Home
  Users
  MH Glossary
  Material Handling Info
  How to Get Started
  Daifuku America
Material Handling Information - Solution Worksheets - Picking Method Worksheet
   
Solution Worksheets
Picking Method Worksheet
Instructions:

Enter the responses to the questions in the answer column, then click "submit." Based on your answers, MaterialHandlingInfo.com will show you which picking methods are best suited for your application.

Assumptions:

  1. This worksheet is designed to help the user select an appropriate picking method based on specific picking criteria. It is not meant to recommend specific equipment.
  2. This worksheet calculates answers based on standard times for picking, sorting, and walking. It does not consider such things as value added steps while picking or any type of customization. For complex product profiles please consult a vendor.
  3. This worksheet only looks at the following picking types: Discrete, Batch, and Cluster with 3, 5, 10, and 15 orders. It will also indicate if the use of zone or wave type picking is appropriate. It will not specify combinations of these picking types such as Zone-Batch-Wave.
Definitions:

  1. Discrete - An operator picks one order, one product at a time. Typically used when order size, distance traveled, and number of total SKUs is small.
  2. TBatch - An operator picks one product for a group of orders at the same time, this will require sortation and possible consolidation of products for the orders. Typically used when large numbers of orders contain the same SKUs.
  3. Cluster - An operator picks to containers for multiple orders and will pick a product(s) for each order during a single pass through the pick area. Typically used when the total cube of multiple orders can be manually transported.
  4. Zone - The picking is organized into zones (example: sections of flow rack or shelving) with one operator per zone and picking to all orders. Typically used for high speed picking for limited SKUs is needed.
  5. Wave - An operator picks one order one product at a time for a group of orders. Typically used when orders are released to be picked during a specific time period.
  6. Zone Batch - An operator is assigned a zone and picks a part of one or more orders, depending on what products are stored in the zone.
  7. Zone Wave - An operator is assigned a zone and picks all products for all orders stocked in the zone during a specific time period.
  8. Zone Batch Wave - An operator is assigned a zone and picks for all orders stocked in the zone, picking for more than one order at a time and for multiple scheduling periods during a shift.
Questions Answers
1. What is the total length of picking path in feet?
2. What is the average number of picks per order?
3. What is the average cubic volume of an order in cubic feet?
4. What is the average time to perform a single pick in seconds, not including walking?
5. Can your current control system(s) handle batching of orders?
 Yes   No
6. If your system can handle batching orders, how many would be in a batch?
7. Are you required to meet schedules during a shift (e.g., DC shipping to specific stores using scheduled trucks)? Yes   No
8. Are there physical barriers in your warehouse between pick areas? Yes   No
9. Is there a large variation between parts in weight, size, or storage type? Yes   No
10. Can operators use mechanical means to transport multiple orders in the warehouse (e.g., banana carts or rolling carts)? Yes   No
11. Do your operators tend to get in each other's way while picking? Yes   No
12. Do you have or would you consider Pick-to -Light technology? Yes   No
13. Do you use conveyor in your picking area? Yes   No
14. Is there space to install takeaway conveyor in current pick areas without interfering with the replenishment and picking operations? Yes   No
15. How many different part numbers do you store and pick?
                    
Guest Survey