ORDER-RELATED PICKING
The tasks change quickly. A higher level of service and faster order processing are required. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the right degree of automation for one’s own company. Due to the imperative need to increase efficiency, iX-tech GmbH focuses on the best possible design of the human-machine interface, whereby the human being remains in the foreground of the consideration.
Between ever faster processes and constantly growing challenges, the optimisation of order picking processes in particular is becoming increasingly important.
Order-related picking has always been of great importance in intralogistics. Orders must be ready just-in-time at the assembly area, order variants are increasing and batch sizes are decreasing.
With the innovative pick2light technology, you optimise the process of order-related picking and your employees work efficiently, error-free and are relieved at the same time.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Single-order Picking
Within order-related picking, a distinction is made between single-order and multi-order picking. In both variants, picked items are directly assigned to a customer or order. In single-order picking, also known as serial picking, the picker sets off specifically for one order and picks the goods. This means that the picker starts the order (for example via a confirmation on the terminal) and the pick2light modules at the storage locations sequentially guide him through the warehouse until he has picked the entire quantity for this order. Each order is processed sequentially and only passed on to the next employee or station when it is completely finished. This means that there are several intermediate checks, so that sources of error are noticed more quickly and, above all, in good time. Furthermore, sorting processes are omitted afterwards, which in turn reduces time, work steps and further sources of error. Only after the employee has completed the picking round and collected all the items for an order can he or she make them available for assembly, for example.
Multi-order Picking
In multi-order picking, as the name suggests, several orders are processed in parallel.
This significantly shortens the order pickers’ walking distances and allows more orders to be processed more quickly. To do this, the employee first marries several orders with several storage locations on the trolley carried along. This is done by means of a scanner and a simple confirmation on the pick2ligh modules. The employee scans the order barcode and the modules visualise all boxes on the trolley that are not yet occupied.
Now the employee can freely choose which box is married to which order. Once he has found a suitable box, he confirms this on the pick2light module. Now box and order are clearly assigned. This information is temporarily stored in the ix.tech system. After all orders are linked to a box, the picking round starts, e.g. by scanning a control barcode.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ORDER-BASED PICKING
NO RE-SORTING
Articles no longer need to be re-sorted as they have already been clearly assigned.
SHORT WAYS
Small picking zones allow for short distances and make the warehouse staff’s work more efficient.
ADDITIONAL CONTROL
Transfer points are easy to organise and serve as an additional control.
JIT PRINCIPLE
Orders can be delivered just-in-time to the assembly area.