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A multi-stage heuristic algorithm for matching problem in the modified miniload automated storage and retrieval system of e-commerce

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Abstract

E-commerce, as an emerging marketing mode, has attracted more and more attention and gradually changed the way of our life. However, the existing layout of distribution centers can’t fulfill the storage and picking demands of e-commerce sufficiently. In this paper, a modified miniload automated storage/retrieval system is designed to fit these new characteristics of e-commerce in logistics. Meanwhile, a matching problem, concerning with the improvement of picking efficiency in new system, is studied in this paper. The problem is how to reduce the travelling distance of totes between aisles and picking stations. A multi-stage heuristic algorithm is proposed based on statement and model of this problem. The main idea of this algorithm is, with some heuristic strategies based on similarity coefficients, minimizing the transportations of items which can not arrive in the destination picking stations just through direct conveyors. The experimental results based on the cases generated by computers show that the average reduced rate of indirect transport times can reach 14.36% with the application of multi-stage heuristic algorithm. For the cases from a real e-commerce distribution center, the order processing time can be reduced from 11.20 h to 10.06 h with the help of the modified system and the proposed algorithm. In summary, this research proposed a modified system and a multi-stage heuristic algorithm that can reduce the travelling distance of totes effectively and improve the whole performance of e-commerce distribution center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Transportation Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China

    Wenrui Wang

  2. School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, 250061, China

    Yaohua Wu & Yingying Wu

Authors
  1. Wenrui Wang
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  2. Yaohua Wu
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  3. Yingying Wu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wenrui Wang.

Additional information

WANG Wenrui, born in 1987, is currently a lecturer at School of Transportation Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, China. She received her PhD degree from Shandong University, China. Her research interests include optimization and simulation of distribution center.

WU Yaohua, born in 1963, is currently a professor at School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China. He received his PhD degree from Tsinghua University, China. He is a vice president of China Society of Logistics (CSL), a director of Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society and a senior member of American Society of Manufacturing Engineers (ASME). His research interests include the design and simulation of the integrated logistics system.

WU Yingying, born in 1985, is currently a lecturer at School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China. She received her PhD degree from Shandong University, China. Her research interests include optimization and simulation of the automated order picking system.

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Wang, W., Wu, Y. & Wu, Y. A multi-stage heuristic algorithm for matching problem in the modified miniload automated storage and retrieval system of e-commerce. Chin. J. Mech. Eng. 29, 641–648 (2016). https://doi.org/10.3901/CJME.2016.0310.029

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3901/CJME.2016.0310.029

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