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Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
Job Sequencing In A Miniload System, Lennart Baardman, Kees Jan Roodbergen
Job Sequencing In A Miniload System, Lennart Baardman, Kees Jan Roodbergen
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
More and more warehouses shift towards the use of automated systems. One such system is a miniload system. In this system, a crane retrieves bins from their storage locations and brings the bins to the picking station, where a worker takes the requested products from the retrieved bins. After a product has been picked, the bin is put back by the crane in its original location. A buffer is present at the picking station to absorb fluctuations in speed between the picker and the crane. The problem of scheduling jobs in this system has received little attention in the literature. …
Throughput Rate Of A Two-Worker Stochastic Bucket Brigade, Yossi Bukchin, Eran Hanany, Eugene Khmelnitsky
Throughput Rate Of A Two-Worker Stochastic Bucket Brigade, Yossi Bukchin, Eran Hanany, Eugene Khmelnitsky
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Work-sharing in production systems is a modern approach that improves throughput rate. Work is shifted between cross-trained workers in order to better balance the material now in the system. When a serial system is concerned, a common work-sharing approach is the Bucket-Brigade (BB), by which downstream workers sequentially take over items from adjacent upstream work- ers. When the workers are located from slowest-to-fastest and their speeds are deterministic, it is known that the line does not suffer from blockage or starvation, and achieves the maximal theoretical throughput rate (TR). Very little is known in the literature on stochastic self-balancing systems …
Transport Items And Physical Internet Handling Boxes: A Comparison Framework Across Supply Chains, Eric Ballot, Benoit Montreuil
Transport Items And Physical Internet Handling Boxes: A Comparison Framework Across Supply Chains, Eric Ballot, Benoit Montreuil
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Pallets, cardboard boxes, and plastic crates are widely used tools to operate supply chains. As such they have many impacts on handling effort, shipment protection, transport mean utilization as well as repositioning and recycling efforts and they represent billions of assets spread all over the world. The historical and local origins of the designs and the sharing among many stakeholders do not ensure at all any kind of global optimization. The purpose of this paper is to define and explain a research effort to better measure and evaluate the efficiencies and inefficiencies for supply chain stakeholders for themselves and globally. …
Continuous Approximation Of Multi Cycle Time For Multi Aisles Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems., Yassine Boudghene Stambouli, Latefa Ghomri
Continuous Approximation Of Multi Cycle Time For Multi Aisles Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems., Yassine Boudghene Stambouli, Latefa Ghomri
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Knowing that, in an automated storage and retrieval system, the travel time of the storage/retrieval machine is an important parameter which affects the whole system performances, several works were dedicated to its evaluation and its modeling, in single, dual and multi command. These models were proposed for different configurations of AS/RS; such as unit load, multi-aisles and Mobile Racks. These models are based mainly on a discrete approach and the analytical expressions represent the system functioning exactly. In this paper we present a general approach for analytical modeling of multi command cycle time by giving particularly the modeling of the …
Performance Comparison Of Automated Warehouses Using Simulation, Nand Kishore Agrawal, Sunderesh S. Heragu, Chinnatat Methapatra
Performance Comparison Of Automated Warehouses Using Simulation, Nand Kishore Agrawal, Sunderesh S. Heragu, Chinnatat Methapatra
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of two types of warehouses, both of which use autonomous vehicles (AVs). One warehouse uses movable racks (MR) for storing mini-loads, whereas the other uses fixed racks (FR). In general, warehouse automation not only increases the speed of the fulfillment process but also makes the picking process more accurate. We simulate three scenarios for the MR and FR systems using Simio. Four performance measures are considered for the comparison – the average order processing time (WR), the average utilization of AVs (U), the average order processing queue length (Nq) and …
Dual-Tray Vertical Lift Modules For Fast Order Picking, Daria Battini, Martina Calzavara, Alessandro Persona, Fabio Sgarbossa
Dual-Tray Vertical Lift Modules For Fast Order Picking, Daria Battini, Martina Calzavara, Alessandro Persona, Fabio Sgarbossa
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
In the last years, new solutions for order picking systems have been developed both from industry and academics, especially for small items. They include innovative flexible automatic parts-to-picker systems and optimized picker-to-parts ones. One of these solutions consists in the use of Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs), a storage column in which small items are stored in extractable trays. In this paper, we study a new system composed by dual-tray VLMs where the operators perform picking and sorting activities. We propose several actions in order to improve the productivity of the entire system: 1) class based storage assignment of items inside …
A High-Density, Puzzle-Based System For Rail-Rail Container Transfers, Kevin Gue
A High-Density, Puzzle-Based System For Rail-Rail Container Transfers, Kevin Gue
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
We describe a high-density, puzzle-based storage and transfer system for containers in a rail-to-rail hub for the Physical Internet. The system uses a new algorithm called GridHub, which is able to transfer items in all four cardinal directions simultaneously within a grid. We show how the GridHub system might be used in a rail-rail transfer hub to transfer containers between one side of the grid and a train.
Energy And Cycle Time Efficient Warehouse Design For Autonomous Vehicle-Based Storage And Retrieval System, Banu Yetkin Ekren, Tone Lerher
Energy And Cycle Time Efficient Warehouse Design For Autonomous Vehicle-Based Storage And Retrieval System, Banu Yetkin Ekren, Tone Lerher
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
This study explores the best warehouse design for an autonomous vehicle based storage and retrieval system (AVS/RS) minimizing average energy consumption per transaction and average cycle time per transaction, simultaneously. In the design concept, we consider, rack design in terms of number of bays, number of tiers, number of aisles; number of resources, namely number of autonomous vehicles and lifts and; velocity profiles of lifts and autonomous vehicles in the AVS/RS. We completed 1,296 number of experiments in simulation to obtain Pareto solutions representing the “average energy consumption per transaction” and “average cycle time per transaction” trade-offs based on designs …
Introducing The Concept Of Hyperconnected Mobile Production, Suzanne Marcotte, Benoit Montreuil
Introducing The Concept Of Hyperconnected Mobile Production, Suzanne Marcotte, Benoit Montreuil
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Many globalized businesses are trying to cope with growing competition by strategically expanding their dedicated network of production facilities so as to be able to offer and to deliver time and price competitive offers to their clients across the world. In this paper, exploiting Physical Internet principles, we introduce the concept of hyperconnected mobile production that can alternatively enable businesses to dynamically expand and contract as necessary their production capacity in regions worldwide. First, hyperconnected mobile production exploits open fabs from multiple parties readily available in those regions. Second, these fabs are to rely on plug-and-play production modules. These modules …
A Novel Approach To Analyze Inventory Allocation Decisions In Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems, Tim Lamballais, Debjit Roy, M.B.M De Koster
A Novel Approach To Analyze Inventory Allocation Decisions In Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems, Tim Lamballais, Debjit Roy, M.B.M De Koster
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
The Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System is a newly developed automated, parts-to-picker material handling system. Storage shelves, also known as inventory pods, are moved by robots between the storage area and the workstations, which means that they can be continually repositioned during operations. This paper develops a queueing model for optimizing three key decision variables: (1) the number of pods per product (2) the ratio of the number of pick to the number of replenishment stations, and (3) the replenishment level per pod. We show that too few or too many pods per product leads to unnecessarily long order throughput times, …
A Scalable Algorithm For Locating Distribution Centers On Real Road Networks, Saeed Ghanbartehrani, Jose D. Porter
A Scalable Algorithm For Locating Distribution Centers On Real Road Networks, Saeed Ghanbartehrani, Jose D. Porter
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
The median problem is a type of network location problem that aims at finding a node with the total minimum demand weighted distance to a set of demand nodes in a weighted graph. In this research, an algorithm for solving the median problem on real road networks is proposed. The proposed algorithm, referred to as the multi-threaded Dijkstra’s (MTD) algorithm, is then used to optimally locate Wal-Mart distribution centers on the 28-million node road network of the United States with the objective of minimizing the total demand weighted transportation cost. The resulting optimal location configuration of Wal-Mart distribution centers improves …
A Simulation Model To Evaluate The Layout For Block Stacking Warehouses, Shahab Derhami, Jeffrey S. Smith, Kevin R. Gue
A Simulation Model To Evaluate The Layout For Block Stacking Warehouses, Shahab Derhami, Jeffrey S. Smith, Kevin R. Gue
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Storing pallets of Stock Keeping Units (SKU's) on top of another in lanes on a warehouse floor is known as block stacking. This storage system is widely used in manufactoring systems and distribution centers. The arrangement of lanes in the layout of this system significantly impacts utilization of the storage space and transportation costs. Existing research that studies the layout for this system focuses exclusively on determining the optimal lane depth with respect to space utilization and ignores transportation costs. In this study, we develop a stimulation model that computes several performance metrics to evaluate both of these objectives for …
Non-Traditional Aisle Design For A Manufacturing Facility Layout, Dale T. Masel, Dean Marinchek
Non-Traditional Aisle Design For A Manufacturing Facility Layout, Dale T. Masel, Dean Marinchek
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Methods for designing a facility layout typically assume that the aisles for interdepartmental travel will be parallel to the exterior walls of the facility. However, by putting aisles at an angle to the exterior walls, more direct routes between departments can be created, reducing travel distance. This paper describes a method to create a facility layout that does not have orthogonal aisles and testing of the resulting layouts shows that travel distance is reduced.
Toward An Engineering Discipline Of Warehouse Design, Leon Mcginnis, Timothy Sprock
Toward An Engineering Discipline Of Warehouse Design, Leon Mcginnis, Timothy Sprock
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Warehouses today are complex dynamic engineered systems, incorporating automation, mechanization, equipment, fixtures, computers, networks, products and people, and they can support the flow of tens or hundreds of thousands of different items to enable fulfilling thousands or tens of thousands of orders daily. In that sense, they represent a design challenge that is not terribly different from the design of other complex dynamic engineered systems, such as a modern passenger airplane, an automobile, or a unique building. What is different is that the design of these other complex dynamic engineered systems typically follows some engineering design discipline. Here, we argue …
Understanding Worker Blocking And The Design Process, Russell D. Meller, Lisa M. Thomas
Understanding Worker Blocking And The Design Process, Russell D. Meller, Lisa M. Thomas
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Designing a distribution center (DC) is a complex process that consists of answering dozens of interrelated questions. From our perspective, the penultimate question is one of which picking methodology is optimal. To answer this question requires a full evaluation of picking methodologies in terms of their ability to meet the expected throughput requirements of the system. In manual picking systems, as throughput requirements increase, worker interaction and blocking increase as well. This implies that being able to estimate the amount of worker blocking in a system is critical to a design effort. Most of the prior research in this area …
Logistics Models To Support Order-Fulfillment From The Sea, Jennifer Pazour, Ian Shin
Logistics Models To Support Order-Fulfillment From The Sea, Jennifer Pazour, Ian Shin
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Sea based logistics use maritime platforms to transfer cargo stored on vessels and delivers them ashore. This chapter describes the motivations and logistical requirements of seabasing. The sea base’s organizational structure, its material handling environment, and the internal cargo flow processes of the T-AKE vessel are described. Three seabasing distribution network scenarios -- Iron Mountain, Skin-to-Skin Replenishment, and Tailored Resupply Packages -- are described and mapped to warehousing and distribution networks, characteristics, and decision problems. Finally, related literature is reviewed and open areas for logistics research to support order fulfillment from the sea are identified.
Outsourced Storage And Fulfillment Facility To Enhance The Service Capabilities Of Shopping Mall Tenants, Zachary Montreuil, Mike Ogle
Outsourced Storage And Fulfillment Facility To Enhance The Service Capabilities Of Shopping Mall Tenants, Zachary Montreuil, Mike Ogle
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
This paper proposes development of an Inventory and Fulfillment Center (IFC) that will provide a new range of outsourced, centralized storage and services for shopping mall tenants. The paper describes the competitive issues faced by shopping mall tenants, the requirements and features of a centralized, outsourced storage and fulfillment facility, and development of an agent-based model in AnyLogic® to demonstrate the concept. The range of research and business challenges introduced by this new concept are also presented.
Omnichannel Business-‐To-‐Consumer Logistics And Supply Chains: Towards Hyperconnected Networks And Facilities, Benoit Montreuil
Omnichannel Business-‐To-‐Consumer Logistics And Supply Chains: Towards Hyperconnected Networks And Facilities, Benoit Montreuil
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
This paper deals with omnichannel business-‐to-‐consumer logistics and supply chains. Its key contribution is the conceptualization of hyperconnected network and facility design options for enabling to meet the challenges toward achieving omnichannel logistics efficiently and sustainably while meeting the timely expectations of clients. These design options exploit key Physical Internet concepts. They encompass the transportation, pickup and delivery of ordered goods, the deployment of products across territories to enable fast response to orders, as well as on-‐demand production of products across networks of facilities while engaging multiple parties. The options range from current practice to prospective ones that are associated …
Evaluating Transaction Pairing Strategies For Vehicle-Based High-Density Storage Systems, Debjit Roy, Harit Joshie
Evaluating Transaction Pairing Strategies For Vehicle-Based High-Density Storage Systems, Debjit Roy, Harit Joshie
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Vehicle-based storage and retrieval systems present an attractive choice for distribution center automation because it provides the flexibility in managing demand fluctuations without affecting transaction throughput times. In this research, we contend that while dual-command cycles can reduce the vehicle travel times for processing transactions, it may not be the best policy for reducing transaction throughput times when transactions arrive at random time instants. We develop stochastic models to test the transaction throughput time performance with multiple pairing strategies and present operational insights.
New Design Guidelines For In-Plant Milk-Run Systems, Thorsten Schmidt, Ingolf Meinhardt, Frank Schulze
New Design Guidelines For In-Plant Milk-Run Systems, Thorsten Schmidt, Ingolf Meinhardt, Frank Schulze
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Tugger trains became a popular means of supply in material handling intensive production systems. In contrast to forklift trucks they interlink a supermarket with multiple delivery locations along a transport route in a milk-run. But the efficiency gain (higher transport capacity, reduced labor costs) has its price: Compared to forklift trucks, planning and dimensioning of in-plant milk-run systems is more complicated. The paper discusses features and drawbacks of a recent standardization approach of the Association of German Engineers (VDI) and highlights the variety of technical restrictions which have to be considered when a milkrun system is designed. It shows, that …
A Heuristic Approach To Storage System Design With Simultaneous Assignment Of Goods, Tobias Staab, Willibad A. Gunthner
A Heuristic Approach To Storage System Design With Simultaneous Assignment Of Goods, Tobias Staab, Willibad A. Gunthner
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
In the paper at hand, we analyze the planning of manually operated storage systems consisting of different storage areas. When solving design problems like dimensioning or equipment selection, the assignment of goods to storage areas has to be considered. Based on a general model to describe the geometry and performance calculation of a warehouse, we present a heuristic approach to assign goods to storage areas while simultaneously determining the design of the storage areas in a way that generates the lowest running costs. Our approach aims to support planners during the rough planning stage by providing a quick overview of …
The Storage Replenishment Problem In Rectangular Warehouses, Haldun Sural, Claudia Archetti, Melih Celik
The Storage Replenishment Problem In Rectangular Warehouses, Haldun Sural, Claudia Archetti, Melih Celik
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
In warehouses, storage replenishment operations involve the transportation of items to capacitated item slots in forward storage area from reserve storage. These items are later picked from these slots as their demand arises. While order picking constitutes the majority of warehouse operating costs, replenishment operations might be as costly in warehouses where pick lists generally consist of only a few lines (e.g., order fulfillment warehouses). In this study, we consider the storage replenishment problem in a parallel-aisle warehouse, where replenishment and order picking operations are carried out in successive waves with time limits. The aim is to determine the item …
A Lagrangian Relaxation For Capacitated Single Allocation P-Hub Median Problem With Multiple Capacity Levels, Ching-Jung Ting, Kuo-Rui Lu
A Lagrangian Relaxation For Capacitated Single Allocation P-Hub Median Problem With Multiple Capacity Levels, Ching-Jung Ting, Kuo-Rui Lu
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
In this paper we consider a capacitated single allocation p-hub median problem with multiple capacity levels (CSApHMPMC) in which the decisions are to determine the location of p hubs and their capacity levels, the single allocation of non-hub nodes to hubs in the logistics network. This problem is formulated as an integer programming model with the objective of minimizing the sum of total transportation cost and fixed cost of the selected p hubs with established capacity levels. A Lagrangian relaxation (LR) approach is proposed to solve the CSApHMPMC. The Lagrangian function that we formulated decomposed the original problem into smaller …
Monte Carlo Algorithm To Study Performance Parameters Of Shuttle Systems, Wolfgang Trummer, Dirk Jodin
Monte Carlo Algorithm To Study Performance Parameters Of Shuttle Systems, Wolfgang Trummer, Dirk Jodin
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Shuttle systems provide alternative solutions in storage technology. Ma-terial flow analyses of these systems are extensive due to complex interac-tion of several shuttles and lift elements. Besides classic cycle time calcu-lation, it also requires advanced analyzing methods. At the Institute of Logistics Engineering (ITL), Graz University of Technology, an innovative, software-based approach has been developed to investigate the performance of shuttle systems. This approach is based on the Monte Carlo method. The software tool takes into account a variety of different systems and operating parameters to reflect operative behavior of shuttle systems.
Maritime Location Decisions For Lng Bunkering Facilities, Reinier C. Schneider, Iris F.A. Vis
Maritime Location Decisions For Lng Bunkering Facilities, Reinier C. Schneider, Iris F.A. Vis
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is one of the upcoming fuels to be used for more sustainable shipping activities in the maritime sector. For a widespread adoption by end-users, a refuelling network requiring capital intensive investments, needs to be in place. From a macro perspective of suppliers of LNG, it makes sense to develop the infrastructure at strategic locations that capture as many vessels and ships as possible. The goal of this research is to develop a facility location model that can contribute to the location selection of LNG facilities in a new fuelling network. The new model will fit the …
Intermodal Hubs In The Physical Internet, Nadeepa Wickramage, Bill Ferrell
Intermodal Hubs In The Physical Internet, Nadeepa Wickramage, Bill Ferrell
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Distribution of finished goods is currently an effective but inefficient process that consumes significant quantities of fossil fuel to move empty assets. This results in increased costs that are passed to the consumer and unnecessarily increased carbon emissions. The Physical Internet (PI) is focused on shared logistics that could prove to be an important element of next-generation logistics systems. The idea is to store and transport goods in anonymous standard-sized containers so that transportation and warehousing can be efficiently shared by many companies including competitors. If implemented, this idea has the potential of dramatically increasing efficiency thereby reducing fuel consumption …
Analyzing Order Throughput Times In A Milkrun Picking System, J. P. Van Der Gaast, M.B. M. De Koster, Ivo J.B.F. Adan
Analyzing Order Throughput Times In A Milkrun Picking System, J. P. Van Der Gaast, M.B. M. De Koster, Ivo J.B.F. Adan
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
E-commerce fulfillment competition evolves around cheap, speedy, and time-definite delivery. Milkrun order picking systems have proven to be very successful in providing handling speed for a large, but highly variable, number of orders. In this system, an order picker picks orders that arrive in real time during the picking process; by dynamically changing the stops on the picker’s current picking route. The advantage of milkrun picking is that it reduces order picking set-up time and worker travel time compared to conventional batch picking systems. This paper is the first in studying order throughput times of multi-line orders in a milkrun …
A Performance Measurement Framework And Solution Approach For The Integrated Facility Layout Problem With Uncertain Demand, Melih Celik, Begun Efeoglu, Haldun Sural
A Performance Measurement Framework And Solution Approach For The Integrated Facility Layout Problem With Uncertain Demand, Melih Celik, Begun Efeoglu, Haldun Sural
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
The integrated facility layout problem (IFLP) focuses on the simultaneous determination of the relative locations of multiple copies of capacitated equip- ment or machinery in a facility, as well as the material ow between these units. In this paper, we consider the IFLP in the existence of uncertain demand for the products of the facility. Motivated by the framework for next generation facility layouts by Benjaafar et al. (2002), we extend the approaches in the lit- erature for distributed facility layouts to the case of dynamic demand and the possibility of relayouts, and propose a heuristic solution approach to minimize …
Determination Of Cycle Times For Double Deep Storage Systems Using A Dual Capacity Handling Device, Katharina Dorr
Determination Of Cycle Times For Double Deep Storage Systems Using A Dual Capacity Handling Device, Katharina Dorr
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
Double deep storage is an efficient method to improve space utilization in warehouses. Contrary to intuition, it also can be efficient when considering retrieval times, since the aisles of a warehouse with double deep storage may be shorter than comparable warehouses with single deep storage. AS/RS-machines equipped with two load-handling units might further improve the situation, since two storage units (for instance pallets or cases) can be stored and retrieved, effectively allowing quadruple command cycles, bringing in total two storage units into the aisle and retrieving two storage units at the same time. In this paper, we present a method …
Operational-Level Optimization Of Inbound Intralogistics, Hector J. Carlo, Yeiram Martinez
Operational-Level Optimization Of Inbound Intralogistics, Hector J. Carlo, Yeiram Martinez
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
This study is concerned with optimizing inbound operations at distribution centers (DCs), warehouses, and cross-docks with staging areas. The objective of the problem is to minimize the makespan required to move all unit loads from the trailers to the flow racks, and from the flow racks to their respective storage locations. It is assumed that a set of inbound trailers with known composition have been assigned and sequenced to inbound dock doors. The following three inbound logistics decisions are simultaneously considered: i) unloaders’ assignment and scheduling, ii) loads-to-flow rack assignment, and iii) assignment and haulers’ scheduling. In this study we …