Automated Material Handling Systems - Report Example

The paper "Automated Material Handling Systems" is a good example of a management report. This report analysis automatic material handling in the modern supply chain. This is a process that includes activities such as handling, moving, storing and controlling materials. Having an effective material handling process is very vital in a supply chain. The report shows that material handling accounts for 30-75% of the production costs. The report has been able to show that having effective material handling can help in reducing the production cost by 15-30%.

With globalisation, the supply chains have become longer and effective material handling is required. Automation has made material handling in the global supply chain more effective. The report has analysed appropriate material handling management. Automaton of material handling started with automated guided vehicles (AGVs). AGVs have undergone a lot of improvements since their invention in the 1950s. Autonomous guided robots are advancement of AGVs. This is through the creation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR).

AGVs have become very important in terminal operations. They have also been used in numerous material handling operations with improvements and the addition of information technology. The report explains that one of the most used technologies with AGVs is automatic identification technology (AIT). Other forms of automation in material handling discussed are; Automatic identification through RFID, smart racks, flex conveyor, automated storage and retrieval and automatic sorting. The report then looks at flexible and efficient material handling.

The application of material handling in logistics is well analysed giving the recent trends and developments. The report also looks at how to select the right material handling equipment. The report analyses how automation is used in material handling in the warehouses. Justification for automation in material handling is well analysed by the report. The report concludes by giving insight into the future of material handling. This is through looking at the technological development for material handling in the future.