 Order picking with order picking trucks or manually operated stacker cranes is most frequently applied if the product range is broad and if large quantities of the same item have to be picked in order to achieve a high stock turn.
One of the advantages lies in the maximum space utilisation as the height of the racking can be perfectly adapted to the slope of the roof. The boltless system allows beams to be reset without problems at any required height for immmediate adaptation to changing heights of pallet loads. Costs can be cut drastically, as pallets are no longer replaced manually from the buffer stock into the picking racks and no special handling of "incomplete" pallets is required.
The ergonomic conditions for order pickers are very good as their cab or platform is lifted to the optimum picking position. For further improvement, pallets should be handled long-side, in order to limit operator reach to 800 mm. For safety reasons, all levels have in-depth re-inforcement which support the pallet feet in the rack centre.
Although investment into technically advanced stacker cranes and "upgraded" pallet racking is relatively high compared with traditional pallet racking serviced by fork lift trucks, it is justified by the considerably higher stock turn achievable.
As order picking trucks cannot operate outside racking installations and the manoeuvrability of stacker cranes is quite limited because they are often too huge for narrow aisles, it is important to give particular attention to the design of the transfer positions.
On the one hand, these positions at the racks' front end serve as a platform for pallets with picked goods which are to be transported to the despatch area. On the other hand, complete pallets intended for re-stocking and subsequent order picking have to be placed there in order to avoid delays later on and incomplete deliveries.
An ideal solution to suit this dual function are pallet positions which protude by a pallet's length into the main gangway, safely supported by the installations' beams. Pallets deposited at these transfer positions can now be reached easily from the front with stacker cranes and from the side with order picking trucks. |
