Pick-to-light system use in Kitting
wHAT IS
KITTING?
Kitting is the process of collecting and organizing separate
but related parts for future use in the manufacturing of a product. In some
cases, items with different but related SKUs are combined and given a new SKU.
Kits may be stored until needed on the manufacturing assembly line or delivered
directly to customers. There are many advantages to kitting such as improved
productivity and faster delivery times as kits can be quickly retrieved when
necessary. Kitting also organizes and improves control of the warehousing
process, leading to fewer packaging and shipping errors or delays. The use of
kits also allows assembly line personnel to focus on more value-added tasks
rather than searching in inventory for parts. Lastly, incorporating automation
into the kitting process delivers even higher efficiency gains that result in
more time and cost savings.
KITTING AND SEQUENCING
In automotive manufacturing, kits of parts are
delivered to the next stage of production at exactly the time that a kit is
needed.
ENSURE QUALITY: QUICK AND
ACCURATE KITTING
Pick-by-Light devices have
a multicoloured confirmation button so that specific colours can be assigned
for each kit. This allows for the preparation of several simultaneous kits
and/or several operators in the same area.
Pick-to-light display:
indicates the quantity of each item to pick.
Pick-to-light systems ensure that kits are
assembled quickly and accurately and can be delivered to the next stage of
production at the right time
INCREASE EFFICIENCY: SAVE TIME AND COST
Pick To Light devices optimise part picking time and
ensures both quality and accuracy.
The operation of the system is very intuitive and speeds up
training time of new employees.
KITTING COMPARE VS PICK AND PACK
The pick and pack process is simple in theory but the
implementation of this process can quickly become complex. For companies that
have a limited number of products, pick and pack may be a good option. However,
as products become more customized with numerous colors and variations to
choose from, the pick and pack method becomes too complicated to streamline and
successfully execute.
Kitting, on the other hand, offers companies flexibility and
efficiency that are just not feasible with pick and pack. Additionally, since
kitting must occur where the part inventory resides, it is an easy part of the
supply chain to contract to a third party that has the necessary expertise and
experience. For this reason, it makes sense to partner with an integrated
company, like Twinkle system with the wireless pick by light system,
that can provide kitting as well as operations such as manufacturing and
warehousing. Integrated manufacturers offer significant value for OEMs such as
streamlining production schedules, improving the consistency and reliability of
the final product, and minimizing the number of vendors involved in the
manufacturing process. All of these steps improve efficiency and reduce risk –
saving OEMs time, resources, and money.
2021 12/04