Automated three-dimensional warehouse is a new concept emerging in logistics warehousing. The use of three-dimensional warehouse equipment can realize the rationalization of high-level warehouses, automatic access, and simple operation; automated three-dimensional warehouse is a form of higher technical level.
The main body of the automated three-dimensional warehouse is composed of shelves, roadway-type stacking cranes, entry (exit) warehouse worktables, and automatic transportation (exit) and operation control systems. Shelf is a building or structure with steel structure or reinforced concrete structure. Inside the shelf is a standard size cargo space. The roadway stacking crane runs through the roadway between the shelves to complete the work of storage and pickup; WCS is used for management The system controls.
1. Components of automated three-dimensional warehouse
1. Shelf: Steel structure used to store goods. There are two basic forms of welded shelves and combined shelves.
2. Pallet (cargo box): an appliance used to carry goods, also known as a station appliance.
3. Roadway stacker: equipment for automatic access to goods. According to the structure, it is divided into two basic forms: single column and double column; according to the service method, it is divided into three basic forms: straight, curved and transfer vehicles.
4. Conveyor system: the main peripheral equipment of the three-dimensional warehouse, responsible for transporting the goods to the stacker or removing the goods from the stacker. There are many types of conveyors, common ones include roller conveyors, chain conveyors, lifting tables, distribution vehicles, elevators, belt conveyors, etc.
5. AGV system: automatic guided car. According to its guiding method, it is divided into induction guided trolley and laser guided trolley.
6. WCS automatic control system: an automatic control system that drives the equipment of the automated three-dimensional library system. Mainly adopts field bus as the control mode.
7. WMS information management system: It is the core of the fully automated three-dimensional library system, and can be networked or integrated with other systems (such as ERP systems, etc.).
Second, the design of automated three-dimensional warehouse
The three-dimensional warehouse design steps are generally divided into the following steps:
(1) Collect and study the user’s original data, and clarify the user’s goal. These original data include:
1. Clarify the process of connecting the automated three-dimensional warehouse with upstream and downstream;
2. Logistics requirements: the largest clerk entering the warehouse upstream, the maximum outbound volume to be transferred downstream and the required warehouse capacity;
3. Specifications of the materials: the number of materials, the packaging form of the materials, the size, weight, storage method and other characteristics of other materials;
4. Site conditions and environmental requirements of the three-dimensional warehouse;
5. The user’s functional requirements for the warehouse management system;
6. Other relevant information and special requirements.
(2) Determine the main form and related parameters of the automated three-dimensional warehouse
After all the original data is collected, the relevant parameters required for design can be calculated based on these first-hand data, including:
1. The total requirements for the entire warehouse area, that is, the flow requirements of the warehouse;
2. The dimensions and weight of the cargo unit;
3. The number of positions in the warehouse storage area (shelf area);
4. Combine the above three points to determine the number of rows, columns and laneways in the storage area (shelf factory) and other relevant technical parameters.
(3) The overall layout and logistics map of the rationally arranged automated three-dimensional warehouse
In general, the automated three-dimensional warehouse includes: storage temporary storage area, inspection area, palletizing area, storage area, storage temporary storage area, pallet temporary storage area, non-conforming product temporary storage area and sundries area, etc. When planning, it is not necessary to plan each of the above-mentioned areas in the three-dimensional warehouse. The areas and the increase and decrease areas can be reasonably divided according to the user’s process characteristics and requirements. At the same time, we must also reasonably consider the flow of materials to make the flow of materials unimpeded, which will directly affect the capacity and efficiency of the automated warehouse.
(4) Select the type of mechanical equipment and related parameters
The design of the shelf is an important content of the three-dimensional warehouse design, which directly affects the area and space utilization of the three-dimensional warehouse.
1. Shelf form: There are many kinds of racks, and the racks used in automated three-dimensional warehouses are generally: beam racks, corbel racks, mobile racks and so on. When designing, it can be selected reasonably according to the dimensions, weight and other relevant factors of the cargo unit.
2. The size of the cargo grid: The size of the cargo grid depends on the gap between the cargo unit and the shelf columns and beams (cob). The same pair is also affected by the type of shelf structure and other factors to a certain extent.
The stacker is the core equipment of the entire automated three-dimensional warehouse, and the goods can be moved from one place to another through manual operation, semi-automatic operation or fully automatic operation. It consists of a frame (upper beam, lower beam, column), horizontal walking mechanism, lifting mechanism, cargo platform, fork and electrical control system.
1. Determining the type of stacker: There are various types of stacker, including single-track roadway stacker, double-track roadway stacker, rotary roadway stacker, single column stacker, double column stacker and many more.
2. Determination of the speed of the stacker: According to the flow requirements of the warehouse, the horizontal speed, lifting speed and fork speed of the stacker are calculated.
3. Other parameters and configuration: the positioning method and communication method of the stacker are selected according to the warehouse site and the user’s requirements. The configuration of the stacker can be high or low, depending on the specific situation.
Conveying system, according to the logistics map, choose the type of conveyor reasonably, including: roller conveyor, chain conveyor, belt conveyor, lifting transfer machine, hoist, etc. At the same time, the speed of the conveying system must be reasonably determined according to the instantaneous flow of the warehouse.
Other equipment, according to the warehouse process and some special requirements of the user, some auxiliary equipment can be added appropriately, including: handheld terminal, forklift, balance crane, etc.
(5) Design each functional module of WCS control system and WMS warehouse management system
According to the technological process of the warehouse and the requirements of users, rationally design the control system and warehouse management system. The control system and warehouse management system generally adopt a modular design, which is convenient for upgrade and maintenance.
(6) Simulate the entire system
Under conditional conditions, the whole system can be simulated, and the storage and transportation of the three-dimensional warehouse can be described intuitively, some of the problems and deficiencies are found, and corresponding corrections are made to optimize the entire AS / RS system.
(7) Detailed design of equipment and control management system
The above is the general process of the design of an automated three-dimensional warehouse. In the specific design, it can be used flexibly according to the specific situation.
3. Investment income of automated three-dimensional warehouse
The advantages of automated three-dimensional warehouse are many aspects. For enterprises, it can be reflected from the following aspects:
1. Improve space utilization
The basic starting point of the early three-dimensional warehouse concept was to increase space utilization and fully save limited and precious land. In some developed countries in the West, the idea of increasing space utilization has a broader and deeper meaning. Saving land has been linked to more aspects such as energy conservation and environmental protection. Some even treat space utilization as an important indicator of system rationality and advancedness assessment.
The space utilization rate of the three-dimensional library is closely connected with its planning. Generally speaking, the space utilization rate of automated overhead warehouses is 2-5 times that of ordinary flat warehouses, which is quite impressive.
2. It is easy to form an advanced logistics system and improve the production management level of the enterprise
The traditional warehouse is just a place for storing goods, and the only function of storing goods is a “static storage”. The automated three-dimensional warehouse uses advanced automated material handling equipment, which not only enables goods to be automatically accessed in the warehouse as needed, but also can be organically connected to production links outside the warehouse, and through the computer management system and automated material handling equipment, the warehouse becomes An important link in enterprise production logistics. The storage of purchased parts and self-made production parts in an automated warehouse is a part of the entire production. Short-term storage is to automatically output to the next process for production at a specified time, thereby forming an automated logistics system. This is a kind of ” “Dynamic storage” is also an obvious technical trend in the development of today’s automated warehouses.
Automation is an inevitable trend in the development of warehousing management. The operational efficiency and technical level of automation of a three-dimensional warehouse can greatly increase the efficiency of enterprise logistics. The basic technology of a three-dimensional warehouse is also increasingly mature. Enterprises can build medium and large-scale three-dimensional libraries according to the actual situation, and also build small and medium-sized automated three-dimensional libraries according to their needs.
