// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Material Flow
The movement of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods through a production facility and supply chain.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Material flow refers to the systematic movement and sequencing of raw materials, components, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods throughout the entire production process and supply chain, from supplier to customer, optimizing logistics, storage, and processing efficiency.
BACKGROUND
Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of the secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high-tech, but it is most commonly applied to industrial design, in which raw materials from the primary sector are transformed into finished goods on a large scale. Such goods may be sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more complex products, or distributed via the tertiary sector to end users and consumers.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Logistics
- supply chain flow
- production flow
- inventory movement
USAGE NOTE
Optimizing material flow is critical for reducing waste, improving efficiency, and shortening lead times.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Material Flow.
Develops comprehensive industrial automation and digitalization solutions, including digital twin technology, manufacturing execution systems (MES), and supply chain management software that enable simulation, optimization, and real-time tracking of material flow in factories and logistics.
Provides enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) software that is essential for planning, executing, and monitoring material flow across the entire supply chain, from raw material procurement to finished goods delivery.
A global leader in integrated automated material handling systems and solutions, including conveyors, sortation systems, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and storage systems, directly optimizing intralogistics and material flow efficiency in warehouses and production facilities.
Offers a broad portfolio of material handling automation solutions, including robotics, conveyors, sortation systems, and warehouse execution software (WES) to optimize the movement and processing of materials within distribution centers and manufacturing plants.
Focuses on industrial automation and information solutions, providing control systems, software, and services that help manufacturers optimize production lines and the intelligent movement of materials through manufacturing processes.
Specializes in process automation solutions for warehouses, parcel distribution centers, and airports, providing high-capacity automated material handling systems that optimize throughput and ensure efficient material flow for various industries.
Develops a unique robotic cube storage and retrieval system that significantly optimizes space utilization and material flow within warehouses by automating the storage, picking, and retrieval of inventory.
Through its DELMIA brand, provides virtual manufacturing and operations management solutions, including simulation and optimization tools for production layouts, material handling, and end-to-end material flow analysis in complex manufacturing environments.