Efficient inventory management is essential for any business, but for industries that require remote stock measurement and handling of materials, keeping accurate account can be a challenge . Weight-based inventory management, which tracks inventory levels based on the real-time weighing of the items instead of counting them individually, is an accurate and productive solution that can help reduce labor costs and errors.
When measuring inventory by weight, each pre-defined section of the inventory is weighted and this data is then used to calculate the number of items in stock.
What are the benefits of this technology for large inventory management?
One of the main advantages of weight-based inventory management is that it allows for real-time tracking of inventory levels in large settings. Warehouse managers receive accurate and up-to-date information on stock levels, which enables them to make fast and data-driven decisions about production planning, re-ordering, stocking, reducing inventory levels and carrying costs.
How does weight-based inventory management work?
Weight sensors are placed under bins of supplies and integrated with the inventory management system (IMS) software. The IMS converts bin weights to quantity on an ongoing basis to trigger automatic replenishment orders when needed, using min/max settings. This eliminates stockouts by tracking usage and auto-replenishing with few labor costs.
Weight-based inventory management can also reduce the amount of time and resources needed for tracking inventory and minimize the risk of human errors.
Which industries benefit most from this technology?
Weight-based inventory management is a particularly attractive option for pharmaceutical and chip manufacturing industries, as these industries require very precise handling of materials.
In the pharmaceutical industry, weight-based inventory management is used to measure and track the weight of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. APIs and excipients are often used in small quantities, making accurate measurement critical for ensuring product quality.
Similarly, in the chip manufacturing industry, sensor inventory management is used to track the weight of silicon wafers, which are used to make microchips. These materials are often expensive and require precise handling.
Why precision load cells are important for inventory management by weight?
Load cells are transducers that convert weight into an electrical signal. This signal is then used to calculate the weight of the item that is measured.
FUTEK’s LSM Series is a line of high-precision load cells with built-in overload protection. The unique overload stop design protects the sensor from damage during accidental overload during installation.. The high accuracy of the LSM load cells is critical for inventory management by weight. Even small measurement errors can lead to significant discrepancies in inventory levels, which can have a ripple effect throughout the supply chain.
The use of digital weight scales in conjunction with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers an effective solution for real-time inventory management. This autonomous system can lower costs and improve customer satisfaction for distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. It can also be used in combination with or as a replacement for RFID and barcode readers.
Modern and large warehouse are challenged daily by the sheer amount of incoming and outgoing materials. Keeping precise track of the inventory count in a timely manner is a challenge for every business and supply chain manager.
FUTEK’s LSM Series load sensors are mounted under the bins on a stationary rack or mobile cart to weigh the parts at user-defined intervals. The weight sensors are connected to either an analog or a digital signal conditioner. It allows the mV/V sensor of the weight sensor to be connected to a data acquisition system (DAQ) or PLC.
Inventory operators constantly retrieve items from the inventory to meet sales, production, and supply chain needs. In large inventories with hundreds of shelves and thousands of bins, holding millions of SKUs, the precise and real-time control of inventory count is a labor-intensive, costly and error-prone task.
Once the weight drops below the set minimum threshold, the Inventory Management System automatically sends a replenishment order to the distributor's ERP system, with the order quantity up to the maximum capacity of the bin.
Upon receiving the order, the distributor fulfills it by shipping the parts to the facility. The vendor or customer can then restock the bins with the received parts.
Efficient inventory management is essential for any business, but for industries that require remote stock measurement and handling of materials, keeping accurate account can be a challenge . Weight-based inventory management, which tracks inventory levels based on the real-time weighing of the items instead of counting them individually, is an accurate and productive solution that can help reduce labor costs and errors.
When measuring inventory by weight, each pre-defined section of the inventory is weighted and this data is then used to calculate the number of items in stock.
What are the benefits of this technology for large inventory management?
One of the main advantages of weight-based inventory management is that it allows for real-time tracking of inventory levels in large settings. Warehouse managers receive accurate and up-to-date information on stock levels, which enables them to make fast and data-driven decisions about production planning, re-ordering, stocking, reducing inventory levels and carrying costs.
How does weight-based inventory management work?
Weight sensors are placed under bins of supplies and integrated with the inventory management system (IMS) software. The IMS converts bin weights to quantity on an ongoing basis to trigger automatic replenishment orders when needed, using min/max settings. This eliminates stockouts by tracking usage and auto-replenishing with few labor costs.
Weight-based inventory management can also reduce the amount of time and resources needed for tracking inventory and minimize the risk of human errors.
Which industries benefit most from this technology?
Weight-based inventory management is a particularly attractive option for pharmaceutical and chip manufacturing industries, as these industries require very precise handling of materials.
In the pharmaceutical industry, weight-based inventory management is used to measure and track the weight of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. APIs and excipients are often used in small quantities, making accurate measurement critical for ensuring product quality.
Similarly, in the chip manufacturing industry, sensor inventory management is used to track the weight of silicon wafers, which are used to make microchips. These materials are often expensive and require precise handling.
Why precision load cells are important for inventory management by weight?
Load cells are transducers that convert weight into an electrical signal. This signal is then used to calculate the weight of the item that is measured.
FUTEK’s LSM Series is a line of high-precision load cells with built-in overload protection. The unique overload stop design protects the sensor from damage during accidental overload during installation.. The high accuracy of the LSM load cells is critical for inventory management by weight. Even small measurement errors can lead to significant discrepancies in inventory levels, which can have a ripple effect throughout the supply chain.
The use of digital weight scales in conjunction with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers an effective solution for real-time inventory management. This autonomous system can lower costs and improve customer satisfaction for distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. It can also be used in combination with or as a replacement for RFID and barcode readers.