SINGLE FIXED CRANE OPTIMISATION WITHIN A DISTRIBUTION CENTRE

Authors

  • J. Matthews Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University
  • S.E. Visagie Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/22-2-19

Keywords:

Developing scheduling techniques, project communication, negotiation, conflict solving, contract process, team building, successful engineering projects

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper considersthe optimisation of the movement of a fixed crane operating in a single aisle of a distribution centre. The crane must move pallets in inventory between docking bays, storage locations, and picking lines. Both a static and a dynamic approach to the problem are presented. The optimisation is performed by means of tabu search, ant colony metaheuristics,and hybrids of these two methods. All these solution approaches were tested on real life data obtained from an operational distribution centre. Results indicate that the hybrid methods outperform the other approaches.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die optimisering van die beweging van 'n vaste hyskraan in 'n enkele gang van 'n distribusiesentrum word in hierdie artikel beskou. Die hyskraan moet pallette vervoer tussen dokhokke, stoorposisies, en opmaaklyne. Beide 'n statiese en 'n dinamiese benadering tot die probleem word aangebied. Die optimisering word gedoen met behulp van tabu-soektogte, mierkolonieoptimisering,en hibriede van hierdie twee metodes. Al die oplossingsbenaderings is getoets met werklike data wat van 'n operasionele distribusiesentrum verkry is. Die resultate toon aan dat die hibriedmetodes die beste oplossings lewer.

Downloads

Published

2011-11-05

How to Cite

Matthews, J., & Visagie, S. (2011). SINGLE FIXED CRANE OPTIMISATION WITHIN A DISTRIBUTION CENTRE. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.7166/22-2-19

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2011)

Section

General Articles

License

Authors who publish in the Journal agree to the following terms:
  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the Journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this Journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the Journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this Journal.