This paper deals with the warehouse layout optimization problem with respect to the distance reduction and the travel time minimization. The authors also searched for a flexible tool in order to optimize layout functionally to the fluctuations in demand and inventory level. The addressed optimization problem is a constrained optimization problem on an integer domain and it is shown to be NP-hard. The wide applicability of evolutionary computation and its good performances on a variety of different optimization problems have led to a strong interest in this type of algorithm. A heuristic genetic algorithm have been developed and a system for the effective assignment of the storage area to the different class of items is presented. The system is based on the association of a genetic algorithm and a deterministic simulation model. Computational experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. They were made by applying the proposed tool to a real industrial case concerning an Italian soft drinks company. As a result, the authors intend to provide a tool for warehouse layout and operations optimization that could be attractive for operation management researchers and realistically applicable by practitioners.
Warehouse layout design: minimizing travel time with a genetic and simulative approach - methodology and case study.
TONELLI, FLAVIO;
2002-01-01
Abstract
This paper deals with the warehouse layout optimization problem with respect to the distance reduction and the travel time minimization. The authors also searched for a flexible tool in order to optimize layout functionally to the fluctuations in demand and inventory level. The addressed optimization problem is a constrained optimization problem on an integer domain and it is shown to be NP-hard. The wide applicability of evolutionary computation and its good performances on a variety of different optimization problems have led to a strong interest in this type of algorithm. A heuristic genetic algorithm have been developed and a system for the effective assignment of the storage area to the different class of items is presented. The system is based on the association of a genetic algorithm and a deterministic simulation model. Computational experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. They were made by applying the proposed tool to a real industrial case concerning an Italian soft drinks company. As a result, the authors intend to provide a tool for warehouse layout and operations optimization that could be attractive for operation management researchers and realistically applicable by practitioners.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.