US Patent 6,775,588
FastFetch
Picking
Methods
FastFetch was designed with an extremely flexible architecture. Using data downloaded with each batch of pick tickets, FastFetch automatically adapts its operation to the selected method of picking. Click on a method below to see how some of the picking methods operate.
This is the simplest, but most commonly used method available with FastFetch. This method uses a cart with empty locations, shipping containers or totes to pick products from bays. Orders can be sequenced for assembly line applications in which the raw material components picked must be in the same order as work-in-process units being manufactured.
This method uses a set of carts to gather SKUs required by a set of orders in a wave during Phase 1, and distributes those SKUs into bay locations containing orders during Phase 2. It is often applicable for picking replenishment orders or for store distribution based on Point-of-Sales data.
2-Phase Order Picking with Dynamic Slotting
This method is similar to 2-Phase Order Pick/Put by using a set of carts to gather SKUs required by a set of orders in a wave during a Phase 1, but during a Phase 2 the carts with SKUs are parked and serve as picking bays for 1-Phase style Order Picking with traditional picking carts..
This method provides a Phase 2 for a customer legacy receiving system to pick returned product from totes on a cart and return them to bay locations. It can also be used to replenish pick lanes with SKUs moved from bulk storage. Software is available from FastFetch Corporation to enable legacy systems to control FastFetch light modules as part of the RMA processing of returned products.