The scanning of the items at the box range - referred to as Scan-In in pixi - and the subsequent removal of items from the boxes for shipping - dubbed Ship-Out in pixi - takes place in the sequence of the boxes. If the boxes are not arranged in an optimal array, you are bound to lose valuable time during each scanning instance.
Boxes in pixi Web
Check this article to get to know how to use the Boxes section in the pixi Web application
Boxes in pixi Shipping
Check this article to learn how to use the Boxes section in the Desktop application pixi Shipping.
Note: The boxes functionality in pixi Shipping is not developed further. New features will only be available in the Boxes section of pixi Web application.
Tips for the arrangement of box ranges
In the following examples, we would like to show you different sorting variants of the box ranges, as well as compare and evaluate them. For this purpose, let's assume a shelf with the following dimensions: 2.5 m long, 2 m high.
Variant 1 – Horizontal arrangement from left to right
The boxes are arranged from left to right and start again from the left in each row. The longer a shelf is, the longer the paths are from the beginning to the end and the more boxes per row are included.
Advantages:
Following always the same motion sequence: "from left to right".
"Left to right" arrangement follows the principle of writing and reading.
Bottom boxes (with high number) only have to be used at the end.
Disadvantages:
Paths between 3 & 4, 6 & 7 etc. are too longwinded and unnecessary.
When the box is reset (after the Ship-Out), there is an "empty" run to the next box (example: from 3 to 4).
Inevitable added travel path between each box (example: from 1 to 2, from 2 to 3, etc.).
Variant 2 – Horizontal arrangement, left and right in alternation
Box numbering sequence is horizontally, but alternating from left to right and in the next level from right to left, and so on. Thus, the change of direction occurs when a row has been completed.
Advantages:
No unnecessary picking path from the end of the shelf to the beginning.
Lower boxes are only filled at the end.
Disadvantages:
Unusual working motion from "right to left".
Travel path to each box is necessary (ex: from 1 to 2, to 3, etc.).
Variant 3 – Vertical arrangement – from top to bottom
The boxes are filled with items from top to bottom. If a row is filled, the next column will be filled again starting from the top.
Advantages:
Less travel path between boxes, since several boxes can be filled in one position.
Workflow remains the same "from top to bottom".
Disadvantages:
Lower boxes are quickly occupied: poor working efficiency, since you have to bend at all times. (Boxes: 4, 8, 12)
Distance between boxes 4 & 5 and 8 & 9 is unfavorable: poor working economy, since you have to get up from a bent position (Box 4) again (Box 5).
Variante 4 – Vertical arrangement – top and bottom alternately
The boxes are alternately filled from top to bottom and from bottom to top. If an employee is already in a bent position (e.g. at 4 and 5), he can take the next box directly.
Advantages:
Short distances between boxes (when changing rows).
Path-optimized filling of the box range (as in the case of picking path optimization during collective picking).
Disadvantages:
Lower boxes are quickly filled: poor work ergonomics as you have to bend over a lot (example: boxes 4, 5 and 12).
Working motion "from bottom to top" is initially very unusual.
Start and expiration date of boxes
The start date of a box is set when items are placed in an empty box at Scan-In. The start date of the box in use is set to the current date / time.
The expiration date is set when the box in use is shipped via the Ship-Out.
Both dates can be found in the pixi Control Center > Boxes