Use and automate storage spaces more effectively – How storage space can be reduced by up to 85%

Published on: March 16, 2021 / Update from: August 27, 2021 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Use storage spaces more effectively – Image: Maxx-Studio|Shutterstock.com

Warehouse logistics specialists at industrial or commercial companies and logistics service providers are often faced with the problems of limited storage space or rooms that no longer meet current requirements due to sales growth. One possible solution would of course be to increase the area by constructing new buildings, although this would often fail due to the limited space available or the sometimes high costs of a new building.

In this case, renewing the existing facilities is a promising approach, as significant savings in space requirements can be achieved using modern storage systems. In addition, the devices increase the ergonomics of the staff's workplace, which has a positive effect on the health of employees and thus results in reduced sickness rates.

Overview of common storage solutions

Shelf shelf

Shelves, the original solution for all warehouses, are characterized by their simple and cost-effective design, which can also be very flexibly rearranged or expanded. However, the disadvantage of this system, in addition to the lack of automation, is the large amount of storage volume that is wasted due to the shelves, which are usually not very high. To do this, paths must be created for the warehouse workers and, if necessary, their vehicles to get to the storage areas. Here too, additional space is not left unused for its actual purpose, storage. It is estimated that for the reasons mentioned, up to over 70% of the potential available space is wasted with this type of storage.

A number of more modern solutions promise to remedy this shortcoming. These include the following three compressed systems.

Horizontal carousel

In terms of their structure, they are most comparable to shelf shelves. In contrast to them, however, the units are mounted on a mobile frame, which automatically transports them to a central removal point, where they are received by the employees. Therefore, their use increases productivity by minimizing time-consuming walking distances for staff and also saving space, as there is no need to keep aisles free for employees between the shelves. With the same dimensions as the shelving, horizontal carousels can save around 60% space due to the elimination of these spaces and the compacted storage.

Vertical carousel

Here the shelf areas are divided into a high-rise system that works according to the paternoster principle. Here, too, the required goods are transported directly to a removal opening, which is also installed at a height that is ergonomically advantageous for the employees. Potentially back-damaging movements such as constant bending and lifting heavy loads are reduced to a minimum. In addition, they can be optimally adapted to the existing room heights in the warehouse, which leads to further improved use of the given space. While warehouse workers can only store and retrieve goods up to a height of 1.75 meters on shelving, vertical carousels can easily reach heights of seven or even ten meters. It's no wonder that this solution, with its easily variable shelf heights, can save around 75% space compared to static shelving systems.

Vertical lift modules (VLM)

VLMs are ideal for high-density storage of goods in a small footprint. They consist of a self-contained system of two height-adjustable storage units, in which shelves are stored vertically on the front and back of the device. In between there is an extractor that, at the push of a button or by reading a barcode, automatically transports the trays with the stored goods into the operating opening, which is positioned according to ergonomic requirements. Due to the modular design, VLMs can be adjusted to the respective height requirements at any time, both before and after construction. The number of operating openings can also be modified, which enables loading and unloading on several levels. These models represent the most modern form of large-volume storage systems currently in use and can be built up to thirty meters high. This reduces your space requirement by 85% compared to shelving, which allows companies to either have to maintain much smaller areas or to enormously expand storage capacity with the same space.

That's why Xpert.Plus for warehouse optimization advice and planning: Use and automate storage spaces 85% more effectively

Xpert.Plus is a project from Xpert.Digital. We have many years of experience in supporting and advising on storage solutions and in logistics optimization, which we bundle in a large network Xpert.Plus

Konrad Wolfenstein

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