A simulator for designing high-rise warehouse systems

This paper presents a simulator to evaluate alternative designs of high-rise warehouse systems using stacker cranes to permit system cost minimization while satisfying design constraints and specifications. There are no warehouse size restraints on its use. Furthermore it can consider single or multiple stacker crane systems. Resolution of problems associated with finding combinations of storage height and aisle length in combination with crane vertical and horizontal travel speeds is provided. Hardware and operating variables considered are more extensive than those found in earlier simulations of similar systems.