CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Storage systems are used to store materials related to the product like raw

materials, purchased parts, work-in-process, finished products, scrap and rework. The

process and the overall support functions in a certain workplace such as maintenance

spare parts, office supplies, plant records, etc. Storage systems can be classified into

conventional storage systems, automated and autonomated storage systems.

Organizing workplace is essential for business to thrive long term. Along with

establishing a sense of structure and order, an organized work environment promotes

good camaraderie and much productive environment. Organized environment breeds

success. A clean and well-kept workplace makes a strong impression on how

employees view their jobs. Workers who take pride in their working environment will be

more inclined to organize their own desks, clean up after themselves, maintain filing

systems and work more effectively together.

According to Stewart (2004), files and folders contain important sources of

organizational information. A filing system is the central record-keeping system for an

organization. Filing information is a way of organizing materials to enable easy and

prompt retrieval whenever needed. An effective filing system helps you to be organized,

systematic, efficient and transparent. It also helps the people who should be able to

access information to do so easily. It is always a pleasure when someone looks for

something and is able to find it without difficulties. A good filing system is essential to

any office that deals with large number of files. An example of which are storage
cabinets which are designed with wide open shelving for a wide variety of items to be

kept safe in the office. Office managers can keep these locked or open, depending on

the contents.

However, locating the desired files requires much time and effort. As well as the

files may be damaged and torn resulting from the slip down of folders. No matter what

industry you are in, chances are that your company needs some efficient and much

organized storage. The business world is starting to put more documents and files

online, but that doesn’t mean that they are gone yet. Fortunately, there are several

options these days for office managers and employees to organize their documents the

way that works best for them. And to lessen these, automation of storage is usually

done.

An Autonomated Storage or Retrieval System is a storage system under which a

defined degree of automation is implemented to ensure precision accuracy and speed

in performing storage and retrieval operations, with lessen human intervention. These

autonomated storage and mechanized systems lessen human intervention in

performing basic sets of operations that includes removal of an item from a storage

location automatically, transferring the above item to a specific processing or interface

point, and that of after receiving an item from a processing or interface point, it is

automatically stored at a predetermined location. Most of its applications are used to

manage small parts inventories, sub-assembly, work-in-process, maintenance and

repair parts and large tools and dies in a variety of applications found within

manufacturing and distribution facilities.

 An Autonomated Multipurpose Storage Machine (AMSM) is an autonomated

material-storing equipment that requires human intervention when loading or unloading

goods. Goods are carried out on multiple shelves for space utilization. It is an

autonomated storage and retrieval system, which consists of a number of shelves or

drawers, which are linked together and are rotating in a closed loop. It is operated by a

picker (human or robotic) that has a fixed position in the loading and unloading position

of the carousel (Ng, 2015). An automatic multi-purpose storage machine has many

benefits including high floor-space utilization, increased storage capacity, improved

security, reduced pilferage and is ergonomically designed. It can be of great help,

especially for managerial positions which handles most of the files for the company.

This paper presents the design of an efficient system which will store goods from

higher storage space to lower storage space. A system is designed in such a way so as

to maximize the utilization of vertical air space and reduce the floor space consumption.

Its purpose is to ease the process of storing and handling the products stored at

inaccessible heights. The system is designed for the storage of goods in certain offices.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main goal of this study is to design and develop an autonomated

multipurpose storage machine.

This study specifically aimed to:

1. Design and develop an AMSM considering the following:

1.1 . System Components

 1.2 . Material Selection

2. Evaluate the developed machine and its performance in terms of the following:

2.1 . Storage Capacity

2.2 . Maximum Weight Capacity

2.3 . Usability

2.4 . Ease of Use

3. Develop an operation manual for the developed multipurpose storage machine.

HYPOTHESIS

There is no significant difference in using an autonomated multipurpose storage

machine than vertical or lateral storage of goods.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is primarily concerned with the design and development of an

Autonomated Multipurpose Storage Machine (AMSM). And its essentiality to the

following:

I. Households. Undeniably, most households struggle from unsafe working

environment at home due to lack of ergonomically designed storage equipment. And

some people find it difficult to sort goods due to lack of space.

II. Mechanical Engineering Department. Since mechanical engineering is a

discipline that applies material science principles to design, analyze, manufacture and

maintain mechanical systems, this study is essential for the department for it can
contribute to the existing machines that can ease work when it comes to material

storage.

III. Offices. Offices have a large number of files to accommodate for each client

transaction. It is essential to have an autonomated storage machine to maximize file

storage, improve file security and reduced file pilferage.

IV. Researchers. Through this study, the researchers will be able to gain lot of ideas

and techniques to further develop the machine. This study, provides valuable

opportunity to delve into interesting research for greater depth of learning in the

researcher’s career area.

V. Students of Mechanical Engineering Department. This study would be of

great help for students regarding their subjects especially in machine design and

machine elements. It would give them insights on how to design a particular machine for

a certain application.

VI. Warehouses. In warehouses, for storing inventories like small spare parts (nuts,

bolts, needles, small components, pallets etc.) and storage of dry goods for which floor

space utilization is needed. By using an autonomated storage system, we can

effectively manage the space constraints if any and the overall floor space area is

reduced. Also, material handling will be easier and efficient due to the fact that there will

be minimal requirement of manpower.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This study focuses on the design and development of autonomated multipurpose

storage machine. It involves the conceptualization and design of the machine. The
design considers the input and the output of the study as well as the processes and

procedures that are involved in each operation.

INPUT
 Software
Requirement
AutoCAD PROCESS
 Knowledge
Requirement  Data Gathering
Machine Elements  Project Design
Machine Design Layout,
Computation and
OUTPUT
Automation and
Control Development
Engineering  Fabrication of the AUTONOMATED
Machine MULTIPURPOSE
 Hardware  Operation and STORAGE
Requirements Test Evaluation MACHINE

Fig 1. Research Paradigm of the Study

INPUT

Input includes the software, hardware and knowledge requirements for the

design and fabrication of the autonomated multipurpose storage machine. The software

requirement uses AutoCAD for the design measurement and layout of the internals and

externals of the machine. The hardware requirement includes the materials to be used

to fabricate the machine such as the galvanized plates for the body of the machine, an

acrylic glass that will serve as the front face of the machine, as well as the motor, belts,

chains, pulleys, shaft and bearings to be used to mechanize the machine. Lastly is the
knowledge requirement, it includes the acquired knowledge of the subjects taken by the

researchers, so as to guide them for the computational analysis for the design and

layout of the machine.

PROCESS

The processes in the design and fabrication of the autonomated multipurpose

storage machine includes data gathering, the design layout through computations for

the development of the machine. It also includes fabrication of the machine, as well as

its operation and its test evaluation. In data gathering, different storage designs were

seen. The researchers then came up to a particular design. After the gathering of data,

the researchers planned the layout design of the machine, as well as its dimensions and

the materials to be used for its development. The researchers then came up with the

final design layout of the machine for its fabrication. After the fabrication of the machine,

the researchers will then proceed to the operation and machine testing.

OUTPUT

Through the various processes done, the conceptualized data output is an

autonomated multipurpose storage machine. Which will essentially be used as an

alternative to manual storage and handling of goods.

SCOPE, LIMITATION AND DELIMITATION

This project study focuses on the design and development of an Autonomated

Multipurpose Storage Machine (AMSM).

The machine has the following features:

 The machine can store different types and sizes of goods.

 The machine automatically delivers the goods at the load and unload position.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

AC Motor – it refers to an electrical device which converts electrical energy into

mechanical energy (Electrical Concept, 2019). 

Galvanized Steel Plate – it refers to a rectangular material with a rectangular

cross-section and a uniform thickness obtained by press working (shearing or sawing)

which is coated in zinc that makes it corrosion resistant (Wenzel Metal Spinning, 2018).

Acrylic Glass – it refers to a material made up of acrylic resins (Merriam Webster

Dictionary).

Roller Chain – it refers to a block chain in which hollow transverse blocks or

cylinder turning as steel pins act as roller to lessen friction (Merriam Webster

Dicitionary).

Shaft – it refers to a rod forming part of a machine (Cambridge English

Dictionary).

Sprocket – it refers to each of the several projections on the rim of a wheel that

engage with the links of a chain or with holes in film, tape, or paper (Oxford Dictionary).