Pick-to-Light History
... the history of the Pick-to-Light systems leads into the early 90s. The first Pick-to-Light displays were then designed as "shift registers" and connected to a collective zone controller. The keystrokes were registered via a terminating resistor, evaluated and sent back to the controller. The Pick-to-Light features were very limited.
At that time, many RS485 channels (special hardware) were used for communication between the PC with 286 processor (DOS operating system) and the zone controllers. Due to the long lines, communication was slow and the cabling was very complex. That was at that time ...
Today the Pick-to-Light properties are quite different. Each display is equipped with its own microprocessor and has many diagnostic and individual functions. There are many different versions with various tasks. The communication between the controllers is based on TCP/IP. The entire process logic is mapped in the LUCA-Server and is very individually adaptable. Unfortunately, there are still market suppliers who continue to use the old unreliable technology.
Properties
Our Pick-to-Light system consists of two different display families with different heights. The 50 mm high displays are used as standard. The height of the second variant is 25 mm (for small storage compartments). The two variants can be operated together.
Various Pick-to-Light properties can be used as required. Each display is equipped with an LED. The LED can be illuminated or flashing in 7 different colours. A variety of displays (numeric, alphanumeric, text, etc.) are available to us for setting up the picking systems. The robust keys are used as picking confirmation and other functions. Minor quantity corrections, inventories and also customer-specific special functions are displayed via LUCA-Server . The system can work stationary or mobile with a rechargeable battery. The constant communication with the controllers always guarantees the current status of the systems. If a display cannot be reached or reports problems, an error message is generated immediately.
Options
The standard Pick-to-Light properties can be extended with various options. The additional features extend the functionalities if required. Optional equipment allows installation without drilling the shelves.
LED touch sensor:
Replaces the acknowledgement button directly. Acknowledgement of the removal is done via a "wipe" on the LED. This allows the minimum width of the compartments to be reduced significantly if required.
Access sensor:
The sensor (up or down) can be used to automate the registration of the withdrawal. The employees no longer have to confirm the removal manually at the button. This option is very helpful for single picking for high performance picking (e.g. Automotive) and for automatic access monitoring.
Additional interfaces:
Via optional interfaces, additional RS232 devices (scanners, scales, RFID readers, etc) or light barriers (digital I/O and eKANBAN) can be connected to some displays.
Magnetic holder:
The optional magnetic holders allow the bottom profiles to be mounted without drilling the shelves. This mounting method is very suitable for heavy duty beams where no drilling is allowed.
Installation
The installation of the Pick-to-Light system is very well designed. On shelves, an aluminium bottom profile is screwed or riveted. Optionally, magnetic holders can also be used. Depending on the type, 100 - 150 displays can be connected to one controller.
The first Pick-to-Light sub-profile is connected to a controller with a 4-core cable (power supply and data bus). Further sub-profiles can be connected to each other with the same cable. Cabling within the Pick-to-Light sub-profile is not necessary. A contact profile is integrated directly into the sub-profile, where the Pick-to-Light displays are connected directly via spring contacts (without cable) (Quick-Click). The Pick-to-Light features allow the realization of different cabling.
The bottom profiles can be covered with an aluminium lid for fixed storage compartments. For flexible storage compartments, the system is operated without a lid. The Quick-Click system makes it very easy to change the position of the storage compartments and can be done almost during operation.