Semi-automated order pickers

The semi-automated option for N20 SA and N20 C SA order pickers from Linde Material Handling increases the productivity of order picking at ground level. This option offers two drive modes in which the truck either automatically follows the operator or drives ahead. As a result, employees are relieved from non-value-added activities and order picking performance can be boosted by up to 20%.

“Even a mere few seconds added to each handling operation adds up to a lot of time lost over the course of the working day, and just a few steps, repeated over and over again, add to an operator’s fatigue sapping energy that would be better directed at completing the picking process without errors,” argues Linde Material Handling product manager automation & intralogistics Solutions Philipp Stephan.

Additionally, there is no longer the need to constantly climb on and off the truck. The option is available for Linde low level order pickers with up to 2.5 tons load capacity.

Another way of organising the picking is to pick from one side of the aisle, where the pickers walk along the aisle picking loads from the pallets and placing them on the truck which is keeping up with them as they move forward. This activity is fully supported by the truck’s semi-automatic “follow-me” function. If the operator stops, the vehicle stops, allowing the goods to be picked directly from the racking onto the pallet.

Both functions are based on ultra-wideband radio technology and can be set with centimetre precision. At the end of an aisle, the truck stops automatically to avoid collisions with other vehicles. By getting onto the truck, the employee ends the semi-automatic mode and can then steer the truck manually to the next aisle.

Linde’s own tests, based on work cycles copied from real applications, have shown that performance can be increased by up to 20% compared to manual picking.

Linde Material Handling has equipped its N20 SA and N20 C SA order pickers with a high performance safety scanner that is able to detect people and other industrial trucks. 

For more information, visit www.linde-mh.co.uk