Boosting Manufacturing Warehouse Efficiency: 5 Robot-Enabled Picking Methods

In the evolving landscape of manufacturing, warehouse efficiency plays a pivotal role in meeting production targets and customer demands. Embracing automation and robotics has revolutionised how warehouses operate, particularly in the realm of picking methods. These cutting-edge technologies not only optimise productivity but also ensure precision and accuracy. In this blog, we delve into five prominent robot-enabled warehouse picking methods that are redefining manufacturing operations.

1. Zone Picking with Mobile Robots:

Zone picking involves dividing the warehouse into smaller zones, with a robot assigned to each zone. These robots are equipped with sensors and navigational capabilities to efficiently navigate the zones and collect required items. This method reduces travel time, streamlines the picking process, and minimises congestion, leading to enhanced productivity on the manufacturing

2. Goods-to-Person Picking:

Goods-to-person picking leverages robotic systems to bring items directly to human operators, minimising their movement within the warehouse. Robots retrieve specific items from designated storage areas and present them to operators for picking. This method significantly reduces operator fatigue and accelerates the order fulfillment process.

3. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for Batch Picking:

AGVs are versatile mobile robots that navigate predetermined paths. In batch picking, AGVs transport multiple orders to a picking station, where workers can quickly select items for different orders from the batch. This method optimises the process for picking common items and speeds up order processing.

4. Robotic Vision-Guided Picking:

Robots equipped with advanced vision systems are capable of identifying and picking items from cluttered bins with high accuracy. These newer robots use computer vision to recognise items based on shape, color, and size, ensuring precise and efficient picking.

5. Collaborative Robot (Cobot) Assisted Picking:

Cobots work alongside human operators, assisting them in picking tasks that require a combination of human dexterity and robot strength. These robots can handle heavy items or perform repetitive actions, allowing human operators to focus on tasks that demand cognitive skills.

In conclusion, the manufacturing landscape is being reshaped by the integration of robotic technologies into warehouse picking methods. From zone picking with mobile robots to collaborative cobot-assisted picking, these methods are proving to be invaluable in enhancing productivity and accuracy. As technology continues to advance, manufacturing warehouses can look forward to even greater efficiency gains through robot-enabled picking methods.

For eCG, the key to the use of robots, remains cost and volume, the higher the activity levels the greater the benefits and the better the financial business case.