Traditional forklift is an ideal choice for handling compact loads (mostly small goods packed according to rules), but for handling long materials such as pipes, pipes and profiles, side load multidirectional forklift can improve safety, optimize storage density, and even simplify production and manufacturing process.
The traditional layout and operation depend on a large number of traditional materials, no matter where they are stored. Usually this means that traditional forklifts must be used to handle materials, and forklifts are ideal for most material handling applications. The forklift has the necessary flexibility to move the load of pallets, crates and other short materials. However, when the aisle is only a few feet wide, most of the ground space is used for stacking goods, so the storage density is also the best operation.
Some companies dealing with long loads - those that exceed about 10 feet (3 meters), such as pipes, pipes and profiles - still use traditional methods. These companies, whether manufacturers, service centers or manufacturers, have developed processes for use with traditional equipment, even if more efficient material handling forklifts can be used and streamlined operations can be achieved.
Long load, wide channel
The standard approach is simple: leave enough storage space for a healthy inventory level, invest in a few forklifts, and then start working. As the business grows, the company may build an additional warehouse and invest in more forklifts, but it usually does not comprehensively rethink storage, material handling and processes.
Long term high load; Using forklifts to carry goods in the traditional way often requires raising the height of the goods to avoid many obstacles - personnel, equipment, inventory, and even elements of the warehouse itself. This method violates the general guiding principle of OSHA (American Occupational Safety Administration): that is, it emphasizes to keep the goods as low as possible. If the forklift is not lifted, the goods will be overturned well in the process of lifting.
Even when the cargo can be lowered, the direction of the cargo - perpendicular to the direction of travel - means that the driver must assess a wide field of vision and constantly scan left, right and straight ahead as he navigates through the facility.
Open space; The wide space is suitable for cattle herding and playing children, but they run counter to good manufacturing business. When using traditional forklifts to transport long goods, take-off and landing and 90 degree turns will take up a considerable amount of space.
Space utilization; Finally, every square foot of empty floor space used for material handling means that one square foot of floor space is missing for the use or production and storage of goods and other equipment. With the development of the company, a common response is to increase the floor area of the facilities. This means either building an additional building or adding to an existing building. These are expensive, time-consuming projects that do nothing to reduce or eliminate potential inefficiencies.
New perspective of material handling
On the surface, on the surface, the main advantage of the side dump forklift is that it will not rotate it 90 degrees after retrieving the goods. In other words, when the pipe, pipe or profile is stored in the warehouse, its long axis is parallel to the length of the aisle, and the side dump forklift transports it in the same direction. However, this is not over. When the driver turns the wheel, the multi-directional side pusher can change direction, which is actually 90 degrees. This is similar to zero turning radius, but it doesn't even turn; It just changes direction. If the cab faces north, the operator can drive the multi-directional elevator along the north-south axis, stop, change the direction of the wheels by 90 degrees, and then drive along the east-west axis.
For manufacturers who store raw materials and finished 名媛直播 indoors, low-density storage systems will occupy a considerable amount of valuable floor space.
Imagine a parking space about six inches longer than your car. If you can turn the wheel 90 degrees, you can slide into the parking space, and you have 3 inches of clearance at both ends. This is the versatility of the side dump forklift.
It gets better; For the operation that often depends on moving materials in a day, there is a driver's seat in the cab of the forklift, but for the less frequent operation of moving materials, the company can designate a standing cab. This design cancels the driver's seat and reduces the shape of the forklift. This allows it to work in a narrower aisle than a side push forklift with a traditional cab and seat.
New perspective of warehouse layout
Combilift Ireland is a manufacturer of side mounted multi-directional forklifts. It provides not only forklifts, but also warehouse layout consultation free of charge. Combilift's staff took the longest product of each customer as the reference point, plus the drawings detailing the current storage space layout, designed a customized plan to optimize the storage efficiency on site.
Martin McVicar, general manager of combilift, said: "Since the establishment of our company, our slogan is not only to provide forklifts, but also to see ourselves as a supplier of complete warehouse solutions, and our layout service has always been a key element. The combination of four-way design, their ability to drive laterally under long loads and through narrow spaces, and a thorough rethinking of stacking and storage methods, Can take full advantage of the potential of available space. "
McVicar says the results usually far exceed the increase in space utilization.
"We found that when handling pallet goods with our aisle master articulated forklift, we can regain more than 30% of the space, and when handling long goods with the combilift series, we can achieve 100%." McVicar said. It may be hard to believe, but according to McVicar, it's not hard to understand.
"The appearance of the finished layout is very clear and concise, which can immediately convey the degree of improvement," he said“
This process sounds simple, but since it is a problem of analyzing volume in three-dimensional space, it is more complex than just creating narrow aisles.
McVicar said: "Regardless of the size of the company, from small household operations to large enterprises. As a first step, providing data is crucial. In addition to detailed information on the size of the goods handled - length, width, weight, etc., we also need the size of the area used for storage, the height of the roof, the height of the eaves, the location of entrances and exits, and any equipment that may be used Information about external areas. We also use technologies such as Google maps, which is a good way to clarify the information we get, because sometimes even the most carefully collected data is not 100% correct. "
The benefits of switching to a high-density storage strategy include not only larger production areas, but also possibly reorganized production areas.
The company's engineers not only draw the new layout, but also simulate its use.
"Using our design software and 3D simulation, designers will create a layout that provides the best storage density. For customers who have not yet decided on a specific purchase, the software provides recommendations on the forklift model corresponding to the layout," he said“
Ways to improve productivity
Streamlining storage systems and material handling processes may reduce the time it takes to move materials, freeing up some human capital for more productive work. In addition, the release of a large amount of floor space provides an opportunity to use more area for production, but its role is more than that. It can be an opportunity to rethink the entire manufacturing operation.
Many high capacity / low mix manufacturers have long moved from mass production to one-piece flow. Although this is not necessarily easy or practical in a low production / high mix environment, manufacturers may find that if they have the opportunity to restructure the production workshop, they can use the concept of process to obtain additional efficiency from their operations. Freeing up some space may be the key to rethinking how materials flow through the facility.
This also provides an opportunity to examine the company's overall material handling strategy.
"Many companies still use one kind of forklift outdoors, another kind indoors, and possibly even another, to handle specific 名媛直播. Unifying them can simplify all activities that support the company's material handling work. Using one brand can improve overall utilization and save capital investment, maintenance, insurance and training costs," McVicar said.
