Order picking is a type of task in which an individual has to collect goods from storage areas and bring them to the desired destination. Order picking systems are automated, or semi-automated, methods of organizing items on shelves so that they can be quickly located when needed by filling orders. Warehouses use order picking systems for efficiency purposes because it saves time and labour costs. Before operating such equipment however it is required that the operator has an order picker license after following an order picker course in Melbourne.
There are three types of warehouse order picking system:
Reach stackers are the most common type of warehouse order picking system, which consist of a series of towers with horizontal beams. On each beam there is either one or two vertical posts attached to it also known as ladders offering access to multiple levels. In addition, they can be stationary or mobile and have loads that move up and down poles by an electric motor.
Manual order picking
Manual order picking is a type of order picking system that is becoming less common because it increases the risk of injury and decreases efficiency. Manual order picking involves employees working at ground level or on shelves to pick items for orders by hand.
The most popular types of systems are drive-in rack, drive-thru or pushback racking, which all have the same function but differ on how they access product. Drive through is considered more productive because it requires fewer walking steps per pick and reduces travel distance by up to 50% compared with a traditional pallet system. On average order picking costs account for 30 percent of overhead expenses in distribution operations according to industry experts so employees are always looking for ways to improve productivity while also spending some time being able to enjoy their surroundings as well.
Automated order picking
Automated order picking is an order picking system that uses machines to pick and sort orders. The most common type of automated order picking is the AGV or automatic guided vehicle which can be used in aisles for transportation purposes, while other types include conveyors and cranes.
Automated Guided Vehicle (AGVs) use battery power to operate on predefined routes within warehouses. They are programmed with software interfaces. These systems vary in size but they generally consist of small profile units able to navigate around pallets stacked up high along narrow pathways or areas where heavy equipment or forklifts cannot be used.
A conveyor system is an automated transportation system that moves materials from one location to another using a series of belts, rollers, or similar material-moving devices. Conveyors are usually powered by electric motors and may move at variable speeds controlled by power switches based on the type of product being moved. These systems use motorized trolleys which run back and forth along fixed tracks installed throughout the warehouse floor space. Some models have several sets of these tracks allowing multiple vehicles to operate in parallel with each other while others just have a track for every vehicle.
Hybrid Order Picking
A hybrid order picking system is a combination of conveyor and order picking. This type of system is typically used in warehouses that have a mix of small, medium, and large items. The first part of the hybrid order picker includes a conveyor belt with an automated storage location system (AS/RS). The AS/RS can be either vertical or horizontal carousels depending on what kind will best suit the warehouse’s needs. Once the product arrives at its destination on the conveyor it then goes through one smaller belt where employees are able to access it by reach truck or forklift, from there they place all products into totes which go back onto another portion of larger belts for transportation throughout the facility.
Mobile Order Picking
Mobile order picking system include a wheeled cart, which the person who is picking orders can push around to pick up products. All of these carts are connected in some way throughout the warehouse by conveyors or similar equipment. These types of order pickers allow employees to be more productive because they're not walking all over the place looking for different items that need picked.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems
A RFID system is one where a handheld or vehicle-mounted computer is used to scan a product's RFID tag. This information is then transmitted back through the warehouse by way of antennas, towers, beacons and even satellites in order for companies to know where their products are located within the facility at all times.
Kiva Systems - Robot Pickers and Electric Vehicles for Warehouse Mobility
Kiva systems include things such as a stationary warehouse management system (WMS) to manage inventory, a mobile picking software package that is integrated with the WMS and allows users to pick orders from robot-stocked shelves instead of having to go out into the main storage area.
The Kiva Systems robots are electric vehicles that move around on conveyor belts at high speeds while pulling open shelving units so employees can access items quickly for order fulfilment. These systems have been shown to reduce labour costs by up to 80%.
In the modern world, logistics is a major issue for all industries. The right warehouse order picking system can make or break your business, and if you are using order pickers, it is essential that you have the right order picker training through a recognised institute.