Over the years, you may have noticed that Robotic Palletizing has become very popular in warehouse operations.  The robot can perform the repetitive, tedious and non-ergonomical task of stacking cases on pallets in an efficient manor.  They also have the ability of being flexible enough to adapt to future changes in operations. 

Highlights:

• Ability to accept multiple product SKU's simultaneously
• Ability to handle other packaging material such as pallets themselves and slip sheets.
• Maximize space utilization by requiring less floor space.
• Easily configurable for constant changes in product packaging.

W&H Systems starts with assessment of our clients needs to help determine if a robotic solution is appropriate and cost justifiable. It is best to examine the physical characteristics of the product to be handled, rates, as well as business objectives to determine if a robot solution will provide a return on the investment.

Sortation Systems have long been used in distribution centers for automatically sorting large number of units down to single store orders, streamlining returns processing, order fulfillment & store replenishment and small parcel sortation.  

W&H Systems’ RSU™ Tilt Tray Sorter is an automated sortation system that provides a durable, inexpensive and accurate method of sorting a wide range of products.  This reliable sortatin system sorts barcoded and has the proven ability to sort non-barcoded products when integrated with an advanced vision system. The flexible nature of the RSU enables unique system configurations that match specific application needs, while the simple design allows for a low up front investment and minimal annual maintenance costs...thus making the RSU - Reliable Sortation System an excellent choice for many sorting requirements.

Take control of your warehouse, with our flexible, reliable & proven Wwarehouse Control System (WCS).  

Warehouse Control Systems are software applications that direct real-time activities within warehouses and distribution centers.  As the "traffic cop" for the warehosue/distribution center, the WCS is responsible for keeping everything running smoothly, maximizing the efficiency of the material handling subsystems and often, the activities of the warahouse associates themselves.  It provides a uniform interface to a broad range of material handling equipment such as AS/RS, carousels, conveyor systems, sortation systems, palletizers, etc.  The warehouse control system is closer to the action.  It acts as the brain for any automated distribution center, providing communication between the WMS and all of the material handling equipment and processes needed to complete an efficient distribution system.

We have over 150 active customers currently utilizing our in-house Warehouse Control System.  Their are many capabilities & packages available to you and your material handling system. 

                       Receiving & Cross-Dock Sortation                                                                Download MMH Article

A Few Sample Installations include:

Recreational Equipment Inc.: 2 distribution centers

• West Coast DC: originally designed and installed in 1992; recently upgraded to a new WCS in 2005 with multiple additional expansion projects through 2009. Includes: 10 sorters and 5 merges, 6 Allen Bradley ControlLogix PLC's, 2 1 SLC5/05 and 2 PLC5/40E. WCS interfaces to WMS and Put to Light System
• East Coast DC: orginally installed by W&H in 2007. Includes: 12 sorters. Interfaces to WMS, Put to Light System and Print and Apply

Oriental Trading Company

• New DC originally designed and installed by W&H in 2007 with multiple additional expansion projects through 2011. Includes 8 sorters, 4 merges and 4 ControlLogix PLC's. Interfaces to WMS through 8 different channesl, Til Tray Sorter and Pick to Voice System

Perry Ellis

• 2 Unit sorters each with multiple inductions. Each sorter able to achieve 144 trays/minute.

• In motion scanning on tray
• 256 chutes per sorter
• WCS allows next wave to be inducted while prior wave is still being packed out
• Packout PDA's

Major DTC 3PL in Cincinnati 

• In motion scanning including manual hand scanning and product detect for "hidden" barcodes on garments 
• 100 chute piece sorter with 2 inducts, each induct capable of 60 trays per minute
• Packout PDA's

To read more please read the Warehouse Control System document.

Our design philosophy incorporates utilization of the best material handling equipment available in the market for the specific function within the system. When appropriate, we include our own specially designed proprietary products as well as commodity products such as conveyor. The end result is the best possible system design at the lowest possible cost.

WHizard™ Conveyor Tracking and Monitoring System is a LAN or Internet-based graphical monitoring system which provides a highly effective graphical and visual tool to help monitor - in real time - all aspects of today’s complex material handling systems. WHizard™ can be used to monitor equipment performance and productivity, to diagnose system problems, and to assist maintenance personnel in monitoring alarms and tracking spare parts. In short, WHizard™ provides a comprehensive and powerful tool for controlling your material handling system. WHizard™ is browser based allowing unlimited access to the tool. Any PC that can be part of the network where WHizard™ resides can view or use this powerful productivity tool including the Internet.

W&H System's Maintenance & Parts Inventory Package is the product of many years of research and practical experience.  This package was developed to help our clients take more control over their facilities maintenance & inventory tasks.  This tool is powerful, flexible & easy to use.

W&H's LoadLogic is a truck loading software and case picking software.  The beverage distribution software interfaces with the customer’s route accounting software and truck routing software. LoadLogic uses the routed order information to generate pick requirements for the specific warehouse operation. LoadLogic generates these build requirements to best fit the customer orders into their trucks. The following are a few of the many build options incorporated into LoadLogic.

Overhead rail systems, otherwise known as Garment On Hanger systems; have long been recognized as the most efficient means of handling hanging garments by apparel manufacturers and in a warehouse or distribution center. W&H Systems designs and manufactures light duty, inexpensive power and power free rail systems for both manufacturing and distribution applications. Garment On Hanger (GOH) Systems provides improved productivity and significantly lowers the cost of hanging garment handling and garment sortation.

W&H Systems’ Rapidpac™ automated pick/pack system provides a highly efficient and cost effective alternative to any traditional, manual picking and packing operations. Rapidpac brings the work to the operators, eliminating costly personnel travel time, and combines the picking and packing operations. In short, Rapidpac minimizes product handling resulting in improved productivity and reduced costs. It also substantially minimizes floor space utilization since a majority of the system is overhead.