Logistics articles

06/02/2018 Pros and cons of electrified monorails, an effective and high-speed transport system for goods

Electrified monorails substitute or are combined with conveyors to span medium to very long distances. Read more
30/01/2018 What is reverse logistics?

Reverse logistics is defined as the practices and processes set up for organising product returns from points-of-sales to the manufacturer in order to repair, recycle or dispose of these articles in the most cost-effective way. Read more
01/11/2017 Fire protection measures for metal racks and warehouses

Fire safety in a warehouse is a particularly big challenge since, usually, these types of buildings have a high fire load. In addition to the merchandise, installations contain elements that spur on the spread of flames, like plastic materials, cardboard or wood, among others. To minimise this risk, warehouses must have fire prevention, detection and suppression systems. Read more
09/10/2017 High throughput and automated goods handling with pallet conveyors

Even though conveyors are generally associated with highly automated installations, in reality, they are more and more common in standard warehouses. The reason is they boost warehouse productivity by optimising the flow of goods, reduce loading, unloading and transport times, as well as ensure a constant stream of products. Read more
15/09/2017 Thermal insulation in cold storage installations

This article explains how the thermal insulation of low-temperature warehouses is achieved and emphasises the importance of a rigorous design to guarantee the optimal operations of cold storage. Read more
04/09/2017 Seismic calculations for racks in Europe

The highest seismic hazard values and the likelihood of earthquakes occurring converge typically in regions close to the edges of Earth's tectonic plates. In Europe, the countries with the greatest seismic risk are Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Iceland. At the same time, in each country, there are areas at higher risk than others. Prevention, as well as the compliance with European standards regarding the design and construction of storage systems, are fundamental for the earthquake-proofing of racks. Read more
24/07/2017 Cloud computing: a supply chain ally

Cloud technology is a huge help for companies to strategically manage their logistics supply chain and integrate all processes carried out to maximise earnings. In recent years, this computational model has started to replace traditional, on-premise ones at a phenomenal rate. Read more
05/07/2017 Chile: a seismic laboratory for testing rack behaviour

Chile is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world due to its geographical location in the Circum-Pacific belt (also known as the Ring of Fire), the scene of intense seismic activity. It also presents unique characteristics, making it ideal for scientific research related to this natural phenomenon. Accordingly, Mecalux has spent years analysing and improving the structural behavior of racking. Read more
06/06/2017 How to achieve energy savings in the logistics processes of an automated warehouse

Electricity is essential to the operation of manual or automated warehouses, and as a result companies can supply the goods and services they produce for general consumption. Nowadays, businesses implement practices, as well as technical and organisational measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and optimising the throughput of installations. Read more
01/04/2017 The new batteries and supercapacitors for automated material handling systems

In recent years, there has been widespread change in the technology used to store electrical energy in automated handling systems. The largest manufacturers in the sector have been gradually replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors since they maximise the performance. Read more