Vertical Carousels

Automated storage solutions offer many advantages vs. static shelving

Traditionally, most warehouse inventory has been stored on static shelving systems consisting of pullout drawers, wire racks, or pallet racking. Because the dimensions on static systems are fixed, they cannot optimize warehouse space. Other more advanced storage solutions—whether they are vertical or horizontal carousels or vertical lift modules (VLMs)—can store items more densely than static shelving. These automated systems are all “goods-to-person” solutions because they utilize an operator based in a centralized location, and the goods move to the operator, rather than the operator moving to the goods.

Vertical carousels offer a variety of business benefits

Vertical carousels offer numerous business benefits, ranging from increasing available floor space and maximizing storage density to accelerating pick speed, improving picking accuracy, and enhancing workplace ergonomics.

Vertical carousels can increase available floor space and maximize storage density

Vertical carousels are taller than they are wide. That means vertical carousels have a small footprint on the warehouse floor, freeing up valuable horizontal square footage for purposes other than storage. Put another way, vertical carousels optimize overhead air space, which is also known as “air rights.”

Air rights tend to be the most underutilized space in factories and warehouses. Think about a typical warehouse, where the ceiling is 30-feet high. If that warehouse is using static shelving for storage, the shelving units are likely to be only 10-feet tall. That leaves about 20 feet of unused overhead space. Vertical carousels tap into that potential, increasing storage capacity without increasing the footprint on the warehouse floor.

Vertical carousels accelerate pick speed

In warehouses that use vertical carousels, operators do not need to walk aisle by aisle to pick product. Instead, inventory is stored in the vertical carousel, and integrated computer software is used to call up product for delivery directly to the vertical carousel’s counter. This creates a true goods-to-person automated storage and delivery system.

Vertical carousels also have a pick-to-light feature that lights up on the counter, identifying the product that’s supposed to be picked, the quantity needed, and the part, serial, or stock number.

Vertical carousels improve picking accuracy and inventory control

Pick-to-light feature directs the operator to the tote they’re supposed to pick. It also identifies the correct bin within the tote and the required product amounts. This is all accomplished by technology that utilizes the data stored in the vertical carousel’s computer. Picking accuracy is critical, especially in hospital pharmacies.

The operator can then pick the product and scan its bar code, verifying that they are picking the right product and the right quantity at the right time. This process significantly accelerates picking speeds.

In fact, one pharmacy vertical carousel user reduced pick rates by 50% after installing our vertical carousel. (Note: The pick-to-light feature is also known as a put-to-light or pick bar.)

Vertical carousels offer ergonomic benefits

Vertical carousels eliminate the need for operators to bend or reach for items when picking. That’s because vertical carousels present product to operators at a counter that is 40 inches from the ground, the height recommended by agencies around the world as optimal for a work source. In addition, when vertical carousels are used, operators do not have to walk the warehouse floor or use a ladder or man lift machinery to access items stored on elevated shelves. Ergonomic benefits like these enhance employee satisfaction and lead to improved warehouse productivity.