Estimation of AS/RS Throughput and the Number of S/R Machines

System throughput is described as hourly rate of S/R transactions (number of loads stored & number of loads retrieved) that an automated storage system may perform. A dual command cycle is utilized to increase the throughput, as it reduces travel time per transaction. Following are the factors that affect system throughput :

• Single and dual command cycles
• System utilization per hour
• Velocity of S/R machine
• Arrangement of stored items
• Speed of AS/RS control system
• Speed and efficiency of the material handling equipments

The number of S/R machines might be determined as follows :

Number of S/R machines = System Throughput / (S/R machine capacity in cycles per hour)