A SIMULATOR FOR AN AUTOMATED WAREHOUSING SYSTEM

A simulator for automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) is de veloped using SIMAN and FORTRAN 77, and validated using data obtained from an existing automated distribution centre. The model is used to s tudy the effects of four different AS/RS configurations, large and sma ll holding pallets, and four sizes of stored items on the system perfo rmance. Experimental data obtained from simulation runs are statistica lly analyzed using SAS package. ANOVA results indicated that both inde pendent variables, system configuration and item-pallet assignment rul es have significant (alpha < 0.01) effects on the AS/RS performance me asures. The results of this study indicated that systems with mixed pa llet sizes holding several items yield better performance in terms of system throughput and utilization.