Let’s face it - we all want to spend as little as possible on just about everything. The same goes for business. We are constantly tasked with spending less yet required to do more.
When it comes to automation, I find there are a lot of companies that are right in between justifying a basic “something” and a more typical system that would really do the job nicely.
Packing and pick verification are two such examples which lend themselves to a variety of tasks that require people. An order is picked, a packer typically reviews the order and verifies contents, then will manually manifest the package with a scale, UPS computer, etc.
The use of either handheld or fixed position scanners along with packing software can provide both low cost and even provides proof of fulfillment.
The basic system works in this way:
The picker drops off the order to QC area or order is conveyed to this area
The packer then places empty carton on a scale (simple bench scale like used for UPS/FedEx)
The operator scans the order number or manually keys it into system
Each item that was picked is scanned and placed into carton
Every time the scale is triggered with a product, the system:
verifies correct weight of the SKU
takes a still shot of the box from overhead to prove the item went into the box
By the time the last item is scanned and weighed, the system prints a shipping label just like the typical pack stations use now.
Typical SolidPack station
Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
It seems every time you turn around there is some new software package that does something…anything. I am impressed with the amazing ideas in the automation world. The fact that some guy can crunch a bunch of code together and make something perform a task at the right time, the right way, and even control it remotely from thousands of miles away when needed blows my mind.
The traditional methods of PLC conveyor controls are still still in play today. However, it seems that PC based controls are becoming more and more common. A simple PC is able to easily house all the needed hardware to drive everything from simple diverts all the way to checkweighers, interfacing to WMS, ERP, and much more. Even more impressive is seeing an entire operation controlled by this single box sitting in the middle of the floow controlling sortation, driving picking decisions, and continuously logging, reporting, sending data to other systems, etc.
What is next? What will the next great invention bring? Software itself depends on hardware. PC’s are inexpensive and extremely flexible. Will it ever be replaced? Something to consider.
Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
In these challenging economics it is important to realize there is a fixed cost associated to labor with many tasks including packing and shipping operations. Even if you normally ship out 5,000 cartons per day and now only ship 3,000 per day, the cost to do so is fairly static; or for argument sake maybe 1 less person.
The traditional business model includes perhaps a printed pick ticket, workers picking orders, then packing, scanning the order to produce a shipping label, weight, etc.
An automatic shipping system cuts out the touch labor associated with scanning, peeling/sticking shipping label, QC, etc. The process in a simple and low cost form is as follows:
The packed carton is placed on a conveyor with some sort of order ID (or license plate label)
The order ID is automatically scanned by a fixed position scanner
Carton weight is recorded by the inline scale (and dimensioned where required)
The order is looked up in the database, weight/dim recorded
Shipping label produced and automatically applied to the carton
Verification scan from fixed position scanner against shipping label on correct carton
Options for exceptions such as automatic reject for no-read, order not found, etc.
This type of system typically produces a 6 month to 1 year ROI depending on a few factors such as number of employees, number of cartons per day, etc.
We find that companies shipping at least 800 items per day have a very compelling business reason to automate this process. Click the links for more information on
Prosper, TX, November 19, 2008, Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc. introduces ABOT ACE; a new application for automatic case extraction. ABOT ACE is a system designed to automatically index full cases or bags, cut tops, remove contents, and dispose of the box and/or lining. CASI is the only company offering a standard system that performs all of these tasks with applications such as mixing ingredients, depalletizing/repalletizing cases, as well as other food and custom solutions.
ABOT ACE can empty contents into hoppers, bins, super sacks, and conveyors. ACE separates liners and disposes of corrugate and plastic separately and automatically.
Boxes can be opened by cutting the tape seals, removing the top and cutting the liner. ABOT ACE will remove the top then open the liner inside allowing the contents to be poured from the case. ACE is flexible with programming to remove the liner with the contents then separating the liner from the contents.
ABOT ACE can pour many types of contents in a controlled flow at varying levels up to nine feet. Fill super sacks without need of conveyors or hoppers.
ABOT ACE is food grade rated and IP 67 for wash down capability. The ABOT cutter is available in IP 65 and stainless construction.
Automatic Case Extraction (ACE) Applications
Nuts, trail mix, cereal, general ingredient mixing
Cheese industry to decase blocks of cheese for processing
IP 67 and food grade applications requiring full washdown NEMA 4X available
ABOT Decaser Features
Many options for tooling available to fit individual needs
System based on standard ABOT box cutter paired with standard robot for extraction
