ME-349 Summer Internship April-May 2020

Automated Storage and

Retrieval Systems
Mentor : Nipun Gosai
Submitted by : Keshav Sharma
18ME088
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)
An automated storage/retrieval system (AS/RS) can be defined as a storage system under which a
defined degree of automation is to be implemented to ensure precision accuracy and speed in
performing storage and retrieval operations.

AS/RS Systems are devices designed for

automated storage and retrieval of parts and
items in manufacturing, distribution, retail,
wholesale and institutions.
Operation
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems are systems linked to a computerized control with
an automated method of retrieving items from a designated storage location. The principle is
that the machine rather than a person does the searching and retrieving.

Most AS/RS units make significant use of

vertical space, leading to a high storage
density.
Objectives
● Increasing the storage capacity
● Increasing the stock rotation
● Utilization of maximum floor space
● Recovering the space for
manufacturing facilities
● Customer service to be improved
● Reducing pilferage and improving
security
● Control over inventories to be
improved
● Ensuring safety in storage function
● Increasing the labour productivity
in storage function
● Reducing labour cost in storage
operation
● Customer service to be improved
Components and Terminology
Basic Structure
of ASRS
An AS/RS consists of one
or more storage aisles that
are serviced by a
storage/retrieval (S/R)
machine. The stored
materials are held by
storage racks of aisles. The
S/R machines are used to
deliver and retrieve
materials in and out of
inventory.
Components and Terminology contd.
● Storage Space : It is the three-dimensional space in the storage racks used to
store a single load unit of material.
● Storage Racks : This structural entity comprises storage locations, bays and
rows.
● Bay : It is the height of the storage rack from floor to the ceiling.
● Row : It is a series of bays placed side by side.
● Aisle : It is the spacing between two rows for the machine operations of AS/RS.
● Aisle Unit : It encompasses aisle space and racks adjacent to an aisle.
Components and Terminology contd.
● Storage Structure : It is the rack framework, made of fabricated steel that
supports the loads contained in the AS/RS and is used to store inventory items.
● Storage/Retrieval Machine : It is used to move items in and out of inventory. An
S/R machine is capable of both horizontal and vertical movement.A rail system
along the floor guides the machine and a parallel rail at the top of the storage
structure is used to maintain its alignment.
Components and Terminology contd.
● Storage Modules : These are the unit load containers used to hold the inventory items. These
include pallets, steel wire baskets and containers, pans and special drawers. These modules are
generally made to a standard base size capable of being stored in the structure and moved by the
S/R machines.
● Pickup and Deposit (P/D) Stations : P/D stations are where inventory is transferred into and out of
the AS/RS. They are generally located at the end of the aisles to facilitate easy access by the S/R
machines from the external material-handling system. The location and number of P/D stations
depends upon the origination point of incoming loads and the destination of output loads.
Types of AS/RS
Several important categories of AS/RS can be distinguished based on certain
features and applications. The following are the principal types :

● Unit Load AS/RS

● Mini Load AS/RS
● Deep-lane AS/RS
● Man-on-board AS/RS
Unit Load AS/RS
● Most common and widely used.
● Standard sized containers, one unit
component on one rack.
● Loads over 500 lb or 250 kg are
used.
● Ideal for manufacturing or
distribution operations.
Mini Load AS/RS
● More than one component per
storage space,
● Such a system is applicable where
the availability of space is limited.
● Often enclosed for security of
items stored.
● Tools, Packaging, etc.
Deep-lane AS/RS
● High-density unit load storage
system.
● Up to 10 items in a single rack (one
behind another).
● Useful for storing large quantities
of stock.
● Load enter from one side and
retrieved from other side.
Man-on-board AS/RS
● Human operator rides on the carriage
of the S/R machine to pick up
individual items from a rack.
● Individual items to be picked directly
at their storage locations.
● Ideal for less than unit load quantities.
Layouts of AS/RS
Following are the principal layouts possible in AS/RS :

● Horizontal Carousel
● Rotary Carousel
● Vertical Carousel
● Vertical Lift Module (VLM)
● Fixed Aisle (F/A) Storage Retrieval Systems
Horizontal Carousel
● Consisting of bins mounted on an oval track
that rotate horizontally to deliver stored
items to an operator.
● Computer controls are integrated into the
carousel system for performing different
transactions and inventory control.
● Save up to 60% of floor space when
compared to standard shelving and rack.
Rotary Carousel
● Consists of a fixed number of adjacent
storage columns or bays that are
mechanically attached to a rotary
positioning stage.
● Loads are inserted and extracted either
manually or through a automated
mechanism.
Vertical Carousel
● Consists of a number of horizontal shelves,
trays or bins that are mechanically linked to
an oval track which rotates vertically.
● Quickly deliver stored items to an
ergonomically positioned work counter at
the operator’s command.
● Save up to 75% of floor space when
compared to standard shelving and rack.
Vertical Lift Module (VLM)
● Incorporates two columns of trays with a
central inserter/extractor that automatically
locates and retrieves stored trays from both
columns, then presents them to the operator
at a waist-high pick window (P/D station).
● These systems save up to 85% of floor space
compared to static shelving and rack.
Fixed Aisle (F/A) Storage Retrieval Systems
● Consists of one or more long, narrow aisles
framed on both sides by a steel or extruded
aluminium storage rack structure from
which loads are automatically stored and
retrieved under computer control.
● Carriage are hoisted on frames to guide to a
particular location.
● Used for large and Heavy Loads (more than
500 kgs).
 THANK
YOU
VERY MUCH