1. Sorting
Purpose: Take orders that are spread across a number of pick tasks and
re-combine them into their original order configuration
Two common methods:
Manual Sorting: Manually scan each item and place in appropriate
container until order is completed
Auto Sorting: A machine scans and delivers each item to its
appropriate container until the order is complete.
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2. Unitizing and Shipping
Sorting
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3. Sorting
Types of Auto Sorting:
Tilt Tray: Product placed on trays tilts to deliver product to desired chute.
Bomb-Bay
Cross-Belt: Instead of a tray that tilts, the “tray” incorporates a belt that
delivers product to chutes either on the left or the right.
Garment
www.gbisorting.com
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4. Sorting
Different Auto Sorter Layouts and Designs
Basic Inline
Basic Oval
Entertainment/Multi Media (v)
Triple-Chute High Density
Internet Order Fulfillment
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5. Basic Inline
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6. Basic Oval
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7. Entertainment/Multi Media
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8. Triple Chute High Density
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9. Sorting
Three Sort Methods:
Wave or Batch Sorting:
Inventory is picked in bulk to fill the orders for each
specified time period or wave.
Sort to completion before beginning next wave/batch
Continuous:
The sorter sorts on a continuous basis rather than in waves.
Requires a continuous flow or product to the sorter.
Requires more sophisticated software
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10. Sorting
Sort Methods:
Multiple:
Similar to wave/batch in that work is configured in waves
or batches
Able to sort multiple waves or batches at the same time
Requires even more sophisticated software
Uses a process called “dynamic chute allocation”
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11. Sorting
Options to use with automatic sorting:
Print and Apply:
The ability to print and apply unique labels to product while it is
being sorted.
Auto Induction (also called “metering and merging”)
A belt feeds product onto the individual trays in a precise and
accurate manner
Leads to more consistent placement of product on trays for
better accuracy and helps maximize throughput
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12. Sorting Bomb Bay
Different ways to deliver product to the chutes:
Tilt Tray
Cross Belt
Split Tray
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13. Shipping Sorter
Scanner and conveyor system which sorts cases to their assigned shipping
divert.
Shipping
Shipping looks deceptively simple. However, unless the shipping department
accurately completes shipping documentation, correctly palletizes the loads,
and places every pallet and carton on the correct trailer at the right time,
all of the work accomplished within the warehouse, up to this point, is fruitless.
Unitizing: The process of taking multiple items and creating one load, either by
combining on a pallet, filling a carton, or filling a shipping container.
Correctly executed, unitizing should eliminate split shipments
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14. Shipping
The appropriate application of unitizing is often overlooked as a way to reduce
costs by ensuring we optimize the shipping container by using the correct size
carton/container, the container is labeled correctly, and the containers are
properly configured.
“Containers” may include mobile secure cages, modular containers, plastic or
wooden pallets, plastic totes, corrugate boxes, etc…
Weight Checking is simply a process to verify that the actual weight of the
order is equal to the expected weight, +/- a small percentage for corrugate
and dunnage.
End
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15. Individual Presentations
When: Wednesday April 27th
Subject:
1. Illustrate how some of the topics we have discussed in class may be relevant
to your current and/or previous work experience.
2. What are your three biggest takeaways from this class?
3. Based on what we covered in class, how has your view of distribution chain and
warehousing changed?
Length: 10-15 minutes
You can use whatever method you like to present to the class: Overheads, PowerPoint,
or handouts, etc…
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