Balancing Speed and Sustainability in Multi-Deep AS/RS Systems

Insights on optimizing cycle time and energy consumption in warehouse automation

Authors: Timo Lehmann and David Thiery, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Jens Zimmermann, Miebach

Multi-deep automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) help make better use of warehouse space but come with a challenge: accessing items often requires relocating others first. This study presents a new analytical approach to calculate cycle time and energy consumption for such systems, based on four different operating strategies.

By comparing these strategies through simulation, the study reveals two key takeaways:

• Strategies that reduce travel distances are more efficient than those focusing only on minimizing relocations.
• The most time-efficient system layout is not necessarily the most energy-efficient one – planners must consider both factors to find the best balance.

These insights support smarter, more sustainable decision-making during the planning and optimization of AS/RS layouts.

Read the open-access paper here: 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405896325010936

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