Evaluation and dynamic allocation of AS/RS control rules: A simulation study

The goal of this research is to investigate the performance of an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) which is operated using different control rules. Two phases of study are conducted. Phase 1 evaluates the efficiency of different rules for stacker control, storage-location assignment and job sequencing. Phase 2 studies the impact of these rules on the performance of the AS/RS using a multipass simulation approach. In this paper, the methodology of investigation is discussed, the results are presented and analysed, and suggestions for future study are made.