Chapter 10 - Packaging and Handling

Question 1

** Packaging perspectives
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Answer 1

• Packaging is typically viewed as
  
  • Consumer - marketing focus
  • Industrial – logistics focus
• -Master cartons, the basic handling units for logistics, are containers used to group individual products (don’t care about individual containers)
• Containerization or unitization refers to grouping master cartons into larger units for handling
• Grouped master cartons are called unit loads

Question 2

**Benefits of rigid containerization
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Answer 2

• Improves overall material movement efficiency
• Reduces damage in handling and transit
• Reduces pilferage
• Reduces protective packaging requirements
• Provides greater protection from environment
• Provides a shipment unit that can be reused many times
  
  • Reduces waste
  • Reduces need to dispose of the container

Question 3

**Illustrations of flexible containers

Answer 3

(figure)
slip sheets vs pallets
slips sheets are less expensive

Question 4

**Principles of material handling
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Answer 4

1. Equipment for handling and storage should be as standardized as possible
2. When in motion, the system should be designed to provide maximum continuous product flow
3. Investment should be in handling rather than stationary equipment
4. Handling equipment should be utilized to the maximum extent possible
5. In handling equipment selection, the ratio of dead weight to payload should be minimized
6. Whenever practical, gravity flow should be incorporated in system design

Question 5

• *Material handling systems require different amounts of labor and capital investments

Answer 5

• Manual sorting
• Mechanized
• Semi-automated
• Automated
• Information-directed

Question 6

**Manual systems for picking, sorting and movement of inventory

Answer 6

• Labor-intensive
• Slow
• Human Limitations
  
  • Repetitive motion
  • Strain injuries
• Higher error rates

*highest labor cost

Question 7

**Mechanized systems employ a wide range of handling equipment

Answer 7

• Most mechanized systems combine different handling devices
• -Moderate fixed and variable cost with good flexibility

(Examples Forklift, Towlines, Tractor trailers, Conveyors, Carousels, Paperless picking)

*2nd highest labor cost

Question 8

Semiautomated systems often supplement mechanized equipment

Answer 8

*-High fixed cost, low variable cost with low flexibility

Example: Robotics

Question 9

Automated systems now focus on high-rise storage and retrieval

Answer 9

• -Highest fixed cost, lowest variable and labor cost with low flexibility
• Potential to automate is the elimination of direct labor by substituting capital equipment
• Main drawback is accountability regarding work assignment

(Example : Automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS))

Question 10

Information-directed systems combine controls of automated handling with flexibility of mechanized

Answer 10

-Moderate fixed and variable cost with high flexibility and utilization
-Offers selected benefits of automation without substantial capital investment
(Example: RF wireless (Wi-Fi), Use lift trucks, RFID scanners and data collection terminals)