Pick-to-Light solution for industry and intralogistics

Weidmüller’s Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light solutions are for picking and assembly tasks in industry and intralogistics. Robust and EMC-resilient electronic compartment displays (DPD) are installed above the individual storage locations in the pick and put areas, and are connected with the production information system of the plant via a junction box and the integrated u-remote remote I/O system. When the compartment displays light up, the picker is guided through a sequence of steps requiring confirmation within a precisely defined work process. This avoids errors and can raise productivity by more than 50%.

For Pick-to-Light solutions, the compartment displays are equipped with four numerical, digital, seven-segment displays and a touch button with a bright multi-coloured lamp. The production information system signals with a coloured illuminated touch button. on which storage location the picker should go to. The light is easily visible from a long distance, ensuring efficient forward planning for the picking sequence.

The numerical display tells the picker how many parts are to be removed and in which compartment the parts are to be placed on the accompanying, unmanned, automatic guided vehicle. The picker acknowledges the removal process by pressing the touch button. A colour change signals an error, and at the same time, guides a second picker. An industrial truck then transports the parts to the assembly line where they are taken out of the respective compartments or containers. This collaborative solution therefore raises productivity by avoiding errors in picking.

The Put-to-Light solution is identically constructed and is used in the filling area for empty containers. The functionality is similar to that of the Pick-to-Light solution. In this case however, the product information system sends a command to fill up the container. The container is displayed via the illuminated touch button and the number of parts to be filled via the numerical display. Pressing the touch button concludes the process. Alternatively, automatic acknowledgement can be set up for Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light, whereby an external sensor is connected to the compartment display via the M8 connection. It automatically detects removal or filling and immediately sends confirmation to the production information system. This option helps lower the error rate further. The Pick-to-Light and Put-to-Light solutions from Weidmüller enable improved handling of the supply process and significantly optimised productivity.

The compartment displays from Weidmüller are configured to be very robust with IP54 protection and IK05 impact protection, and also offer very good EMC resistance for use in industrial environments. The compactly designed displays with dimensions of 180x70x75 mm (length x width x height) can be installed without tools in next to no time.

Together with the junction boxes available as accessories, users can achieve a decentralised device architecture with almost all communication structures and bus systems, including Modbus/TCP, PROFINET, EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP. The bus connection to the junction box uses a shielded hybrid cable with M12 A-coded connector. At the same time, this supplies the modules with an operating voltage of 24 V to 36 V DC. An additional M8 plug-in connection on the compartment display allows external sensors to be connected for automation. The compartment displays are designed for an operating temperature of 0 to 45ºC at a humidity of 30 to 80%. The enclosure consists of PA66 impact-resistant plastic.

The Pick-to-Light solution from Weidmüller therefore enables the timely provision of required parts and tailored support for manual work in industry and intralogistics, with reduced error rates and significantly improved productivity.

For further information visit www.weidmuller.co.uk or alternatively, call on 0845 094 2006.