Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

Outline Current State Uses Supporting Tech. Cost Application Rules Primary Vendors Standards Integration An Application A Sample Problem References Questions

Different kinds Standard Unit Load AS/RS Deep-Lane (In one side, out the other.) Miniload Man-on-board Vertical Lift Carousel (Oval Track)

Components S/R Machine Storage Modules Pick&Deposit Station Computer Interface Storage Structure (Framework)

Load Capacity Max. weight ,000 lbs. Max. load size "x48" Retriever Specifications Max. height ft. Max. horizontal speed fpm Max. vertical speed fpm Max. extractor speed fpm Acceleration/deceleration ft sec Vertical drive variable AC motors Horizontal drive variable AC motors Type of hoist wire rope Type of extractor shuttle Type of shuttle single/double deep Power supply V, 60HZ, 3PH On board controller PLC Specs. for the R/S on the Previous Page

Speeds and Power Speed Vertical 131,150 fpm Horizontal 450,525,800 fpm Unspecified 377 fpm Power 480V 480V, 60HZ, 3PH Wide Ranges

SK Daifuku (SLC)

Costs $500,000 for one aisle of a mini load (totes) $1 million for one aisle of the standard pallet size AS/RS These prices come from Jim Nunor at SK Daifuku and are just estimates. The prices include all hardware and software, installation, warranty, and service agreement.

VNA= very narrow aisle man aboard industrial truck Cost comparison between VNA and AS/RS

Uses Industries that commonly use AS/RS include: food and consumer goods manufaturing, grocery and retail, automotive, chemical, and electronics. Anything that can be put into some kind of unit load can be stored in an AS/RS.

Supporting/ Companion Technology Warehouse Management System (WMS) Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) Automated Electified Monorail (AEM) Refrigeration

Integration

Application Rules

Limitations Speed Load Cost

Industry Standards Some of the ANSI/ASME B56 standards apply AS/R systems are rated by load capacity. But nothing is standard since loads can range between 2000lbs and 4000lbs.

Vendors

Technical Paper Modern Materials Handling. “Delivered to your dooorstep” by Megan McCoy, Associated Editor. July 2003, pp

Class Application Given the information on the second page of the article about the AS/RS at the Chicago Tribune, find the foot print of the AS/RS. Assume there is a 3 inch gap on all sides of all pallets. L = n y (y+b) = 50(52in+3in+3in) = 2900 inches = feet W row = n x (x+a) = 2(52in+3in+3in) = 116 inches = 9.67 feet W aisle = 2W row + (x+a) = 290 inches = feet W total = 2W aisle = 580 inches = feet feet by 48.3 feet

References mmh.com

Summary AS/RS is cool AS/RS is expensive AS/RS could save you even more