We partnered with civilian contractors at Robins Air Force Base to redesign their inventory management system for consumable items like bolts and screws, as well as specialized fixtures used in first-article and engineering testing. The project also included evaluating the warehouse floor plan to optimize the shelving layout. These improvements addressed critical needs to enhance time management, streamline workflow, and prevent redundant procurement or fabrication of existing parts.
We conducted an on-site assessment at Robins AFB to analyze the current layout and identify operational bottlenecks. Department of the Air Force software restrictions required us to work within the Microsoft ecosystem to ensure compliance and security. The engineering team at Robins AFB provided a substantial budget that enabled high-scale solution implementation. We developed a tracking system for inventory specifications and locations using standardized labeling and QR code integration.
To optimize the warehouse layout, we implemented Integer Linear Programming via Python to determine the most efficient material placement. We built the final tracking system using Microsoft SharePoint and Power-Apps. While this solution effectively managed fixture tracking, the high volume and complexity of consumables led us to conclude that an automated point-of-use solution, such as an AutoCrib parts vending machine, offered the most efficient management strategy. Collectively, these recommendations provide a scalable framework to reduce redundant ordering and significantly improve the speed of part retrieval and overall workflow at Robins AFB.
