MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEM DESIGN - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 8

2.8 Automation

Automation is concerned with the application of electro-mechanical devices,
electronics, and computer-based systems to operate and control production and
service activities. It suggests the linking of multiple mechanical operations to
create a system that can be controlled by programmed instructions. Material
handling operations should be mechanized and/or automated where feasible to
improve operational efficiency, increase responsiveness, improve consistency and
predictability, decrease operating costs and eliminate repetitive or potentially
unsafe manual labor. There are four key points in automation:
1. Preexisting processes and methods should be simplified and/or reengi-
neered before any efforts at installing mechanized or automated systems.
2. Computerized material handling systems should be considered where
appropriate for effective integration of material flow and information
management.
3. All items expected to be handled automatically must have features that
accommodate mechanized and automated handling.
4. All interface issues should be treated as critical to successful automa-
tion, including equipment to equipment, equipment to load, equipment to
operator, and control communications.

2.9 Environment

Environmental consciousness stems from a desire not to waste natural resources
and to predict and eliminate the possible negative effects of our daily actions
on the environment. Environmental impact and energy consumption should be
considered as criteria when designing or selecting alternative equipment and
material handling systems. Here are the three key points:
1. Containers, pallets, and other products used to form and protect unit loads
should be designed for reusability when possible and/or biodegradability
as appropriate.
2. Systems design should accommodate the handling of spent dunnage,
empty containers, and other byproducts of material handling.
3. Materials specified as hazardous have special needs with regard to spill
protection, combustibility, and other risks.

2.10 Life Cycle

Life-cycle costs include all cash flows that will occur between the time the first
dollar is spent to plan or procure a new piece of equipment, or to put in place a
new method, until that method and/or equipment is totally replaced. A thorough
economic analysis should account for the entire life cycle of all material handling
equipment and resulting systems. There are four key aspects: