Automated carts—powered by patented Perpetual Picking software to deliver continuous productivity—will be featured in MODEX Booth 7609
GERMANTOWN, WI (January 21, 2014) — Ideal for facilities with a vast number of stock keeping units (SKUs) that cannot be categorized by specific velocity, a line of mobile picking carts will be showcased at MODEX 2014 in the Matthews Automation Solutions exhibit, Booth 7609. The mobile picking carts feature technology from Lightning Pick.
Easy to learn and use, the multi-shelf, light-directed carts automate batch picking for fulfillment of multiple, one- to two-line orders at the same time during a single pass through the warehouse while following the shortest route. Particularly suited to e-commerce applications, the carts include:
- Low power consumption pick-to-light module hardware at each order bin or box position
- Android tablet with color LCD screen
- Radio frequency (RF) barcode scanner for item/location scanning
- Rechargeable mobile power pack outfitted with long-lasting batteries
- Optional configuration to support voice-directed picking applications
All components can be added as a retrofit to existing carts, or engineered as a custom designed solution in any size, design or configuration, including power assist.
“Because they support batch picks of multiple orders simultaneously, mobile picking carts dramatically increase picking speed by up to 200% while improving worker ergonomics by reducing the number of trips through the warehouse,” says Bernie McCabe, Sales Force Manager.
Further, continues McCabe, “For companies that cannot cost-justify the implementation of a full pick-to-light system at every pick face, or to run a conveyor system throughout their facility, the carts are an extremely affordable way to automate picking of an unlimited number of SKUs.”
Powered by a simple, file-based interface, the carts’ control software communicates wirelessly in real-time with the facility’s host computer system. Utilizing an efficient algorithm embedded in the carts’ batch optimization software, orders are grouped according to pick location proximity.
When the picker arrives at an assigned storage area, the cart’s light-directed picking modules indicate which picked items should be distributed to each bin riding on the cart. To improve accuracy, items can be scanned to confirm the correct pick and placement in the right bin. This batch picking process boosts picking speeds up to 40% over conventional, paper-based picking, and reduces travel by up to 70% (depending on order profiles).
The software also utilizes patented Perpetual Picking batch optimization software to further boost picker productivity, even when all the order spots on the cart have been filled. The Perpetual Picking system tracks the cart’s real-time location in the warehouse (as opposed to assuming the cart is navigating a pre-determined route) and directs the picker to collect additional, single-line picks along the travel path while navigating the cart to the completed order drop point.
The carts’ control software interfaces with existing warehouse control systems (WCS) and warehouse management systems (WMS) to easily automate batch picking. The Perpetual Picking system works with Lightning Pick software platforms, allowing carts to be added seamlessly into existing light-directed environments. This also enables interface options, such as Lightning Pick’s LP Dashboard for manager-level insights into daily productivity key performance indicators (KPIs) across the facility, or at individual picker levels.
A demo mobile picking cart system can be seen in action at the Matthews Automation Solutions’ exhibit, Booth 7609, throughout MODEX 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia—March 17-20.
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ABOUT MATTHEWS AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS
Matthews Automation Solutions designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking, coding and industrial automation technologies and solutions. Manufacturers, suppliers and distributors worldwide rely on Matthews’ integrated systems to identify, track, control and pick products at the highest levels of accuracy and throughput. For handling challenges in manufacturing, packaging or distribution, Matthews’ combined expertise delivers the integrated solution that meets an organization’s needs today, and grows with them tomorrow. Our automated and semi-automated marking, coding, control, sortation, picking and verification technologies and software streamline the order fulfillment processes to maximize productivity.
ABOUT LIGHTNING PICK
Lightning Pick delivers advanced pick-to-light, put-to-light, pack-to-light, and other paperless picking, kitting, assembly and sortation systems. Our technologies drive increased productivity, quality and efficiency across lean supply chains—from manufacturing through order fulfillment.
