The Storage Replenishment Problem In Rectangular Warehouses,
2016
Middle East Technical University
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 …
Performance Comparison Of Automated Warehouses Using Simulation,
2016
Oklahoma State University
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 …
Job Sequencing In A Miniload System,
2016
Operations Research Center
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. …
Dual-Tray Vertical Lift Modules For Fast Order Picking,
2016
University of Padova
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 …
Throughput Rate Of A Two-Worker Stochastic Bucket Brigade,
2016
Tel-Aviv University
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 …
A Performance Measurement Framework And Solution Approach For The Integrated Facility Layout Problem With Uncertain Demand,
2016
Middle East Technical University
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 …
Transport Items And Physical Internet Handling Boxes: A Comparison Framework Across Supply Chains,
2016
PSL Research University
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. …
Energy And Cycle Time Efficient Warehouse Design For Autonomous Vehicle-Based Storage And Retrieval System,
2016
Izmir University of Economics,
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 …
Determination Of Cycle Times For Double Deep Storage Systems Using A Dual Capacity Handling Device,
2016
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
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 …
A Simulation Model To Evaluate The Layout For Block Stacking Warehouses,
2016
Auburn University
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 …
A Novel Approach To Analyze Inventory Allocation Decisions In Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems,
2016
Erasmus University
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, …
Simulation-Based Energy And Cycle Time Analysis Of Shuttle-Based Storage And Retrieval System,
2016
University of Maribor, Faculty of Logistics
Simulation-Based Energy And Cycle Time Analysis Of Shuttle-Based Storage And Retrieval System, Tone Lerher, Banu Yetkin Ekren, Anil Akpunar
14th IMHRC Proceedings (Karlsruhe, Germany – 2016)
This study explores the best warehouse design for shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (SBS/RS) minimizing average energy consumption per transaction and average cycle time per transaction, simultaneously. For that we provided average energy consumption per transaction versus average cycle time per transaction graphs, for different design scenarios of the studied SBS/RS warehouse. In the design concept, we considered, rack design in terms of number of bays, number of tiers, number of aisles, as well as velocity profiles of lifts in the system. We completed 144 number of experiments by simulation to see the trade-offs based on the design scenarios and …
Non-Traditional Aisle Design For A Manufacturing Facility Layout,
2016
Ohio University - Main Campus
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.
Operational-Level Optimization Of Inbound Intralogistics,
2016
University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
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 …
Understanding Worker Blocking And The Design Process,
2016
Fortna Inc.
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 …
Introducing The Concept Of Hyperconnected Mobile Production,
2016
Université du Québec à Montréal
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 High-Density, Puzzle-Based System For Rail-Rail Container Transfers,
2016
University of Louisville
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.
Logistics Models To Support Order-Fulfillment From The Sea,
2016
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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.
Omnichannel Business-‐To-‐Consumer Logistics And Supply Chains: Towards Hyperconnected Networks And Facilities,
2016
Georgia Institute of Technology
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 …
Maritime Location Decisions For Lng Bunkering Facilities,
2016
University of Groningen
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 …
