Cluster-based-system and method for E-commerce-order fulfillment

摘要

It is disclosed a system and method for order fulfillment, the method comprising the following steps: generating (S10) a packing pattern for the order defining the packing sequence; assigning (S12) one of the one or more merge-and-pack stations (22) to the order; analyzing (S14) the order with regard to pouchable and non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, wherein each of the pouchable articles (46) is sized and heavy such that it fits into one of the pouches (48), and wherein each of the non-pouchable articles (46) is at least one of sized and heavy such that it does not fit into one of the pouches (48); retrieving corresponding storage units (50), which contain the pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, from the warehouse (16), delivering the retrieved storage units (50) to one or more of the pick stations (18), and loading the pouchable articles (46) from the delivered storage units (50) into one or more of the pouches (48) at the one or more pick stations (18); transporting (S18) loaded pouches (48) from the one or more pick stations (18) to the assigned merge-and-pack station (22); transporting (S18) corresponding storage units, which contain the non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, to the assigned merge-and-pack station (22); and synchronizing arrivals (S20) of the loaded pouches (48) and the corresponding storage units (50), which contain the non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order, and unloading the pouchable and non-pouchable articles (46) associated with the order at the assigned merge-and-pack station (16) so that the pouchable and non-pouchable articles associated with the order are transferable in the packing sequence to one or more shipping units associated with the order and the packing pattern.