The purpose of this paper is to study the performances of “pick‐and‐sort” order‐picking systems (OPSs) and investigate picking efficiency and design issues as a function of the number and length of the picking waves.
An analytical model is proposed to estimate the picking efficiency as a function of wavelength. The model, which has been tested by simulations, includes an algorithm to estimate the expected overlapping of order lines. Finally, a case study illustrates the use of the model in the initial assessment phase of OPS design, and resolves the trade‐off between picking efficiency and sorting cost.
The effect of the wavelength on picking efficiency is calculated.
The trade‐off analysis between picking efficiency and sorting cost refers to a specific sorting system and picking area layout.
The paper provides a tool to support the design of “pick‐and‐sort” OPS, where the importance of the length of the picking wave emerges.
This paper presents an innovative model that can be used in the initial phase of “pick‐and‐sort” OPS design.
