A mini-load is an automated warehouse system having a mono-column or bi-column structure used for handling various lightweight loads. The origin of the mini-load system dates back to the 1960s’ system input and output design. The advance in technology has ensured that the technology develops to advanced levels to aid in warehouse management and logistics. It eases work and maintains order within a warehouse. Besides, it can be customized based on the specifications of an organization. However, the question remains whether it is essential to set up a mini-load system so that all input arrives from one end and all output on the opposite side.
A mini-load system is developed to pick items from one place and place them in a different place. For inputs, they are picked from one place, mainly the source such as a truck to shelves within storage cells in a warehouse. On its part, for output loads, they are picked from the shelves in the storage cells and placed on a truck or output bay thereby directing the loading units to another area for picking, packaging, or shipment (Bastian Solutions, 2019). The systems are designed to have one or more storage bays based on the picking requirements. The design of the mini-loads enables them to provide a high productivity picking system that is completely automated, fast, and safe. The produced mini-loads can be configured based on the type of loading unit, load capacity, height, horizontal speed, and load lifting devices.
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A mini-load cannot be designed in such a way that all inputs arrive on one side while the output leaves on the opposite side. The reason is based on the elementary standards of running a warehouse. Inbound processes comprise reception of goods and storage while outbound processes entail order picking, checking, packing, and shipment. Goods arrive in the warehouse in varying quantities, mainly large or bulk in size, and leave the warehouse in small or pre-ordered quantities (Bartholdi & Hackman, 2011). Designing a mini-load to allow inputs on one side and outputs on the opposite side implies that goods are received as they leave at the same time, which is not the case since they must be scanned first to acknowledge their receipt and the quantities, be stored, and packaged based on clients’ orders before dispatch. The quantities, sizes, or batches in which the goods arrive are not the same as those leaving the warehouse. The packaging is time consuming and costly hence it will be almost impossible to have a mini-load system that receives all input and dispatches the same products at the same time.
A mini-load that receives and dispatches goods from two different ends undermines the existence of the storage system. It implies that the objective could be taking stock count for goods on transit (Bartholdi & Hackman, 2011). The process could happen when they are still on the truck. Furthermore, the storage area of the goods must be scanned to know the exact location to ease retrieval. Having an outbound process will not allow proper storage and taking stock of available inventory in storage cells thereby making the processes unnecessary.
A mini-load that allows goods to be received on one end and dispatched on the other end is not effective for warehouse logistics. The inbound processes of receiving and storage of goods will take place at the same time with outbound processes of order picking, checking, and packaging. As a result, it would be uneconomical to receive goods on one end and dispatch them immediately from the opposite side of the mini-load.
References
Bartholdi, J., & Hackman, S. T. (2011). Warehouse and distribution science . Atlanta, GA: Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved from https://www.scl.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/downloads/gtscl-warehouse_science_bartholdi.pdf
Bastian Solutions. (2019). “Mini-Load AS/RS.” Global Material Handling System Integrators . Retrieve from https://www.bastiansolutions.com/solutions/technology/asrs/mini-load/
