Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Advanced Technologies

A mathematical model is presented to determine out the physical dimensions of an automated warehouse for Thai airways cargo handling system. A line~rly constrained nonlinear programming model for cost analysis of the automated storage retrieval system is established with the objective of minimizing the total cost which is a function the number of cranes or aisles. Emphasis is given on operating and maintenance cost which incorporates the total cost. Performance evaluation of the system for utilization and dwell point location were carried out after the optimal dimensions and other parameters were computed. The layout also includes possible range of extension in the future to cope up with increment both in throughput and capacity without hindering the service quality. The result shows that for current system, due to the low throughput is under utilized. But in near future when the tlu·oughput may increase as the import material is increased the system is likely to be better utilized. Possible way to increase the utilization can happen by installing cranes which can be transferred from aisle to aisle but question of limited space arise, also system can be semi-automated which would help in the decrease of the total cost. This howeve~ may not be able to provide faster service at peak hours.