双拣货区自动分拣系统品项分配优化

提前拣选、压缩合流的分拣策略使双拣货区自动分拣系统的拣选效率明显高于单拣货区自动分拣系统,基于此提出该策略下品项分配优化问题。介绍压缩合流的工作原理,确定双拣货区的品项分配对订单的压缩程度及提前拣选时间的影响。以负的各订单提前拣选时间之和最小为目标函数建立数学模型,该模型可归结为0-1规划问题并应用最大最小蚂蚁系统算法求解。实例仿真与分析证明了该算法的有效性。     

改进自适应遗传算法求解“货到人”拣选系统订单分批问题

“货到人”拣选系统采用自动导引运输车(Automated guided vehicle,AGV)实现自动拣选作业,由AGV搬运货架到拣选站台,再由拣选人员从货架上拣取商品。订单分批作为拣选作业的准备工作,是影响AGV搬运次数和人工拣货次数的关键因素,优化订单分批策略对提高“货到人”拣选系统效率至关重要。在电商智能仓库背景下,综合考虑订单需求多种商品、商品多货架分布存储、订单与货架供需匹配关系未知等实际因素,以人工拣选成本和AGV搬运成本之和最小为目标构建数学模型,并设计改进自适应遗传算法求解。该算法采用启发式策略生成初始种群,引入具有自适应变换概率的交叉和变异算子,并加入局部搜索过程以增强寻优能力。最后通过试验测试验证模型和算法的有效性,证明种群初始化方法的优势,并采用灵敏度分析给出合理的周转箱数量配置建议。研究可为电商企业通过订单分批优化提高拣选效率、降低拣选成本提供实践指导,为“货到人”拣选系统的实际应用提供科学依据。     

基于相关性的周期性货位优化的模型与算法

传统的货位优化方法没有充分利用库存量单位(Stock keeping units,SKUs)之间的相关性关系。以一种存在相关性需求的波次分区拣货、整体补货的周期性环境为对象,以最小化最大的分区拣货时间为目标建立货位优化的数学模型,提出相关性强度的概念和计算方法,设计出基于相关性的货位指派算法(Storage allocation based on correlations,SABC)和不考虑相关性的随机货位指派算法(Storage allocation based on random,SABR)算法,SABC算法以体积—订单指数(Cube per order index,COI)法则的解为初始解,通过定量化的相关性位置交换策略将相关性强的SKUs对指派到相近的货位中来提高拣货效率。测试结果表明:SABC算法具有较好的收敛性,其收敛速度明显优于SABR算法,求解质量比COI法平均改进约7.6%～25.1%,比SABR算法平均改进约1.36%～14.50%;需求相关性强度越高,拣货效率提升潜力越大。     

ORDER-PICKING OPTIMIZATION FOR AUTOMATED PICKING SYSTEM WITH PARALLEL DISPENSERS

Based on the characteristics of parallel dispensers in automated picking system, an order-picking optimization problem is presented. Firstly, the working principle of parallel dispensers is introduced, which implies the time cost of picking each order is influenced by the order-picking sequence. So the order-picking optimization problem can be classified as a dynamic traveling salesman problem （TSP）. Then a mathematical model of the problem is established and an improved max-min ant system （MMAS） is adopted to solve the model. The improvement includes two aspects. One is that the initial assignment of ants depends on a probabilistic formula instead of a random deployment; the other is that the heuristic factor is expressed by the extra picking time of each order instead of the total. At last, an actual simulation is made on an automated picking system with parallel dispensers. The simulation results proved the optimization value and the validity of improvement on MMAS.     

Taboo search algorithm for item assignment in synchronized zone automated order picking system

The idle time which is part of the order fulfillment time is decided by the number of items in the zone; therefore the item assignment method affects the picking efficiency. Whereas previous studies only focus on the balance of number of kinds of items between different zones but not the number of items and the idle time in each zone. In this paper, an idle factor is proposed to measure the idle time exactly. The idle factor is proven to obey the same vary trend with the idle time, so the object of this problem can be simplified from minimizing idle time to minimizing idle factor. Based on this, the model of item assignment problem in synchronized zone automated order picking system is built. The model is a form of relaxation of parallel machine scheduling problem which had been proven to be NP-complete. To solve the model, a taboo search algorithm is proposed. The main idea of the algorithm is minimizing the greatest idle factor of zones with the 2-exchange algorithm. Finally, the simulation which applies the data collected from a tobacco distribution center is conducted to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. The result verifies the model and shows the algorithm can do a steady work to reduce idle time and the idle time can be reduced by 45.63% on average. This research proposed an approach to measure the idle time in synchronized zone automated order picking system. The approach can improve the picking efficiency significantly and can be seen as theoretical basis when optimizing the synchronized automated order picking systems.     

COMPRESSIBLE VIRTUAL WINDOW ALGORITHM IN PICKING PROCESS CONTROL OF AUTOMATED SORTING SYSTEM

Compared to fixed virtual window algorithm （FVWA）, the dynamic virtual window algorithm （DVWA） determines the length of each virtual container according to the sizes of goods of each order, which saves space of virtual containers and improves the picking efficiency. However, the interval of consecutive goods caused by dispensers on conveyor can not be eliminated by DVWA, which limits a further improvement of picking efficiency. In order to solve this problem, a compressible virtual window algorithm （CVWA） is presented. It not only inherits the merit of DVWA but also compresses the length of virtual containers without congestion of order accumulation by advancing the beginning time of order picking and reasonably coordinating the pace of order accumulation. The simulation result proves that the picking efficiency of automated sorting system is greatly improved by CVWA.     

自动化仓库旋转货架拣选优化

对自动化仓库旋转货架拣选优化问题进行了描述,提出了求解该问题的分层遗传算法（HGA）。根据具体问题对低层和高层采用了不同的进化策略,详细介绍了HGA算法的原理。通过实际算例运算及分析,表明HGA对解决自动化仓库旋转货架拣选优化问题的有效性。     

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

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.     

自动补货系统补货缓存优化

为提高自动分拣系统作业效率、降低补货设备投入成本,在对自动补货系统中补货缓存作业过程分析的基础上,建立补货缓存设备输入输出平衡模型,提出补货缓存满足分拣作业的最优条件及临界条件;根据自动备货系统与分拣系统之间的布局关系,建立补货缓存中货物到达过程的数学模型和补货缓存长度的优化模型;设计“先聚类,后排序”的启发式聚类方法对备货系统的品项分配进行优化,仿真结果显示,优化后的品项分配与按照总量排序分配方法相比,补货缓存长度减少约9%。     

一种新型自动化蓝莓采摘机的设计

针对小浆果种植领域中蓝莓收获难的问题,基于计算机软件和可编程序控制器,设计了一种新型自动化蓝莓采摘机。介绍了这一蓝莓采摘机的结构与工作原理,分析了控制方案,制作了样机,并进行了采摘试验。应用这一新型自动化蓝莓采摘机,可以满足蓝莓收获效率高、破损率低等要求。     

The optimum design of a warehouse system on order picking efficiency

From literature review and deep understanding on the practical industry, it is understood that the proper use of storage assignment policies can use minimum storage space to reach the purpose of minimum total traveling distance, and this has a direct impact on enhancing the order picking performance. At the same time, proper routing planning can minimize overall order picking cost, and finally reach the goal of picking performance enhancement in unit time. Therefore, this paper considers the effects on the order picking system performance for factors such as quantity and layout type of cross aisles in a warehouse system, storage assignment policy, picking route, average picking density inside an aisle, and order combination type, etc. A software, eM-plant, will be used as a simulation and analysis tool, a warehouse design database will be developed, which is based on the minimum overall traveling distance as the optimum performance index, the cross aisle quantity, warehouse layout, storage assignment, picking route planning, picking density and order combination type will be optimally integrated and planned in the warehouse system. Finally, we provide this database to the industry as a reference in the warehouse planning or warehouse design improvement in the future .     

拣选式自动化仓库堆垛机作业路径简易优化算法

分析了自动化仓库堆垛机拣选作业的运行特点，给出了堆垛机拣选作业旅行商数学模型的常用优化算法。结合拣选作业的数学模型和固定货架的物理结构，构造了一种适合工程应用、编程简单的环状作业路径，并将该算法与最近邻居法和混合遗传算法进行了分析比较。仿真实验和工程实际应用表明，该算法能有效提高系统的工作效率。     

万寿菊机械式采摘现状分析

针对机械式采摘万寿菊的发展现状进行分析,介绍了国内外万寿菊种植现状以及种植范围,对万寿菊的生产价值以及经济价值进行了分析.为了提高万寿菊采摘效率,提出发展机械化万寿菊采摘的战略是非常必要的.进一步通过对现有机械采摘的分析,提出对机械式万寿菊采摘机的改进策略以及展望,为以后对于机械式采摘万寿菊、仿生机器人采摘万寿菊等研究工作奠定了基础.     

“货到人”拣选系统订单排序优化

"货到人"拣选系统采用"出库-拣选-回库"的拣选模式,货箱出入库频率高成为制约拣选效率的关键。为降低货箱出入库频率,进而提高系统拣选效率,提出订单排序优化模型。定义订单耦合因子表示两个订单之间可放置于拣选缓存中的共用货箱数量,并以此作为模型参数,将优化目标由提高拣选效率转化为降低货箱出入库频率。模型中,每个拣选台内的订单排序优化问题可归结为旅行商(Tranvelling salesman problem,TSP)问题。为求解模型,提出改进的K-Means聚类算法。计算每个订单与其他订单间的耦合因子,并对其进行排序;以单拣选台所有订单的耦合因子之和最大为目标,为每个拣选台分配订单并对订单进行排序。仿真结果显示,优化后系统拣选效率提高15.9%。     

Analytical travel time models for multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems

Multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems correspond to multiple picking aisles served by a single storage and retrieval machine. These systems are used in practice when the need for pallet places is high and the throughput capacity is relatively low. Therefore, considerable savings of initial investment costs due to single aisle systems can be achieved using such systems. The objective of the presented study is to develop analytical travel time models for multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems considering the operating characteristics of the storage and retrieval machine. With the proposed analytical travel time models, average travel time of the storage and retrieval machine, from which the performance of multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems can be evaluated is determined. A simulation model of multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems was developed to compare the performances of the proposed analytical travel time models. An example of multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems with five picking aisles was presented for the evaluation purpose. The results show that proposed analytical travel time models perform satisfactory according to the results of simulation analysis and could be very useful tools for designing of multi aisle automated storage and retrieval systems in real-world applications.     

开槽机PLC控制的通信仿真研究

分析了对一种新型全自动开槽机PLC控制时对其进行通信仿真研究的必要性,建立了该通信仿真系统并简述了其工作原理,确定了PLC和上位机之间的通信方式,分别编制了PLC和上位机中的通信仿真程序及其通信仿真界面,成功地实现了对开槽机PLC控制程序的软件调试和监控。     

Optimizing the order picking of a scholar and office supplies warehouse

The warehouse operation planning in the scholar and office supplies industry encompasses the activities of receiving, storing, order picking, and shipping products. The order picking operation is a laborious and capital intensive procedure. Despite the extensive literature to solve practical problems of warehouse routing as a step of the order picking process, the application of general approaches to deal with the routing of the warehouse pickers is not straightforward given the specific conditions and configurations and the singular design and operational policies commonly found in practice. In this paper, we present an optimization approach to the stacker routing problem found in the order picking of a Brazilian scholar and office supplies company. The approach is based on a routing algorithm that solves different integer linear problems to define the optimal routes of the stacker inside the facility. The solutions of several numerical experiments show the potential and effectiveness of the approach, for instance, that only one fifth of the routes actually performed by the company are optimal and that the algorithm application to a real set of batches reduced by more than one fourth the total distance monthly traveled by the stacker.     

用有限元法分析插切外齿轮齿形系数的影响因素

采用有限元法分析并计算插切加工外齿轮时齿根危险截面位置以及齿形系数。讨论了齿轮的参数以及插齿刀齿数、变位系数和齿顶圆圆角半径对插切外齿轮齿形系数的影响,并绘制了变化曲线,为齿轮的设计和计算提供了一定的参考。     

基于Pro/E的插齿刀设计CAD系统开发

以Excel 2003软件为基础,采用Visual C＋＋和Pro/TOOLKIT为开发工具,对Pro/E进行二次开发,研究出插齿刀计算机辅助设计CAD系统。系统采用模块化设计,主要阐述了产品信息输入处理模块、参数选择与计算模块和工程图绘制模块等主要模块及其实现方法。系统能够实现不同结构插齿刀的复杂设计及几何建模,缩短了设计周期,提高了刀具设计的精度和效率,是计算机应用技术与工艺设计相结合的一个典型实例。     

非等概率条件下转弯型堆垛机平均作业循环周期的计算

转弯型堆垛机是自动化立体仓库中实现货物自动存取的关键设备。本文首先分析了转弯型堆垛机不同的作业情形,推导出非等概率条件下转弯型堆垛机单一作业和复合作业的循环周期计算公式,提出使用遍历算法求解平均作业循环周期方法,并探讨了按照ABC分类优化货位的方案,最后对华南理工大学仓储实验室的数据进行了相关的实例分析与研究。研究成果为企业自动化立体仓库的运营规划和高效管理提供了决策依据。