Warehouse Inbound Operations

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Warehouse Inbound Operations

• Chen Zhou
• Fall, 2006

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Major operations in a DC or warehouse
Receiving Function
Unload/stage
Inspect
Put Away
Cross Dock
Storage Function
Shipping Function
Load
Pack
Order Pick
Avg Operation Cost 55
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Receiving

• Tasks
• Check, inspect, unload, Record,
• Facilities
• Docks, Lift trucks, forklift
• Computer terminals
• Decisions
• Dock design
• Schedule of arrivals
• Priorities
• Problem handling
• Cost 10 of operation cost

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Putaway

• Tasks
• Move pallets or cases to storage locations
• Facility
• Pallet truck
• Lift truck
• more in following slides
• Decisions
• Where
• When
• Equipment
• WMS systems
• Cost 15

2-pallet pallet truck
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Counter-balanced forklift

• Most popular
• Requires 12 - 18 aisle
• Capacities 3000 lbs - 80,000 lbs
• Gasoline, propane, natural gas, electric

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Narrow Aisle straddle trucks

• Require 7 - 8 aisles
• Capacities available are 3000 4000
• Load must be uniform
• Load must fit between outriggers
• Bottom beam in rack recommended
• Typically custom built

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Counter balance, electric

• Requires 12 - 18 aisle
• 3000 - 30,000
• Fastest growing segment of lift truck industry
• Technology significantly improved
• Speeds up to 12 MPH
• Higher load capacities
• Longer run times due to battery capacity

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Walkies stackers

• Capacities up to 4000
• Electric-powered, 12 or 24 Volt
• Counterbalanced or Straddle vehicles
• Suitable for stacking and for short moves such as
  staging and order accumulating

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Turret truck (for very narrow aisles)

• Requires 48 - 72 aisle
• 25 higher
• Up to 4000 capacity
• Ability to be maneuvered in out of aisle
• Services both sides of aisle
• Full pallet put away
• Full or partial pallet picking
• Loads must be presented to unit by other equipment

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Double reach
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In bound operation summary

• Receiving
• Staging and processing
• Put away
• Equipment and layout