Time is money - this also applies to horizontal order picking. A healthy, efficient employee is one of the most important levers here for achieving maximum handling performance. Accordingly, measures to shorten the walking distances between the vehicle and the rack compartment and to relieve the operator as much as possible are very much in demand. Manufacturer Linde Material Handling (MH) is responding to this demand and has equipped the Linde N20 C SA semi-automated order picker with three new mast versions. Operators can now comfortably raise the forks to working height and no longer need to bend down when setting down the goods. This sustainably conserves strength and energy reserves as well as the health of employees.
Great potential for optimization in horizontal order picking lies in the area of ergonomics. The three new mast versions of the Linde N20 C SA offer numerous advantages here.
Compact, maneuverable and easy on the back
The compact Linde N20 C L SA is perfect for picking from the lowest shelf level on a pallet with a maximum weight of 1,200 kilograms. The forks can be raised to an ergonomic height , allowing the picked goods to be placed on the pallet in a posture that is easy on the back. Thanks to its compact design, the order picker is also extremely maneuverable even when fully loaded.
Perfect for long distance transports
Picking up two pallets separately and transporting them on top of each other to save space? No problem for the main lift of the Linde N20 C D SA with a maximum load capacity of 1,200 kilograms. Longer distance transports can also be carried out with this mast variant. The heavy goods are stored on the initial lift and the fragile goods on the main lift.
Two pallets at one stroke
Thanks to its long load arms and the additional forks that can be lifted off, the Linde N20 C LoL SA product variant can easily load two pallets with goods in just one picking cycle. The operator starts with one pallet at the desired height, while the second is secured vertically to the back of the forks with a special safety device. Once the first pallet is filled, it is lowered onto the load arms and placed at the front of the fork. The second pallet is then transferred onto the forks and can also be loaded at a height that is easy on the back. Operators control the mast on the right or left side of the backrest.
More efficiency through semi-automated driving modes
The new mast variants open up further application possibilities for the Linde N20 C SA. The vehicles can also be seamlessly integrated into the customer's existing processes. Further advantages also arise from the two driving modes, which reflect the two main customer applications.
In the first variant, the employee picks in a U-shape, moving first on one side only and then on the other. The vehicle accompanies him on his way through the aisle, avoids minor obstacles and stops automatically at the end of the rack aisle. When the operator stops to reach for the goods, the vehicle also stops. As soon as the operator continues on his way, the vehicle also continues automatically. The travel mode eliminates the distances to the operator's platform that normally have to be covered to move the unit to the next rack position.
The second variant is used when picking is done on both sides of the rack at the same time. (Z-shaped pattern) In this case, the operators send the vehicle ahead with a remote control. At the end of the rack aisle, the operator gets into the picker and drives to the next aisle.
Safety at the highest level
The semi-automated vehicles also score in terms of safety. High-performance safety scanners are integrated at the front, for example, which detect people, obstacles and other vehicles and prevent collisions. To ensure that operators can also move safely and comfortably in their work area, the vehicle also maintains a minimum distance of 50 centimeters from the racking.