OPENTECHNICAL PUBLICATION
OT-2026-000002546

Method and system for warehouse management for replenishing and picking inventory in forward pick area

Published: 2026-09-15T19:13:46.105890Z
Permanent URL: https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000002546
Categories: Material Handling > Conveying Systems

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ABSTRACT

A method (Fig 1) and associated system 100A for replenishing and picking
inventory in a forward pick area 104 of a warehouse 102 is disclosed. System
10A comprises an automated tote exchanger 124 and a controller 100 that
receives a replenishment instruction based on at least one inventory stock
keeping unit/SKUs from a management server 108 and communication network 112.
Motion of storage totes 116A-C, filled with inventory items, on conveyor 114
from bulk storage area 106 to at least one induction point /aisle in area 104
is followed by the direction of an automated range tote to person bot 118A-B
to collect filled totes from conveyor 114 and store load on a multi-level flow
rack 120A-B also in forward pick area 104. An order signal is communicated,
including a pick order an route / location sequence to at least one operator
device 126A-B and a ranger assist bot 122A-B when a new order is received from
management server 108. Ranger assist bots 12A-B are then directed towards a
drop-off location and auto tote exchanger 124. The fulfilled order tote is
collected from ranger assist bot 122A-B and automatically exchanged with an
empty tote from the multi-level takeaway conveyor 28. Fig 1

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OpenTechnical publication OT-2026-000002546
Published 2026-09-15T19:13:46.105890Z
https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000002546