The logistics and warehousing industries are undergoing a revolution driven by innovation in automation technology. Intelligent conveyor systems are one innovation transforming warehouse and distribution center operations. Equipped with sensors, controls, and software, these innovative conveyors enable speed, efficiency, and precision in material handling and inventory management.
This blog post will explore five key ways conveyors drive dramatic improvements across inbound and outbound operations – from receiving to storage, order processing, and shipping. Read on to learn how these often-overlooked technologies are helping companies large and small gain a true competitive edge in today’s fast-moving marketplace.
1. Automating Critical Processes
Conveyor systems automate highly repetitive material handling tasks, including transporting, sorting, diverting, and accumulating products. They seamlessly move goods from receiving docks to storage locations, sequence orders for picking, and then transport completed orders to shipping areas.
This automation eliminates considerable manual material handling. Studies indicate that automating with conveyors improves productivity by 25-40% versus manual operations. They also reduce labor requirements by 80%, allowing your staff to focus on more valuable activities like quality assurance and customer service.
Furthermore, automation enables reliable 24/7 operation. This helps facilitate round-the-clock manufacturing while allowing you to run extra warehouse shifts as needed to meet demand spikes or seasonal peaks without needing to staff extra shifts.
2. Achieving New Levels of Accuracy
Intelligent conveyors enable more consistent and accurate scanning, dimensioning, weighing, and inventory tracking through storage and order processing activities.
Integrated sensors, diagnostics, and software provide real-time monitoring and data capture as products move through the warehouse. Conveyors record key timestamps and locations to give detailed, moment-by-moment visibility into inventory. This ensures full accountability across all warehouse processes.
Studies found that conveyor systems increased order accuracy to 99.9%, compared to 96% or less with manual order-picking operations. This minimizes costly picking and shipping errors that erode profits and impact customer satisfaction.
Beyond order accuracy, conveyors support precise inventory management with less wastage. For example, inclined conveyor belts efficiently handle fragile items and small loose parts without spillage versus traditional methods. Integrating scales enables precise weight verification, ensuring you ship every ounce received.
3. Maximizing Speed and Throughput
Outfitted with high-speed transfers, merges, and intersections, conveyors safely transport products at rates far exceeding manual capacities. Optimized layouts and intelligent controls sequence items to minimize stops and congestion, ensuring smooth, non-stop flow.
Powered roller conveyors utilizing 24-volt drives now operate 35% faster than comparable 230-volt systems, using less energy. High-speed cross-belt sorters accurately divert products at over 200 sorts per minute. This increased speed and throughput get your orders processed faster to improve delivery performance.
Goods-to-person order fulfillment systems store inventory on racks, then automatically retrieve and convey items to picking stations – saving substantial time versus pickers roaming warehouse aisles. Warehouse racking can also be integrated with conveyors to provide FIFO (first-in, first-out) buffering and sequencing for just-in-time delivery to production lines.
Automotive manufacturer Volkswagen estimates that intelligent, high-speed sequencing buffers with integrated conveyor systems increased production efficiency by 15-20% in their factory warehouses by ensuring components are precisely sequenced for the production line.
4. Optimizing Cubic Warehouse Density
Unlike traditional pallet rack aisles that mandate access for forklifts and manual picking, conveyor-centric facilities can fully utilize all available cubic storage density. With conveyors transporting inventory to pickers, products can be stored far more compactly on racks with very narrow aisles.
This intelligent multilayer storage concept minimizes wasted space between aisles. Optimized storage density plus conveyor automation increases throughput 2-3X in the same warehouse footprint. High-density configurations can recover up to 50% of floor space compared to conventional wide aisle racks.
Vertical lift modules integrate with conveyors, providing extremely dense, sequenced buffering and inventory storage with minimal footprint. These systems use an extractor carriage housed in a multi-level enclosure to store products vertically. Items are automatically elevated and conveyed to workstations, providing fast access with up to 75% reduced space utilization.
5. Enhancing Workplace Safety and Ergonomics
Perhaps most importantly, conveyor automation enhances workplace safety and ergonomics. Conveyors handle the heavy lifting and transport tasks, minimizing manual material handling. This alleviates stretching, bending, and lifting injuries associated with pick-to-cart and bulk-pull workflows.
With lightweight 2-3 lb gravity roller conveyors, workers can turn 600 cartons per hour without fatigue. Powered belt conveyors maintain a continuous, unrelenting flow with little worker effort.
Goods-to-person systems deliver sequenced products to pick stations, ensuring items are always handled at ergonomically friendly heights. With less twisting and stretching, injury rates fall as much as 67%, according to research.
Furthermore, automated conveyor processes minimize forklift traffic, eliminating a tremendous safety hazard. Purpose-built facilities with optimized conveyor layouts provide a better line of sight and prevent accidents within narrow aisles. By designing out risks, conveyors play a substantial role in protecting your greatest asset – your workforce.
Bottomline
Intelligent conveyor systems provide transformative benefits ranging from greater productivity and throughput to enhanced safety and ergonomics. While the upfront investment may seem high, conveyors deliver a solid return by optimizing critical distribution center functions.
As technology advances with cutting-edge controls, connectivity, and analytics, conveyors will evolve from standalone material handling into an integrated solutions platform. They represent one of the most impactful innovations shaping next-generation logistics and warehousing.
When planning a conveyor project, choose an experienced material handling integrator focused on understanding your operations, processes, and goals. A holistic plan tailored to your needs is essential to realize conveyors’ full benefits. With the right strategy and integration partnership, conveyors can help your business gain a distinct competitive advantage.