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FEATURE CMR


Fulfi llment in the New Normal


T


he COVID-19 pandemic changed our world overnight. Buying behaviours that were predicted to become the


norm by 2030 are suddenly a reality. Even prior to COVID-19, operators were increasingly turning to flexible fulfillment solutions powered by collaborative mobile robots (CMRs) to address labour shortages by empowering their associates with automation to work faster and more accurately. The pandemic has accelerated these efforts. Operators are quickly retooling warehouses to handle the increase in each picking and launching or expanding fulfill- from-store initiatives to meet new and unexpected demand. Here are some of the most common questions organisations ask as they explore how flexible fulfillment solutions such as CMRs can provide value to their operations, associates and customers:


How easy is it to integrate and implement CMRs? Even in today’s restricted world, flexible fulfillment solutions can be deployed in a matter of weeks. Systems like those from 6 River Systems integrate seamlessly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), only need pick-level data and don’t need to own or manage inventory. Your operation can be evaluated for productivity


6 River Systems’ collaborative mobile robot, Chuck


benefits and a solution can be designed and deployed all in time for peak.


Can CMRs protect warehouse associates during the COVID-19 crisis?


Operations with CMRs are already more efficient and require fewer people than manual operations to get the same throughput. While this is a great start, CMRs also enable a base-level of social distancing within a warehouse by automating long walks between induct, active picking and takeoff areas, all of which are often crowded areas on the warehouse floor. To minimise shared surfaces and tactile exposure, an operation can limit the number of robots an associate


CMRs can increase productivity while helping to maintain social distancing


What kind of productivity improvements can I expect? On the conservative side, CMRs can double your pick rates. Pick rates using manual carts with paper tickets are around 50 to 80 lines per hour (LPH). 6 River Systems can boost productivity to 120+ LPH.


CONTACT:


6 River Systems www.6river.com


works with during the day. Alternately, operators can limit cross-contamination on the pick faces by utilising static zoning rules to ensure associates remain in their zone while the robot crosses from one zone to the next.


What kind of applications are best suited for CMRs? Anywhere with each picking into a box or tote is a good application for CMRs. 3PLs, e-commerce retail and manufacturing companies are prime candidates. This includes industries such as aerospace, medical/surgical devices, nutritional supplements, footwear, cosmetics, computers and electronics, service parts, and more.


automationmagazine.co.uk


Automation | February 2021


23


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