Running head: DISTRIBUTION CENTER FLOOR ROBOTICS
DISTRIBUTION CENTER FLOOR ROBOTICS
Keshia Henry
Liberty University-BUSI 613
1
DISTRIBUTION CENTER FLOOR ROBOTICS
Distribution centers plays an important role in maintaining the uninterrupted flow of
goods and materials between the manufacturer and customers (Chan & Kumar, 2009).
Distribution centers truly affect the balance and efficiency of the supply chain through
performance measures. The performance of the supply chain will depend on the proper use of
utilization of facilities and equipment, shorter lead times, great customer service. In theory
robotics is supposed to offer improvement to process control, cost and ergonomics.
A Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System is an automated, parts-to-picker storage system
where robots bring pods with products to a workstation. Its most important feature is the
ability to automatically sort inventory and to adapt the warehouse layout in a short period
of time (De Koster, Roy & Lamballais, 2017).
With the increase in popularity of use from organizations are bound the usefulness and
viability of the robots. Large influential customer demand has been a main driver for the use of
robots by organizations.
As the operations manager assessments would have to made of the obvious opportunities
and consequences that will arise from robot integration with the distribution center. The most
conceivable problem that could arise is the overall cost to implement the robots. The
discouraging costs that can occur are the cost of the actual robot system, the salary of the
specialized maintenance workers, upgrading and changing the workspace and machines for more
suitable robot use. Another obvious disadvantage to using robotics is them not being able to
adapt to changing situations within the distribution center. When change happen it will be costly
to include the robots by either going around them or changing setups to match them. The most
obvious benefits associated with the installation of robots are those of displacing tasks that are
DISTRIBUTION CENTER FLOOR ROBOTICS
monotonous or present strain risks to human labor, reduced sickness benefits, the overcoming of
potential and existing labor shortages, better package quality and improved working conditions
(Kirgis, 2007). Despite the potential disadvantages and risks associate with limited robotic
maintenance workers, the benefits of having overall workers available to work with less injuries.
If a certain robot system configuration does not fit an application the skilled workers can provide
a custom designed system to provide a cost effective solution.
Based on the potential advantages of using robotics within the distribution center if there
is all around well planned strategic design can create smooth implementation. Robotic-based
material handling in distribution systems are among the fastest growing applications in flexible
automation, alongside packaging (Kirgis, 2007). Therefore, personnel responsible for
maintenance of the robots need to have the knowledge and skill to be able to train all workers.
Comprehension integration would be the perfect solution to the lack of skilled maintenance
personnel for the robots. All workers within the distribution center will be required to have
simplified robot troubleshooting as part of job training. Also along with a programmed interface
that will be user friendly and simplified with an in-built touch screen.
Simple machine programming can allow the user can easily implement parameter
changes during operation, which significantly increases the quality and efficiency of the system
(Kirgis, 2007). Moreover, many technology issues are as basic as turn it off and on so any worker
should be able to accomplish these types of troubleshooting tasks. This solution presents all
workers to have basic knowledge of the robots while still retaining the more experienced
maintenance personnel for the super complicated issues.
DISTRIBUTION CENTER FLOOR ROBOTICS
References
Chan F. T. S. & Kumar N. (2009). Effective allocation of customers to distribution centers: A
multiple ant colony optimization approach. Robotics and Computer-Integrated
Manufacturing. Vol 25. Iss
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http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/science/article/pii/S0736584507000749
De Koster M. B. M, Lamballais T. & Roy D. (2017). Estimating performance in a Robotic
Mobile Fulfillment System. European Journal of Operation Research. Vol 256. Iss 3.
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