Choosing the right warehouse picking method is crucial for optimizing your order fulfillment process, especially in today’s fast-paced environment where warehouse automation plays a pivotal role in boosting efficiency. The integration of robotic automation has drastically increased order picking rates, often achieving up to four times the productivity of manual picking. But beyond automation, factors like hit rate also play a key role in improving picking efficiency.
Understanding Hit Rate in Warehouse Picking
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Order Hit Rate: Refers to the efficiency gained when multiple items from a single order are picked from the same shelf at once.
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Shelf Hit Rate: Refers to the efficiency of picking multiple items for different orders from the same shelf presented at the picking station.
Maximizing these hit rates can significantly reduce dwell times and increase overall order fulfillment speed. Let’s explore two common warehouse picking methods—Type I and Type II—to understand which one may suit your needs better.
Type I Picking Method
The Type I picking method relies on robots to bring a single shelf (or pick point) to the worker’s picking station. With this approach:
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Robots present one shelf at a time for order fulfillment.
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Multiple orders can be picked, but efficiency is impacted by order hit rate and shelf hit rate.
Although Type I picking is more efficient than traditional manual methods, there’s typically a 5-second dwell time between shelf presentations. This delay, combined with reliance on hit rate optimization, limits the system’s efficiency. Many automated warehouses still use this method as it is the standard solution offered by most robotic automation companies.
Type II Picking Method
At Liftians, we developed the Type II picking method to further enhance picking efficiency. With Type II picking:
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Multiple mobile shelving units are presented simultaneously at a single picking station or group, providing several pick points for filling multiple orders.
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This method increases both order hit rate and shelf hit rate by offering more shelf presentations, allowing workers to pick more items for multiple orders at once.
One major advantage of Type II picking is that it drastically reduces dwell time, keeping the pickers working continuously. Fewer robots are required, and this method allows for flexible scaling, which can support fluctuating demands in order fulfillment.
Additionally, our customized user interface makes it easy for workers to identify the items they need to pick, ensuring smooth operations even in high-volume environments.
Why Choose Type II Picking?
Type II picking surpasses many traditional automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) on the market. It provides:
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Higher efficiency with increased shelf and order hit rates.
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Reduced robot requirements, lowering operational costs.
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Minimal dwell time for workers, improving overall productivity.
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Flexibility to scale operations quickly as demand grows.
Flexibility in Warehouse Picking Solutions
Modern warehouses require flexibility, and no two warehouse workflows are identical. Pick zones and stations need to adapt to fluctuating order volumes and changing layouts. At Liftians, we offer the ability to set up mobile picking stations in as little as 24 hours, giving your team the agility needed to meet peak demands without wasting valuable space or resources.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best warehouse picking method depends on your specific operational needs. While Type I picking is commonly used, Type II picking offers greater flexibility, efficiency, and scalability. By leveraging advanced robotic automation and optimizing hit rates, you can ensure that your warehouse stays competitive and responsive to growing customer demands.
