What principle do Horizontal Carousel Modules (HCM) and Vertical Carousel Modules (VCM) operate on?

goods-to-person principle

Both Horizontal Carousel Modules (HCM) and Vertical Carousel Modules (VCM) utilize the goods-to-person fulfillment principle, which contrasts sharply with traditional person-to-goods retrieval methods where an operator travels to the storage location. In carousel systems, the mechanism rotates a large, shelving-like unit, bringing the required shelf or bin containing the desired item directly to a fixed workstation where the operator stands. The VCM maximizes vertical space in a small footprint by rotating shelves vertically, whereas the HCM utilizes a horizontal oval track. This method inherently reduces travel time for the human operator, shifting the physical burden of movement onto the automated system, thereby increasing picking efficiency for smaller or medium-sized items like cartons or totes.