NL1024349C2 - System is for support of compilation of orders composed of differing product combinations - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (20) is for the support of the compilation of orders composed of different product combinations. A magazine (2) is used including storage locations (3,4,5,6,7) for the types of products (A,B,C,D,E). A control unit (21) analyzes all orders and determines which product combinations are to be comprised in several orders. As an example, product combination (B+C) is required in orders (1,2,3) and product combination (A+D) is required in several orders, orders (2 and 4). The general product combinations are pre-assembled. All types of products (A-G) are distributed over different storage holders (22-28), each provided with a lamp (29-35), which are illuminated by the control unit in accordance with the order sequence.

Description

* I

Method and system for supporting the compilation of orders built up from mutually varying product collections

The invention relates to a method for supporting the assembly of orders built up from mutually varying product collections. The invention also relates to a system for applying such a method. The device furthermore relates to an indication device for use in such a system.

10 Many industrial companies have increasingly been confronted with an internationally oriented market in recent years. On the one hand, competition from foreign companies in the domestic market is increasing more and more, while on the other hand, national companies have started to focus more on the international market. The market globalization that has been created as a result of this will, among other things, result in longer supply and removal processes for goods (and services) and the importance and problem of pipeline control will increase. As a result, the 'Value Added Logistics' (VAL) has been developed, which is based on the division of industrial production into primary production (components, parts and semi-finished products) and secondary production (assembly and / or further customer-specific finishing of an end product). . With Value Added Logistics the secondary production processes are combined with distribution activities. Secondary production is also referred to as 'postponed manufacture' (deferred production). An example of an activity from the secondary production process is the assembly of raw materials, semi-finished products, and (end products. A system known in the market for supporting the assembly of raw materials and assembling orders built up from mutually varying product collections is the so-called 'pick -to-light system, in which stock holders for specific products are provided with lamps By having the lamps of certain stock holders light up in an order-oriented manner by means of a control unit, an order collector can relatively quickly see from which components the order must be composed. The known 'pick-to-light' system also has several drawbacks that orders can be assembled more quickly, and a major drawback of the known system is that the system functions relatively labor-intensive and time-consuming, since it has a varied composition 1024349

Η I

I 2 I

I is present between the different orders, where usually (mainly) every order I

I is unique. I

The invention has for its object to provide an improved method of working in I

I 5 mentioned in the preamble, with which changing product collections at relatively fast and I

I cannot be compiled in a labor-intensive manner. I

To this end, the invention provides a method of the type mentioned in the preamble, I

Comprising the steps of: A) parsing multiple orders into different ones

I 10 collect product types, B) assemble at least one in multiple orders I

I common product combination of at least two product types, C) placement I

I of the product types and moldings required for order composition

I product combinations in separate stock containers, and D) it through an I

I have the control unit order-oriented to indicate the composition of the I

I 15 stockholders required for the relevant order. By a preparatory I

I (pre-assembly) step B) where one or more in several I

I product orders common (mean) product combinations are already made in advance I

I, before the orders are de facto assembled, the orders from I

I a wide variety of product collections of (multi-colored) orders in an optimal manner

20 (somewhat) be structured. Pre-assembling multiple I

I occurring product combinations has the particular advantage that such an I

I pre-assembly is relatively simple, standardized and not very complex. The I

Assembling the product combinations can be a - manual or not - mass I

I concern the assembly of products, whereby an intelligent logistics system is not I

Is required. By putting together several orders in advance I

I product combinations that occur can affect the labor intensity with regard to I

I separate stock holders of the product types by using the I

I product combinations are optimized, so that the number of (human) I

Acts for the actual compilation of the - usually unique - orders, I

Can be considerably reduced. Through such an optimization of the I

I order structure can be the number of stock holders that are supplied by the control unit I

I order-indicated is minimized, resulting in an I

Minimizing the number of (human) actions required for compiling I

I of the orders. As a rule, by applying the method according to I

I 1024349 I

The number of (human) operations is reduced by between 30% and 50% compared to conventional pick-to-light systems. The analysis of orders according to step A) in order to arrive at optimum product combination definitions is achieved by means of algorithms developed for this purpose, which are currently not taken into consideration. Each formed product combination is considered as a new product type, with the (product) combination of brought together product units (products) being considered as a new product type. As a result, pre-assembly of the product combinations results in an expansion of the number of original product types that can furthermore be separately distributed among the 10 different stock holders.

In a preferred embodiment, the decomposition of multiple orders into different product types to be collected according to step A) takes place by means of the control unit. In this preferred embodiment the control unit thus functions both for order-oriented indication of the stock holders, as well as for analyzing the orders in different products of one or more product types to be brought together. The control unit can herein for instance be formed by an integral server. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit cooperates with an electronic database containing the orders during the decomposition of multiple orders into different product types to be collected according to step A). The digital orders can be analyzed in a computerized manner in the relevant separate product units and common combinations of product units.

In another preferred embodiment, the control unit has the order-oriented indication of stock containers required for assembling the order according to step D) by issuing a visual signal. By issuing a visual signal, for example by lighting a lamp, an order collector (or any other person) knows which stock holders should be used to assemble the order.

In yet another preferred embodiment, assembling the multi-order product combination of at least two product types according to step B) is the most common product combination. By quickly and easily pre-assembling the most common common product combination, the number of (human) actions and thus the labor intensity required for the actual 1 024349

4 I

order assembly can be considerably reduced. This reduction can further I

be increased if during the execution of step B) multiple - in multiple I

orders occurring - product combinations are put together. I

5 Compiling at least one occurrence in multiple orders I

product combination of at least two product types according to step B) is added to I

preferably carried out before the I necessary for compiling the orders

product types and product combinations are placed in the separate I

storage containers according to step C). It is usually advantageous to pre-assemble I

10 to carry out the product combination (s) in an (external) assembly device. An I

such an assembly device can, because of the relatively high degree of standardization I

and uniformity are relatively simple in nature. I

The invention also relates to a system for applying an I

Such a method, comprising: a control unit for parsing I

multiple orders in different product types to be collected, an assembly I

device for assembling at least one I occurring in several orders

product combination of at least two product types, several mutually I

stock containers arranged separately for the contents of the I

20 composing the orders required product types and formed product combinations, I

and an indication device for indicating I associated with each supply holder

stock holders required for compiling the order, the I

control unit is coupled to the indication devices for order-oriented I

controlling the indication devices. The stock holders can be very diverse from I

25 are geometry and dimensioning. Each storage container is preferably formed I

by a separate receiving space for a single product type or product combination, I

whereby it is possible to have several stock holders for the same product type I

use. However, it is also conceivable to have the storage containers formed I

by (a part of) a statement. The indication devices are preferably located near the I

30 concerned stock holders. It should be noted that the interconnection I

of the control unit and the indication devices both physically and wirelessly

to be realised. Advantages of the operation of the system in accordance with I

The invention has already been described in detail above. I

1024349 I

I I

5

In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the indicating devices are serially coupled to each other. The advantage of the serial coupling of the indication devices is, inter alia, that an (electrical or optical) signal emitted by the control unit need not be split at one or more locations in the system, but that only single signal can be passed through unbranched. to all indication devices. Signal attenuation and signal losses in the system can thus be prevented or at least prevented. Moreover, a serial circuit of indication devices facilitates the modular structure of the system, whereby the number of indication devices included in the system can be adjusted in a relatively simple manner.

Preferably, substantially every indication device, or at least a part of the indication devices, is adapted to generate a visual signal after being driven by the control unit. In this way, an order picker (or any other person) can see relatively quickly and easily on the basis of lighting in which stock holders are located the products that are required for assembling the order to be assembled. The visual signal is preferably supplied by at least one display for displaying the number of products required from the relevant storage container for assembling at least a part of the order. Thus, the order picker not only sees which storage containers are to be used, but also the quantity of products to be taken from the relevant storage containers for correct and complete assembly of the order.

In a preferred embodiment, substantially every indication device, or at least a part of the indication devices, is provided with at least one unique photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The PIC acts as a unique key and activator (filter) for controlling the relevant storage container. The indication device will only be activated if the control unit issues a signal accepted by the unique key. As will be clear, each indication device has its own unique key (PIC), whereby by issuing a single signal, whether or not composed by the control unit, only those indication devices will activate which are provided with a photonic accepting this specific signal integrated circuit. The advantage of using a photonic integrated circuit with respect to a different type of key is that such optical chips are relatively simple 1024349

6 I

are programmable and integrable. In addition, photonic chips are arranged for I

relatively fast and reliable processing of relatively large information quantities per I

time unit. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the indication devices are I

electronically coupled to the control unit, with each indication device being I

5 provided with an E / O converter for converting one of the control unit I

electrical signal originating to an optical signal for application to the photonic I

integrated circuit, and an O / E converter for converting it from the photonic I

integrated circuit optical signal to an electrical signal for supply I

to the control unit. The electrical coupling of the indication devices with the I

10 control unit, as well as the (possible) mutual coupling of the indication I

Devices can be formed by, for example, telephone cabling. Every I

telephone cable can also function as a power cable for the PICs. The I

programmed PICs usually require an optimum voltage of between 11 I

and 12 volts. Therefore, at least a portion of the indication devices can each be I

15 provided with a voltage regulator for ensuring such an optimum I

voltage. I

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the indication devices are optical I

coupled to the control unit. In this preferred embodiment, the optical I

20 coupling of the indication devices with the control unit, as well as the (optional) I

mutual coupling of the indication devices are, for example, formed by I

fiber optic cabling. I

In yet another preferred embodiment, substantially every indication device is I

25 provided with a pressure member for terminating an indication device I

indication issued. With the help of the pressure member, after exercising an I

(manual) load, the indication issued by the indication device will be canceled I

done, as a result of which the relevant indication device will be de facto reset. After I

removal of products from the indicated supply container can become the pressure member I

30, so that the order picker knows that this stock holder is no longer I

required for compiling the order. Moreover, after pressing the I

pressure device for processing a signal to the control unit

containing information on the nature and quantity of the products withdrawn, I

so that the current order status can be checked at that time. I

1024349 I

• · 7

The control unit is preferably linked to an electronic database for orders placed. The orders can be delivered digitally and / or entered manually in the database. The control unit then determines, via one or more algorithms per order, the optimal and most efficient way in which the order can be assembled, taking into account the product types deposited in the stockholders as building blocks for the orders. This analysis can be applied in advance, but can also be carried out at a later time, for example after receipt of new orders. In this way the handling of each order can be optimized at any time.

In a final preferred embodiment, each of the supply containers is provided with a supply for products of a product type or product combination, and a discharge separate from the supply for products of the product type or product combination.

By separating the supply and discharge of the storage containers, the storage containers of the system according to the invention can be supplemented with products, wherein the system can be used simultaneously for compiling the orders. A certain degree of efficiency is thus provided, whereby orders placed can be assembled relatively quickly, and possibly in a continuous manner.

The invention furthermore relates to an indication device for use in such a system.

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein: figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a known "pick-to-light" system, figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the invention, and figure 3 shows a schematic top view of another system according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a known pick-to-light system 1. Both in this example and in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the same initial situation is assumed. There are five different 1024349 in a warehouse 2

8 I

product types A, B, C, D and E stored at separate storage locations 3,4,5,6,7. From I

each product type is (at least) a part of the relevant storage location 3,4,5,6,7 I

moved to a corresponding supply holder 8,9,10,11,12. Every I

supply holder 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 is thereby provided with a lamp 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. The I

5 lamps 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 are thereby electrically coupled to a control unit I

18 for order-oriented lighting of certain lamps 13,14,15,16,17. So I

an order picker can see relatively quickly and easily which stock holders 8.9, I

10,11,12 are required for compiling the order. I

1024349 I

9

To illustrate, four orders have been placed, which orders are made up of the following units (see Table I).

Product types Order number A B C D E

ï Γ7ΤΓΤΤ 2 TTTT ~

3 ~ TT ~ T

4 T ~ “TT

Table I

Table I shows, for example, that order 2 consists of one product unit of each of the product types A, B, C and D. In order to assemble order 2, therefore, four lamps 13,14,15,16 will be illuminated by the control unit 18. The order picker must then proceed to the four associated storage containers 8, 9, 10, 11 to take the relevant product units from the storage containers 8, 9, 10, 11. Thus, four human actions are required to collect all products from order 2. In this way, each order can be assembled by the order picker. The collected products of a certain order can furthermore be brought together in a suitable housing 19.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a system 20 according to the invention. Again, use is made of the same warehouse 2 including the same storage locations 3,4,5,6,7 for the product types A, B, C, D, E as shown in figure 1. Four orders have also been placed which fully correspond to illustration with the orders as presented in table L A control unit 21 of the system 20 according to the invention will then parse all orders and determine which product combinations occur in multiple orders. In the present exemplary embodiment, the product combination B + C occurs in orders 1,2 and 3. The product combination A + D also occurs in several orders, namely in orders 2 and 4. These common product combinations are already pre-assembled. There, the composition of the aforementioned combinations is relatively 1024349

I 10 I

I is standard, or at least becomes relatively standard several times, such an I

I can be assembled relatively quickly and with little time consuming. The formed I

I product combinations are considered as a new product type. Thus the I

I product combination B + C is considered a new product type F, and the I

Product combination A + D formed as a new product type G. I

It should be noted that in the present simplistic embodiment, only one I

I a very small number of orders, as well as a very small number of product types

I considered. In practical situations, the number of orders and the number of product types I

I are usually significantly higher. All product types A, B, C, D, E, F and G become I

I10 is then divided between individual storage containers 22.23.24.25.26.27.28. I

As in the system 1 presented in Figure 1, the supply containers are 22, 23, 24, I

I 25,26,27,28 each provided with a lamp 29,30,31,32,33,34,35. The lamps 29.30, I

31,32,33,34,35 can be highlighted in order by the control unit 21. I

I If order 2 is to be assembled, an order collector must be one unit I

To take 15 of each of the product types F and G from the relevant stock holders 27.28. I

I For this purpose, the order picker must only move between two I

I stock holders 27.28, so that two fewer actions are needed for the I

I assemble the order 2 than are necessary when applying the known system. In I

In the following table alle all orders are shown again, with the number of I

I 20 operations required to assemble the order is indicated both for the I

I conventional system (System I) as well as for the system according to I

I invention (System Π). I

I Product types Number of operations I

I Order number A B C D E System I System Π I

I ί rtt "" 4 3 I

I 2 TTTT ~ 4 2 I

I 3 ~ TT "7 5 3 I

I 4 T ~~ TT 5 4 I

I Total: 18 12 I

I Table Π I

I 25 I

I 1024349 I

11

Table Π shows that the number of operations required to collect the products according to the system according to the invention is reduced by 33% compared to the known system. In addition to a time saving, it will generally also be possible to achieve a cost saving when using the system according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of another system 36 according to the invention. The system 36 has a similar effect to the system 20 presented in Figure 2. The system 36 comprises a storage 37 for different product types. In case multiple orders are placed, a control unit 38 will analyze these orders and determine which (common) product combinations occur in multiple orders. These product combinations are subsequently assembled in advance in a separate assembly device 39. The control unit 38 is thereby coupled to a plurality of monitors 40 which are positioned near the IS storage 37 or the assembly device 39 for displaying the product combinations to be pre-assembled. All product types and product combinations are furthermore separately distributed among different storage containers 41. Each storage container 41 is thereby provided with an indication device 42. The indication devices 42 are mutually connected in series and are coupled to the control unit 38. The indication devices 42 can order-oriented are activated by the control unit 38, as a result of which an order picker 43 can relatively quickly and easily see which stock holders 40 are required for composing the relevant order (s).

It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described here, but that a large number of variants are possible within the scope of the appended claims, which variants will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

30 1024349

Claims (18)

Method for supporting the assembly of orders built up from mutually varying product collections, comprising the steps of: II A) dissecting several orders into different product types to be collected, IIB) assembling at least one occurring in several orders II product combination of at least two product types, IIC) placing the II product types required for order composition and formed product combinations in separate II stock containers, and IID) having a control unit indicate order-oriented information for II composition of the relevant order required stock holders. I Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the parsing of several I I15 orders into different product types to be collected according to step A) takes place by means of the control unit. I 3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit II cooperates with an electronic database containing the orders during the parsing of several orders into different product types to be collected according to step A). I 4. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control unit having the control unit indicate order-oriented of stock containers required for compiling the I-order according to step D) is effected by issuing an I-visual signal. I 5 I A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that assembling the multi-order product combination of at least two product types according to step B) is the most common product combination. I I 30 I Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of product combinations are assembled during the execution of step B). I I 1024349 I I » 7. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the assembly of at least one product combination of at least two product types occurring in several orders is carried out according to step B) before the product types and product combinations required for compiling the orders are placed in the individual storage containers according to step C). A system for applying a method according to any one of claims 1-7, comprising: • a control unit for parsing several orders into 10 different product types to be collected, • an assembly device for assembling at least one in several orders occurring product combination of at least two product types; stock holders required for the order, wherein the control unit is coupled to the indication devices for order-oriented control of the indication devices. A system according to claim 8, characterized in that at least a part of the indication devices are serially coupled to each other. 25 System as claimed in any of the claims 8 or 9, characterized in that at least a part of the indication devices are adapted to generate a visual signal after being driven by the control unit. 11. System as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that at least a part of the indication devices are provided with at least one display for displaying the number of products required from the relevant storage container for assembling at least a part of the order . 1024349 12. System as claimed in any of the claims 8-11, characterized in that substantially every indication device is provided with at least one photonic integrated circuit I (WC) · I 13. System as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the indication devices I are electronically coupled to the control unit, wherein each indication device I is provided with an E / O converter for converting an electrically originating from the control unit I signal to an optical signal for feeding to the photonic I integrated circuit, and an O / E converter for converting the optical signal from the photonic integrated circuit to an electrical signal for feeding I to the control unit. I 14. System as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the indicating devices I 15 are optically coupled to the control unit. I 14 I 15. System as claimed in any of the claims 8-14, characterized in that substantially every indication device is provided with a pressure member for terminating an indication issued by the indication device. I 20 I 16. System as claimed in any of the claims 8-15, characterized in that the control unit is linked to an electronic database for orders placed. I 17. System as claimed in any of the claims 8-16, characterized in that each of the I storage containers is provided with a supply for products of a product type or product combination, and a discharge separate from the supply for products of the I product type or product combination . I 18. Indicating device for use in a system according to any one of claims 8-17. 1024349 I