Embracing Automation: The Key to Warehouse Success
In the ever-evolving warehousing landscape, implementing motorised automated material handling equipment has proven to be a game-changer. The rise of online shopping, coupled with a global labour shortage, has placed immense pressure on warehouses to meet the increasing demand efficiently. Automation systems have emerged as a solution to bridge this gap, enhancing employee safety and significantly improving overall efficiency within the business.
The Surge of Online Shopping and Warehouse Requirements
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic fueled exponential growth in online shopping, witnessing a staggering 40% increase in the total number of people shopping online in South Africa. This surge in online shopping has led to a spike in the need for large, sophisticated warehousing and distribution hub facilities. Global Smart Warehousing is valued at USD 14.46 Billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to USD 31.57 Billion by 2027 [1]. While online shopping continues to flourish, a global labour shortage poses significant challenges for warehouses in finding skilled personnel to fill vacancies promptly.
The Role of Automation in Filling the Labor Gap
Automation systems have emerged as a viable solution to tackle the labour shortage issue in the warehousing industry. Although robotic automation currently represents only a fraction of warehouse spending, it is predicted to grow from USD 3.6 Billion in 2021 to a staggering USD 18 Billion in 2025 [2]. As technology and AI advance, automation systems are set to grow even faster, bringing about increased efficiencies and substantial cost savings.
Improving Warehouse Functionality with Automation
- Shuttle Systems: Mobile transportation vehicles, known as warehouse shuttle systems, can effortlessly shuttle between storage racks, retrieving and sorting stock. These systems maximize floor space without compromising employee safety, as they eliminate the need for drivers and forklifts to enter the storage lanes.
- Sorting Machines: Central to most warehouse operations, sorting machines effectively divert, redirect, divide, and sort items like parcels, enhancing accuracy, operational efficiency, and overall throughput. This automation also allows staff to focus on more skilled tasks within the organization.
- AGV/AMR/AS/RS: Automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots, and automated storage and retrieval systems can autonomously travel through the warehouse environment, efficiently loading, distributing, and picking items without human intervention. Their ability to react in real-time to obstacles and operational changes makes them invaluable assets.
- Palletising Robots: Palletizing robot systems automate the precise placement and stacking of goods onto pallets, ready for transportation. With the right motor, these systems offer shorter cycle times, reduced breakages, and accurate packing processes, significantly improving warehouse efficiency.
- Strapping Technology: Strapping systems, whether fully automatic or operator-assisted, expedite the packing and palletizing processes. These systems save labour hours and costs while optimizing material usage, ultimately reducing the warehouse’s carbon footprint.
- Bots: Various other bots, such as bagging machines and carbonisation equipment, facilitate production lines, picking, packing, and shipping processes. By selecting the most appropriate motor for each task, warehouses can enhance efficiency.
- Conveyors: Automated conveyor robotics efficiently handle repetitive tasks, such as transportation, sorting, and loading, significantly reducing labour costs and ensuring smooth product flow throughout the warehouse.
The Advantages of Parvalux’s BLx60 Brushless Motor
Parvalux, a leading gear motor manufacturer, has played a crucial role in empowering warehouses globally. Their new BLx60 brushless motor is specifically designed with warehouse applications in mind, offering a range of key features:
- High torque 4 Pole BLDC motor, ensuring powerful performance.
- Continuous torques of up to 0.7Nm, providing consistent and reliable operation.
- Wide voltage range of 12-48V DC, accommodating various warehouse setups.
- NEMA 23 mountings for easy integration into existing systems.
- IP54 protection, safeguarding the motor from dust and moisture.
- Class F insulation, ensuring durability and longevity.
- Low noise and vibration resistance, promoting a quiet and smooth warehouse environment.
As warehouses face the challenges of meeting the surge in online shopping demand amid a global labour shortage, automation systems, powered by reliable motors, present an ideal solution. DNH Technologies, in collaboration with Parvalux and their innovative BLx60 brushless motor, is at the forefront of warehouse automation. By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, warehouses can boost efficiency, reduce labour costs, and pave the way for a successful future in the dynamic world of e-commerce and logistic