Development of a heuristic model approach to investigate the efficiency of cellular FTF in intralogistics

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Nyhuis
• Subject Area: Production Systems, Operations Management, Quality Management and Factory Planning ; Production Automation and Assembly Technology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 505849793

The research project is based on the hypothesis that under certain but increasingly common conditions, such as a high product variance in the transport process, the use of cellular AGVs in intralogistics leads to a reduction of logistics costs and an increase in logistics performance compared to conventional approaches with several means of transport. The aim of the proposed research project is therefore to use a suitable scenario study to investigate in which cases the approach pursued offers an advantage over conventional approaches. Fundamental to the added value of the approach is the modular interconnection of the FTF to transport different product sizes. In addition, it is postulated that by using only one type of means of transport, economies of scale in acquisition and operation can be exploited, which cannot be used when using different types of means of transport due to the smaller number in each case.The solution of the research project is divided into two sub-goals. The first sub-goal is to establish and solve the mathematical optimisation model based on the VRP. For this purpose, the influencing and target variables identified previously are converted into mathematical restrictions and the target function is formulated. Special attention is paid to the description of the function of the interconnection of the FTF modules to larger transport units. To solve the NP-heavy problem, a heuristic based on a genetic algorithm is then implemented.In the second sub-goal the focus is on the construction of a simulation model to perform a scenario study and the subsequent validation of the approach. After building the model, the heuristic previously created will be integrated to solve the mathematical model. The heuristic is later used to calculate the interconnection of the FTF modules to new transport units and the assignment of orders to the transport units at certain points in time when triggering events occur. In addition to the heuristics, a route-finding algorithm (e.g. A*) is stored in the simulation model. After the implementation of the described facts, the scenario study is created and carried out by means of the simulation model. In this context, the application limits and potentials of the approach for the efficient design of intralogistics using cellular FTF are determined. In the scenario study, the approach is compared, among other things, with existing variants from intralogistics in which, for example, several types of transport system (e.g. forklift trucks, FTF) are used in one system. In addition, the number of product variants (e.g. dimensions, weight and frequency of demand) or the technical specifications of the AGV modules are changed.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr.-Ing. Ludger Overmeyer