The Satellite Review Magazine The Satellite Review Magazine Vol 1 | Page 22

An AS/RS can be installed in an existing facility or designed specifically for a new facility. Most systems can go as high as
130 feet (these are typically rack-supported buildings), and some can be installed in buildings as low as 20 feet (these are
generally conventional buildings).
As stated above, an AS/RS can store approximately 40 percent more pallets in the same space as a conventional rack
warehouse. Why? An AS/RS can go higher and be more compact. These characteristics translate
into more storage capability within a much smaller space. In the instance of building
a new warehouse, integrating an AS/RS means the building footprint can be
considerably smaller, reducing construction and maintenance costs. For
existing facilities, business growth can be accommodated within existing
space, avoiding costly expansion and maintenance costs. Regardless
of a company’s building size and product throughput
requirements, an AS/RS can be designed and installed
to yield economy, efficiency and unprecedented space
utilization.

AS/RS DESIGN
For purposes of this article, examples use pallet loads.
However, the same technology exists for moving
totes, cases, paper rolls, bakery trays and even large
car-sized platforms.
System configuration — and the number of aisles
needed — depends on product mix and throughput
rates. Thus, customer-provided data regarding the
number of items/Stock Keeping Units (SKUs),
product throughput rates and more are critical
to AS/RS design. Merely receiving the data is not
enough, however. System designers must understand
the customer’s data to develop a design that
maximizes all the technological advantages possible
and optimizes the results the AS/RS delivers. Product
can be stored in locations/lanes with pallets placed single,
double or up to 12 pallets deep. Selecting the correct lane
depth and designing the AS/RS to that depth are critical
steps in achieving the high throughput rates fast-moving SKUs
demand. Lower volume SKUs are typically handled differently,
in lane depths suited for their inventory levels.
Today, two cranes/S/RMs can be placed in the same aisle, an AS/RS
innovation made possible by greater flexibility in controls and Warehouse
Execution System (WES) software. So, if anticipated throughput increases are
projected over the short-term, the addition of a second crane in one aisle can handle them
with ease. Plus, the second crane provides redundancy should the other be undergoing routine
maintenance.

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