The study on the simulation of a distribution center operating system and optimization of equipment configuration

The simulation modeling methods of distribution center have been studied based on AUTOMOD platform. The equipments structural model, behavior model and kinematic model of one distribution center have been built. The researching was focused on the core subsystems of the distribution center, including the typical automated storage/retrieval system (AS/RS), AGV transportation system, an advanced intelligent sorting system DPS (Digital Picking System) and the of the PAS (Piece Assorting System ) automatic classification system based ASS. To improve modeling efficiency, these core subsystems have been simplified and abstracted properly, and then, separately from the system analysis, equipment selection, parametric modeling, data modeling, process control and scheduling mechanisms to establish the simulation models. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the model design, the input data model was tested, and the simulation results has a certain reference value for the distribution center´s daily management and device configuration.