What is a picking bin?
Picking containers are generally boxes, crates, or bins—with or without lids—used to store and pick similar goods and products in varying quantities. The material, size, and shape of these picking containers depend on the type and quantity of items to be picked. In most cases, the containers are made of plastic (polypropylene). Warehouse technology and shelving systems enable the automatic transport of picking containers.
Each picking order is assigned one (or more) picking bin(s) for picking.
The customer's order is picked into the bin. As a rule, each picking container has a unique container number (barcode). For the duration of the picking process, the order number and container identification are linked. Linking the picking order to the container ID is important, especially when item units are picked at different picking stations.
The picking bin in logistics
The primary goal of picking using appropriate containers is to operate as efficiently as possible. Picking equipment, picking technology, picking systems, and picking methods are essential components in optimizing the picking process.
In addition to order picking (goods for a customer order), picking bins containing identical items (materials for assembly kits; semi-finished products) are placed at production and assembly workstations.
Depending on the industry (wholesale, manufacturing), these containers can be equipped with custom inserts designed for specific products and goods. Various manufacturers offer specialized models, such as space-saving containers, which have different dimensions—including internal dimensions—than standard picking containers.