Buffer section

A buffer line is used to intercept congestion within the material flow, avoid bottlenecks and idling within various processes and collect goods for onward transport. It can be integrated fully automatically into the flow of goods, but can also be operated manually.

The buffer section in the material flow

If a buffer section is installed in the material flow and, for example, more goods are added to the material flow at goods receipt than can be removed at the end of the section, the goods are fed into the buffer in the meantime. This prevents congestion and thus blockage of the incoming goods area.

In warehouses with a fixed bin principle, the need for a buffer section is more frequent than in warehouses with an open bin principle, as the goods do not have to be moved to a specific bin first when they are put away.

Buffer lines are also used at goods issue to hold goods ready for dispatch until they are transported away.

The buffer section in the picking zone

When picking in large distribution centers, there are often very long buffer sections on which active picking containers are temporarily stored. In the case of multi-stage picking, this buffer is also known as a batch buffer.Batchesare formed in the containers, which can contain parts for one or more orders. Goods from different areas can thus be collected directly in the trays. This means that only short distances are required within a picking area. Only when all the goods for a batch have been collected from the different areas are they forwarded.

The buffer section at the packing stations:

Buffer sections can also be located at packing stations after the picking zone. This prevents idling or congestion at the packing stations. If goods arrive faster than they can be packed, they are temporarily stored in the buffer. If goods are packed faster than replenishment arrives, the buffer is used.

Further information can also be found in the article Buffer storage.

Teaser image: © TUP