Abstract: The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for order-picking articles (WQ1?, WQ2, WQ2?, WZ1, WZ1?, WZ2) from source loading aids (Q1, Q1?, Q2, Q2?) into or onto target loading aids (Z1, Z1?, Z2, Z3) in a storage and order-picking system (1). Here, the articles (WQ1?, WQ2, WQ2?, WZ1, WZ1?, WZ2) belong to a first group of types of article (WTG1), whose types of article (WT1..WT3) can be handled automatically, or a second group of types of article (WTG2), whose types of article (WT1..WT3) can be handled manually. A first order part (AT1) with articles (WQ1?, WZ1, WZ1?) of the first group of types of article (WTG1) is transported to a first automatic order-picking station (KA1, KA1?) and order-picked there, and a second order part (AT2) with articles (WQ2, WQ2?, WZ2) of the second group of types of article (WTG2) is transported to a first manual order-picking station (KM1, KM1?) and order-picked there. Further, the invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimization method for improving the reliability of a collection and discharge of articles in a picking process using a robot. An article is collected from or out of a first article carrier and is placed down or thrown into or onto a second article carrier by means of a gripping unit on the robot head. In an image processing step, a gripping position for the gripping unit is calculated for collecting the article(s) by determining at least one dimension based on a captured image and by a range allocation being determined by means of a comparison with dimension ranges. Depending on a confidence value, a dimension value is determined, from stored article reference data or from a normalization value of the dimension range and allocated to the determined dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a picking system (1) for picking goods (2a, 2b), comprising a goods acceptance zone (A1), a goods transfer zone (D1, D2), a storage zone (B1 . . . B7), (a) storage conveying device(s) (3), an order processing computer for registering a picking order and (a) removal conveying device(s) (4), wherein the storage conveying device(s) (3) and/or the removal conveying device(s) (4) has/have a plurality of autonomous conveying vehicles (5a . . . 5l, 6a . . . 6h) for transporting the goods (2a, 2b)/ordered goods (2c) on a travel surface. The travel surface is subdivided into multiple travel surface segments (E1 . . . E8), and driving movements are co-ordinated so that at least 90% of each of the driving movements in the travel surface segments (E1 . . . E8) is carried out by a closed group of autonomous conveying vehicles (5a . . . 5l, 6a . . . 6h). The invention further relates to a method for operating the picking system (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for picking order goods which are allocated to an order comprising a plurality of shipping containers. In the method, order goods allocated to the order are removed from a store (2), transported into a dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) and stored there temporarily. The dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) comprises an infeed line (6), an outfeed line (7), a plurality of buffer lanes (8) arranged between the infeed line (6) and the outfeed line (7), and at least one return lane (9) arranged therebetween. If a portion of the order goods available in the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b) is sufficient to fill a predefinable number of shipping containers and is ready for packing, this portion of the order goods ready for packing is discharged from the dynamic buffer (5, 5a, 5b), transported to a picking workstation (10) and transferred, there, into the predefined number of shipping containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), in which goods (21a . . . 21e) which are stored in a first storage zone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27a . . . 27c) are reloaded, on the basis of a transfer request, from a first loading aid (27a . . . 27c) into or onto at least one second loading aid (29a . . . 29c) and in-fed in a second storage zone (16). When a picking order is obtained, (an) ordered good(s) (26a) is/are out-fed from the second storage zone (16) and loaded into or onto the target loading aid (30). During an execution of the transfer request, the first loading aid (27a . . . 27c) is fully or partially unloaded, depending on whether a parameter which is allocated to a type of good reaches a threshold value. Further, a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method is specified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and picking stackable article carriers (3) in an order fulfillment facility, in which transport loading aids (7; 107) are transported between a loading station with an automatically operated loading device (13), a storage zone (5) and a removal station with an automatically operated unloading device (32) by means of autonomously moveable, driverless transport vehicles (9). The transport loading aids (7; 107) are loaded with article carrier stacks (8) in the loading station and the article carrier stacks (8) are discharged from the transport loading aids (7; 107) in the unloading station. Subsequently, the article carriers (3) for a picking order are reloaded onto one or multiple target loading aids (34; 134). The invention further relates to an order fulfillment facility for storing and picking stackable article carriers (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an order-picking method for picking at least one ordered good (26a) into or onto a target loading aid (30), in which goods (21a. . . 21e) which are stored in a first storage zone (8) with the help of first loading aids (27a. . . 27c) are reloaded, on the basis of a transfer request, from a first loading aid (27a. . . 27c) into at least one hanging bag (29a. . . 29c) and in-fed in a second storage zone (16). When a picking order is obtained, (an) ordered good(s) (26a) is/are out-fed from the second storage zone (16) and loaded into or onto the target loading aid (30). The transfer request is generated and executed without reference to a picking order. Further, a storage and order-picking system (1) for carrying out said method is specified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage and order-picking system (1a . . . 1f) as well as order-picking method for picking ordered goods into or onto a target loading aid (4, 4?), in which at least one of the picking orders comprises multiple order lines (6, 7), which specify (an) ordered good(s) (2, 3) according to its/their type of good (8) and its/their number of pieces to be picked (9). During the execution of a picking order, a first loading aid (11, 11a . . . 11c), which is configured so as to be different from a hanging bag, with ordered good(s) (2) of the first order line (6) is out-fed from a first storage zone (10). Further, a hanging bag (13) with ordered good(s) (3) of the second order line (7) is out-fed from a second storage zone (12). Then, the ordered good(s) (2) of the first order line (6) and the ordered good(s) (3) of the second order line (7) are loaded into or onto a target loading aid (4, 4?) in accordance with the at least one picking order.

Abstract: A method for picking orders (22a . . . 22e) in a storage and order-picking system (1a, 1b) is provided, which comprises an article storage (2), a loading station (3), a sorting unit (4), a packing station (5), an overhead conveyor system (7a . . . 7f) and a control system (8). At the loading station (3), articles (22a . . . 22e) are transferred from a loading aid (23, 24, 25a . . . 25c) into a transport means (28a, 28b) and at the packing station (5) from a transport means (28a, 28b) into a shipping loading aid (30). In this regard, transporting an article (22a . . . 22e) out of the article storage (2) to the loading station (3) takes place individually and independently of the other picking orders for each picking order. Furthermore, transporting the transport means (28a, 28b) from the loading station (3) into the sorting unit (4) also takes place individually and independently of the other picking order and directly for each picking order.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system intended for delivering items (4) in delivery containers (3) and in which, in a supply depot (1), the items are order picked, in accordance with orders placed, into delivery containers and then the delivery containers are loaded onto a transport rack (12). The transport rack is loaded with the delivery containers in a loading sequence determined by the computer system (2). Thereafter, the transport racks are transported, by means of a transport system, from the supply depot to a buffer depot (collection depot). A consignee (68) can collect the ordered item from the buffer depot at an issuing station (56). The transport rack is positioned, in the buffer depot, against a docking apparatus (54) such that a storage and retrieval unit (17) can access compartments in the transport rack.

Abstract: In a first step of a method for bundling conveying streams on a material handling element including a number of incoming conveyor segments, at least one coupling to an outgoing conveyor segment, on which the incoming conveyor segments converge, and a number of holding devices for holding a conveying stream on the incoming conveyor segments, target arrival times, at which the objects arrive as planned at a destination, are calculated for the conveyed objects. A conveyed object is released at a release time which substantially corresponds to the target arrival time minus the target pass-through time required for the conveyed object to be transported as planned from a current position to the destination. A material handling element carries out the method.

Abstract: A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) with at least two suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) spaced apart from one another and a sensor system (8a . . . 8c) for detecting a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of a good (23a . . . 23n). With the aid of a controller (11), a gripping pose for the movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), is calculated based on the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size. Then, the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is moved into the calculated gripping pose where the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) are activated so as to collect the good (23a . . . 23n). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified.

Abstract: A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a gripping unit (4) for collecting goods (23a . . . 23n) and a sensor system (8a . . . 8e) for detecting a loading space (27a . . . 27d) of a loading aid (9a . . . 9e) and the goods (23a . . . 23n) stored therein. After the collection of a good (23a . . . 23n), a check is conducted with the aid of a controller (11) on whether a good (23a . . . 23n) protrudes beyond the loading space (27a . . . 27d). If necessary, the good (23a . . . 23n) protruding beyond the loading space (27a . . . 27d) is collected and placed down at a different position, or the part of the good (23a . . . 23n) protruding beyond the loading space (27a . . . 27d) is moved into the loading space (27a . . . 27d). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified.

Abstract: A picking station for picking goods has a source container conveyor for automated transporting of source containers, a target container conveyor for automated transporting of target containers and a fully automated robot system. The source container conveyor includes a first removal area, where a first source container is provisioned, and a second removal area, where a second source container is provisioned. The target container conveyor includes a first loading area, where a first target container is provisioned, and a second loading area, where a second target container is provisioned. The robot system includes a robot having a gripping unit configured to remove goods according to different orders from the first source container and/or second source container and place them into the first target container and/or second target container, and a sensor system for capturing the goods in the first and second source containers. A method automatically picks goods.

Abstract: A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a gripping unit (4) for collecting and placing down/throwing goods (26a, . . . 26g), wherein the goods (26a, . . . 26g) are differentiated into multiple types with respect to their dimensional stability, compressive stability, flexural rigidity, strength, their absolute weight and/or specific weight. When the goods (26a, . . . 26g) are manipulated, the robot (1a, 1b) and/or the gripping unit (4) are controlled depending on the type determined for the goods (26a, . . . 26g). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a, . . . 2d) is specified.

Abstract: In a first step of a method for bundling conveyed streams on a material handling element including a number of incoming conveyor segments, at least one coupling to an outgoing conveyor segment, on which the incoming conveyor segments converge, and a number of holding devices for holding a conveyed stream on the incoming conveyor segments, the conveyed objects are vectorially combined in in ascending/descending order according to a desired sorting sequence. When a conveyed object passes the material handling element a vector corresponding to the actual sequence is entered in the vector combination. Conveyed objects are released if a ring with a constant direction is avoided in the vector combination. A material handling element carries out the method.

Abstract: A method for picking goods (4a . . . 4c) in a picking zone is proposed, whereby at least one bag (6) and a box-shaped loading aid (5a . . . 5d) are provided, the bag (6) is inserted in the box-shaped loading aid (5a . . . 5d), a picking aid (7a . . . 7d) is inserted in the bag (6), goods (4a . . . 4c) are packed in the bag (6) and the box-shaped loading aid (5a . . . 5d) together with the bag (6) and the goods (4a . . . 4c) is finally transported out of the picking zone.

Abstract: A method for picking objects is specified, in which at least one object is removed from a source loading aid and placed into a target loading aid using a robot. After the operation of removing the object, a first sensor system of the robot is used to check whether at least one object is held by the robot. A number and/or a type of the at least one removed object is ascertained using the second sensor system. The operation of placing the at least one object into the target loading aid is aborted or modified if no object is held by the robot or the number and/or the type of the at least one removed object does not contribute to completing the picking order, which defines a desired number and/or desired type of objects in the target loading aid. Furthermore, a device and a computer program product for performing the presented method is specified.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for distributing articles, an order management system acquires an order for delivering articles, the articles to be delivered are transferred from an article store and the articles included in an order are order-picked into at least one mobile shelf unit shelf compartment. The mobile shelf unit is subsequently transported to a dispensing station including a first article storage region separated by a first separating wall and a customer access region and is brought into a handover position, in which the at least one shelf compartment is accessible via a closeable opening in the first separating wall. When an article dispensing system accepts a request for taking over the articles by a person or a machine associated therewith, it releases the closeable opening if authorization exists for taking over the articles. Alternatively a loading robot can load the articles to be delivered into the machine.