A Multi-stage Heuristic Algorithm for Matching Problem in the Modified Miniload Automated Storage and Retrieval System of E-commerce

作     者：WANG Wenrui WU Yaohua WU Yingying 

作者机构：School of Transportation Engineering Shandong Jianzhu University School of Control Science and Engineering Shandong University 

出 版 物：《Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering》 (中国机械工程学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2016年第29卷第3期

页      面：641-648页

核心收录：

学科分类：12[管理学] 02[经济学] 08[工学] 0202[经济学-应用经济学] 1202[管理学-工商管理] 1201[管理学-管理科学与工程(可授管理学、工学学位)] 020205[经济学-产业经济学] 0817[工学-化学工程与技术] 0807[工学-动力工程及工程热物理] 0802[工学-机械工程] 0811[工学-控制科学与工程] 0801[工学-力学（可授工学、理学学位）] 081202[工学-计算机软件与理论] 0812[工学-计算机科学与技术（可授工学、理学学位）] 

主　　题：e commerce modified miniload automated storage/retrieval system matching problem multi stage heuristic algorithm 

摘      要：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.