An optimal routing model of high-level picker-to-part system

Abstract

Planning a reasonable order-picking route has been one of the keys to improve the efficiency of distribution center. Currently research on the optimal path in low-level picker-to-part system has been mature, but don't fit for the high-level system, due to ignore the stacker's vertical running time. The paper builds a new threedimensional TSP programming model to overcome the problem, and design the corresponding genetic algorithm to solve the model. In addition, the paper compares the new model and algorithm with the two traditional methods named transversal strategy and s-shape strategy, by a same numeric example. The comparison result shows that the new method is efficient either in the picking time saved or in the picking path shortened. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.