Efficient Order Picking Methods in Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems

Research output: Working paperWorking papers

Authors

Robotic mobile fulfillment systems (RMFSs) are a new type of warehousing system, which has received more attention recently, due to increasing growth in the e-commerce sector. Instead of sending pickers to the inventory area to search for and pick the ordered items, robots carry shelves (called "pods") including ordered items from the inventory area to picking stations. In the picking stations, human pickers put ordered items into totes; then these items are transported by a conveyor to the packing stations. This type of warehousing system relieves the human pickers and improves the picking process. In this paper, we concentrate on decisions about the assignment of pods to stations and orders to stations to fulfill picking for each incoming customer's order. In previous research for an RMFS with multiple picking stations, these decisions are made sequentially. Instead, we present a new integrated model. To improve the system performance even more, we extend our model by splitting orders. This means parts of an order are allowed to be picked at different stations. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first publication on split orders in an RMFS. We analyze different performance metrics, such as pile-on, pod-station visits, robot moving distance and order turn-over time. We compare the results of our models in different instances with the sequential method in our open-source simulation framework RAWSim-O.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages31
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Links

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Constructs for Assessing Integrated Reports-Testing the Predictive Validity of a Taxonomy for Organization Size, Industry, and Performance
  2. Simple saturated relay non-linear PD control for uncertain motion systems with friction and actuator constraint
  3. Need Satisfaction and Optimal Functioning at Leisure and Work: A Longitudinal Validation Study of the DRAMMA Model
  4. Scholarly Question Answering Using Large Language Models in the NFDI4DataScience Gateway
  5. Web-scale extension of RDF knowledge bases from templated websites
  6. Stability analysis of a linear model predictive control and its application in a water recovery process
  7. Multilevel bridge governor by using model predictive control in wavelet packets for tracking trajectories
  8. Teachers’ temporary support and worked-out examples as elements of scaffolding in mathematical modeling
  9. Nonlinear PD fault-tolerant control for dynamic positioning of ships with actuator constraints
  10. TARGET SETTING FOR OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS - STUDY CASE -
  11. The temporal pattern of creativity and implementation in teams
  12. Governing Objects from a Distance
  13. Noninteracting optimal and adaptive torque control using an online parameter estimation with help of polynomials in EKF for a PMSM
  14. Sensor Fusion for Power Line Sensitive Monitoring and Load State Estimation
  15. Construct- and criterion-related validity of the German Core Self-Evaluations Scale
  16. Participatory energy scenario development as dramatic scripting
  17. Failing and the perception of failure in student-driven transdisciplinary projects
  18. Bridging the Gap: Generating a Comprehensive Biomedical Knowledge Graph Question Answering Dataset
  19. IWRM through WFD implementation? Drivers for integration in polycentric water governance systems
  20. On the computation of the warping function and the torsional properties of thin-walled crosssections of prismatic beams
  21. Action Errors, Error Management, and Learning in Organizations
  22. Optimal trajectory generation for camless internal combustion engine valve control
  23. Earnings Less Risk-Free Interest Charge (ERIC) and Stock Returns—A Value-Based Management Perspective on ERIC’s Relative and Incremental Information Content
  24. Intraindividual variability in identity centrality
  25. German Utilities and distributed PV
  26. Sustainable Consumption - Mapping the Terrain
  27. A Developmental Trend in the Structure of Time-Estimation Performance
  28. Employing a Novel Metaheuristic Algorithm to Optimize an LSTM Model
  29. Evaluating a Bayesian Student Model of Decimal Misconceptions
  30. Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Environmental Management Accounting
  31. How generative drawing affects the learning process
  32. Development of a Parameterized Model for Additively Manufactured Dies to Control the Strains in Extrudates
  33. Switching cascade controllers combined with a feedforward regulation for an aggregate actuator in automotive applications
  34. Bayesian Parameter Estimation in Green Business Process Management
  35. Logical-Rollenspiele
  36. Life Cycle Assessment of Consumption Patterns – Understanding the links between changing social practices and environmental impacts
  37. On the Difficulty of Forgetting
  38. A Besov space mapping property for the double layer potential on polygons
  39. Optimising business performance with standard software systems
  40. Separable models for interconnected production-inventory systems