Travel time models for a three-dimensional compact AS/RS considering different I/O point policies

Abstract

This paper studies a three-dimensional automated storage and retrieval system that uses conveyors for depth transportation and a crane for both horizontal and vertical transportation. While previous studies put input and output points together at the system bottom, we consider separating and elevating them by proposing four I/O point policies: input and output points at two sides, input and output points elevated at one side, input and output points elevated at two sides, input and output points elevated at a midpoint. We build travel time models to analyse these policies and use simulation for validation. We theoretically find the optimal system structure and compare these I/O point policies, in terms of expected S/R machine travel time. The results show that the square-in-time structure is optimal in most cases and the mid-point elevation I/O point policy performs the best in terms of expected travel time. Moreover, we compare our I/O point policies with the lower mid-point policy. The results show that the mid-point elevation I/O point policy outperforms the I/O point at the lower mid-point by about $6.07\mathrm{\%}$ in terms of expected travel time, while other I/O point policies are dominated by the I/O point at the lower mid-point.

Keywords:

• Warehousing
• 3D AS/RS
• I/O point policy
• travel time model
• performance analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 71620107002, 71821001, 71801225, 71131004, 71531009], Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 2018CFB160], National Social Science Foundation [grant number 16ZDA013].