A study on the control of an automatic picking system (APS) in a warehouse
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore methods of defining ejecting zones (EZs) used in automatic picking systems (APSs), particularly in A-frame APSs. An A-frame APS automatically ejects products onto a conveyor, which then brings the products to their destination. EZs are moving zones on a conveyor, and each EZ corresponds to one picking order. Products are ejected as a zone passes channels in which the products are stored.
Design/methodology/approach
First, three EZ types are defined, and their operations are explained. Second, picking orders are analyzed and categorized by considering the structure and the picking mechanism of an A-frame APS. In addition, picking-order instances reflecting actual data are randomly generated according to each category. Finally, the performance of the EZs is evaluated using the picking-order instances and computer simulations.
Findings
The results from the computer simulations suggest the EZ types suitable for use with various picking order types considering order fulfilment speed and energy usage.
Research limitations/implications
In this paper, the authors only adopt a triangular distribution which is considered most practical distribution in the industry.
Practical implications
It is believed that these results can provide managers and operators with useful guides to facilitate the effective operation of an A-frame APS. The provided ideas have been implemented at the pharmaceutical warehouse of the largest logistics company in Korea.
Social implications
The result shows that the proposed idea could save energy consumption and the APS have potential to save labor involvement in picking.
Originality/value
It is essential to define the EZs when operating an A-frame APS efficiently, but there is almost no research in this area. This paper focuses on defining EZs, as well as methods to utilize these zones.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions that improve the manuscript. The authors also would like to thank to Mr Andrew Calhoun of Korea Aerospace University for valuable comments. This work was supported by the Project for Lightweight Material Handling Machine Development for the Improvement of Logistics Efficiency from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Republic of Korea [grant number 13PTSI-C065358-01-000000].
Citation
Kim, W.R., Kim, N. and Chang, Y.S. (2016), "A study on the control of an automatic picking system (APS) in a warehouse", Assembly Automation, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 388-397. https://doi.org/10.1108/AA-02-2016-018
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited