ASRS

Unit-load AS/RS

Unit-load AS/RS are designed to handle heavy loads on pallets. They use deep-lane storage, where multiple pallets are placed and stored in a compact space. These AS/RS are most commonly found in industries that handle large volumes of product, such as manufacturing and distribution centers.

Mini-load AS/RS

Mini-load systems are similar to unit-load, but as the name implies, are smaller. Typically, items in these systems are stored in cartons, totes, or trays. These systems are ideal for managing loads that are too small for pallet storage but too large for micro-load systems, which store individual totes or cartons. They use smaller, agile machines to store and retrieve items from storage.

Carousel systems

There are two main types of carousel systems: vertical and horizontal. Both of these systems work well for high-density storage and are used in a variety of settings. Carousels accelerate picking speeds and integrate with software to sequence systems to minimize wait time for retrievals.

Vertical carousel modules

Vertical carousel modules are a series of shelves or carriers that rotate vertically around a track, like a ferris wheel. Stored items are then brought to the operator at an ergonomic height, eliminating the need for physical climbing or reaching.

Horizontal carousel modules

Horizontal carousel modules have a series of bins or shelves that rotate horizontally on an oval track. This allows workers to access multiple bins from one picking station, which streamlines the picking and retrieval process.

Vertical lift modules (VLMs)

Vertical lift modules (VLMs) use two columns of trays to store and transport goods, with an extractor in the center to adjust them as needed. VLMs deliver trays to a comfortable position at the workstation, giving workers easy access to stored items.

Mobile shelving systems

Mobile shelving systems have shelving units mounted on mobile bases that glide along tracks. This setup allows for compact storage of items by eliminating the need for multiple fixed aisles.

Robotic cube-based AS/RS

Robotic cube-based AS/RS use a high-density storage grid and robotic shuttles that operate on three axes: X, Y, and Z. These systems use robots to store and retrieve bins that are stacked on top of each other inside a cube.

Pallet shuttles

Pallet shuttles are automated or semi-automated self-guided vehicles that store and retrieve pallets within a deep lane storage system. Pallet shuttle vehicles navigate up and down the racks to load and unload pallets. Pallet shuttles maximize warehouse space by storing pallets vertically and reducing the need for aisles between racks. They also save time and reduce traffic caused by forklifts driving into storage lanes to load and unload pallets.