Design and analysis of computer-aided cart systems for picking discrete items

The author examines operational instructions and design policies for implementing computer-aided cart systems from the standpoint of efficiency. From results of analysis it is found that operators should follow their basic routing efficiently retrieve items. In designing the cart systems it is better to make an intermediate shortcut from the efficiency standpoint. In addition, optimization analysis is performed to determine the number of carts under three basic criteria, i.e., the minimum-time criterion, the minimum-cost criterion, and the maximum-profit criterion. A numerical example is presented, based on an actual case