Storage and retrieval system with automated order make up

摘要

A basket storage and retrieval apparatus and method has spaced parallel rows of storage racks with multiple horizontal tiers having aisles between the storage racks. Guides are connected to the aisle and a stacker retriever is connected to the guides. The stacker retriever has at least one vertical member. A carriage is mounted on the vertical member for moving up and down the vertical member and for aligning with storage rack tiers on opposite sides of the aisle. Carriers are mounted on the carriage for moving into horizontal tiers and for lowering baskets within the tiers for resting on the tiers and raising baskets from the tiers for moving the raised baskets toward the carriage. A robotic input lane extends through the storage racks. A robotic output lane extends through the storage racks. An input transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic input lane and an output transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic output lane. An input conveyor is connected to the input transfer conveyor for supplying loaded baskets to the robotic input lane. An output conveyor is connected to the output transfer lane for receiving loaded baskets from the robotic output lane. A dolly loader or conveyor loop is connected to the output conveyor for loading dollies or moving basket stacks for loading on trucks. Input and output conveyor lanes are mounted in the racks for transferring loaded baskets between input transfer conveyors, stacker retriever carriers and output transfer conveyors.