Simulative study of the decentralized control of complex conveyor networks

Decentralised controls offer advantages for the implementation as well as the operation of controls of steady conveyors. Such concepts are mainly based on RFID. Due to the reduced expense for appliances and software, however, the plant behaviour cannot be determined as accurately as in centrally controlled systems. This article describes a simulation-based method by which the performances of these two control concepts can easily be evaluated in order to determine the suitability of the decentralised concept.

Simulative Untersuchung dezentraler Steuerungsverfahren komplexer Fördernetze

Dezentrale Steuerungstechnologien lassen Vorteile sowohl für die Implementierung als auch den späteren Betrieb des Steuerungsverbundes von Stetigfördersystemen erwarten. Gestützt werden solche Konzepte wesentlich durch die RFID-Technologie. Der verringerte Aufwand für Gerätetechnik und Softwarerealisierung bedeutet aber auch, dass das Anlagenverhalten nicht mehr - wie in zentral gesteuerten Systemen - vollständig determiniert ist. In diesem Artikel wird ein simulationsbasiertes Verfahren vorgestellt, mit dem strategieinduzierte Leistungsunterschiede dieser beiden Steuerungskonzepte vereinfachend, aber umfassend untersucht werden können, um die Eignung des dezentralen Konzeptes zu überprüfen.

Comparison of performance measurement-systems used for order-picking

In consequence of rapidly changing market demands companies are permanently encouraged to review their own processes and structures and to modify them. Being one of these developments, order-picking is involved as part of an intra-logistics system. But to take appropriate actions, system performance and system costs have to be measured permanently. Concerning this the use of performance measurement-systems as further development of traditional systems of key figures is suitable. In this paper various performance measurement-systems are compared and their suitability for an implementation in order-picking systems is estimated. On the basis of the result of the evaluation a first concept of a performance measurement-system for order-picking will be developed by using typical key figures that are mentioned in academic literature. Finally, hints for a necessary detailed implementation and evaluation in practice will be given.