A Novel Parts-to-Picker System with Buffer Racks and Access Racks in Flexible Warehousing Systems

Miao He, Zailin Guan (), Guoxiang Hou () and Xiaofen Wang
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Miao He: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
Zailin Guan: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
Guoxiang Hou: School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
Xiaofen Wang: Wenhua College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: With the tremendous development of the logistics industry, the global market of automated warehousing has been growing rapidly. Meanwhile, the warehousing industry shows drawbacks, such as low storage capacity and poor efficiency. By comparing and analyzing the shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS), miniload automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS), and KIVA system, a novel efficient parts-to-picker approach in flexible warehousing systems is proposed. Among them, buffer racks and access racks, associated with the access of automated mobile robots (AMRs) and stackers are used. The results show that compared with other parts-to-picker systems (such as the KIVA system), this system provides a significant increase in storage capacity (more than three times), and the picking efficiency is also very high at various layout scales, where the picking efficiency is no less than the KIVA system when the number of AMRs reaches the max. The novel system is suitable for small-, medium-, and large-scale warehouses in terms of showing high capacity and producing excellent space utilization. More importantly, this system can easily compete with its traditional counterparts by using a layout of high density without much increase in cost. This sustainable improvement realizes the efficient utilization of spatial resources and provides important support for the construction of green supply chains.

Keywords: automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs); buffer rack; access rack; parts-to-picker; automated mobile robots (AMRs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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