Order Scheduling for Warehouse Shelf Buffer Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing warehousing and logistics systems face challenges in efficiently picking and packaging items due to congestion at workstation buffer locations, leading to low picking efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method of order scheduling that determines a target buffer location, acquires shelf and order information, and strategically moves shelves to the workstation based on item availability and urgency, allowing for dynamic picking and avoiding pre-occupation of resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shelves are dispatched to the workstation according to the collection order, then the order processing can be completed, but the buffer locations in front of the workstation become full, occupying the main road and causing congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts shelf dispatching based on real-time buffer location status rather than following a fixed collection order. The scheduling method monitors buffer availability and adapts shelf movement accordingly, transforming a static ordering process into a dynamic one that prevents congestion while maintaining processing completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of buffer location status before dispatching shelves. By checking whether buffer locations are available in advance and predicting potential congestion, the system prevents harmful factors from occurring rather than reacting to them after they arise.
2Productivity
If multiple shelves are moved to the workstation continuously, then more items can be picked, but the buffer locations become full and cause congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The scheduling method incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor buffer location status in real-time. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts shelf dispatching decisions to maintain optimal buffer utilization without causing fullness, thereby preventing congestion while maximizing picking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of shelf dispatching timing and quantity based on buffer location status. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high picking efficiency without filling buffer locations to capacity, thus avoiding congestion.
3Ease of operation
If shelves are moved based on collection order, then order processing is systematic, but picking efficiency is low due to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the static collection order process into a dynamic one that responds to real-time buffer status. This maintains systematic processing while adapting to changing conditions to maximize picking efficiency and avoid congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks of buffer status before executing shelf dispatching operations. This preliminary action ensures that systematic processing does not lead to congestion, allowing high picking efficiency to be achieved while maintaining operational systematics.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus of order scheduling, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: determining a target buffer location from a plurality of shelf buffer locations of a workstation; acquiring shelf information of a plurality of shelves; acquiring a plurality of orders to be processed; determining a next shelf to be moved to the workstation based on the shelf information and the orders to be processed; outputting control information to move the shelf to the target buffer location (S250); and determining a part of orders to be processed from the plurality of orders to be processed as orders to be picked based on items carried on shelves moved to the plurality of shelf buffer locations.