Facilitator's Question

What are the reasons leading to upgrading from bar-code scanning to radio-frequency identification (RFID) for effective warehousing operations? Explain.

There are many reasons to why bar-code scanning should be upgraded to radio frequency identification(RFID) for effective warehousing operations. For effective warehousing operations to occur, a warehouse must be up-to-date with the current technology, efficient, fast and accurate. Even though bar-code scanning would be able to improve accuracy it is unable to improve the speed and efficient of various warehousing operations.

For example: Bar code Scanning would require close range line of sight scanning and is only able to scan one item at a time. Where else RFID would enable warehouse to detect items at a further range and able to scan many items at ago. We have an example of how RFID would help improve the receiving dock and shipping process in one of the post at the bottom titled RFID- Receiving dock and Shipping. Through RFID, it would also ensure a 100% order shipment accuracy.

The second factor would be to increase competitiveness level. By upgrading to RFID which assures consumers 100% accuracy, efficiency and prompt service. Consumers would definitely be more willing to store their products due to the extra service which RFID would help to achieve. Therefore RFID would definitely be able to boost the company reputation in comparison to Bar code Scanning which in comparison to RFID is more back dated.

Thirdly, RFID technology is beginning to cost cheaper and cheaper. There is a article which I found on the internet which indicates RFID tags getting cheaper in price which i posted titled Tag Cost and ROI. The article basically is about RFID tags getting more affordable and cheaper due to technological advances and etc. Therefore, if RFID is becoming more affordable why not pay a little extra more to gurantee even more customer's satisfaction. Customers would definitely be more satisfied knowing their goods are being stored in a warehouse with the lastest technology and equipments.

Tag Cost and ROI

Tag Cost and ROI.

RFID Journal's analysis indicates that the price of simple license-plate tags will fall to 5 cents in 2007. But companies that wait until then to deploy RFID technology are making a mistake.
By Bob Violino


By Mark Roberti Feb. 16, 2004—Nothing in the RFID industry has been more controversial than the Auto-ID Center's claim that it could produce a prototype for an RFID tag that would sell for 5 cents in high volumes. With the intense focus on the investment suppliers will have to make to comply with RFID tagging requirements issued by Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense, RFID Journal did a detailed analysis
of when end users might be able to buy a simple, read-only license plate tag for 5 cents, to help suppliers plan staged rollouts (see The 5-Cent RFID Tag). Our report concluded that the market would reach the volume needed to drive the price down to 5 cents in 2007. The analysis was based on the cost of producing a microchip, attaching the antenna and creating an inlay (the tag and antenna mounted on a plastic or paper base). The economics of the semiconductor industry are well documented. Sanjay Sarma, the former head of research at the Auto-ID Center, used an understanding of the silicon industry to conclude that, using conventional technologies, it would require an annual volume of 30 billion tags to drive down the price of the chip to a little more than a penny; attaching the antenna and creating the inlay account for the rest of the cost. Our analysis looked at when the market might consume 30 billion tags annually and factors in unconventional assembly technologies, which could lower costs more quickly. Some, no doubt, will say our forecast is wildly optimistic. Others might say we weren't bullish enough. I'm confident that we balanced the forces at work in the market and came up with a solid forecast. We spelled out how we came to our conclusion in painstaking detail. Our goal was not to encourage companies to wait until the tag price falls to a nickel to deploy RFID, but to give them a benchmark to use today to plan phased deployments. It's long been my view that the tag cost issue is something of a red herring. I've heard executives say that they can't get a return on investment with a tag price of $1 or more. I would ask them at what price they could get an ROI. Invariably, they would say they don't really know. If you don't know what the tag price has to be to get an ROI, then how do you know you can't get it at $1 per tag? The fact is a company could spend $50 per tag and $40,000 to install each reader and still make a return on investment for certain applications. Don’t believe it? That's exactly what the railroad industry did in North America. By automating the tracking of rail cars, it cut the number of people needed to walk up and down tracks reading numbers painted on the sides of cars. It also reduced delays and improved customer service. That may be an unusual example, but the point is the railroad industry wouldn't be reaping huge benefits from RFID today if it had waited for the price of tags to fall to a nickel. Moreover, if companies are looking at RFID only to track cases of product, they are looking at it too narrowly. Virtually all companies have reusable assets they could track with tags that cost more than 5 cents each and still get an ROI. Even when the price of a simple RFID tag falls to a nickel, many companies will be using more expensive active (battery-powered) tags to track everything from heart defibrillators to pallet jacks. And I expect to see widespread use of RFID sensors to monitor the status and condition of shipments. Sensors will likely cost more than a nickel for a long time to come. Of course, if a company needs to tag cases of paper towels or cereal for a large retail customer, they are going to want the cheapest tag that meets the requirements. Our reason for determining when the price of a simple license-plate tag would fall to 5 cents was to give companies guideposts. RFID technology needs to be deployed in stages. High-value products that are often stolen or out of stock can be tagged profitably today with a 30-cent tag. As prices fall, the types of products and applications suitable for RFID will expand dramatically. Companies should do their analysis and plot an adoption path. And if every company moves quickly to deploy RFID where it makes sense today, our prediction will be off because tag prices will fall much more quickly. That’s OK—we'd rather see your deployments succeed.

Reference
http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/796/1/2

Brief Introduction - Shipping and Docking

The Shipping and Docking/Receiving processes are the most important and crucial function of a warehouse. Without this two functions, no warehouse will be able to reap any profits as Shipping and Receiving are the two activities that connect the warehouse to the customers.

The Shipping function is basically cargoes stored in the warehouse being shipped/moved out of the warehouse to consumers. The video below will help further emphasize the importance of shipping.

Based on 'Business dictionary' definition, receiving refers to a function that involves checking of the quality, quantity, and condition of the incoming goods followed by their proper storage. And, the point of receipt refers to the point where the carrier hands the shipment over to the warehouse operators after ensuring that the proper documentations are in place, and from there, the shipment could be repackaged (if required) and shipped out to it's designated location.

The process of receiving and shipping requires different equipments and transports to perform these functions. Furthermore, a smoother process flow could be achieved with a successul implementaion of Information Technology (IT)computer systems that includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.



The video above show the importance of shipping as without shipping, non of the customers in the video would be able to receive their Christmas gifts .

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More On Dock Operations

"Dock Operations

The dock area may well be the most neglected part of the warehouse plan. All too often we are expected to make do with what exists, even if no dock is connected to the warehouse. Except in very small operations, at least one dock door is needed. The number of doors needed will increase is in direct relation to how long it takes to unload or load a shipment and how many deliveries and pick-ups you average each day. You should not have more than one carrier waiting for a door at any given time, and the wait should not exceed thirty minutes.

The basic dock functions are unloading and loading carrier shipments, checking the shipments for damage, and verifying the counts stated on the delivery receipt. The driver should note all damage and shortages on the delivery receipt before the receipt is signed. All delivery and/or shipment paperwork should be routed to the proper department within the organization.

Basic dock equipment usually includes a hand truck and a pallet jack. If there is a high volume of shipments, the pallet jack may need to be electric or there may need to be a powered lift truck. In the end, the characteristics of the shipments usually determine the equipment needed.

Space directly adjacent to the dock doors should be sufficient to accommodate the average daily volume of receipts and outbound shipments. Just how much space depends on the time it takes receiving to check shipments and move them into the storage systems, your ability to control when carriers deliver and/or pick up shipments, and how soon outbound shipments start being staged each day. There should also be space for empty pallets, containers, carts, and the like used to hold inbound goods. You might save floor space by storing these above and/or between the dock doors.

Unless you expect to receive inbound shipments continuously throughout the day, it usually makes sense to handle inbound and outbound shipments in the same area of the warehouse. Doing so usually requires less space, less equipment, and fewer personnel.

Comments: This article gives a clearer picture of dock operations. It explains what the basic dock functions are, what equipment are used to handle the shipments and special equipments that are used for larger volume of shipment and the planning space of a dock.


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More On Receiving Operations

Receiving Operations

Receiving duties often include the dock functions. The receiving function is the starting point for inventory control in the warehouse. It is also the function best suited for gathering information needed for keeping product details accurate and current. And if copies of the product are to be routed or stored, receiving should handle their delivery and storage. Any and all essential data should be gathered at this stage, and it should be documented on the receiving reports.

The basic functions of receiving include verifying product quantity, preparing receiving reports, and routing those reports to designated departments. Receiving also should prepare received products for movement into the storage and picking systems.Receiving also should pull the stock needed to process backorders.

Receiving usually needs a desk, a computer, a filing cabinet, and other furniture or equipment associated with the duties to be handled. A small office or a designated space near or in the dock area is all the space normally required. "

comments: Receiving functions includes the verification of shipment documents, quantity and quality. It is important to note that the shipment data could be collected at this point. It is the starting point for documentations and inventory database collection.

reference: (http://aaupwiki.princeton.edu/index.php/Warehouse_Operations)

Receiving Procedures

RECEIVING PROCEDURES

AUTHORIZED RECEIVING POINTS

Each department is responsible for receiving goods. To be effective, each department must:

1.Limit the points to which goods may be delivered to avoid misdelivery of goods, lost or stolen goods and lost or misplaced documentation.

2.Limit the number of people authorized to sign for deliveries and ensure that they are aware of the correct receiving procedures, as described in this section.

3.Whenever possible, ensure that three different individuals are involved in the receipt/payment process. However, a minimum of two different individuals is required.

One to sign/authorize the requisition.
One to physically inspect and sign for the goods received
One to authorize payment (may be the same person as "a" above).

The ordering department is obligated to accept delivery of any merchandise which has been ordered in accordance with purchasing procedures. If there is a change regarding the need for the items, the department should immediately contact Purchasing to make other arrangements. ONLY PURCHASING HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MODIFY OR CANCEL PURCHASE ORDERS. It should be realized that there may be a restocking charge if the items must be returned through no fault of the supplying vendor. The City’s failure to accept and pay for ordered goods is a breach of contract.

RECEIVING GOODS FROM THE CARRIER

1.Avoid accepting delivery of any merchandise until adequate identification from the packaging or delivery tags is obtained. A purchase order number or other suitable identification indicating that the merchandise should be delivered to the department, must be in evidence before the shipment is accepted.

2.Sign only for the number of boxes or parcels which are received from that carrier and which are listed on the delivery tag (carrier’s receipt) which accompanies the delivery. NOTE: The receiver is not signing as to the condition of the merchandise inside the box or parcel, but should note any exterior damage, including unsealed packaging, on the delivery tag before signing. The receiver should not refuse a shipment because of apparent damage. This may result in storage fees to the City.

3.In cases of known damage (apparent at the time of delivery):

4.Note on both copies of the delivery tag (carrier’s receipt) "case damaged in shipment" and , if the item is visible and the damage is visible, also include "item visibly damaged".

5.Obtain signature from carrier on both copies of the delivery tag before signing for receipt.

6.Return one copy of the receipt to the carrier.

7.Retain a copy of the receipt for Purchasing Division files.

INSPECTING GOODS AFTER DELIVERY

1.Inspect the merchandise promptly after receipt. Inspections of items received and determination of compliance with the ordering description or specifications are the responsibilities of the ordering department.

2.Check merchandise received against the packing slip and the purchase order.NOTE: If copies of invoices are received, they should be immediately forwarded to the person in the department who is authorized to make payments.

3.Post any partial deliveries received on a copy of the purchase order.
The receiver should keep all packing materials and merchandise and report the damage to the vendor immediately. If the problem is not resolved, contact Purchasing.

WARNING: Do not destroy damaged item(s) or any packaging materials.

4.Notify the vendor and the Purchasing Division if the quantity received is different from the quantity stated on the purchase order and no back order quantity is shown on the packing slip.

5.Purchasing need not be notified when the purchase order quantity states that the quantity is approximate or states that an over-shipment of a certain amount is acceptable and the quantity received falls within that range. In this event, the quantity on the receiving copy of the purchase order should be changed by the receiving department to agree with the quantity actually received.

6.If unable to resolve discrepancies with the vendor, notify Purchasing immediately.

LOST/DAMAGED GOODS

1.Usually, terms are FOB Destination and the seller holds title during transit. In this case, the receiving department shall notify the vendor of the loss, ask for replacement goods and give the vendor information to aid in filing a claim with the carrier. There will be no additional cost to the City. FOB Destination is the City’s preferred method of shipment because the City’s liability for lost or damaged goods is limited.

2.If shipping terms are FOB Shipping Point, the City owns the goods in transit. Therefore, the receiving department will file a claim with the carrier. If the goods must be replaced or repaired in the meantime, the City will have to pay the additional cost pending reimbursement by the carrier for the loss or damage.

INCORRECT GOODS

1.If the goods shipped do not comply with the purchase order, the receiving department will as the vendor to bring them into compliance.

2.If the vendor fails to do so within a reasonable time, the receiving department will notify Purchasing. Purchasing will notify the vendor of the breach of contract.

3.It is the receiving department’s responsibility, to notify Purchasing of the need to charge the defaulting vendor with any additional cost experienced by the City due to the breach of contract.

Reference: http://www.visaliapurchasing.org/pol_div_chapters/chap_12.html

Sharing Time: During my attachemnt period, I have been touched on receving procedures, my company always receives the containers 1-2 times per month. The most important and complex task is to check the items quantity and qulity, to see whether it is correct or not. But since my company is a small company, all the jobs are done by manual. So the accuracy of the receiving job may not be 100% and they take a long time to do it, so it's quite a waste of time. But the procedures they are following is just like what the above article mentioned, so I think the procedures are quite correct.

Shipping Documentation

Numerous documents are required for shipping. The primary documents are listed below with links to samples. Exporters should seriously consider having a freight forwarder handle the formidable amount of documentation that exporting requires, as forwarders are specialists in this process.

Documentation must be precise because slight discrepancies or omissions may prevent merchandise from being exported, result in nonpayment, or even result in the seizure of the shipment by customs. Collection documents are subject to precise time limits and may not be honored by a bank if time has expired.

Most documentation is routine for freight forwarders and customs brokers, but the exporter is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of its contents.

The following documents are commonly used in the shipping process:

• Airway Bill
• Bill of lading (B/L)
• Commercial Invoice
• Inspection Certificate
  
• Insurance Certificate
• Packing List

Airway Bill

An air waybill is used for air transport and is documentary evidence of the conclusion of a contract for carriage. It serves as:

• Proof of receipt of the goods for shipment
• An invoice for the freight
• A certificate of insurance
• A guide to airline staff for the handling, dispatch and delivery of the consignment.

Usually, the document consists of three originals. The first original is intended for the carrier and is signed by an export agent; the second original, the consignee's copy, is signed by an export agent and accompanies the goods; the third original is signed by the carrier and is handed to the export agent as a receipt for the goods after they have been accepted for carriage.

Bill of lading (B/L)

A bill of lading (B/L) is used for sea shipment and is a certificate of ownership of goods. It must be produced at the port of final destination by the importer in order to claim goods.

As a document of title, the bill of lading is also a negotiable document and you may sell the goods by endorsing or handing it over to another authorized party, even while the goods are still at sea.

The B/L is a formal, signed receipt for a specified number of packs, which is given to the export agent by the shipping line when the shipping line receives the consignment. If the cargo is apparently in good order and properly packed when received by the shipping line, the bill of lading, is deemed as "clean". The ship owner as a result accepts full liability for the cargo described in the bill.

See a sample of a B/L below:

Commercial Invoices

A commercial invoice is a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer. These invoices are often used by governments to determine the true value of goods when assessing customs duties. Governments that use the commercial invoices to control imports will often specify its form, content, number of copies, and language to be used, as well as other important details.

See a sample of a commercial invoice below:

Insurance Certificates

An insurance certificate is a representation of the insurance policy taken out by the buyer or the seller (depending on the Inco-terms) for a shipment.

• Blank insurance certificates are supplied by the insurer pre-signed and bearing the open policy number of the exporter. For an air shipment, an air waybill serves as an insurance certificate.

• For a sea shipment, an insurance certificate is issued as evidence of the existence of the marine insurance policy.

• The marine insurance policy is a contract between the insured and the insurer which defines the terms of the agreement between the insured and the insurer.

The Packing List

The packing list indicates the number of items in the contents of each pack, along with individual weights and dimensions. This list enables you to check that the correct number of units has been received. Customs authorities can also easily identify a specific pack if they wish to inspect.

See a sample of a packing list below:

Types of Warehouses

A warehouse is a commercial building for storing goods. Normally used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. Usually equipped with loading docks to load and unload trucks; or sometimes loaded directly from railways, airports, or seaports. Cranes and forklifts are usually used for moving of goods.

Some warehouses are entirely automated, with no workers inside. Pallets and product are moved with systems of automated conveyors, storage and retrieval machines synchronized by programmable controllers and computers software. These systems are frequently installed in refrigerated warehouses where temperatures are kept very cold to keep the product from spoiling, and also where land is expensive, as automated storage systems can use vertical space efficiently. These high-bay storage areas are often more than 10 meters high, with some over 20 meters high.

Whether a company really need warehouse space depends on the orders received, product demand as well as the amount of storage that is required. When deciding if a warehouse is needed, the following are some basic factors to be considered:

• ability to help the company reduces its transportation costs
• ability to coordinate supply and demand
• ability to cater to production needs
• ability to assist in marketing process
• ability to obtain quantity purchase discounts
• ability to support JIT programs and preventing stock out

Companies have several warehousing options. Some companies market their own products directly to the customers, thus there is no need for warehousing. However, for companies that stores their products in the field or logistical supply chain will have the following options:

• owning (private)
  
• renting (public)
• leasing (contract)
  
• storing in transit

Receiving Personnel

The Picker

The picture above is a picture of a warehouse picker. His job is to simply pick products from the various racks in the warehouse according to the pick slip given to him and pack it up to be ready for shipment. His job despite it sounding so easy is actually a very crucial role which leads up to the entire Receiving procedure. Without a Picker, non of the goods in the warehouse would be ready for shipment thus a Picker's Job is a very simple but important one.

The ForkLift Driver

The picture above is a picture of a ForkLift Driver. The ForkLift Driver's Job is basically moving pallets of goods into Containers, Trucks and etc for shipment. The ForkLift Driver aids in removing the need of having workers to manually move pallets with a Pallet Jack into and out of the trucks. A ForkLift Driver's Job may seem simple as well but they play a just as important role as any other jobs in the Shipping procedure.


The Truck Driver

Finally the Truck Driver. The picture above is a picture of a Truck Driver and his Truck. In the entire chain of the Shipping Process the Truck Driver has the most important task as his job is to deliver the goods ontime and without any damages. The Truck Driver is the only person that has direct contact with the customers. In the Shipping process he is the most important person as he would be the one bringing goods in and out of the warehouse. Without the Truck Driver non of goods would go anywhere therefore the Truck Driver bears a heavy responsibility.

J&R Software Services for Receiving/Shipping

"The Shipping Control Software package accomdates the accurate and timely receiving of packages at the package room receiving area and to control the labeling, Storage location, confirmation of delivery, and billing to the appropriate guest. It includes one-year of historical data transactions.



This program is written in Microsoft Access and is completely menu-driven. The Shipping Control Software Package can provide the following information:

1) Control of receipt packages, through bar code scanning and subsequent supplemental data entry.
2) Control of shipment of the packages, also through bar code scanning and subsequent data entry.
3) Entry of receipt, shipper, carrier, and recipient information.
4) Entry of confirmation of delivery to the guest and the name of the recipient.
5) Printing of a storage and delivery label for each package.
6) Ability to query on all detail records in the table based upon the following optional input:
Date received
Recipient last name
Recipient company last name
Shipper last name
Shipper company
Carrier "

(Reference : J&R Services Customed-Designed Software "http://www.jnrservices.com/databases/pkgequip_recshpng_control.htm")

Comment: This software seems user-friendly and could be easily comprehended by the users due to the menu-driven interface. It is a rather straightforward concept, yet it seems to cover almost every information necessary in receiving a shipment. I wasn't aware of such a program and had initially assumed that receiving had to be done manually (with a warehouse personnel collecting the necessary documentations by hand). Now that this option is presented, information could be updated readily into this software for all to view upon receipt of shipment.

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MCL - Designer Mulitmodal Application

"Consider your warehouse receiving operations. One of your suppliers delivers a pallet of goods to your receiving dock. Your usual receiving process is to : check that a purchase order exists for the incoming goods; check the incoming goods against the order line items and quantities; identify overages or shortages; conduct an incoming inspection; place the goods in a temporary receiving area in preparation for item level putaway; and close the purchase order when all items and quantities are received correctly and completely."

MCL - designer allows the user to create a mobile workforce, data capture applications such as real- time warehouse receiving applications, and this maximises worker productivity.

MCL - designer creates intelligent, multimodal applications that run on mobile computers. These applications comprised of the latest technologies: powerful processors, color displays, extensive memory capacities, voice recognition, radio frequency identification (RFID), imaging and wireless communications. It also integrates barcode scanning, keyboard input and voice recognition into one application.

The Big questions would be: How does voice recognition improve your warehouse receiving workflow?

Data inputs, like 'quantity' , may be spoken or entered using a keyboard. With commands like 'page up' , 'page down', 'next' and 'back', voice may also be used to quickly navigate around in the user's MCL receiving application. Even though keyboard entry or voice recognition may not be as efficient as barcode scanning or item number. However, keyboard input or voice recognition of a quantity variable would be more efficient than bar code scanning a quanity. Furthermore, if the warehouse operators' hands are full of received goods, voice input would definitely help."

Comments: MCL - designer multimodal application comprises of various applications. It seems that a warehouse operator would benefit from applying this multimodal application as it is a system that contains all the necessary IT. The voice recognition application could also be useful for many situations, especially in the given example above.

( reference: http://mcl-download.fileburst.com/PUBLIC/Documentation/Why%20MCL-Designer%20v1_1.pdf)

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders.

An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for
storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating a (RF) signal and can also be used for other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. A technology called chipless RFID allows for discrete identification of tags without an integrated circuit, thereby allowing tags to be printed directly onto assets at lower cost than traditional tags.

Today, a significant thrust in RFID use is in enterprise supply chain management, improving the efficiency of inventory tracking and management. However, a threat is looming that the current growth and adoption in enterprise supply chain market will not be sustainable. A fair cost-sharing mechanism, rational motives and justified returns from RFID technology investments are the key ingredients to achieve long-term and sustainable RFID technology adoption.

How can it be applied within the transport sector?

Within transport sector the following benefits can be realized using RFID's unique capabilities:

• Greater visibility of goods and processes


• Improved decision making


• Faster processing


• Increased operational flexibility


• Reduced shrinkage


• Service-level improvement


• New services

Additionally, RFID technology is being used to provide critical additional security for goods and containers in transit - and is becoming a requirement for efficient and secure imports to the US. Tags can act as an evidence when and where goods or containers have been accessed and can initiate alerts when pre-set criteria are breached.

Where is RFID used?

There are applications today throughout the supply chain, in:

• Manufacturing


• Distribution


• Retail


• Consumer applications

There are many current examples of RFID in manufacturing, and distribution and retail is a hot trend - with Wal*Mart and Gillette among suppliers and retailers making recent announcements about RFID tracking of handling units. Retail/consumer, and consumer only, applications are perhaps further away and recent adverse publicity concerning the (mistaken) perception that RFID devices on consumer product can facilitate wide area tracking of that product and the owners will perhaps need to be addressed more fully in terms of open and accurate information before consumer confidence can be won and widespread uptake can occur.

RFID- Receiving dock and Shipping

In our Logistics Planning and Controlling Systems lecture, we are learning RFID now. So I have found some information that how RFID helps in receiving dock and Shipping.




1. At the Receiving Dock

• Automated warehouse and inventory management systems updating.


• Instant and constant location assessment. --Instant fulfillment of outbound shipments


• Save time and increased accuracy when receiving mixed pallets and less than full pallets. --Reduce in-store receiving expense by 65%

2. At Shipping

Ensure 100% order shipment accuracy.

• Increased accuracy with useage of case - pallet relationships


• Timely information to improve visibility and pallet utilization for other tracking, shipping, and receiving operations.

Docking Equipments

Steel And Aluminum Wheel Risers (SWR & AWR)

Wheel risers allow trailers to be positioned properly above dock for more efficient loading. Widths of 18" and 24" are available. Choose from a variety of Lengths to accommodate both single, dual, or tandem axle trailers. Wheel risers can be portable or permanently positioned. Custom Sizes are available.

Dock Light

Dock Lights have become extremely versatile for multiple types of applications, such as Dock Areas, Work Stations, Machine Centers, and many more. Dock lights are available in three different arm lengths:

• 24" Arm - Single Strut Design
• 40" Arm - Dual Strut Design or Triple Strut Design
• 60" Arm - Dual Strut Design or Triple Strut Design

Yard Ramp

Also known as container tamps, are devices used to allow forklifts to enter shipping containers or trucks when elevated loading docks are not available.

Shipping containers are normally loaded and unloaded through the rear doors using fork-lift trucks. The ramps are placed at the back of a container truck so that they provide access for fork-lifts to enter up the ramp and safely into the container.

Yard ramps are also frequently used to unload curtain-sided trailers which were originally loaded with pallets from the rear as these cannot then be unloaded from the side as normal.

Typically the deck of yard ramps are approx. 2.25 m wide with an overall length of about 12m They are designed to be mobile and towed into position by fork lift.

Dock Bumpers

Laminated style dock bumpers provide durable, economical protection for loading dock and trailers. Units are constructed of fabric reinforced rubber from recycled truck tires. Pads are laminated between painted structural angles and held together with 3⁄4" steel tie rods. Installation is quick and easy by bolting or welding units to dock. Width is bolt hole center to bolt hole center. Bolt holes are 13/16" in diameter.

Aluminum Dockplates

Aluminum Dockplates are designed to work well with pallet trucks or other non-powered loading equipment. Machine beveled deck edges allow for smooth transition. Lip bend is 11 degrees. Standard lip length for conventional trailers is 11", option of 14" for refrigerated applications. Wide range of sizes available.

Shipping and Docking bay

All shipping and docking procedures would require a loading bay for trucks to unload/load goods. The above is an example of how a loading/unloading bay would look like. The size of the loading bay varies from a large scaled one to a small scaled one like in the picture above. The size of the loading/unloading bay would depend on the scale of the daily shipping and docking procedures.

The Platform

All loading bay will have a Platform as such. A Platform is just a leveled ground which is connected to a warehouse to allow trucks to park right next to it for loading purposes. This Platform would enable trucks to park right infront of it and with the aid of a steel ramp be able to move pallets into and out of the truck much more efficiently.

The Steel Ramp

The above is a standard Steel Ramp. It serves as a medium to transfer goods from a Platform to a truck. The Steel Ramp above can support the weight of Forklifts and Pallet Jacks as tons of heavy goods are passed through it daily.

Dock levelers: safety first

HD-3100 SAFE-T-LIP® Hydraulic Dock Leveler

Comments:
As safety is the operative word here, a dock leveler blocks the movement of a forklift through a safety device preventing it from falling due to the disparity of the ground level if a truck is missing.

The dock leveler could be adjusted to suit a truck's height. And once, the dock leveler reverts back to ground level, a safety device would automatically be raised to prevent any forklift movement.

As forklifts are an essential part in the movement of the shipment (loading the shipment into a truck for shipping/receiving purposes), it is important that safety considerations are placed to ensure the safety of the forklift operators. A safe environment is a good working environment!



The HD-3100 SAFE-T-LIP® Dock Leveler is the industry's premium high capacity, hydraulic loading dock leveler, offering the highest level of safety and performance.HD-3100 Features and Benefits• Integral steel Safe-T-Lip® barrier provides 7" high, 20" long forklift dropoff protection
• Barrier easily removed for safe access to endloads
• Automatic return to dock feature provides safe forklift cross-traffic
• Infinite control allows operator to stop platform or lip any time during leveler travel
• Quick Clean frame design available for easy pit access
• Full range free-float helps prevent safety leg interference or "stump out"
• Velocity fuse free-fall protection stops rapid platform drop within 3"
• Safe-T-Strut™ maintenance support system provides lockout capability
• 12-month money-back satisfaction guarantee standard with all Rite-Hite products
• 10-year non-prorated structural warranty includes pump & motor
• Extensive list of repeat users confirms proven product performance and customer satisfaction



reference:
http://www.ritehite.com/ark/rhweb/rhprod.nsf/vContentEntries/Dock+Levelers-HD-3100!OpenDocument

Pallet Jacks

This is a picture of a standard Pallet Jack. This is one of the material handling equipment required in almost all shipping and docking procedures. The Pallet Jack is basically a manual tool used by warehouse workers to lift and move pallets to where they are required. The Pallet Jack is very flexible and useful during shipping and docking procedures as it helps warehouse staff to move pallets into and out of trucks during loading and unloading.


This is a picture of Pallet Jack with a electronic built in Weighting Scale. This Pallet Jack functions exactly like a standard Pallet Jack but is more useful as it is able to measure the weight of each individual pallet. This Pallet Jack would save the warehouse operator the trouble of moving the pallet onto a weighting scale thus saving time.



This is a picture of a Electric powered Pallet Jack. This semi automatic Pallet Jack can move heavy pallets effortlessly and efficiently unlike the standard Pallet Jack which requires some form of manual effort. This Electric Powered Pallet Jack will enable warehouse operators to move heavy pallets without having to use any strength. Thus is a very useful equipment preventing unnecessary wastage of strength.