Application Overview

Towline Systems Improve Large & Heavy Items

Distribution Center Material Flow Efficiencies
Towlines are an efficient and
cost effective way to transport
and convey large and heavy
inventory between zones, areas,
and processes in todays retail,
wholesale, and manufacturers
distribution centers. Towlines
improve material flow and
provide benefits such as higher
worker throughput, improved
ergonomics, and reduced labor
requirements.

SI Systems Lo-Tow towline

system uses a low profile track
recessed into the floor. Carts
are pulled along the track by a
powered chain. Lo-Tow towline
installations include components
that allow carts to automatically
transfer between loops and
divert to spurs for process
operations.
A typical warehouse towline
installation comprises three
primary Lo-Tow towline loops:
1. To receive incoming product
2. Storage and order picking
3. Buffering and shipping
Each of these primary loops
are connected by loop-to-loop
transfers that convey inventory
to the appropriate operation
and return empty carts. Spurs
are strategically located on
each primary loop to provide a
stopping points where operators
perform functions such as
putting away incoming product, picking customer specific orders to the
carts, and delivering those orders to shipping. SI Systems VWare
inventory management and control software provides intelligent control
of the entire Lo-Tow towline system from receiving through shipping as
well as empty cart management.
In order to track the carts and associated orders, each cart is equipped
with a sequential RFID license plate. Divert points at the entry end
of transfers and spurs are equipped with RFID readers. The software
controller maintains an inventory of active and empty carts throughout
the system. The VWare software knows the location and status of each
cart, the SKU and order details in the system at all times. SI Systems
101 Larry Holmes Drive
Suite 500
Towline Distribution Center Process
Easton, PA 18042
To initiate the order fulfillment process, an operator on the warehouse
(800) 523-9464
loop calls for an empty cart to begin the order picking process. The
www.sihs.com
operator marries a specific customer order to the cart ID. The software info@sihs.com
control system provides a pick list of items required for that order to be
built on that cart. Connect with us!

The operator picks all of the product local to
that spur, loads it onto the cart, and releases
the cart to the Warehouse Loop.
This sequence is repeated at the remaining
warehouse spurs until the order is complete.
The system supports simultaneous order
picking. Completed orders are directed by
the controller to divert to the Warehouse-
to-Shipping Transfer, thereby delivering the
completed cart to the Shipping Loop.
Once in the Shipping Loop, the controller
assigns a spur to the order where it is
unloaded and prepared for shipping.
The now empty cart merges back into
the Shipping Loop.
Based on empty cart inventory on the
Warehouse and Receiving loops, the controller
will assign the empty cart to the loop where it
is most needed.
If the cart is assigned to the Warehouse Loop,
the order picking cycle repeats. If directed to
the Receiving Loop, the cart is diverted to a
SI Systems 101 Larry Holmes Drive, Suite 500 Easton, PA 18042 www.sihs.com (800) 523-9464 info@sihs.com
Reduces Capital Acquisition Costs -
Efficient system management reduces the
number of carts required, eliminating traffic
jams and other bottlenecks.
Eliminates Labor - Carts are always
delivered precisely where they are needed
to complete orders, thereby eliminating
dwell and dead heading time.
Eliminates Fork Lifts - because inventory
is conveyed via towline on carts, a large
number of fork lifts, their associated
costs, traffic, labor, repairs and training
is eliminated.
Lo-Tow Towline Features
Up to 80,000 lbs per cart.
Carts can be designed for a myriad of uses
and ergonomic functions.
Instantly disengage carts from the towline
receiving spur where new product is loaded and moved by operators as needed.
onto it and married to the carts ID. The cart
Lo-Tow towline conveyor can be
then proceeds to the assigned warehouse
used 24/7 for decades.
spur or spurs where it is unloaded and the
product introduced into the warehouse System requires simple and minimum
inventory. After unloading, the cart is released maintenance.
to the Warehouse Loop where the controller
again directs it to where it is most needed.
The controller reduces repeated recirculation
of carts by analyzing and mapping the
most efficient order fulfillment route before
assigning the cart.
One System, Multiple Benefits
A warehouse towline system offers a range
of benefits that reduce the costs of order
fulfillment, improves system throughput, and
increase operator productivity.
Reducing Operating Costs - orders are
intelligently processed by efficient
routing and smart cart management,
Improved Throughput - empty cart
management allows carts to react quickly
to process demands on any loop.