Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

More Material Handling Magic

By Steve Meyer | September 3, 2016

Share

Could a future implementation of the Industrial Internet of Things include an application that manages the flow of products super efficiently so that the local grocery store can react to your purchase of a half gallon of milk late on a Saturday afternoon?  Sure, why not?

Vending machines have operated this way for years.  Internet ready vending machines are able to send status information to their owners.  In the early days of this approach it was simple predictive maintenance.  Let the owner know when a machine has a service issue.  This approach quickly expanded to include monitoring of product available inside the machine.  When a machine needs more drinks, a phone message is sent out.  Using predictive analysis or rate of sales over time, it would be easy to anticipate when a machine is running low and how often to stock up to meet sales.

The same thing is true in the grocery store.  The difference is that if it were possible to monitor product flow from Universal Product Codes recorded at the time of purchase, it would also be possible to instantly update suppliers.  This would have dramatic effects on the entire supply chain of goods in many facets of consumer goods.

For the farmers producing $21 billion worth of milk each year, it could be a very big deal.  1,578,000 gallons per day need to be delivered in a variety of products and packages.  Knowing exactly what is being bought, and how quickly would allow everyone in the production and supply chain to closely monitor their output and better manage their costs.  Lead time to the market, especially from the standpoint of delivery of the product, could be better managed resulting in better freshness and hopefully lower costs.

In the vending arena it starts with the mechanical structure of the machine that dispenses one unit of product at a time.  This might not be the ideal solution for grocery stores.  On the other hand, the expense of developing a unique refrigeration unit that keeps only a single product on the front of the unit might make for a unique situation that reduces energy cost in refrigeration and maintains a more constant temperature throughout the rest of the unit.

Meanwhile, in a distribution warehouse, the next case of half gallon milk cartons is picked autonomously for shipment with a large replenishment order to your favorite grocery for delivery that night.

The transformation throughout the grocery world would be dramatic.

Mechatronic Tips


Filed Under: Mechatronic Tips

 

Related Articles Read More >

Beckhoff EL922x EtherCAT I/O for system-integrated overcurrent protection
SUNY Adirondack to launch new program in mechatronics
Is there a need for closed loop feedback greater than 20,000 CPR?
Why should I buy a high-quality motor for a mechatronic application?

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Industrial disc pack couplings
  • Pushing performance: Adding functionality to terminal blocks
  • Get to Know Würth Industrial Division
  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard

Design World Podcasts

July 26, 2022
Tech Tuesdays: Sorbothane marks 40 years of shock and vibration innovation
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings