Abstract
Background: The new demands of the current market including for space should be satisfied by designing modern material flow systems. Designing warehouses using effective material handling equipment significantly supports cost reduction and efficient space utilization. Sequencing of items is an important process that leads to enhanced logistics operations. Current approaches are not capable of fully fulfilling dynamic changes. Methods: In this paper, a puzzle-based sequencing system with a high density and highly efficient floor space utilization was successfully developed. Accordingly, two solving methods were investigated: game tree and pathfinding algorithms. A-star was chosen based on pathfinding algorithms in order to find the shortest solution of the puzzle in which the sequencing time was decreased. The pre-sorting strategy was proposed to overcome the unsolvable configuration issue that cannot be solved by the aforementioned methods. Moreover, the shape of the puzzle was considered. Results: Based on numerical calculations, we found that a square shape was better than a rectangle in terms of solution steps, and we confirmed the direct relationship between the aspect ratio and rectilinear distance, which directly affects the pre-sorting steps. Conclusion: Our results prove that the puzzle-based sequencing system should be highly preferred for effective floor space utilization compared to the current systems.
Highlights
Logistics operations can be elucidated by several fixed assets: warehouses, depots, transport, and material handling
Fiignucrree1Aa6ss.eEitsfhfececltpeoarfer-fsrooormntinthFgeigsptureerp-esso.1rH6ti,noigwnscetrevepeasrs.,inagretahseonreacbtlieliqnueaerstdioinstaanricseesowf ohnene tile will dealing with different shapes: how does the Aspect Ratio (AR) of the puzzle affect the performance in terms of solution steps? To answer this question, we investigated the relationship between the aspect ratio and rectilinear distance
Item sequencing has become necessary in order to increase the efficiency of logistics operations
Summary
Logistics operations can be elucidated by several fixed assets: warehouses, depots, transport, and material handling. Yalcin et al [22] addressed the problem of item retrieval from puzzle-based storage with a minimum number of item moves In this work, they proposed an exact search algorithm with several search-guiding estimate functions. The puzzle-based sequencing system was further compared with the GridSequence system developed by Gue et al [11] with respect to the density ratio, in order to evaluate the utilization of floor space in the sequencing system. We realized a high-density sequencing system based on the puzzle movement concept, with highly efficient floor space utilization concerning the minimum item movements. These points are directly related to better energy efficiency and, to lower operational costs. PTuhzezrlee aSroelvtiwngo Mtyeptihcoadlsmethods for finding the shortest path to the solution: game tree and pTahthefirenadriengtwaolgtoyrpitihcaml sm. ethods for finding the shortest path to the solution: game tree and pathfinding algorithms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
