VOICE
Success story
technology
area of static shelving. A central carton and scans it. If any picks Full-case picking chain manager, Stephen Vile. He
conveyor comprising gravity are required within that zone, the added: “The performance of the
conveyors on either side of a relevant PTL display indicates Fast moving, full case SKUs are Voice Picking system in the full
powered take-away conveyor, where and how many items are picked from a combination of case Pick Module has been
transports orders through the required, with the order proceeding Pallet Live Storage (PLS) and exceptional. We are now able to
Pick Module, while an automated through the Pick Module until all selective racking within the full pick full cases twice as quickly
carton erector delivers empty items for the order have been case Pick Module. A combination as before, and with only half the
cartons direct to the pick face picked. When a carton is full or of RF and Voice Picking may be people. For the first few weeks
via an overhead conveyor. All the order completed, it is pushed used for picking full case SKUs, we ran our existing RF system in
split-case product locations within onto the central powered take- which are labelled and placed conjunction with Voice Picking,
the Pick Module are equipped away conveyor, which transports directly onto a central powered until all of our people were
with Pick-to-Light (PTL) alpha - the carton to a void fill and packing take-away conveyor. Other full familiar with the new technology.
numeric displays, enabling fast station via a check-weighing case products are picked to We will continue to utilise RF for
and accurate paperless picking. station. In keeping with its sustain- pallet directly from their bulk put away and replenishment,
The clip-on PTL displays are easy able approach, Blackmores uses storage locations, again using which is now controlled by
to reposition, making it a simple a natural corn-based material a combination of RF and Voice Dematic’s PickDirector software.”
task to alter the configuration to for void filling. With increasing Picking. Full pallets for larger
accommodate changing layouts numbers of customers preferring customer and export orders are Benefits summary
and product dimensions. to receive electronic invoices also picked from their bulk
(50 per cent +), only those orders storage location by RF or Voice The key operational and cost
Pre-cubing software determines requiring a printed invoice are Picking and transported to benefits are:
the size and number of cartons diverted to an invoice station. despatch by forklift.
that will be required for an order, The sealed cartons are then Consolidation of head office,
with PickDirector generating the conveyed to the sorter where “The hands-free, eyes-free feature production and distribution
required number of barcoded they are automatically diverted of Voice Picking is providing under the one roof for the first
shipping labels. To begin an down one of four shipping lanes, both productivity and operational time in 15 years.
order, the operator applies the and consolidated for distribution health & safety benefits over RF Direct supply chain savings
first label to the relevant sized by Blackmores’ freight partners. picking,” said Blackmores’ supply of more than A$1 million
per annum.
Smart Pick Module designs for
high volume, high productivity
picking of fast moving Full-
Case and Split-Case SKUs.
Increased productivity due
to better warehouse layout
and the introduction of
Voice Picking.
Customer service benefits
include:
Faster order turnaround.
Increased order fulfilment
accuracy.
Higher order fill rate due to
better availability of and
access to stock.
Automated order tracking and
sortation for distribution.
Improved palletising and
despatch procedures for
larger orders. circlesolid
Split-case handling at
Blackmores.
www.logisticsit.com
MANUFACTURING
October 2009 &LOGISTICSIT
53
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