Order picking machines such as lightweight shuttles and cube-based storage systems form the core of goods-to-person (G2P) order picking solutions. However, the order picking itself takes place at specially designed workstations. Their design is crucial for long-term success.
Regardless of a workstation's specific function, there are some fundamental principles to consider during its design. The first of these principles is minimizing operator movement within the station. The G2P solution itself, of course, eliminates the need for operators to walk through the warehouse to pick products, increasing their productivity three to fivefold.
However, a poorly designed workstation can negate some of these efficiencies, as operators still need to move back and forth within the station to pick items in the correct sequence. A well-designed workstation, therefore, minimizes operator movement by providing easy access to the bins provided by the picking system and the cartons to be filled.
Another absolutely crucial aspect is ergonomics. While G2P solutions counteract fatigue caused by long walks across the warehouse, order pickers in a G2P system repeat the same movements throughout the day. If the ergonomics at their workstation are not optimal, this can lead to unnecessary fatigue or physical strain. For example, poor positioning of storage containers can force the operator to bend down too far each time they pick an item. Similarly, a display mounted too high means the operator has to tilt their head back before each pick, leading to neck strain. Careful consideration of the height and angle of every component within the workstation pays off throughout the system's lifespan in the form of increased productivity and reduced physical discomfort for employees.
All photos: Swisslog
Swisslog has developed a range of standard G2P workstations optimized for efficiency and ergonomics. Furthermore, Swisslog's "Corporate Solution Center" can evaluate and optimize the design of non-standard workstations using motion capture and 3D models.
Click here for the full report by Agostino Carpani, Head of Corporate Solution Center
