Combined Picking and Shipping Station for Sensitive Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated picking systems based on the 'goods to man' principle face inefficiencies when handling small, expensive, or sensitive items, requiring separate handling and resulting in uneconomical systems with long throughput times and synchronization needs.
Innovation Solution
The method integrates the functions of the order picker and packer by allowing small, expensive, or sensitive items to be packed directly into shipping containers at the shipping station without a pre-picking stage, enabling faster and more rational processing by eliminating the need for separate areas and merging the roles of the packer and order picker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small, expensive, or sensitive items are handled through a separate two-step picking and shipping process, then these items receive specialized handling, but the system becomes uneconomical with long throughput times and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the picking station and shipping station into a single integrated workstation. The picker performs both picking functions and shipping packing functions at the same location, eliminating the need for separate handling areas and synchronization between independent subsystems. This merging reduces throughput time while maintaining specialized handling for small, expensive, or sensitive items.
Solution Approach 2:
The picker's workstation is designed to perform multiple functions: both order picking and shipping container packing. The same picker and workstation handle both functions, making the system more versatile and eliminating the need for dedicated separate areas for each function, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing reliability.
2Reliability
If a two-step process with separate picking and shipping areas is used, then specialized handling is achieved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the picking station and shipping station into one integrated workstation, the patent reduces device complexity. The same picker, workstation, and conveyor system handle both functions, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure and synchronization mechanisms between independent subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The workstation is designed as a universal platform that performs both picking and shipping packing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by consolidating infrastructure, equipment, and control systems into a single integrated unit rather than requiring separate specialized areas.
3Reliability
If separate picking and shipping areas are implemented, then specialized handling is ensured, but the overall process speed is limited by the slowest step
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of picking and shipping functions at the same workstation eliminates the sequential bottleneck of separate areas. Items are picked and immediately packed into shipping containers without requiring transfer between separate zones, thereby increasing process speed while maintaining specialized handling through the same picker's expertise.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a combined picking and shipping method according to the goods-to-person principle. Shipping containers (VB) and packaging units (VP) are conveyed to a shipping station (6), and a packer at the shipping station manually packs packaging units that are directly conveyed to the shipping station onto a corresponding shipping unit (VE), said packer gathering individual articles (A) that are conveyed to the shipping station in a shipping container (VBX) provided at the shipping station.