Pick-to-Light Flow Racks

Pick-to-light flow racks combine gravity-fed bin and carton lanes with integrated PTL bar mounting hardware — delivering directed picking with lane-level LED confirmation in high-mix, error-sensitive assembly and kitting environments. T-slot frames accept standard PTL bar systems from all major vendors without drilling or secondary mounting structures.

Key Features

PTL Bar Mount Integration

T-slot channels accept standard PTL bar mounting brackets from SSI Schäfer, Honeywell, and other major PTL vendors — no drilling or secondary rails required.

Lane-Level LED Indicators

Each lane has an individual LED indicator light-up on the active pick — illuminated lane draws the operator's eye to the correct pick position without reading labels.

Quantity Confirm Display

PTL displays above each lane show the pick quantity for the current kit or assembly sequence — operator confirms pick quantity before extinguishing the light.

Pick Confirmation Hardware

Touch-confirm buttons on each lane bracket acknowledge the pick — system records pick completion without barcode scanning.

WMS and WCS Integration

PTL bar data connects to WMS, WCS, and production control systems via standard Ethernet — pick sequences driven by production orders in real time.

Gravity-Fed FIFO Supply

Inclined bin and carton lanes maintain continuous FIFO component supply to the PTL pick face — components always available at the illuminated lane.

Specifications

PTL Compatibility SSI Schäfer, Honeywell, Knapp, others
Lane Width Range 75 mm – 600 mm adjustable
Lane Depth 300 mm – 1800 mm
Number of Tiers 2 – 5
Track Type Plastic wheel or roller
Lane Pitch 3° – 8°
PTL Mount Type T-slot bracket, all vendors
Frame Material 6063-T5 aluminum extrusion
Max Component Weight 30 kg per lane
Communication Ethernet, standard bus protocols
Power Supply 24V DC standard PTL bus
Frame Finish Clear anodized or powder coat

Applications & Use Cases

High-Mix Kitting Operations

PTL-directed kitting for high-mix BOMs — operators follow light sequence to build accurate kits at high throughput without memorising part locations.

Zero-Defect Assembly Lines

PTL confirmation at every assembly pick — no component can be missed or doubled without triggering a pick error alert before the next unit starts.

Distribution Center Each-Pick

PTL-directed each-pick in distribution centers — pick accuracy above 99.99% for B2C and B2B order fulfilment without barcode scanning.

Electronics Assembly Verification

PTL confirmation for PCB assembly component picks — every lane pick confirmed before kit complete signal enables tray advance.

Pharmaceutical Kitting Compliance

PTL-directed pharmaceutical kit assembly with pick confirmation records — full electronic audit trail for GMP compliance without paper travellers.

Automotive Variant Kitting

PTL directs kitters to correct components for each vehicle variant in a mixed model sequence — zero variant confusion without part number reading.

Medical Device Assembly Audit

PTL pick records provide full electronic assembly audit trail for medical device regulatory submissions — each pick recorded with timestamp and operator ID.

Returns and Repair Kitting

PTL-directed repair kit assembly for RMA operations — correct parts for each repair type directed by PTL from the repair work order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which PTL vendors are compatible with the T-slot rack frame?

Modular Solutions rack frames are designed with T-slot channels that accept mounting brackets from all major PTL vendors including SSI Schäfer, Honeywell Intelligrated, Knapp, Vanderlande, and others. Vendor-specific bracket designs are provided by Modular Solutions for each PTL system. Custom brackets for other vendors are available on request.

Does Modular Solutions supply the PTL hardware or only the rack frame?

Modular Solutions supplies the rack frame with PTL mounting hardware. PTL controllers, displays, and confirmation buttons are supplied by the PTL vendor or the customer's system integrator. Modular Solutions coordinates with the integrator to ensure bracket positioning and cable routing are engineered into the rack design.

How is the PTL bar cabled in the rack frame?

Cable management extrusions route PTL bus cables along the T-slot frame uprights and horizontal beams — cables protected inside the extrusion channel, not exposed externally. Power entry and Ethernet connection points are positioned at the top rear of the frame for clean cable routing to overhead cable trays.

Can PTL be added to an existing gravity flow rack?

Yes. PTL mounting brackets and cable management extrusions are available as retrofit kits for existing T-slot flow racks. The retrofit does not require frame disassembly — brackets slide into existing T-slot channels. Cable routing channels add to the existing uprights with standard T-slot hardware.

What pick accuracy rates are achievable with PTL flow racks?

PTL-directed picking with confirmation achieves pick accuracy rates of 99.95–99.99% in standard kitting and distribution operations. The primary error reduction comes from directing the operator to the exact lane (eliminating location errors) and requiring quantity confirmation before the light extinguishes (eliminating quantity errors).

Can the PTL system handle multiple operators picking from the same rack simultaneously?

Yes. Multi-operator PTL configurations assign pick zones to operators — each operator has a dedicated zone on the rack face with independent PTL light sequences. Zone boundaries are defined in the PTL controller and can be dynamically reassigned based on staffing levels and throughput targets.

Ready to Get Started?

Request a quote or contact our engineering team to discuss your pick-to-light flow racks requirements.

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