ROLLOUTS
Spiral conveyor: TREW, a providerof automated material handling solutions for integrators and end-users, hasunveiled the TREW Hilmot Double HelixMDR spiral conveyor. The conveyor’sinnovative new tote- and case-handlingdesign changes elevations in a smallfootprint and improves system flowwith zero pressure accumulation, thecompany says.
Fulfillment system for split-case picking: Grand Rapids, Michigan-based TGW Logistics Group has unveiled FlashPick, a smart order-fulfillment system for automated split-case picking. FlashPick combines TGW’s technology into one system. The TGW arehouse Software manages specific business requirements and material flow. Stock-keeping unit (SKU) totes are stored and retrieved from the shuttle system and routed via the conveyor network to either manual or robotic picking workstations. Orders arrive sequenced at the pick position. After the pick, SKU totes return to the shuttle system, while orders can be routed toward shipping. Unlike batch picking, FlashPick processes individual orders. At the core of the FlashPick system is the ergonomic PickCenterOne. The design of the picking workstation is based on the concept of “one source tote, one target tote,” the manufacturersays. PickCenter One is engineered to allow fast, accurate picking by removing all walking so operators can work with optimalefficiency. The intelligent sequencing feature, which continuouslyfeeds the workstation with the optimal number of totes, enablesa pick rate of up to 600 picks per hour, the company says. (TGWLogistics Group, www.tgw-group.com)
The 24VDC all-electric design is partof TREW Hilmot’s Series 1500 line ofmotorized roller products. The spiralprovides smooth accumulation while making major incline anddecline elevation changes in the same small footprint, using built-in zero pressure accumulation (ZPA) and polyurethane-sleevedrollers to ensure high-density accumulation without the slippingor toppling of products. (TREW, www.trewautomation.com)
Robotic fulfillment system: Warehouse automation and robotics vendor GreyOrange’s “fulfillment operating system” platformis designed to serve users who are looking to use fulfillment asa competitive advantage by deploying large numbers of robotsacross their DCs. The system works by supporting real-timeinteractions between the company’s GreyMatter software andits “Ranger” robots, informing the fulfillment operating systemwith the intelligence it needs to continuously prioritize orders andfulfillment activities, the company says.
AMR-based voice-picking solution: Warehouse automation integrator Numina Group and mobile robot manufacturerWaypoint Robotics have teamed up to provide an autonomousbatch order automated order-picking solution.
Ranger robots communicate with each other and withGreyMatter as actual operations are executed so that the systemkeeps pace with real-time order flow and other realities such asworkers on hand, worker pace, inventory availability, packingtimes, and shipping windows. The system also gives DC managers and workers a complete view of real-time operations on thefloor through a GreyMatter Command Center.
In that platform, control screens present information neededto stay on top of order-fulfillment pace and other metrics, allowing managers to adjust the work assigned to pick-pack stations,robots, and people. The two levels work together, with thefulfillment operating system automatically making operationaladjustments based on real-time performance data and pre-setbusiness rules, while the GreyMatter Command Center enablesnon-programmers to amend priorities and business-rule parameters based on real-time needs to further direct performance.The GreyMatter Command Center also provides analytic toolsfor assessing performance over time, tools for maintaining robothealth, and diagnostic and troubleshooting tools to quicklycorrect any performance issues that arise. (GreyOrange, www.greyorange.com)
The new solution integrates Numina Group’s RDS Batch Botvoice-picking application with Waypoint Robotics’ Vector autonomous mobile robot (AMR) to provide an innovative and efficientorder-picking solution. The RDS automation module uses pick-by-voice commands to direct operator zone movement and pickingtasks while coordinating the Waypoint Vector AMR batch cartmovement throughout the DC. The AMRs, using Waypoint’sKingpin technology, pick up and move carts with heavy and/orlarge quantities of orders, allowing the operators to focus on thehigh-value order-picking duties. The Vector AMR Kingpin connects and drops carts quickly, resulting in high hourly throughputper cart and an efficient pick, pack, and ship operation.
The solution simultaneously coordinates both the WaypointAMR and order picking to eliminate wasted operator walk timeand fatigue caused by manually pushing carts with loads of upto 600 pounds throughout the facility. RDS directs the VectorAMR with Kingpin pick-and-drop technology, so the pick cartsautomatically move to each shelf or rack location. When thepick has been completed, RDS directs the AMR to transport thefinished carts to packing workstations. According to the company, Vector combined with the RDS Batch Bot solution provideshigher order-fulfillment efficiency, reducing labor costs by 40%or more compared with a manual cart picking process. (WaypointRobotics, waypointrobotics.com)
“Smalls” sorter: Beumer Group, a global supplier of materialhandling, automation, and intralogistics systems, has introduceda compact version of its BG Sorter for “smalls” or productsweighing less than 18 pounds. The new BG Sorter Compact CB isa high-capacity sortation system that features a tight curve radius, allowing the conveyor to make tighter turns than Beumer’solder compact sortation systems could. The compact cross-beltloop sorter delivers the benefits of high-speed sortation whilereducing per-item handling costs, the company says. (Beumer,www.beumergroup.com)
Cloud-based ERP: Designed to help small to mid-sized manufacturers, distributors, and retailers gain the functionality of anenterprise resource planning (ERP) system without a hefty pricetag, Epicor’s ERP is cloud-based, the company says. Some of thenewest modules within the cloud-based ERP include businessintelligence and data analytics functionality. In addition, Epicorhas made the information housed in the ERP more accessible toany authorized person within an operation. (Epicor, www.epicor.com/en-us/) n
52 DC VELOCITY APRIL 2020
