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Internal Transport: What Is It and How Can It Be Optimised?

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Internal transport is a key factor in the efficiency and productivity of many businesses. It includes all movements of materials, goods, and information within a company or organisation. In an era where process optimisation and cost efficiency are becoming increasingly important, optimising internal transport is gaining more and more significance.

In this article, you will learn exactly what is meant by internal transport, the different types, and how it can be optimally designed.

What exactly is meant by internal transport?

Internal transport refers to the movement of goods, materials, or information within the boundaries of a company or premises. This includes all transport processes between different departments, production areas, warehouses, or other company facilities. Internal transport also encompasses the movement of people within the company grounds.

The organisation of internal transport and traffic has a direct impact on the efficiency of production processes, warehouse logistics, and ultimately customer satisfaction. A well-designed transport system can reduce waiting times, optimise material flow, and thus increase overall productivity. At the same time, it contributes to workplace safety and can reduce the workload of employees.

Typical tasks of internal transport are:

  • Transporting raw materials and supplies from storage to production
  • Moving semi-finished products between production steps
  • Delivering finished products to storage or dispatch
  • Transporting tools, equipment, and other auxiliary materials
  • Exchanging information between departments (e.g., via pneumatic tube systems)
  • Disposing of waste and residual materials

The overarching goal of internal transport is to make all internal transport processes as efficient, cost-effective, and seamless as possible. A well-thought-out organisation of internal transport can significantly contribute to a company's productivity and profitability by reducing lead times, lowering costs, and optimising production processes.

What types of internal transport are there?

Internal transport can be carried out in a variety of ways. The choice of suitable transport methods and systems depends on several factors, such as the type and quantity of goods to be transported, spatial conditions, the desired level of automation, and the specific requirements of the respective company. Many businesses also use combinations of different systems to maximise the advantages of individual solutions.

The range spans from simple manual transport methods to highly complex, fully automated systems. Depending on the size and type of business, the requirements for internal transport can vary greatly. While small companies may find hand trolleys and forklifts sufficient, large production facilities often require sophisticated conveyor systems and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Internal transport methods and systems

The variety of internal transport methods and systems is vast and continually expanded by technological innovations. Each system has its specific advantages and disadvantages, making it particularly suitable for certain applications. Below are the main categories:

Continuous conveyors:

Continuous conveyors are characterised by a constant material flow and are especially suited for transporting large quantities over fixed routes. They are indispensable in many production facilities and logistics centres. Examples of continuous conveyors include:

  • Conveyor belts and roller conveyors
  • Chain conveyors
  • Overhead conveyors
  • Circular conveyors
  • Screw conveyors

Intermittent conveyors:

Intermittent conveyors offer more flexibility than continuous conveyors and can cover different routes as needed. They are particularly advantageous in areas with varying transport tasks. The most important types of intermittent conveyors include:

  • Forklifts and pallet trucks
  • Cranes and hoists
  • Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
  • Electric overhead conveyors
  • Tow tractors and trailers

Pneumatic tube systems:

Pneumatic tube systems hold a special position. They enable the fast and reliable transport of documents, samples, or small parts over longer distances. Modern pneumatic tube systems, such as those offered by Air-Log, operate fully automatically and can be flexibly adapted to business requirements. They are commonly used in hospitals, laboratories, or administrative buildings but are also increasingly being adopted in the industrial sector. Pneumatic tube systems are generally classified into pneumatic and electric systems.

Other systems:

In addition to the main categories mentioned, there are several other systems used in specific applications:

  • Lifts and conveyor towers
  • Gravity conveyors (e.g., chutes)
  • Automated storage and retrieval systems
  • Rail transport systems
  • Pneumatic and hydraulic conveying systems

How is internal transport organised, and what rules must be followed?

Organising internal transport and traffic is a complex task that requires careful planning and coordination. It must consider not only the efficiency of processes but also safety aspects and legal requirements. Well-thought-out organisation can significantly enhance productivity and reduce operating costs.

At the same time, companies must remain flexible enough to adapt to changing requirements. This can be achieved, for example, through the use of modular transport systems or the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies, which enable dynamic adjustments to transport processes.

For efficient organisation of internal transport and traffic, the following aspects should be considered:

Planning and layout design:

  • Optimal arrangement of production, storage, and dispatch areas
  • Establishment of logical transport routes and traffic management
  • Consideration of material flows in factory planning
  • Minimisation of transport distances and times
  • Creation of buffer zones and interim storage areas

Selection of suitable transport methods:

  • Alignment with the type and quantity of goods to be transported
  • Consideration of spatial conditions
  • Weighing the choice between manual and automated systems
  • Ensuring flexibility and scalability
  • Analysis of cost-benefit ratios

Control and coordination:

  • Use of warehouse management and material flow systems
  • Alignment of production and transport processes
  • Demand-based supply of workstations
  • Real-time monitoring and optimisation of transport operations
  • Integration of Industry 4.0 technologies

Safety and occupational health:

  • Establishment of traffic rules on company premises
  • Securing hazardous areas and intersections
  • Training employees in the safe handling of transport equipment
  • Regular safety checks and training sessions
  • Adherence to ergonomic principles for manual transport tasks

Maintenance and servicing:

  • Regular inspection and maintenance of all transport systems
  • Predictive maintenance to prevent breakdowns
  • Training of operating personnel
  • Quick availability of spare parts and service
  • Documentation of maintenance activities and incidents

When organising internal transport, there are also a number of legal requirements and standards to consider, which vary from country to country.

The design of safe internal transport routes is particularly important. These routes must be adequately sized, marked, and illuminated. Wherever possible, pedestrian and vehicle traffic should be separated to minimise accident risks. Additionally, compliance with fire safety regulations and the provision of escape routes must be considered during planning.

Examples of internal transport

To illustrate the diverse applications of internal transport systems, here are some concrete examples from various industries:

Automotive industry

Modern automotive plants frequently use automated guided vehicles (AGVs). These computer-controlled vehicles transport car bodies, engines, and other components between production stations. Overhead conveyor systems move vehicle parts through paint shops. Conveyor belts connect the individual assembly steps, ensuring a continuous material flow. Furthermore, tugger trains are often used to deliver small parts just-in-time to assembly stations.

Hospitals

Many hospitals use pneumatic tube systems for the fast and hygienic transport of blood samples, medications, or documents between wards, laboratories, and pharmacies. Automated goods transport systems supply wards with laundry, sterile goods, and food. Special lifts enable the transport of patients and medical equipment between floors. In larger hospital complexes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are increasingly used to transport supplies.

Logistics centres

In large distribution centres, conveyor systems and sorters ensure efficient picking and onward transport of packages and goods. Automated guided vehicles move pallets from goods receipt to high-bay storage. Lifts and conveyor belts facilitate the movement of personnel between levels. Pneumatic tube systems allow for the rapid exchange of documents between different areas. Modern logistics centres are increasingly adopting fully automated systems that deliver high throughput performance while maintaining flexibility.

Food industry

Conveyor belts and pipelines transport ingredients and intermediate products through various processing stages. Automated high-bay warehouses and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) ensure efficient storage and retrieval. Many companies rely on pneumatic tube systems for the rapid transport of samples to the quality control lab and back. Special refrigerated vehicles are used to transport temperature-sensitive goods. In the food industry, hygiene and traceability are of paramount importance, imposing specific requirements on transport systems.

These examples demonstrate the diversity and indispensability of internal transport systems in modern businesses. Depending on the industry and requirements, a wide range of solutions is used – from simple conveyor belts to highly complex, fully automated systems.

Internal transport as a key to process optimisation

Efficient internal transport is a critical factor for many companies to remain competitive. By selecting and organising transport methods and systems effectively, lead times can be shortened, costs reduced, and productivity increased.

A holistic approach is particularly important: internal transport should not be optimised in isolation but in conjunction with production and logistics processes. Modern technologies, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or pneumatic tube systems like those offered by Air-Log, provide new opportunities for process automation and optimisation.

At the same time, aspects such as workplace safety and ergonomics must always be considered in internal transport. Only when all factors are harmonised can the full optimisation potential be realised.

Companies should therefore regularly review and optimise their internal transport processes as needed. With the right strategy, internal transport can shift from being a cost factor to becoming a true competitive advantage. Specialists such as Air-Log International GmbH can support businesses in developing and implementing tailored solutions.

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