Batteries for Pick to Light Applications

Pick-to-light systems are systems that help improve the efficiency, productivity, and accuracy of warehouse picking operations for order fulfillment while reducing labor costs. With this system, each storage location or container has a corresponding LED alphanumeric display that shows the number of items that need to be picked and stored in the container. The operator activates the LED display by scanning the barcode for the corresponding storage container and after the items have been placed in the container, the operator confirms this by pressing the button on the LED display.

Pick-to-light systems are paperless and cost-effective and help improve efficiency and accuracy for order fulfillment. For these systems to work, the pick-to-light LED displays must be powered by a dependable battery.

Nichicon provides lithium titanium-oxide (LTO) batteries that are ideal batteries for pick-to-light applications. These batteries provide long-lasting, continuous power for the LED display devices in pick-to-light systems. The rapid charge/ discharge and energy harvesting abilities of our LTO batteries ensure a long lifespan while rarely needing to be replaced.

What is a Pick-to-Light Battery?

Pick-to-light systems are digital, paperless systems that help streamline picking operations for order fulfillment in warehouses, storerooms, and other storage facilities. The alphanumeric LED displays show a number for the corresponding storage container and tell the operator how many of which specific items need to be added to fulfill the order. Some systems allow operators to access more detailed data and special instructions from digital readouts. These systems eliminate inaccuracies and improve the speed and efficiency of the order fulfillment process.

For pick-to-light systems to operate effectively, the LED alphanumeric displays need dependable batteries that can provide long-lasting power. Batteries for pick-to-light applications need to have a long lifespan to keep these systems operational for more efficient order fulfillment and rapid charge/ discharge abilities for uninterrupted power.

Nichicon has batteries for pick-to-light applications that can be used for LED alphanumeric display devices. Our LTO batteries have a long lifespan, and the rapid charge/ discharge cycle helps provide continuous power to the LED displays. These batteries also have energy harvesting qualities which means they rarely need to be replaced.

What Makes Nichicon Batteries Great for Pick-to-Light Applications?

Pick-to-light systems require dependable, long-lasting batteries that keep the LED displays functioning to ensure efficient and accurate picking for order fulfillment. Our LTO batteries offer long-lasting power, and their compact size allows them to be used in LED display devices. These batteries are also low maintenance with energy harvesting qualities and do not need to be replaced often.

The following characteristics make Nichicon’s LTO batteries great for pick-to-light applications:

Rapid charging: The charge/ discharge time of our LTO batteries is about 3 minutes which allows them to provide continuous power.
Micro-size: Our LTO batteries have a diameter of 3 millimeters and can be used in applications that require micro-sized batteries such as LED displays for pick-to-light applications.
Long life: With a lifespan of more than 25,000 charge/ discharge cycles, our LTO batteries can provide long-lasting, uninterrupted power.
Maintenance free: Our maintenance free batteries rarely require replacement.
Sustainable: Our LTO batteries are sustainable and RoHS compliant, meeting all environmental standards for operation and disposal.
High power density: The high-power density of our LTO batteries ensures long-lasting, high output.
High safety: Our LTO batteries meet a high safety standard with little to no risk of ignition or explosion, including in hot or cold temperatures. This makes them suitable for use in any warehouse environment for pick-to-light systems.
Low temperature: Our LTO batteries operate efficiently in cold temperatures as low as -30°C.
High power discharge: Our LTO batteries discharge in only 3 minutes compared to an hour for standard lithium-ion batteries which makes them ideal to accommodate the power needs of pick-to-light system devices.
UL 1642, IEC 62133-2 certified
ISO 9001, IATF 16949 & ISO 14001 certified

What is a Lithium Titanate Battery (LTO)?

The lithium titanate battery (LTO) shares many characteristics with the lithium-ion battery. One difference is the LTO anode. An LTO battery uses lithium titanate oxide, while a lithium-ion battery uses carbon. By using lithium titanate, the battery has a significant performance improvement.

How is placing the Nichicon SLB (LTO battery) on a PCB different than a Lithium Titanate or other battery?

The SLB is a battery with long leads, just like a standard capacitor. The leaded profile allows for soldering directly to the circuit board using hand soldering or a select solder technique. Lithium Titanate batteries require an additional mounting bracket or holder placed on a circuit board. The Nichicon SLB (LTO) take less board space allowing them to be used in very compact or densely populated circuit boards.

What is the difference between the Nichicon (SLB) LTO and Lithium-Ion Batteries?

LTO batteries are safer; they have an extremely small risk of ignition if there is a short. The SLB, Nichicon’s LTO battery, has superior charge and discharge capabilities, such as a 20C charge rate. Even higher rates are possible with pulsed discharges, like those used in telecommunications.

What are the advantages of the Nichicon SLB series (LTO battery)?

‘The SLB can withstand up to 25,000 charge/discharge cycles and have a lower cold temperature rating than a lithium-ion battery. And its low internal resistance allows energy harvesters to charge with weak currents without loss. They will not ignite if a short occurs. In addition to the advantages previously mentioned, the SLB comes in aluminum electrolytic case styles and size.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and supercapacitors/electric double-layered capacitors?

LTO batteries provide a substantial increase in capacity and demonstrate minimal self-discharge, distinguishing them from electric double-layer capacitors and enabling prolonged discharge. Remarkably, smaller rechargeable LTO batteries offer an impressive 20-30-fold increase in energy density compared to equivalently sized electric double-layer capacitors. Leveraging this significant advantage, our LTO batteries present a viable alternative to electric double-layer capacitors, delivering consistent power output over extended periods.

What is the difference between LTO batteries and lithium-ion batteries?

Our LTO batteries stand out in terms of their rapid charging, discharging, and extended lifespan, surpassing the capabilities of typical lithium-ion batteries while ensuring enhanced safety. Conventional lithium-ion rechargeable batteries face difficulties in achieving high power discharge, but our LTO batteries effortlessly handle this challenge with exceptional charge/discharge performance and remarkably fast charging times. The ability of LTO batteries to charge rapidly makes them ideal for devices that require quick charging intervals or scenarios. Unlike lithium-ion batteries LTO batteries can also be charged with weaker or low charging currents.

How Often Do Pick-to Light Batteries Need Maintenance?

Ideally, devices in a pick-to-light system should be using batteries that do not require maintenance. Our LTO batteries are virtually maintenance free to ensure uninterrupted operation.

How Often Do Pick-to-Light Batteries Need Replacement?

Pick-to-light systems benefit from batteries that rarely need to be replaced to avoid interruptions to the operation of the system. Our LTO batteries have a long lifespan of over 25,000 charge/ discharge cycles and when combined with a energy harvesting device or RF wireless charging, they do not need to be replaced.