A selection method of manual and semi-automated order picking systems based on filling curve and time model

A method is presented to choose the suitable order picking system for given customer orders. After analyzing the logical movement among the three active movers which are pickers, items and containers corresponding to orders, we propose a classification of order picking systems including picker-to-parts system, put system and parts-to-picker system. Three time models are presented used with filling curves to link the one-dimensional unit grids to get the entire time of two-dimensional system. Using this method, we can get the suitability of each system for given orders by comparing the order picking time.