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Relocation and storage assignment strategy evaluation in a multiple-deep tier captive automated vehicle storage and retrieval system with undetermined retrieval sequence

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Abstract

This paper studies multiple-deep automated vehicle storage and retrieval systems (AVS/RSs) known for their high throughput performance and flexibility. Compared to a single-deep system, multiple-deep AVS/RS has a better space area utilisation. However, a relocation cycle occurs, reducing the throughput performance whenever another stock keeping unit (SKU) blocks a retrieving SKU. The SKU retrieval sequence is undetermined, meaning that the arrangement is unknown, and all SKUs have an equal probability of retrieval. In addition to the shuttle carrier, a satellite vehicle is attached to the shuttle carrier and is used to access storage locations in multiple depths. A discrete event simulation of multiple-deep AVS/RS with a tier captive shuttle carrier was developed. We focused on the dual-command cycle time assessment of nine different storage and relocation assignment strategy combinations in the simulation model. The results of a simulation study for (i) random, (ii) depth-first and (iii) nearest neighbour storage and relocation assignment strategy combinations are examined and benchmarked for five different AVS/RS case study configurations with the same number of storage locations. The results display that the fivefold- and sixfold-deep AVS/RSs outperform systems with fewer depths by utilising depth-first storage and nearest neighbour relocation assignment strategies.

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Data availability

Not applicable.

Code availability

The simulation (MATLAB and Simulink) code of AVS/RS is available at https://github.com/m4r0lt/AVS-RS.

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Acknowledgements

This research work was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) in the framework of the (i) Applied research project entitled: “Warehousing 4.0 - Integration model of robotics and warehouse order picking systems”; grant number; L5-2626 and (ii) Bilateral research project between Slovenia and Norway entitled “Smart Intralogistics Systems: Integrating Vertical Lift Modules and Shuttle-based Storage and Retrieval Systems”; grant number: BI-NO/20-22-012.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Logistics, University of Maribor, Mariborska c. 7, 3000, Celje, Slovenia

    Jakob Marolt

  2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Kraljice Marije 16, Belgrade, Serbia

    Nenad Kosanić

  3. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova 17, 2000, Maribor, Slovenia

    Tone Lerher

Authors
  1. Jakob Marolt
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  2. Nenad Kosanić
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  3. Tone Lerher
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Contributions

We are the first that directly compared the performance impact of nine (9) storage and relocation assignment strategy combinations in a multiple-deep AVS/RS. Our research includes a depth-first (storage and relocation) strategy that has not been used in any paper considering automated storage systems. The paper also shows that multiple-deep (fivefold- and sixfold-deep) AVS/RS can outperform AVS/RS with fewer depths by applying the ‘depth-first’ storage and ‘nearest neighbour’ relocation strategy.

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Correspondence to Jakob Marolt.

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Appendix

Appendix

Table 6 Numerical DC cycle time simulation results for nine (9) different storage and relocation assignment strategies
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Marolt, J., Kosanić, N. & Lerher, T. Relocation and storage assignment strategy evaluation in a multiple-deep tier captive automated vehicle storage and retrieval system with undetermined retrieval sequence. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 118, 3403–3420 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-08169-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-08169-x

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