Hi, I have two models which represent a packaging warehouse. One model utilizes "pick offs" wherein an operator generates WIP- the scanner would then need to pick the package up and scan it into a pallet location based on 'Type' of package. In the other model the scanners are directly picking 2 packages from the belt and placing them on the pallet position based on package 'Type'.
So the main difference/advantage in the pick off model over the mech accumulation model is
1.) WIP generated on buffer zones closer to where the pallet position for a certain package would be- reducing travel distance.
2.) Lower loading time- since the operator now needs to choose from 12 pallet locations if picking from a buffer as opposed to 60 if picking up from the main belt. The loading time is 3.5 seconds( normally distributed) instead of 4.5 seconds.
Still after running both the models it seems that the 2nd model performs better, furthermore the distance travelled but the operators in the non pick off model seems lower with higher throughput. Is there something I'm missing. I would have expected the opposite results. @Felix Möhlmann