Resequencing with parallel queues to minimize the maximum number of items in the overflow area

Abstract

This article treats an elementary optimization problem, where an inbound stream of successive items is to be resequenced with the help of multiple parallel queues in order to restore an intended target sequence. Whenever early items block the one item to be currently released into the target sequence, they are withdrawn from their queue and intermediately stored in an overflow area until their actual release is reached. We aim to minimize the maximum number of items simultaneously stored in the overflow area during the complete resequencing process. We met this problem in industry practice at a large German automobile producer, who has to resequence containers with car seats prior to the assembly process. We formalize the resulting resequencing problem and provide suited exact and heuristic solution algorithms. In our computational study, we also address managerial aspects such as how to properly avoid the negative effects of sequence alterations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 401–415, 2016

Blockage‐free storage assignment and storage/retrieval scheduling in autonomous vehicle storage and retrieval systems

“…Therefore FCFS processing is the only option. However, retrieval requests are only messages in computer memory and can be re‐sequenced (Boywitz et al, 2016). $$$ Blocking\ mitigation\ protocols $$$.…”

Modelos y métodos para el diseño de sistemas de aprovisionamiento a líneas de montaje con mezcla de modelos.

“…Este método es más flexible e incrementa el uso de los trenes, sin embargo, les preocupaba el hecho de que pudiera generar tráfico y atascos si más de un vehículo coinciden en un pasillo estrecho. Boywitz et al (2016) destaca en su trabajo sobre secuenciación de los asientos a entregar a línea, que pequeñas modificaciones pueden conllevar un tráfico considerable en el área de trabajo, por lo que es interesan realizar una optimización adicional al proceso de resecuenciado para ayudar a reducirlo.…”