A-Frame

An A-Frame is an automated dispensing system designed to handle very high volumes of small, fast-moving items with exceptional speed and accuracy.

Items are stored in vertical lanes and automatically dispensed into cartons, totes, or order containers below. A-Frames are commonly used in retail distribution, e-commerce, and pharmaceutical fulfillment where order volumes are high and speed is critical.

An A-Frame consists of vertical dispensing lanes arranged in an “A” shape, each lane dedicated to a specific SKU.

When an order is released, the system automatically dispenses the required quantity of items from each lane into a carton or tote traveling on a conveyor below. Orders can be built, sequenced, and consolidated automatically before moving to packing or shipping.

System configuration—including number of lanes, dispense rate, carton flow, and integration with upstream storage—is designed based on SKU profile, order patterns, and throughput requirements.

This setup enables ultra-fast, accurate, and scalable small-item fulfillment.

System Structure

A-Frame systems typically include:

• Dispensing lanes – dedicated channels for individual SKUs
• Dispensing mechanisms – releasing items accurately at high speed
• Conveyor system – transporting cartons or totes through the frame
• Order control software – managing dispense logic and order sequencing

Optional features and enhancements include:

• Multi-frame configurations for higher SKU counts
• Integration with upstream storage systems (VLM, VBM, carton shuttle)
• Automatic carton erection and closing
• Weight checks and quality control stations
• Integration with WMS, WCS, or order management systems