JPH0256302A - Picking system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid the influence of lack of any goods on goods picking work as far as possible, by providing first directing means to direct that goods be brought into goods picking areas and second directing means to direct picking work for the goods. CONSTITUTION:A document issuing machine 18 receives a command signal from a classification controller 17, and then prints out a delivery designation sheet for each supplier. Then, following the designation on the sheet, a picking operator P1 brings goods from each goods storage area 1a-1d into each picking area designated 2a-2d. In this case, if there is lack of any goods, he must inform the person in charge of the goods of the lack. The placement of order for the goods is therefore carried out. Also, a lavel issuing machine 19 issues a destination-indicating level in each picking area 2a-2d. Next, the document issuing machine 18 prints out a destinations' list in each picking area 2a-2d. When the operator has finished bringing the goods from a goods storage area 1 into a goods classification area 2, a classification stage is then initiated at this goods classification area 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a picking system used in the distribution process of products.

(Conventional technology) Logistics volume at distribution centers, etc. established in the product distribution process,
In the warehouse, a so-called picking operation is performed in which various products are arranged in the requested number in accordance with requests from customers. For example, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-137203, a picking area is provided along a conveyor that transports containers for each destination, and this picking area is equipped with a large number of bogets for storing products by item and a number indicator. A picking system is disclosed in which a product shelf is provided with a product shelf, and the number of items to be picked for each destination is displayed on the number display.

By the way, in this type of picking system, as a method of replenishing products that have decreased during picking work,
There are cases in which products are brought in directly from outside to the picking area, and there are cases in which products brought in from outside are temporarily stored in a product storage area and then brought into the picking area from there.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the case of directly delivering the product to the picking area as in the former case, when a shortage occurs during the picking operation, an order for the item is placed. This has the disadvantage that the picking operation is interrupted. In addition, even in cases where there is a product storage area like the latter, in the past, products were brought casually from the product storage area to the picking area, so products were not brought into the product storage area during picking operations. It may only be discovered that the item is out of stock at the time the item arrives, and even in this case, there is a risk that the picking operation will be interrupted.

The present invention addresses the above-mentioned actual situation in picking systems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a picking system that avoids as much as possible the influence of product shortages on picking operations.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a product storage area where a large number of products are brought in from outside, and a product sorting area where products are brought in from the product storage area, and where the products are Sorting is carried out in a picking system in which a product temporary storage section for temporarily storing products by item is installed in the field, and the products of each item are picked in the ordered quantity from this product temporary storage section to the destination side. a first instruction means for instructing to bring the product from the product storage area to the product temporary storage unit; and a second instruction unit for instructing the picking of the product in the product temporary storage unit;
The total number of orders for each item from all destinations is
The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means for causing the instruction means to instruct the second instruction means and for causing the second instruction means to instruct the number of items to be picked for each destination for each item.

(Function) According to the above configuration, the control means controls the first instruction means to sort the products before on-site picking work is carried out, and calculates the total number of orders for each item from all destinations. Therefore, when the products are brought from the product storage area to the storage area according to the instructions of the first instruction means, the situation of product shortages that may occur in the future can be grasped in advance, and this can be done before actual product shortages occur. You can order products with plenty of time. At this time, for items whose total ordered quantity is greater than the remaining number of products in the product storage area, all the items remaining in the product storage area are brought to the picking area.

On the other hand, when sorting products during on-site picking work, the control means controls the second instruction means to instruct the number of items to be picked for each destination for each item. By picking the products from the department, when the picking work is completed, the required number of products for each destination will be collected for each item. At this time, picking is also performed on the items that have been brought to the storage area for the amount of inventory, so that interruptions in the picking operation are avoided as much as possible.

(Example) The present invention will be explained in detail below.

First, the overall configuration of the picking system according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, this picking system has first to fourth product storage areas la, l, where products brought in from outside are stored.
A product storage area 1 having storage areas B, LC, and LD is provided. In the illustrated example, the above-mentioned first to fourth product storage areas la, lb
.

lc and ld are arranged in parallel with each other. and,
For example, the first product storage area 1a stores food products, the second product storage area 1b stores miscellaneous goods, the third product storage area 1C stores cosmetics, and the fourth product storage area 1d stores other products. In addition, products of the same category are sorted into groups and stored in these first to fourth product storage areas la, lb, 1c, and ld.

Further, this picking system is equipped with a product sorting place 2 where sorting work is performed.

The product sorting area 2 is provided with first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d each having four sub-conveyors 3...3 arranged in parallel. In addition, these first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, 2
d is the first to fourth product storage areas la, lb, lc,
For example, the products stored in the first product storage area 1a are brought into the first picking area 2a. In other words, the first
- Fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d correspond to the first to fourth product storage areas la, lb, 1c, and ld, respectively.

Taking the first picking area 2a as an example, there are valent storage devices 4...4, flow racks 5...5, and flat shelves 6... for placing pallets for forklifts.
6 are placed on both sides of the above-mentioned "picking area 2a", and for items that have a large number of scheduled picks per day in this first picking area 2a, they are placed on the valet in their packaged state. Pallet storage device 4...4
On the other hand, for items with a small number of planned picking items, the items are unpacked and brought to Florac 5...
5 and flat shelf 6...6.

These pallet storage devices 4...4, flow racks 5...5, and flat shelves 6...6 are equipped with a large number of number indicators 7...7 corresponding to each item. As shown in FIG. 2, each piece number display 7 has a display section 8 that digitally displays the number of pieces to be picked, a picking instruction lamp 9, and a picking completion key 10. Further, a work controller 11 is disposed near the starting end of the sub-conveyor 3, and a container stand 12 is disposed near the terminal end.

・In addition, the second to fourth picking areas 2b, 2c, 2d
The apparatuses also have a similar configuration, and are provided with pallet storage devices 4...4, flow racks 5...5, flat shelves 6...6, a work controller 11, and a container stand 12, respectively. These first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2
For example, c and 2d are "A" B """C"
A picking area code such as "D" is attached, and each picking area 2a, 2
Pallet storage device 4 provided in b, 2c, 2d...
4. The flow racks 5...5 and the flat shelves 6...6 are assigned code numbers for each product location where products are stored for each item. That is, for example, rA-IJ indicates the first product location in the first picking area 2a.

These first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b
, 2c, 2d, a main conveyor 13 is installed in such a way as to cross the direction in which the end of the sub-conveyor 3 extends, and a product shipping area 14 is located near the end of the main conveyor 13. It is provided.

As shown in the figure, the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are provided with sub conveyors 3...3.
A total of 8 picking workers, one on each side of P+...
P+ is placed, and 1 is placed in the shipping area 14.
A shipping worker p2 is placed there. That is, for example, two picking workers Pt+p1 arranged in the first picking area 2a pick the pallet storage devices 4...4,
One person picks the products from the flow racks 5...5 or the flat shelves 6...6 according to the instructions on the number indicators 7...7 and places them on the sub-conveyor 3. The receiver is in charge of the operation, and the remaining one person is responsible for picking up the products flowing down the sub-conveyor 3 and collecting them into the container 15 placed on the container stand 12.

In addition, the other second to fourth picking areas 2b, 2c, 2
d also have dedicated containers 15B, 15c, and 15o.
will be prepared.

Further, an office area 16 is provided in one section of the product storage area 1, and a control device 17 controls the sorting in this office area 16. A book issuing machine 18 and a label issuing machine 19 are provided.

Next, a specific control system of the picking system in this embodiment will be explained. As shown in Figure 3,
For sorting, a book issuing machine 18 is directly connected to the control device 17, and a repeater 21 is connected to one main signal line 20 extending from the control device 17 for sorting. A label issuing machine 19 is connected to this repeater 21 . Furthermore, four sub-signal lines 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d extending to the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d are connected to this repeater 21. These four sub signal lines 20a, 20b, 20c, 20
d includes the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c.
, 2d are connected to the work controllers 11...11 and the number displays 7...7, respectively. Note that each work controller 11 is provided with a barcode scanner 22.

For the above-mentioned sorting, order data from all destinations for the current day is input to the control device 17 via a floppy disk 23, for example. In this case, the order data may be directly input to the control device 17 from the existing host computer.

Next, a method of operating the picking system of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. Note that this system is operated in two stages: preparation and sorting.

First, in the preparation stage, processing operations according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 are performed. That is, the book issuing machine 18, which has received a command signal from the control device 17 for sorting, prints out a warehouse instruction sheet 24 as shown in FIG. 5 for each supplier in step S1. On this warehouse delivery instruction sheet 24, the purchase name, item name for one day regarding this supplier, number of orders received, and product location code are printed, respectively.

In addition, which product is placed in which product location is decided according to the space and weight of each product determined by the number of orders received, and the sorting is done based on the volume and weight of each product preset by the control device 17. automatically selected.

Then, for example, the picking workers PI and Pt in the first picking area 2a move from the first product storage area 1a to the designated location in the first picking area 2a in accordance with the instructions on the unloading instruction sheet 24 in step S2. Bring in the product. In this case, for example, when 80 cases of products are stored in the first product storage area 1a regarding the items in the first row of the product column on the warehouse delivery instruction sheet 24 in FIG. For example, if there is only one case of 50 cases in stock in one product storage area 1a, pickers P+ and Pt first bring 50 cases of products to the designated product location A-01 in the first picking area 2a. At the same time, report the shortage of the item to the responsible department.

This allows the product to be ordered.

Further, in step S3, the label issuing machine 19
Destination labels 25 as shown in the figure are issued for the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, respectively. On the destination label 25, for example, a delivery number, a destination name, a numerical destination code, a destination bar code, and a shipping date are printed, as well as a picking area code that has a common destination. One of the characters is printed large and the rest are printed small. The destination label 25 on the ward side is for the first picking area.
Fourth picking area 2a, 2b.

This shows that the products collected at 2d will be transported to XXX Shoji on the first flight on August 25, 1986.

In addition, the large number of destination labels 25...25 issued by the label issuing machine 19 in this way are numbered 1 to 4.
Picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c.

It will be distributed to one picking worker pI in 2d for each part he/she is responsible for.

Next, the booklet issuing machine 18, in step S4,
A destination list 26 as shown in FIG. 7 is shown in the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, and 2c.

2d each. On the ward side, destination names and destination codes for one day in the first picking area 2a are printed.

Then, when all the items have been brought from the product storage area 1 to the product sorting area 2, the product sorting process at the item sorting area 2 moves to the stage. In this sorting stage, processing operations are performed in each of the first to fourth picking areas 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d according to the flowchart of FIG. 8.

For example, to explain the picking process in the first picking area 2a, the picking workers p+ and I)t placed in this picking area 2a are
Select the destination label 25 you have according to the instructions in step 6,
The destination barcode on the destination label 25 is read by the barcode scanner 22 of the work controller I/roller 11 (steps Q+, Q2). In this case, the pinking worker P+...pl may arbitrarily change the destination without following the instructions in the destination list 26, taking into account the delivery route and the order of arrival of the trucks. Note that the destination label 25 after inputting the barcode is pasted on an easily visible part of the container 15A, as shown in FIG.

Then, the sorting control device 17 displays on the number display 7 the number of items to be picked for each item related to the destination displayed on the destination label 25 in step Q. In other words, in step Q1 above, the destination label 2 in FIG.
5 is selected, the first, second and fourth picking areas 2a.

2b, 2d number display 7...7 display section 8...8
The number of pieces to be picked for each item for the same destination (XXX Shoji) is displayed digitally, and the picking instruction lamps 9 and 7 of each number display 7...7 are displayed digitally.
...9 will be lit.

Next, the picking workers 1)+ and P+ go around the assigned area in step Q4 and pick the number of products displayed on the display section 8 of the number display 7 with the picking instruction lamp 9 lit, and then proceed to step Q5. Press the picking completion key 10. Then, the sorting control device 17 receives the ON signal from the picking completion key 10, turns off the picking instruction lamp 9 of the number display 7, and instructs the picking operators p+ and pI to finish picking for the corresponding item. Notice.

The picking operators pI and P+ repeat this series of processing operations until they determine in step Q6 that the unit of sorting for the destination (XXX Shoji) in the first picking area 2a is completed. Note that the picked products are appropriately placed on the sub-conveyor 3 and conveyed to the terminal section, where they are collected into the container 15A placed on the container table 12 by the soaking operator r'+ + Pt. become.

Next, the picker P+, pt performs step Q
6, after it is determined that the unit is complete, the container 15A is placed on the main conveyor 13, and it is then determined whether any destination labels 25...25 remain (steps Q7, Qs). In this case, picker p
0...I) When t determines that the destination label 25 remains, it returns to step Q1 and selects the next destination label 25, and performs the processing operations from step Q1 to step Q7. Destination label 2 on hand in step Q8
This process is repeated until it is determined that there are no more 5 left.

In the picking system of this embodiment, such processing operations are performed in the second to fourth picking areas 2b.

2c and 2d are also executed in parallel. In addition, in this embodiment, the sub conveyor 3.
... Containers 15A, 15a, 15c at the end of 3
, 15o, but containers 15A, 15B, 1 are collected by sub conveyor 3...3.
The picked items may be collected while conveying the items 5c and 15o.

Then, the shipping worker p2 placed in the shipping area 14 picks up the container 1 that has been carried by the main conveyor 13.
After unloading 5A, 15a, 15c, 15o, these containers 15A, 1.5B.

Destination label 25 attached to 15c and 15o and cut out by 1 inch
...Looking at the 25 large and small picking area codes, for example, containers 15A and 1.5B15O for XXX Shoji will be collected in one place. As a result, all of the products ordered by XXX Shoji are available in the requested quantity for each item.

According to the picking system of this embodiment, if the order from the destination is limited to items to be picked in the first picking area 2a, for example, the picking operation is performed only in the first picking area 2a. All you have to do is
This allows us to respond flexibly to sudden orders.

In addition, since only ordered products are placed in the product sorting area, the picking area can be minimized and the picking efficiency can be improved.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the total number of orders for each item from all destinations is confirmed at the time the product is brought from the product storage area to the product sorting area. It becomes possible to grasp in advance the situation of product shortages that may occur in the future, and it is possible to place orders for products with plenty of time before actual shortages occur. At that time, for items whose total ordered quantity is greater than the remaining number of products in the product storage area, if all the items remaining in the product storage area are brought to the picking area and picked, the picking process can be reduced. Interruptions will be avoided as much as possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 9 show embodiments of the present invention,
Figure 1 is a schematic layout diagram of the picking system, Figure 2
The figure is a front view of the display device in the picking system.
Figure 4 is a control system diagram, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the preparation process when operating this embodiment, and Figure 5 is one of the instruction sheets for unloading issued from the ledger issuer 18.
A drawing showing an example; FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an example of a destination label issued from the label issuing machine; FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a destination list issued from the above-mentioned ledger issuing machine; 8th
The figure is a flowchart showing the picking process in the case of operating this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of the container to which the destination label is attached. 1... Product storage area, LA, LB, LC, LD-... 1st to 4th product storage area, 2... Product sorting area, 2
a, 2b, 2c, 2d--First to fourth picking areas, 4, 5.6... Temporary product storage section (4... Pallet storage device, 5... Flow rack, 6... flat shelf), 1
7... First instruction means, second instruction means, control means (control device for sorting). Za prisoner 9 Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A product that has a product storage area where many items of products are brought in from outside and a product sorting area where products are brought in from this product storage area, and where the products are temporarily stored by item in this product sorting area. A picking system is provided with a temporary storage section and is configured to pick the ordered number of each item for each destination from the temporary storage section, and the picking system is configured to pick the ordered quantity of each item by destination from the temporary storage section. a first instruction means for instructing to bring in the product; a second instruction means for instructing picking of the product in the temporary product storage section; and a total number of orders for each item from all destinations to be instructed to the first instruction means. and a control means for instructing the second instruction means the number of items to be picked for each destination for each item.