The invention relates to a picking facility (12) and to a method for carrying out a picking order which encompasses a special product, in particular a corresponding retail picking order, wherein the picking facility (12) has: a fulfillment system (14), in particular a micro-fulfillment system (MFS), which has: an automated storage system (24) with storage containers, comprising an assortment of exclusively standard products which are stored in the storage containers; a workspace (26) for picking and packing the products of the picking order; an automated storage conveyor system (28) which connects the storage system (24) and the workspace (26) together; a controller (30) which is communicatively connected to the storage system (24), to the workspace (26), and to the storage conveyor system (28) and which is designed to pick the picking order within the same day on which the picking order is received by an operator of the picking facility (12) and prepare the order for pickup and/or delivery, in particular pack the order; at least one farming unit (16) which is designed to produce the special product which is not stored in the storage containers and dispense the special product on demand as soon the special product is produced on the basis of the picking order; and another conveyor system (18) which connects the farming unit (16) and the workspace (26) in order to bring the special product to the workspace (26) after being produced and dispensed in order to completely carry out the picking order without using products which are external to the picking facility.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
G06Q 10/0832 - Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
2.
DRIVERLESS TRANSPORT SYSTEM HAVING A PASSIVE TRANSFER STATION FOR THE EXCHANGE AND STATIC PROVISION OF TRANSPORT ITEMS
An intralogistics system (10) and a method for the static provision of transport items (12) are disclosed, the intralogistics system comprising: a driverless transport vehicle (20); a transfer station (24) for the static provision of at least one of the transport items (12) on a placement surface (28) of the transfer station (24); and a controller (48); wherein the driverless transport vehicle (20) has a load-receiving means (34) that defines, on a top side of the driverless transport vehicle (20), a transport surface (38) on which the at least one of the transport items (12) rests during a transport trip, wherein the load-receiving means (34) has, along a direction of travel (31) of the driverless transport vehicle (20), a first finger element (42) and a second finger element (44), each of which can be switched between a raised position and a lowered position; wherein the transfer station (24) is designed to buffer at least two of the transport items (12) one behind the other on a corresponding number of placement spots (30) on the placement surface (28); wherein the transfer station (24) has a non-driven, multi-track transfer conveyor (26) which defines the placement surface (28); wherein the transfer conveyor (26) and the load-receiving means (34) are designed to be in mesh with each other as they exchange each of the transport items (12) to be provided, by virtue of the fact that the driverless transport vehicle (20) drives through the transfer station (24); and wherein the controller (48) is designed such that, as the driverless transport vehicle (20) drives through the transfer station (24), the controller switches each of the finger elements (42, 44) between the positions according to a drive-through depth (DT).
The invention relates to a driverless transport system (FTS) and a method for exchanging transport goods between a driverless transport vehicle (FTF) and a transfer station. The driverless transport system (FTS, 18) comprises: at least one ramp-type transfer station (20) which is designed to exchange a cargo item (12) with a continuous conveyor (14) horizontally coupled thereto; and a driverless transport vehicle (FTF, 16) for transporting the cargo item (12) from and/or to the at least one transfer station (20). The FTF (16) has load-receiving means (30) which forms a planar transport surface (42) on which the cargo item (12) rests during transport. The load-receiving means (30), in and end section, has at least one finger-type element (34) which can be switched between a raised position and a lowered position, the at least one finger-type element (34) projecting from the transport surface (42) in the raised position. Each transfer station (20) consists (exclusively) of a sloped, non-driven multi-track transfer conveyor (44) which is designed such that the FTF (16) can move underneath it, meshing with the conveyor, such that: when the cargo item (12) rests on the transfer conveyor (44), the FTF (16) picks up the cargo item (12) from the transfer conveyor (44) as a result of the FTF (16) moving out of the transfer conveyor (44) and the at least one finger-type element (34) being in the raised position; and when the cargo item (12) rests on the transfer conveyor (44), the FTF (16) hands over the cargo item (12) to the continuous conveyor (44) as a result of the FTF (16) moving into the transfer conveyor (44) and the at least one finger-type element (34) being in the raised position.
It is disclosed rack system (10) comprising: at least two rack modules (12) directly adjacent in a height direction (Y) of the rack system (10); wherein the rack modules (12) are formed of two racks (14) being aligned in parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction (X) of the rack system (10) and being spaced apart from each other in transverse direction (Z) of the rack system (10) for defining a rack aisle (16) between them, and comprise a plurality of directly adjacent rack compartments (20); wherein each of the rack modules (12) in the area the rack aisle (16) comprises a maintenance aisle (32) configured for automatically operating and manually maintaining at least one storage and retrieval device (24); and wherein within at least one of the racks (14) a rack-integrated escape channel (26) is provided for connecting the maintenance aisles (32) directly to an outside world of the rack system (10), and wherein the escape channel (26) is configured to be passed by a maintenance technician.
There are disclosed method and system (10) for picking of articles (12), in particular flat-pack articles (12), in accordance with picking orders, wherein the system (10) comprises: a rack (24) extending substantially along longitudinal and height directions (X, Y) of the system (10) and comprising a plurality of storage locations (30) configured to store source pallets (30); a gantry robot (36) including a manipulation unit (37) configured to transfer the articles (16); a packing position (62) configured to buffer a target pallet (34); a plurality of conveyors (38); and a control (74), which is preferably configured to determine, for each of the orders, an order-specific packing pattern for automatically packing, by the gantry robot (36), several of the articles (12) in accordance with the respective order from one or more of the source pallets (30) on a target pallet (34) in the packing position (62); wherein each of the conveyors (38) comprises a receiving position (66), which is positioned within the rack (24) and configured to receive the source pallets (30), as well as a delivering position (58), which is positioned within an action space of the gantry robot (36) and configured to provide, preferably dynamically, the source pallets (30); wherein the gantry robot (36) defines the action space, within which the manipulation unit (37) is movable and which contains the packing position (62) and the delivering positions (58) the conveyor (38); and wherein the control (74) is further configured to cause that such of the source pallets (30) are transported from the storage locations (32) via the receiving positions (66) to the delivering positions (58), which include the articles (12) required for the packing in accordance with the respective packing pattern.
There are disclosed method and system (10) for picking of articles (12), in particular flat-pack articles (12), in accordance with picking orders, wherein the system (10) comprises: a rack (24) extending substantially along longitudinal and height directions (X, Y) of the system (10) and comprising a plurality of storage locations (30) configured to store source pallets (30); a gantry robot (36) including a manipulation unit (37) configured to transfer the articles (16); a packing position (62) configured to buffer a target pallet (34); a plurality of conveyors (38); and a control (74), which is preferably configured to determine, for each of the orders, an order-specific packing pattern for automatically packing, by the gantry robot (36), several of the articles (12) in accordance with the respective order from one or more of the source pallets (30) on a target pallet (34) in the packing position (62); wherein each of the conveyors (38) comprises a receiving position (66), which is positioned within the rack (24) and configured to receive the source pallets (30), as well as a delivering position (58), which is positioned within an action space of the gantry robot (36) and configured to provide, preferably dynamically, the source pallets (30); wherein the gantry robot (36) defines the action space, within which the manipulation unit (37) is movable and which contains the packing position (62) and the delivering positions (58) the conveyor (38); and wherein the control (74) is further configured to cause that such of the source pallets (30) are transported from the storage locations (32) via the receiving positions (66) to the delivering positions (58), which include the articles (12) required for the packing in accordance with the respective packing pattern.
B65G 1/00 - Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
B65G 47/90 - Devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials
B65G 57/16 - Stacking of articles of particular shape
B65G 57/22 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement
B65G 57/24 - Stacking of articles of particular shape three-dimensional, e.g. cubiform, cylindrical in layers, each of predetermined arrangement the layers being transferred as a whole, e.g. on pallets
B65G 61/00 - Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
There is disclosed a driverless transport system, DTS, (10) comprising: a travelling course (12), formed of routes (14), preferably travelled unidirectionally, which are defined respectively by one track (28), and of markers (16); a fleet (18) of at least two driverless transport vehicles, DTV, (20) travelling along the tracks (28) in a forcibly guided manner; and at least one station (26) defined by: at least one of the tracks (28), at least one of the markers (16), and an individualizing assigned station identifier; wherein each of the stations (26) can comprise a terminal (70) for allocation of travelling destination and wherein each of the stations (26) represents an area of the travelling course (12), within which the DTVs (20) can get assigned a new travelling destination and/or can be loaded, unloaded, energetically charged, and/or stopped; wherein the markers (16) include information, which is station-specific by being associating the respective information with the respectively assigned station identifier; wherein each of the DTVs (20) comprises: a communication unit (52) for transmitting and receiving information; a marker-detection unit (54) for reading, preferably contactless, the information from the markers (16); and a controlling unit (58) for processing read and received information; and wherein communication between the DTV (20) and communication between the DTVs (20) and terminals (70) is respectively performed directly, and in particular in a DTV-unspecific manner.
B61L 27/10 - Operations, e.g. scheduling or time tables
B61L 15/00 - Indicators provided on the vehicle or train for signalling purposes
B61L 3/02 - Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control
B61L 3/00 - Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal
B61L 21/10 - Arrangements for trains which are closely following one another
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
The invention relates to a method and a system (10) for picking articles (12), more particularly flatpack articles (12), in accordance with picking orders, the system comprising: - a rack, which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction of the system and which has a plurality of storage spaces designed for storing source pallets; - a first gantry robot, which has a manipulation unit and which is designed to transfer the articles; - a packing position, which is designed for the buffering of a target pallet; - a plurality of conveyors; and - a controller, which is preferably designed to determine, for each of the orders, an order-specific packing pattern in order to feed a plurality of the articles according to the order in question from one or more of the source pallets to the packing position by means of the first gantry robot in an automated manner; wherein: each of the conveyors has a receiving position, which is positioned within the rack and is designed to receive the source pallets, and a dispensing position, which is positioned within an action space of the first gantry robot and is designed to provide the source pallets, preferably dynamically; the controller is also designed to cause those of the source pallets that store the articles that are needed for the packing of the articles onto the target pallet in accordance with the packing pattern in question to be transported from the storage spaces, via the receiving positions, to the dispensing positions; the first gantry robot defines the action space, within which the manipulation unit can be moved and which contains at least the dispensing positions of the conveyors; the first gantry robot is designed to receive the articles that are needed for the packing in accordance with the packing pattern in question from the source pallets at the dispensing positions and to dispense said articles to a packing-position feed conveyor, which extends through the action space and is connected to the packing position with respect to a material flow; the packing position is positioned within an action space of a second gantry robot, which is connected directly to the rack by means of other of the conveyors, or the packing position is positioned outside of the action spaces of the gantry robots.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
B65G 61/00 - Use of pick-up or transfer devices or of manipulators for stacking or de-stacking articles not otherwise provided for
The invention relates to a method and a system (10) for picking articles (12), more particularly flatpack articles (12), in accordance with picking orders, the system (10) comprising: - a rack (24), which extends substantially in a longitudinal and a vertical direction (X, Y) of the system (10) and which has a plurality of storage spaces (30) designed for storing source pallets (30); - a gantry robot (36), which has a manipulation unit (37) and which is designed to transfer the articles (16); - a packing position (62), which is designed for the buffering of a target pallet (34); - a plurality of conveyors (38); and - a controller (74), which is preferably designed to determine, for each of the orders, an order-specific packing pattern in order to pack a plurality of the articles (12) according to the order in question from one or more of the source pallets (30) onto a target pallet (34) in the packing position (62) by means of the gantry robot (36) in an automated manner; wherein: each of the conveyors (38) has a receiving position (66), which is positioned within the rack (24) and is designed to receive the source pallets (30), and a dispensing position (58), which is positioned within an action space of the gantry robot (36) and is designed to provide the source pallets (30), preferably dynamically; the gantry robot (36) defines the action space, within which the manipulation unit (37) can be moved and which contains the packing position (62) and the dispensing positions (58) of the conveyors (38); and the controller (74) is also designed to cause those of the source pallets (30) that comprise the articles (12) that are needed for the packing in accordance with the packing pattern in question to be transported from the storage spaces (32), via the receiving positions (66), to the dispensing positions (58).
A shelving system (10) is disclosed which comprises: at least two shelving modules (12) which adjoin one another directly in a vertical direction (Y) of the shelving system (10); wherein the shelving modules (12) are formed from two shelves (14) which are oriented parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction (X) of the shelving system (10) and are arranged spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction (Z) of the shelving system (10), in order thus to define a shelving aisle (16) between them, and which have a multiplicity of shelf bays (20) which adjoin one another directly; wherein each of the shelving modules (12) has, in the region of the shelving aisle (16), a maintenance walkway (32) which is configured for automatically operating and for manually maintaining at least one storage and retrieval machine (24); and wherein an escape route (26) which is integrated into the shelving is provided within at least one of the shelves (14), in order to connect the maintenance walkways (32) directly to an outer surrounding area of the shelving system (10), and wherein the escape route (26) is configured to be passed through by a maintenance engineer.
The invention relates to a driverless transport system (DTS) (10) comprising: a driving course (12) which is formed from routes (14), preferably unidirectionally travelled routes, each defined by a track (28), and from markers (16); a fleet (18) composed of at least two automated guided vehicles (AGVs) (20) which drive in a forcibly guided manner on the tracks (28); and at least one station (26) which is defined by at least one of the tracks (28), at least one of the markings (16), and an individualising associated station identifier. Each of the stations (26) may have a terminal (70) for an allocated destination, and each of the stations (26) represents an area of the driving course (12) within which the AGVs (20) may be assigned a new destination and/or may be loaded, unloaded, charged with energy, and/or stopped. The markings (16) comprise items of information which are station-specific because each item of information is linked to the associated station identifier. Each of the AGVs (20) has: a communication unit (52) for transmitting and receiving information; a marking detection unit (54) for reading out, preferably contactlessly, the items of information from the markings (16); and a control unit (58) for processing read and received items of information. Each communication between the AGVs (20) and each communication between the AGVs (20) and terminals (70) is performed directly and in particular in a non-AGV specific manner.
It is disclosed a system and method for picking and delivering articles (14) in accordance with a plurality of orders from customers (24), wherein the orders comprise pouchable article (14) of an online supermarket, which have been ordered by the customers (24), comprising the steps of: providing a storage and order-picking installation (11), in which the articles (14) of the online supermarket are stored in, preferably different, storage and picking areas (12); filling pouches (16), in accordance with the orders, with the ordered articles (14) within the storage and picking areas (12); coupling the pouches (16) to an overhead conveyor (22); handing over the filled pouches (16) to a delivery vehicle (20) configured to transport the pouches (16) in a hanging manner; transporting the hanging pouches (16) with the delivery vehicle (20) to the customers (24); determining a delivery tour by means of a controlling device (28), wherein the delivery tour defines a sequence in which the customers (24) are delivered by the delivery vehicle (20), in order to hand over to the customers (24) the pouches (16) including the articles (14), which have been ordered by the customers (24); and sorting the filled pouches (16) in accordance with the delivery route by means of the overhead conveyor (22).
G06F 7/00 - Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
B60P 1/36 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading using endless chains or belts thereon
B60P 3/00 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B65G 17/20 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
G06Q 10/0631 - Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
13.
STORAGE AND PICKING SYSTEM WITH SHELF-FREE FLOOR STORAGE SYSTEM AND HANDLING VEHICLE
The invention relates to a storage and picking system (10) with a shelf-free floor storage system (12) and at least one handling vehicle (14), wherein stacks (16) of a plurality of stored goods (18) arranged vertically one above the other can be stored in the floor storage system (12), the stacks (16) being arranged on a floor (20) of the floor storage system (12), distanced horizontally from one another without storage equipment; the vehicle (14) comprising: a chassis (30) with a frame (32) and with multiple legs (34), which are coupled to the frame (32) and are of a height such that a plurality of the stored goods (18) stacked vertically one above the other can be raised vertically at the same time and in a raised state can be moved horizontally, the chassis (30) being designed to travel over each of the stored stacks (30) for raising; a lifting unit (36), which is mounted on the chassis (30) and which is designed to vertically raise one or more of the stored goods (18) stacked one above the other from each of the stacks (16); a gripping unit (38), which is connected to the lifting unit (36) and which is designed to grip, to hold, and to release the stored goods (18); at least one travel unit (40), which is designed to move the vehicle (14) and raised stored goods (18) horizontally and which is designed to change a direction of travel, preferably by 90°, whilst the vehicle (14) is standing still; and a control unit (42), which is connected to the at least one travel unit (40) to move the vehicle (14) horizontally and which is connected to the lifting unit (36) in order to vertically lift and lower the stored goods (18).
separate conveying systems for feeding storage containers from the warehouse to the pick up locations of the separation stations, respectively; and a robot arranged between the separate conveyors such that the robot can pick up during one movement cycle from each of the separate conveying systems respectively one article and can deliver between the corresponding article pick up locations one article which has already been picked up to a deposition location.
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B07C 3/08 - Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
B65G 17/12 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element
B65G 47/38 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors by dumping, tripping, or releasing load-carriers
B65G 17/20 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
15.
Two-stage picking by means of sorter having high-dynamic sorter trays
It is disclosed storage and order-picking system, comprising: a control device configured for performing two-stage picking of articles, wherein the two-stage picking comprises a first article-orientated picking stage, and a second order-orientated picking stage; a warehouse, wherein the articles in the warehouse are stored in storage containers in an article-pure manner, and wherein the articles are retrieved in an article-orientated manner from the warehouse in the first picking stage; a sorter comprising: a loop-shaped main line operated continuously; at least one branch line, wherein each of the branch lines is coupled, preferably mesh-shaped, to the main line and is operable discontinuously; and a plurality of sorter trays, wherein each of the trays is configured to be moved along the lines and to be fed into and out from the main line; one or more separation stations, wherein each of the separation stations: is coupled to the main line via one of the branch lines; is coupled to the warehouse for being supplied with storage containers; and is configured for reloading the articles from the storage containers onto the trays for transferring the articles in the first picking stage in accordance with order lines and/or individually onto respectively one of the trays located on the one of the branch lines; and a plurality of automatically and/or manually operated target locations for the second picking stage, wherein each of the target locations is coupled: to one of the branch lines; and/or directly to the main line.
B65G 1/137 - Storage devices mechanical with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed
B07C 3/08 - Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
B65G 17/12 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of individual load-carriers fixed, or normally fixed, relative to traction element
B65G 47/38 - Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyors by dumping, tripping, or releasing load-carriers
B65G 17/20 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
16.
Modularly constructed conveying system having dynamically variable module conveying speeds
A conveying system and method including a conveying network and controller for transporting according to transport orders during a time-frame having a fixed duration. Each good has allocated one of different conveying criteria and one of the transport orders. The conveying network includes an entry station, an exit station, and transport paths therebetween. Each transport path is operable during each operation-mode phase in one of different operation modes, which are distinguished by constant transport-path velocities. Each operation mode has allocated, based on one of the conveying criteria, one of the transport-path velocities. The time-frame is defined by several subsequent operation-mode phases. The controller selects the operation modes for the transport paths based on the conveying criteria such that throughput of the convoying goods through the conveying network during the time-frame is optimized.
The disclosure relates to a system and a method for safely configuring a vehicle (12) from a plurality of vehicles in a storage and picking system by virtue of the vehicle (12) that is to be configured being allocated a specific location address by a system controller (16), wherein the method has the steps of: selecting the vehicle (12) to be configured; selecting a station (14) where the selected vehicle (12) is supposed to be operated; positioning the selected vehicle (12) in the selected station (14); prompting the selected vehicle (12) to perform a characteristic interaction with the station (14) while unselected vehicles can perform interactions with other stations; collecting specific state signals (76) transmitted during performance of the characteristic interaction; ascertaining a characteristic specific state signal (76) from collected state signals; ascertaining the station (14) that has transmitted the characteristic specific state signal (76); and allocating the specific location address of the selected station (14) to the vehicle ID of the selected vehicle (12) if the specific location address of the ascertained station (14) that has transmitted the characteristic specific state signal (76) matches the specific location address of the selected station (14).
The invention relates to a system and a method for picking and delivering articles (14) according to a plurality of orders from customers (24), the orders comprising articles (14) from an online supermarket, which can be put in a bag and have been ordered by customers (24), said method comprising the following steps: providing a storage and picking facility (11) in which the articles (14) from the online supermarket are stored in preferably different storage and picking areas (12); filing bags (16) according to the orders with the ordered articles (14) in the storage and picking areas (12); coupling the bags (16) to an overhead conveyor (22); transferring the filled bags (16) to a delivery vehicle (20) which is designed to transport the bags (16) in a suspended manner; transporting the suspended bags (16) to the customers (24) by means of the delivery vehicle (20); determining a delivery round by means of a control device (28), wherein the delivery round defines a sequence in which the customers (24) are called at with the delivery vehicle (20) in order to give the customers (24) the bags (16) containing the articles (14) which they (24) have ordered; and sorting the filled bags (16) according to the delivery route with the overhead conveyor (22).
B65G 1/00 - Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
G06Q 50/28 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
B60P 1/00 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
B65G 17/20 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising load-carriers suspended from overhead traction chains
19.
TWO-STAGE PICKING BY MEANS OF SORTER HAVING HIGH-DYNAMIC SORTER TRAYS
The invention relates to a warehouse and picking system having: a control device, which is designed to carry out two-stage picking of articles, wherein the two-stage picking comprises a first, article-oriented picking stage and a second, order-oriented picking stage; a warehouse, wherein the articles in the warehouse are stored, sorted, in warehouse containers, and wherein the articles in the first picking stage are removed from the warehouse in an article-oriented manner; a sorter, which comprises: a loop-shaped main section, which is continually operated; at least one secondary section, wherein each of the secondary sections is coupled to the main section, preferably in a mesh-shaped manner, and is discontinuously operable; and a plurality of sorter trays, wherein each of the trays is designed to be moved along the sections and fed into and out of the main section; one or more separating stations, wherein each of the separating stations: is coupled via one of the secondary sections to the main section; is coupled to the warehouse in order to be supplied with warehouse containers; and is designed for transferring the articles from the warehouse containers to the trays, in order to transfer each of the articles in the first picking stage on an order-line basis and/or individually onto one of the trays, which is located on the one secondary section; and a plurality of automated and/or manually operated target points for the second picking stage, wherein each of the target points is coupled: to one of the secondary sections; and/or directly to the main section.
A conveying system, having a conveying network and a control system, and a method for transporting a plurality of conveyed goods in accordance with conveyed-good-specific transport orders during a time window having a fixed duration by means of the conveying network are disclosed, wherein: - each of the conveyed goods is assigned one of a plurality of different conveying criteria and one of the transport orders; - the conveying network has an input station, an output station and a plurality of transport paths; - each of the transport paths connects the input station to the output station; - each of the transport paths can be operated in one of a plurality of different operating modes during each operating mode phase; - the operating modes differ from each other by virtue of constant transport path speeds; - each of the operating modes is assigned one of the transport path speeds on the basis of one of the conveying criteria; and - the time window is defined by a plurality of consecutive operating mode phases, the operating modes being selected for each of the transport paths on the basis of the conveying criteria assigned to the associated conveyed goods, for each of the operating mode phases, by means of the control system in such a way that the throughput of the conveyed goods through the conveying network during the time window is optimized.
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G06Q 10/08 - Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distributionInventory or stock management
21.
Cluster-based-system and method for E-commerce-order fulfillment
It is disclosed a system and method for order fulfillment, the method comprising the following steps: generating (S10) a packing pattern for the order defining the packing sequence; assigning (S12) one of the one or more merge-and-pack stations (22) to the order; analyzing (S14) the order with regard to pouchable and non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, wherein each of the pouchable articles (46) is sized and heavy such that it fits into one of the pouches (48), and wherein each of the non-pouchable articles (46) is at least one of sized and heavy such that it does not fit into one of the pouches (48); retrieving corresponding storage units (50), which contain the pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, from the warehouse (16), delivering the retrieved storage units (50) to one or more of the pick stations (18), and loading the pouchable articles (46) from the delivered storage units (50) into one or more of the pouches (48) at the one or more pick stations (18); transporting (S18) loaded pouches (48) from the one or more pick stations (18) to the assigned merge-and-pack station (22); transporting (S18) corresponding storage units, which contain the non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, to the assigned merge-and-pack station (22); and synchronizing arrivals (S20) of the loaded pouches (48) and the corresponding storage units (50), which contain the non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, and unloading the pouchable and non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order at the assigned merge-and-pack station (16) so that the pouchable and non-pouchable articles associated with the order are transferable in the packing sequence to one or more shipping units associated with the order and the packing pattern.
A storage and order-picking system including at least one order-picking machine configured to store, collect, buffer, and deliver piece-goods in an automated manner, each machine including storage locations having an individualizing storage-location label; a receiving station configured to capture at least one labeling attribute of a goods-receipt piece-good, a transport system including transport carriers, each having deposition locations where the captured goods-receipt piece-good can be placed for loading the carrier, and a deposition-location label is assigned; and a DPS configured, to manage and update a reference table; wherein the transport system connects the receiving station and the machine for transporting one of the transport carriers therebetween, wherein the DPS is further configured to update the reference table for the goods-receipt piece-good by assignment based on the captured attribute, based on a deposition-location label of a selected deposition location, and based on a storage-location label of a selected storage location.
It is disclosed a method (70) for operating a storage and order-picking system (10) in which a plurality of manipulators (40) process a plurality of picking/storing orders in accordance with a manipulator-to-handling-unit principle, wherein the system (10) comprises a provision zone (12), a picking zone (14), a plurality of provision units (42, 62) in the provision zone, a plurality of, particularly stationary arranged, transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14), a DTS (18) including a plurality of DTVs (20), and a controlling device (32), and wherein the method (70) comprises the following steps of: analyzing (S10) the plurality of picking/storing orders by the controlling device (32) for determining retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone (12); setting (S12) of transfer actions (48) by selecting for each of the retrieval/delivery locations one or more of the transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14) as delivery/retrieval location and by assigning the same thereto, wherein the delivery/retrieval location is located within an action zone (72) extending around the respective retrieval/delivery location and moving dynamically with the respective manipulator (40); generating (S14) an action order for each of the manipulators (40) by selecting some of the transfer actions (48), and setting a, particularly unidirectional, moving path (74) along which the respective manipulator (40) moves between the selected retrieval/delivery locations throughout the, preferably entire, picking zone (14); and generating (S16) transport orders for the DTVs (20) so that each of the manipulators (40), during performance of its action order, can perform its transfer actions (48) within its action zone (72), preferably without interruption.
Storage and order-picking system (10) having: at least one order-picking machine (50) for piece goods, wherein each of the machines (50) is set up to store, collect, buffer and deliver the piece goods in a fully automatic manner, wherein each of the machines (50) has a multiplicity of storage locations (108), wherein each of the storage locations (108) has an individualizing storage location identifier (138); a preferably single receiving station (60) which is set up to capture at least one characterizing attribute (90) of an item of incoming piece goods (56); a transport system (20) having a multiplicity of transport carriers (28), and a DVA (32) which is set up to manage and update a reference table (34), wherein the table (34) is set up to assign the attribute (90), one of the depositing locations (72) and one of the storage locations (108) to the item of incoming piece goods (56); wherein the transport system (20) connects the receiving station (60) and the at least one machine (50) to one another in terms of material flow.
The invention relates to a storage and picking system, in particular for case-picking applications, for the fully automated picking of storage units (70), which comprises: a rack arrangement, which has a rack block (34) arranged in a stationary manner, wherein the rack block (34) has at least one rack having a plurality of movable storage places, wherein each of the movable storage places is designed for buffering one of the storage units (70); an automatic guided vehicle system having a plurality of automatic guided vehicles (22), which can be autonomously moved along (freely selectable) driving paths (54), wherein each of the automatic guided vehicles (22) has a load-accommodating means, wherein the load-accommodating means of the automatic guided vehicles (22) and the movable storage places are designed to exchange the storage units (70) between each other; an exchange zone (18), which is arranged in an overlapping manner between the rack arrangement and the automatic guided vehicle system such that the movable storage places and the automatic guided vehicles (22) can be moved into the exchange zone (18) and out of the exchange zone (18); and a controller (16), which is designed to coordinate movements of the automatic guided vehicles (22) and movements of the movable storage places with each other in such a way that specified storage units (70) can be exchanged between specified automatic guided vehicles (22) and specified movable storage places at specified times.
B65G 1/06 - Storage devices mechanical with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level
B65G 1/127 - Storage devices mechanical with article supports or holders movable in a closed circuit to facilitate insertion or removal of articles the circuit being confined in a vertical plane
The invention discloses a method (70) for operating a storage and picking system (10), in which a multiplicity of manipulators (40) processes a multiplicity of picking/storage orders in accordance with a manipulator-to-handling-unit principle, wherein the system (10) has a supply zone (12), a picking zone (14), a multiplicity of supply units (42, 62) in the supply zone, a multiplicity of in particular statically arranged transfer positions (46) in the picking zone (14), an FTS (18) with a multiplicity of FTF (20), and a controller (32), and wherein the method (70) has the following steps: analysing (S10) the multiplicity of picking/storage orders by way of the controller (32) for the purposes of determining removal/setting-down locations in the supply zone (12); defining (S12) transfer actions (48) by virtue of, for each of the removal/setting-down locations, one or more of the transfer positions (46) in the picking zone (14) being selected as setting-down/removal location and being assigned thereto, wherein the setting-down/removal location is situated within an action zone (72) which extends around the respective removal/setting-down location and which moves dynamically with the respective manipulator (40); generating (S14) an action order for each of the manipulators (40) by virtue of: some of the transfer actions (48) being selected; and an in particular unidirectional movement path (74) being defined along which the respective manipulator (40) moves between the selected removal/setting-down locations through preferably the entire picking zone (14); and generating (S16) transport orders for the FTF (20) such that each of the manipulators (40) can, during an execution of the action order thereof, perform the transfer actions (48) thereof within the action zone (72) thereof, preferably without interruption.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
39 - Transport, packaging, storage and travel services
Goods & Services
(1) Machines and machine tools, namely for the automatic preparation and order processing (picking) of goods of varied formats and assortments
(2) Computer hardware and computer software for storage and retrieval of goods as well as conveyors and order-picking devices (1) Packaging and storing goods; storage, keeping and retrieving goods; packaging goods before shipment
