a role. If, for example, the delivery of goods and production parts is delayed due to problems on the part of the supplier, this can have an impact on the entire production and, in the worst case, lead to the production line stalling.
MAKE TOOLS EASIER TO FIND AND MANAGE A frequently recurring problem is also that semi-finished goods, or even tools, are stored; but the storage location is not recorded properly and therefore cannot be found. This can make the time required to search for objects unreasonably long; and in the worst case, results in existing parts potentially being written off because they are considered to be lost, when in fact they are misplaced. The solution to this is to turn all tools, materials, machines, etc. into communicable objects by providing them with trackable stickers or similar. The objects can then be located and the search time minimised.
OPTIMISING THROUGHPUT TIME BENEFITS THE ORGANISATION Throughput is crucial in both production and logistics. The calculation of throughput time starts at goods receipt and ends when the item is ready for delivery or leaves the goods issue area. A smooth material flow can optimise the throughput time and ensure a short delivery time. Throughput optimisation begins in the warehouse. The longer the material takes to pass through the processes, the higher the storage costs become. This also has a knock-on effect on the capital commitment. The aim is to optimise the material flow and therefore increase throughput
times as a result. It is clear that the time factor is often associated with faster processing. However, just looking to accelerate existing processes on a broad scale will not always deliver the desired increases in efficiency. Rather, they must be reviewed and optimised on an individual basis. To achieve this, unnecessary processes within the value chain should be
eliminated. By connecting the various departments and machines, waiting times can be reduced. Furthermore, transit times to terminals or similar workstations with industrial wearables can be avoided. The employee should receive all important information directly at the workplace and be able to share it from there. It is not only the reduction of throughput times that offers companies
added value. Quality also plays a decisive role in corporate success. In logistics, organisation via barcodes is a common method of identifying products and their position in the warehouse quickly and easily. One of the advantages of barcodes is that any information can be stored and transferred to the warehouse management system by means of scanning. Yet, even this method itself offers considerable potential for optimisation.
This is because the information is often sent to a computer terminal that the employees first have to walk to. This costs time and interrupts the workflow. In addition, scanning with conventional barcode scanners is error-prone. The barcode scanner itself is a major cost factor for many companies. They
are usually not very robust and susceptible to damage. There is also the risk of the scanners being inadvertently packed and sent with deliveries. An alternative to the classic barcode scanner gun is to use a glove scanner,
which is also available with an integrated display on the back of the hand. Employees wear the scanner directly on their work gloves and do not have to keep picking it up again and again. This is more ergonomic and reduces repetitive strain injuries too. In addition, it means, processing at terminals is no longer necessary, as the information can be sent and received directly to back office systems, enabling greater flexibility and less travel time for the worker.
CONCLUSION As logistics teams and supply chain managers prepare for the future, in a world dominated by uncertainty and COVID-19, workplace health and safety has become increasingly important. To improve safety, there are several factors that organisations should
review. This includes, assessing old workplace habits and routines and updating them; using wearable technologies to help manage social distancing and other health and safety scenarios at work; considering how ergonomics and wearable technologies can reduce workforce fatigue; and how it can make picking processes better, and remove operational bottlenecks. Technology, especially wearables, has an immense role to play in connecting the workforce and keeping it safe, productive and efficient.
ProGlove
www.proglove.com INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE | SUMMER 2021 25
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