facilitates inventory monitoring and control,
streamlining the tasks of receiving, storing and preparing orders. Technology can
also contribute to the optimization of distribution routes and the efficient
management of personnel.

4. Space planning and design: these are essential for efficient warehouse
organization. It is necessary to analyze and optimize the distribution of products,
establish specific storage areas and create clear logistics routes. It is also
important to have an adequate reception space for the unloading of goods and

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their subsequent location in the warehouse. When planning space, both storage
capacity and ease of access to products should be considered.

5. Product labelling and location: these are essential aspects for an efficient
warehouse organization. Each reference must have a clear and precise
identification label, making it easier to locate and control. In addition, it is advisable
to establish specific zones for different product categories, such as fast-moving
products or perishable products. By maintaining an orderly and consistent location,
warehousing and picking operations are streamlined.

6. Inventory management and stock control: Proper inventory management is

essential to keep a warehouse organized. It is necessary to constantly monitor
stock, identify obsolete or slow-moving products, and establish appropriate
replenishment policies. It is also important to have a stock control system that
allows you to know the availability of products in real time and avoid inventory
breakages or excesses. The implementation of technologies such as barcode and
WMS facilitates inventory management and control more efficiently.

7. Staff training and motivation: Warehouse staff play a key role in the organization
and efficiency of the warehouse. It is essential to provide adequate training and
continuous education so that employees are aware of work procedures and
standards. In addition, it is important to foster a motivating work environment,
encouraging good performance and recognition of achievements. A well-trained
and motivated team contributes to operational efficiency and maintaining an
organized warehouse.

8. Maintenance and cleanliness: these are essential aspects to ensure its

organization and proper functioning. It is important to establish cleaning and
preventive maintenance routines to avoid the accumulation of dust, dirt or damage
in the facilities. Regular inspections should also be carried out to identify potential
improvements in storage infrastructure and equipment. A clean and well-
maintained warehouse improves safety, efficiency, and the company's image.

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9. Process and workflow optimization: it is essential for an efficient warehouse
organization. It is necessary to continuously analyze and improve procedures and
tasks, eliminating unnecessary or redundant activities. The implementation of
techniques such as cross-docking, which speeds up the delivery of products
without going through storage, reduces waiting times and speeds up distribution. It
is also advisable to establish performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and
improve operational efficiency.

10. Evaluation and continuous improvement: The organization of a warehouse is

not a static process but requires continuous evaluation and improvement. It is
important to carry out regular analyses of the efficiency and productivity of the
warehouse, identifying areas for improvement and establishing corrective actions.
Staff feedback and data collection are valuable tools for identifying opportunities for
optimization and adjusting warehouse organization. The constant pursuit of
excellence and continuous learning are critical to maintaining an organized and
efficient warehouse.

Example:

Among the micro companies that are in my subdivision, I decided on a carpentry

shop which is called PREFAMA, this company has a warehouse divided into two
sections, the first section has all the equipment that is needed, this is organized on
shelves where in the lower part are the heaviest and in the upper part the lightest,
Every time a worker takes some equipment he must register it in a list, then there
is the second section of the warehouse will find the staples, pins, nails, slides,

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pulls, everything that is small and more used for manufacturing, in this case they
must ring a bell in which the owner of the carpentry shop, comes down from his
office and supplies what they need without overdoing it, Then both sign a
document which shows how much and how often the material is being supplied,
that way each worker is more careful not to lose or waste material, and the owner
can have better control of what is leaving the warehouse both in equipment and
material.

What are the ways of working between a manual warehouse and an

automated warehouse?
Manual and automated warehouses.

A wide variety of mechanical equipment is available for loading and unloading,

picking orders and moving goods in the warehouse. Motion equipment is
differentiated by its degree of specialized use and the amount of manual energy
required to operate it. Three main categories of equipment can be distinguished:

•Manual.

•Motorized equipment.

• Fully mechanized equipment.

A material handling system usually involves a combination of these categories,

rather than the exclusive use of one category. The function of a storage system is
to store materials for a period and allow access to those materials when they are
needed. The materials stored in these systems can be of several types:

 Commodities
 Purchased or Acquired Parts
 Work-in-process, finished products
 Leftover material
 Waste, tools
 Spare parts
 Office Supplies

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  Records and other plant documents, etc.

Each type of material requires a different storage and control method. The use of
one method or the other also depends on the work philosophy of the warehouse
staff and budget constraints. There are two methods of storing and retrieving
materials: manual and automated.

Manual warehouses.

In many storage systems, materials are stored in unit loads that are stored in
standard-sized containers. The standard container can be easily handled,
transported, and stored by the storage system and by the material handling system
to which it can be connected. Strategies for storage localization.

There are two basic strategies for organizing materials in a storage system:
random storage and specialized storage.

 Random storage: Items are stored anywhere available (usually the closest)
in the storage system. SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) retrieval is done in
accordance with the first in first out policy, i.e. items that have been stored
the longest are the first to be recovered.
 Specialized storage: SKUs are assigned to specific locations in the storage
facility. That is, there are reserved locations for each SKU. The specification
of these locations is done using different number sequences for each SKU,
depending on the activity level of each SKU, or based on a relationship
between the activity level and the required space. Comparing the two
strategies, we realize that when using the random method, a smaller total
space is required for storage, although the performance is usually higher
when using specialized storage based on the level of activity.

Conventional storage methods and equipment require a human worker to access

the stored items, so the storage system is static and immobile. Traditional or non-
automated storage methods are:

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a) Bulk storage Unit loads (placed on pallets or contained in containers) are
stacked on top of each other. This increases the storage density. However,
access to internal loads is often very difficult. To increase accessibility, loads
can be arranged in rows and blocks, so that natural corridors are created.
Although bulk storage is characterized by the absence of specific storage
equipment, industrial carts and trucks are often used to place materials or
retrieve them from their storage location. Therefore, bulk storage is used to
store large stocks or quantities of unit loads.
b) Shelving systems. They allow the stacking of unit loads without the need for
them to support each other. One of the most common racking systems is the
one formed by pallet racks (platforms), which consists of a structure that
includes horizontal beams that support the
c) The drive-in racks have the same structure as the previous racks, but, in this
case, one end of the created aisle is closed. Therefore, only the last-in/first-
out policy can be carried out.
d) Flow-through racking: They use long conveyor tracks capable of supporting
a row of unit loads or inclined surfaces. Unit loads are loaded on one side of
the rack and unloaded on the other, providing a first-in/first-out rotation.
Typically, racking systems are used to store pallet loads.
e) Shelves and chests. Shelving represents one of the most common types of
storage equipment. A shelf is a horizontal platform, supported by a wall or
structure, on which materials are stored. Often, shelves include chests,
which are containers or boxes that contain loose items. Normally, individual
items are stored on both shelves and chests.

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Automated storage systems.

Automated storage systems reduce or eliminate (depending on the degree of

automation) the amount of human intervention required to operate the system.
Generally, automated storage systems are divided into two types: automated
storage/retrieval systems (AS/RS) and carousel systems.

Automated storage/retrieval systems (AS/RS).

An AS/RS typically consists of a computer-controlled system that performs storage

and retrieval operations with speed and accuracy under a certain degree of
automation. In the automated warehouse there are one or more storage aisles that
are crossed by an S/R (Storage/Retrieval) machine. Each aisle has shelves for
storing items and S/R machines are used to place or retrieve items on or from such
shelves. Each aisle of the automated warehouse has one or more picking and
depositing (P&D) stations where materials are delivered to the storage system or
removed from the system. These stations can be operated by hand or
interconnected to some type of automated handling system, such as a conveyor or
AGVS.

Application of AS/RS.

Storage and retrieval of drives. This application is carried out with unit load or Deep
Lane type AS/RS. Order picking. For this second area of application, skid steer
loading, the Man-On-Board and the AS/RS item retrieval are used.

WIP storage, especially in batch production and in the Job Shop type. The
automated warehouse will be used as a buffer between processes with very
different production rates. Storage of raw materials or components for assembly, to
reduce the risk of possible delays in deliveries from suppliers.

The use of AS/RS systems is motivated by:

Compatibility with automatic identification systems. AS/RS are systems that

support automatic identification, such as barcode readers. This allows loads to be
stored and retrieved without human operators identifying loads. Computer control

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and monitoring of materials. Combined with automatic identification, an automated
storage system allows you to know the location and condition of materials or items.
Integration. The automated storage system becomes an important subsystem in a
fully automated factory.

Types and Design of Carousel Systems

Carousel systems can be horizontal (most common configuration) or vertical.

Horizontal carousel systems can be found suspended from the ceiling (top-driven
unit) or floor-mounted (bottom-driven unit). The latter provide greater capacity and
solve some problems, such as oil dripping, of the former. Vertical carousel
systems, which consist of vertical conveyors, take up less horizontal space, but
require a longer vertical length, so the roof limits their size. Therefore, the capacity
of vertical carousel systems is less than that of horizontal systems. The design of
the carousel chests or baskets must be compatible with the loads to be stored.

Carousel technology.

Most carousel systems are operated by a worker located at the loading/unloading

station. The worker activates the carousel to deliver the desired ark to the station,
one or more items are collected or added to the ark, and then the cycle repeats.
Activation of the carousel is done with manual control controls such as foot pedals,
switches, or keyboards. There are also computer-controlled carousel systems. This
computer control, which increases the degree of automation of the system, allows
automatic loading and unloading operations (without the need for workers) and
good control over the positions of the chests, the items stored in them and other
stock control records.

Uses of the carousel.

Carousel systems are often an alternative to using AS/RS skid steer loaders. The
use of carousel systems is very common in the electronics industry. Its typical
applications are:

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  Storage and retrieval operations for individual items, tools, raw materials,
spare parts, etc.
 Transport and accumulation. The system is used to transport and/or sort the
materials or
 items that are stored in baskets or chests.
 Temporary storage of WIP.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Automated Storage Systems

Advantages:

 Fewer workers.
 Improved material control.
 Increased storage capacity.
 Increased storage density.
 Improved security in the storage function.
 Improved stock turnover.
 Improved customer service.
 Increased throughput.

Disadvantages:

 High cost.
 Maintenance costs.
 Difficulty modifying the system.

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Conclusion:

In conclusion, organizing a warehouse goes beyond simply stacking products on

shelves. It involves the implementation of smart strategies, adapted to the specific
needs of each company. From logical product sorting to the adoption of innovative
technologies, every decision contributes to the overall efficiency of the warehouse.
By maintaining a balance between manual management and the adoption of
technological solutions, companies can not only optimize available space but also
improve inventory accuracy and streamline operations, generating a positive
impact on the profitability and competitiveness of the business in today's market.
The organization of the winery is not only an operational practice; It's a vital
strategy for long-term success in a dynamic and demanding business environment.

The choice between a manual warehouse and an automated warehouse reflects

the need to balance efficiency and adaptability in logistics management. The key to
success lies in understanding the specific demands of the supply chain, combining
the best of both approaches when necessary. Ultimately, the continued evolution of
technology and attention to changing market demands will influence the choice
between manual and automated, ensuring wineries adapt and thrive in an ever-
changing business environment.

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claves-mejores-practicas-y-beneficios/

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