An operation analysis of movable rack type AS/RS by use of system simulator

We perform the operation analyses of movable rack type AS/RS which is built in among manufacturing resources. Processing time and processing cost to handle each pallet are investigated. We employ the system simulator approach for the analyses. It is clarified that, if the operation conditions such as the speed of the stacker crane and/or rack are properly adjusted, the processing time of each pallet is not so increased in comparison with that in the fixed rack type case. Further, under our assumed conditions concerning the investment, we found that the cost performance of the movable rack type AS/RS accompanied with medium speed stacker crane is comparable with that of the fixed rack type AS/RS equipped with high speed stacker crane.