International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

Logistics represents an industrial and multidisciplinary scientific field that deals with the analysis, planning, management, and control of all logistics operations (distribution, warehouse, shipping, transportation etc.). Modern trends in logistics involve the use of advanced software systems, tools and digital technologies (DT) to address all operations and activities within a single logistics task. Digital technologies (DT) in logistics encompass the application of intelligent and smart digital technologies, smart technologies (ST), smart manufacturing (SM), smart logistics (SL), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing (CC), data mining (DM), and more. The application of all these technologies in logistics has created a new concept called Logistics 4.0, which is based on the concept of Industry 4.0. While SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and corporations in middle-developed and underdeveloped countries of the world are beginning to think about introducing the concept of Logistics 4.9, a new concept of Logistics 5.0 has already been created and defined. Within the Logistics 4.0 concept, which is part of Industry 4.0, advanced and modern versions of software systems and tools in the field of logistics are used for planning, transportation, warehousing, distribution and other logistics operations. Modern software systems and tools for logistics are classified into several groups: logistics database (LDB) for quick search and access of logistics data, logistics information systems (LIS) for storing, processing and management of logistics data and information, logistics management systems (LMS) for managing logical operations, logistics decision support systems (LDSS) for decision-making in specific logistics operations, logistics expert systems (LES) and other software systems and tools for logistics operations. This paper provides an overview of different software systems and tools for logistics operations.

In order to address multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, we aim to revolutionize iceberg lettuce harvesting with intelligent robots. Our team, comprised of agricultural producers and engineers, has utilized TRIZ methodology, brainstorming, and other techniques to develop an agricultural technology solution: an Integrated Complex that automates harvesting and loading of produce onto transportation vehicles. Our design leverages state-of-the-art deep computer vision – a form of AI that analyzes camera images – to precisely locate mature lettuce heads. The robot identifies optimal grasping points for harvesting and carefully places the heads in a designated transport area. With deep learning at its core, our robots will optimize yield, reduce waste and costs, ushering in a new era of intelligent agriculture.

The purpose of the study was to analyse and evaluate waste logistics in a large-scale agricultural enterprise in terms of a closedloop economy. A closed-loop economy was characterised and its significance for the enterprise was defined. The size and structure of the input production means, and their output were established. Based on yardsticks and indicators the degree of implementation of the closedloop economy into the enterprise was estimated and solutions improving the current situation were suggested. It was found out that in the analysed enterprise it is carried out at a high level which is proved by a high indicator of waste management in the closed loop at the level of 95%.

Situational awareness is of fundamental importance when one is faced with the need to make adequate decisions regarding increasing performance or to make structural reforms in a certain field. Rail cargo transport is of paramount importance for both the increasing demand for intermodal transport and greener inland transportation. The Republic of Bulgaria has a unique geographical location which offers certain opportunities and limitations regarding the development and maintaining a strong and efficient transport sector. The purpose of this paper is to give the reader a snapshot of the current situation in the sector and to outline some good practices implemented by some world leaders in the rail transport sector which can be applied domestically to increase overall performance.

Complex structural steel structure projects must be realized with the aid of specialized logistical technologies to meet all the design technical specifications. Selecting which equipment to employ, particularly when we need to elevate heavy structural steel components at an elevation higher than 8 meters, requires not only experience and the use of standard techniques for the logistic management of construction processes but also requires stress capacity calculations of the constituent elements of the machines that we will use for the implementation of the project. An indispensable machine for the realization of steel structures is the telescopic forklift, which serves to lift steel elements at different heights and positions, for a relatively long time, to assemble structure elements such as columns, trusses, beams, automated cranes, etc. In this paper, we have designed a telescopic forklift and calculated the stress capacity of the structural elements that compound the telescopic-boom, using the finite element software (FEM) Solid Works. Carrying out simulations with the corresponding load that we have to deal with in the realization of the project, allows us to change the section thickness of the telescopic boom or to use other logistic equipment with a higher capacity.

The subject of the conducted research and development project was the simulation modeling of solutions for a mass production system of customized furniture. Within the project, a digital twin of the custom furniture production and flexible manufacturing in the FlexSim 3D Simulation Software environment were utilized. The research and development work aimed to investigate the impact of production volume on machine load and the overall system efficiency. The scientific paper presents the methodology of project implementation, as well as the characteristics of input data and the process of producing customized furniture. The functioning logic of the simulation model is also described, along with the outcomes of the solutions for various scenarios. The paper includes the results of computer simulations for individual variants and provides potential recommendations. The project was carried out at Handcraft Sp. z o.o. company.

In the article, the “South-West” international transport corridor was studied, the economic expediency of the main and alternative transport routes (including those passing through the territory of the Republic of Armenia (RA) for cargo transportation in the direction of “Asia-Iran-Europe” was evaluated, the possibilities of RA participation in the “New Silk Road” international transport program were considered.

The research in the field of logistic processes in the printing house will be focused on defined the improvement in the context of the „Industry 4.0” concept. In the industry, the growing complexity of production makes logistic processes more and more important. In every printing house industry certain processes which are implemented in the sphere of production can be systematized. The study will focus on the importance and goals of logistics processes; distribution; logistic chain; analysis of the efficiency of processes; selection of suppliers and organization of deliveries, creating networks of cooperators in the enterprise; computer support of processes at production; designing logistic systems. The study will present logistic processes in the printing house based on the „Industry 4.0” concept. “Industry 4.0” is often identified in the first place with the digital transformation of production systems – their digitalization. The production sphere is also moving towards increasing digitalization, first and foremost by using wider applications: data management (Big Data), and above all effective acquisition (via various types of sensors) and analysis of data; automation, e.g. the combination of traditional manufacturing methods with artificial intelligence, allowing to reduce errors and costs; communication using broadband links to connect the whole value chain; digital communication with clients. The conclusion of the research will be providing improvements of processes in chosen printing industry analyzing the solutions of the “Industry 4.0” concept.

Industrial development has brought about qualitative changes in the very foundation of innovation and automation. The distinctive features of enterprises with such a type of production are becoming increasingly blurred by the growing tendency for global industrial development. They become heavily dependent on the pace of development of automation, industrial technologies, communications and ever more determined by the factors that most affect and shape the trends of that development. It is therefore of utmost importance to carefully define the distinctive features of modern logistics processes that form the foundation of the respective digital development policies, which is also the primary objective of the proposed paper. These policies are undoubtedly enforced by the very evolution of technology and are likely to define the new directions of cyber development.

Technological advancement driven by innovation, fundamentally new industrial technologies and artificial intelligence, will naturally exert greater pressure not only on the growth of production but also on its structural properties which are expected to undergo significant changes. Moreover, the improvement of technological, auxiliary and information activities will invariably be regarded as a crucial factor in the development of modern production. Thus, with the structural transformation having been effected, the new communication and information achievements are more likely to reinforce the relationship of production with its external logistics components. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the production of the future will be constructed as a complete whole comprising the respective technical, technological and information processes along with the functionally integrated production components, including those of the logistics system. The purpose of the present paper is to explore the possibilities for designing automated logistics information systems and to propose an innovative approach incorporating not only the specific in-house (intra-company) logistics but also considering its interdependent relationship with the other logistics processes that have been excluded from the company’s core business activities.

Choosing the right warehouse location is very important question which should be considered with great care, because it has a direct influence on the operating cost. For solving this problem many methods are on disposal. According to the way of determination of new warehouse location these methods can be divided in two groups’: qualitative methods and quantitative methods. Quantitative methods are often used in practice from the reason greater objectivity and possibility to analyse obtained results. Most often used methods are: gravity method, load distance method, Weber problem and many others. For calculating of distance in the load distance method two approaches are in use rectilinear distance and Euclidean distance. Neither one of these two approaches credibly describes transport routes because they not taken into consideration any physical obstacles that might occur between potential warehouse locations. With the goal to determine the influence of distance calculation on the result of the load distance method, choice analysis of optimal location of warehouse for retail stores, shops in the urban area was performed and presented.

Relationships that are the subject of logistics in general, in principle have still not been resolved from a juridical standpoint. Even individual types of logistics do not have holistic, integrated legal regulation. However, even the legal regulation of the transport logistics is a fragmented set of norms regulating individual types of transportation, but not a transport logistics in general.

It is hard to imagine that in principle it is possible to develop a set of international legal standards, which would constitute a coherent legal system ensuring the functioning of macro-logistics systems, i.e. the so-called “the international logistics right" or "the right of international logistics systems”. International practice is on the way of the development of legal regulation of individual logistics operations, but not of the logistics in general.

Many of the logistics spheres are not regulated by international law even on that level. Moreover, a large number of logistics operations is not regulated, even at the level of national law. Management of the goods distribution process, from the legal point of view, is one of the most “non-image” fields of economic activities.

There are adopted many international agreements in the field of international goods distribution (especially in the field of transport and customs regulation). However, majority of these agreements have hardly representative character (many of them, which are adopted quite a long time ago, still await either entry into force, because they do not have the required number of ratifications).
International trade interests, the process of international division of labor, and the internationalization of economic life have created a special tool of legal regulation – "Lex mercatoria" (international commercial law).