Kiva vs. Horizontal and Vertical Carousels

Carousel technology is slow and unreliable.

solution_caroselWhether you are considering vertical carousels for parts bins or horizontal carousels for picking orders, carousel technology is a basic mechanical option.  Carousels haven't changed much in the 25 years that they've been used in industrial settings.  Basically, they consist of bins mounted to a frame that either spins horizontally or vertically.  In order to pick items, operators wait for the carousel to spin to a stop, pick one item for one order, then wait and wait while the machine twirls some more and finally presents another item…If it doesn't jam.  You can pick from a carousel or you can replenish inventory into a carousel, but you cannot do both at the same time.  Carousel systems are also fairly restrictive in terms of allowable product shape and size.  And, the equipment itself is a loud, bulky, inflexible fixture that cannot be changed and is often difficult to work around once installed in the building.

The Kiva Approach is better than carousels.

solution_car_stationsKiva solutions integrate a package of robotic material handling equipment and sophisticated software to provide the most accurate, productive and flexible order processing automation available.  Operators pick multiple orders simultaneously.  Each order is picked complete and order cycle times can be as short as 15 minutes.   Operators never wait for work.  They are presented a new 'pick face' every 6 seconds, and since the robots and storage shelves are completely mobile, there is no such thing as a "jam."   Plus, with Kiva, you can buy the gear you need when you need it and implement in a modular fashion which significantly lowers the investment risk inherent in bolted-down traditional automation.

The Kiva solution goes beyond vertical and horizontal carousel systems to deliver breakthrough performance by solving many order fulfillment challenges simultaneously.

  • Fast Picking
    The operator is presented with a new pick face location every six seconds, as if they had infinite pick face density with zero walking.
  • High Volume Order Picking
    Kiva customers pick 100,000's of lines per day in a single facility using the Kiva order fulfillment system.
  • Simultaneous Picking and Replenishment
    Replenishment and picking can proceed at the same time with full productivity, allowing reduced days-on-hand of inventory.
  • A Single Process for All SKU Profiles
    All items - fast and slow, large and small - are picked with a simple pick to-light-process.
  • High Reliability
    With parallel equipment and no single point of failure, the Kiva warehouse automation system surpasses traditional solutions for uptime even in 24 by 7 operations.
  • High Storage Density
    Configurable pods, trays, and bins, no forklift aisles, and complete vertical use of the facility using mezzanines means higher product density than existing solutions.
  • Modular Expansion
    Add inventory pods and drive units to increase throughput during peak season or expand an existing facility as the market grows. The complex construction associated with traditional carousel installations is not required.