Travel time models for carousel system with input and output at opposite sides in the system

Abstract

Carousel systems are automated storage/retrieval systems for small to medium sized unit loads. They have been widely used in warehousing applications to support order picking, assembly and kitting operations. Of interest in this paper is the carousel system with two robots. Two robots have different roles in the system. i. e. one robot can only store and the other retrieval. Carousels are distributed horizontally. And each carousel has one level. Travel-time models are developed for the suggested system. Several system parameters affecting the throughput performance of the system are identified. And the accuracy of the derived travel time model is evaluated by comparison with simulation results. And several open questions for future research are also suggested.