Automation: sorted

AUTOMATED SORTATION systems can be used for a variety of warehouse processes, including inbound sorting, order fulfilment or outbound sorting. Sorters enable greater efficiency in order fulfilment by allowing warehouse operators to use batch order-picking methods, instead of discrete or cluster picking. While sortation systems have traditionally been fixed equipment, organisations are increasingly using mobile automation to undertake or support the sortation process.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are ideal for handling many of the mundane tasks found in modern warehouses such as replenishment, picking and transport of goods between areas. Since it acquired Kiva Systems in 2012, Amazon has famously deployed 750,000 mobile robots across its sites to help store and retrieve inventory, pick customer orders and move parcels to the loading dock.

Robotic arms can be used to load sorters, whether they are floor-based systems or overhead pocket-type systems. Robots can also be used to load AMRs, which can be equipped with handling technologies such as tilt trays or roller conveyor. These devices enable the AMR itself to undertake the sortation process, often dropping goods through holes in the floor to destinations below.

The key attraction of an AMR solution is its scalability. When faced with seasonal peaks or other spikes in demand, AMR systems can be easily scaled up by simply adding more bots. This is in stark contrast to manual operations, when the traditional solution was to recruit more workers – this is no longer a simple task, given labour shortages in the logistics industry. When volumes fall again, firms can simply take a few AMRs out of their fleet. Given that AMRs can be rented from a number of suppliers on the market, adjusting the fleet in this way is a relatively simple task.

Bots have made inroads into UK distribution centres in recent years, with fleets of AMRs being deployed by some leading brands. With bots increasingly being boosted by advances in machine vision and AI, they are poised to make an even greater impact over the next few years. Machine vision systems are enabling bots to handle a wider range of SKUs with better accuracy. AI is allowing bots to identify and adapt to bottlenecks in the warehouse, leading to smoother operations. AI is also enabling bots to make decisions about item sortation according to characteristics such as size, weight and destination. Together, these advances will serve only to increase the versatility of mobile automation.

Dave Berridge, secretary, AMHSA

For more information, visit www.amhsa.co.uk

Or call Matthew Jones on 07517 610514