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Fresh-food picking system: Witron has introduced the “
optimal fresh picking” (OFP) solution that combines case picking
and piece picking in the fresh-food area. With the OFP, the
picking of full totes and cartons as well as piece picking from
totes and cartons is done within one automated system. The
manufacturer says the solution features short throughput times
and is designed to be cost-efficient, ergonomic, and flexible.
The customer starts with a basic version that can be expanded due to the scalability of the system. Additional modules can
be integrated into the overall concept.
Movements within the system are reduced to a minimum.
Storage and replenishment components are product-gentle
using dynamic mini-loads (DML), small energy-efficient stacker cranes with a double
load-handling device. Two
DMLs per aisle guarantee
redundancy within the modules and ensure constant
replenishment for order
picking. Replenishment is
done on individual pick levels. The products on each
level are staged in a pick
front. Six-fold deep (or
12-fold deep, in the case of
half totes) single-item flow
channels along the tote
aisle allow for intelligent
replenishment. All pick levels work completely independently of one another,
which means that several
orders from different stores
can be processed in parallel with a short throughput time.
One store order is completed on every pick level. Full totes
and cartons of different sizes are removed directly from the pick
front by means of pick shuttles and placed onto a discharge
conveyor. The provision of the items in the modules is done
according to the store layout to allow for the shortest driving
distances for the shuttle. As in the case of the replenishment by
means of the DML, the long driving distances for shuttles—for
example, to the end of the aisle—are no longer required, thus
allowing maximum outbound performance. The outbound lane
transports the load carriers directly to the automated stacker
cranes, where they are stacked onto pallets or roll containers
without being buffered.
Piece picking is done in a pick aisle with automated replenishment. Several pickers work in one aisle, directed by a pick
guiding system. All pickers work on the same store order and
pick fruits and vegetables directly into the order totes. Every
customer order is completed in one aisle. The order assignment
of the next tote to be picked is determined by computers,
which can take the pick performance of each individual picker
into account. Once the store totes are filled optimally based
on a volume calculation, they are supplied to the automated
stackers via an outbound lane and stacked for transportation
together with the previous full totes or cartons. (Witron, www.
witron.de)
Order picking and storage solutions: Order picking solutions specialist Unex Manufacturing Inc. has added several new
order picking and lineside storage solutions to its product line.
These solutions were designed to help manufacturers improve
their assembly lines by better managing materials in these
areas, helping to boost worker productivity, reduce delivery
times, and enhance customer satisfaction.
When customization is high in an assembly operation, having the ability to store additional SKUs (stock-keeping units)
in the assembly area means pickers don’t have to travel to
find the right part, boosting fulfillment rates. Unex’s lineside
storage solutions were designed to improve picking operations
within an assembly operation, while boosting efficiency and
productivity, the company says.
Unex Flow Cell workstations can help with subassembly
processes by bringing small parts that are to be incorporated
into larger manufactured products together, providing a workbench on which to assemble parts. Components are stored
in cartons or totes on the workstations, which can also be
equipped with overhead toolbars and monitors.
Unex Industrial Carts are used to move materials, parts,
boxes, and components from one location to another within
assembly operations. Carts are available with open shelving or
racks to hold cartons or parts. (Unex Manufacturing Inc., www.
unex.com)
