Robot Tote Sequencing for Order-Accurate Workstation Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In robot-based warehousing systems, the inefficiency arises when totes corresponding to items with different processing sequences are not properly ordered, leading to secondary sorting and reduced order processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A tote processing method that determines a carrying sequence based on the order demand and processing sequence, ensuring each tote corresponds to a single order or item, thereby controlling robots to carry totes in a sequence that aligns with the processing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If totes are carried to workstation without considering processing sequence, then carrying operation is simple and fast, but totes may arrive out of order requiring secondary sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the carrying sequence of totes in advance based on processing sequences before the robot executes the carrying operation. This preliminary sequencing ensures totes arrive at the workstation in the correct order for processing, eliminating the need for secondary sorting operations and improving overall order processing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If totes are sorted in advance according to processing sequence, then sorting smoothness is improved, but carrying and sequencing operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary sequencing determination step that translates processing sequences into carrying sequences. This intermediary layer coordinates between the robot's carrying operation and the workstation's processing requirements, ensuring smooth sorting without requiring complex direct control of the carrying operation itself.
3Productivity
If multiple totes correspond to same order, then order fulfillment is efficient, but determining carrying sequence becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the carrying sequence determination by establishing a correspondence relationship between multiple totes and the same order based on their respective processing sequences. Each tote's carrying sequence is determined independently based on its processing requirements, allowing efficient parallel handling while maintaining correct arrival order for each tote.
Data Source
AI summary
A tote processing method includes: obtaining at least one to-be-processed order corresponding to a target workstation; determining target totes and a carrying sequence of each of the target totes according to an order demand of the at least one to-be-processed order and a processing sequence corresponding to each to-be-processed order; and generating a carrying instruction according to the target totes and the carrying sequence of each of the target totes, to control, based on the carrying instruction, a robot to carry each of the target totes, where the order demand of the to-be-processed order includes a type and a quantity of target items corresponding to the to-be-processed order, and the processing sequence of the to-be-processed order is a processing sequence of each of the target items in the order demand of the to-be-processed order.