Feature Conveyors GAME stays a step ahead with CD sorter
Axiom, the specialist in the creation of innovative mechanical handling systems, has designed and installed a sortation solution for video games retailer GAME Group. The 216 destination pop-up roller sorter has a throughput rated at 20,000 products an hour
T
he GAME Group distribution centre in Basingstoke already had an automated sortation system supporting the company’s exist- ing stores. However, when GAME took over GAMEstation complete with its chain of 250 stores, the company had insufficient capacity to deal with the increased volume of products.
Simple technology Adam Myer, head of distribution centre operations for the GAME Group, says: “Once we carried out a capacity review we knew that it was necessary to purchase a second automated sorter. “Part of our study showed us that with the extra volume we were antici- pating the sortation work was going to take around 18-20 hours each day on the existing Vandelande machine. We considered this would be a risk to the business. The decision to purchase a second sorter was made in order to process volumes more quickly during our peak season. “We chose to invest in an Axiom system because its pop-up sorter is quite a small machine for its capacity; it uses straightforward technology and has a simple construction. This is advantageous in a number of ways. It’s an easy sorter to get to grips with in
terms of learning how to use and main- tain it; there are not a lot of mechanical parts that can go wrong and, as it has a small footprint, the layout is ideal for our operational space. Obviously price was important too, and the system is very cost effective.
“The order was placed with Axiom through Vandelande which acted as project leader throughout. They pro- grammed our existing warehouse man- agement system (WMS), which they had originally designed, to incorporate Axiom’s new machine into the func- tionality of our building.”
Axiom’s 216 pop-up roller sorter with a throughput of over 20,000 products an hour has allowed GAME Group to increase its capacity
Speedy throughput
The pop-up roller sortation system was developed in-house by Axiom and is suited to the high speed sortation of media products. Initially the DVDs or CDs are loaded into six induct feeders, each can be loaded with as many as 100 items. As the products are fed out they pass under a barcode scanner. The software determines the destina- tion of the product and it is pushed up an incline to merge onto the mainline process via two takeaway conveyors into the sortation system.
Larger items, for example boxed sets of DVDs or accessories such as head- phones are loaded manually to be scanned before entering the system. There is also a hand scanning option for items that won’t scan automati- cally. All products, regardless of size, are tracked along the sorter. At the appropriate place, rollers pop up, spin and place each item into the correct location, one of 216 destination bins, which are positioned on either side of the two sorter lanes.
SI Schaefer has designed, delivered and installed a new dual purpose picking and storage system for IDS Logistics in Sheffield on behalf of high street fashion retailer Republic. Adrian Robinson, logistics director for third party logistics provider IDS, says: “We needed SSI Schaefer to design a new system that would handle Republic’s retail store consignments and fulfill its online shopping orders with ease – a challenge more than accomplished with the automated dual purpose picking and storage system now in operation.” He continues: “The installation has enabled us to drop a shift – previously we worked two, sometimes three shifts – we now work one full shift with extra hours to handle late order e-commerce shipments. Currently running at just half its capacity in order to achieve the revised shift pattern, the system has significantly increased picking and shipping accuracy. We are extremely pleased with how the system is operating.” The system is made up of low-level adjustable pallet racking, incorporating shelving for carton picking and pallets for bulk storage. An extensive conveyor system, with a re-circulating facility, routes and delivers cartons of product to a series of ‘put to store’ zones, where items are then individually picked and sorted to store delivery totes. The dual system is effective because full carton volumes of product are picked and supplied for sortation and distribution in specific quantities to stores and residual items are passed automatically via the conveyor to supply or replenish separate e-commerce picking locations without having to be returned to stock. A ‘carton-live’ tote buffer accumulates full totes before being palletised for shipment to stores. SSI Schaefer
Dual purpose picking and storage system S
www.ssi-schaefer.co.uk S6
The products fall into the bins, which have been specially designed by Axiom, each with a capacity of up to 200 DVDs. The bottom of the chute is spring loaded so, as it fills up, it drops down. Then, as the picker removes product from the top, the bottom lifts up again. Operating in this way not only gives the chute a large capacity so it needs emptying less, but it also means that the picker is always in the ideal ergonomic position, emp- tying the chute from the top.
T: 01264 386600
An entirely flexible operation “With the addition of the Axiom sorter we now have a totally flexible opera- tion,” says Myer. “Although we have two different sorters they are entirely interchangeable; they can deal with the same type of product, the same quality of barcode and the WMS system treats them the same. This means we can do all our sorting on one system or the other or split half and half. The Axiom system has lived up to our expectations; its simple con- struction and uncomplicated technol- ogy make it extremely reliable.” Axiom GB
Enter 354 JANUARY 2012 Materials Handling & Logistics
www.axiomgb.com
T: 01827 61212 Enter 353
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