Dock Equipment Is Evolving

In recent years we have seen most aspects of warehouse operations evolve into the use of new equipment and technologies, but it seems that the dock has been immune to the changes, at least until now.

Focus on making warehouse operations more efficient and safer has finally been turned toward the dock.

For example, new technologies including loading and unloading robotics are starting to appear to help human workers transport products from warehouse to trucks or vice versa. There has also been a move to replace the conventional steel guard rails with improved, new types of barriers and many warehouses are replacing old dock seals with new ones.

To promote safety, warehouse managers are acquiring more vehicle restraints and roller conveyors.

Some warehouses are beginning to use industrial robots on mobile platforms that are attached to extendable conveyors to unload trucks. These robots include 3-D vision and autonomously move to trailers and then locate, grip and move products to the conveyor. These robots use the 3-D vision and algorithms to identify and separate products and put them into individual units. Although use of this type of equipment is scattered, industry experts foresee a time not to long from now when the use of these robots will be much more common.

If robots that unload trucks are being developed, then, no doubt, there are robots that load trucks being made too. Robots using the same type of technology to unload are starting to be used to load. The big difference is, it works in reverse. These robots are using software to measure the dimensions of products and ascertain the best space to put them in trailers. The products are loaded directly to the floor of the trailers or they are put on pallets so that a larger volume amount of products can be accommodated.

Warehouse managers are also starting to replace traditional barriers that can resist an impact of 10,000 pounds at 4-mph with new barriers that can withstand greater impact weight at faster speeds. These new barriers are more flexible so they can take the hit and are detachable so that they can be placed in other areas. Research and development has resulted in barriers made of fabric, plastics, and new materials. Managers that are transitioning to these new barriers are also realizing that one size doesn’t necessarily fit all. This permits managers to make more sophisticated analysis of the needs, traffic patterns and other concerns and select the right size product rather than settling on the traditional.

Conventional dock seals certainly do not possess the longevity they once did. These products are suffering cuts caused by trailers as they back into the dock for unloading or loading. Now there is the capability to make seals that can resist abrasions 10 times greater than the current product. The new seals can also include capability to reduce wear and better close gaps.

There are also new surface mount lifts that can be used instead of permanent dock lifts and levelers. The use of permanent lifts and levelers are losing favor because companies have committed to short-term leasing agreements and are reluctant to make permanent enhancements to their properties. The surface mount lifts are a perfect alternative because they can be removed and transported to another location. Manufacturers of these surface mount lifts are quick to point out that some feature hydraulic systems that are pre-plumbed and pre-wired electrically that can be quickly installed for a fraction of the cost of a pit-mount lift.

Dockworkers are discovering that some trailers now in use feature an intermodal container chassis that has a rear impact guard obstruction that makes it difficult to restrain with standard vehicle restraints.  Rite-Hite now has a vehicle restraint that includes technology that secures these types of trucks as well as the standard over-the-road trailers.

For the managers and the employees that work the docks and are concerned that the focus on improving efficiency and safety has been ignored, help is coming.