Retrieval Sequencing in a Compact Storage System with Side Access

Abstract

In a compact storage system with side access, bins are arranged in adjacent vertical stacks. In each retrieval cycle, bins blocking access are lifted to create a temporary tunnel through which a robot extracts one requested bin from the side. The lifted bins are then lowered again, and the energy expenditure of the cycle equals the number of lifted bins. Given a pick list known in advance, we seek a retrieval order that minimizes total energy expenditure. For every number of stacks, we prove that the total energy separates into an instance constant and a pairwise penalty, and that every energy-optimal order is laminar within each stack. For two stacks, we prove that the retrieval sequencing problem is solvable in polynomial time. For three stacks, we give an exact polynomial-time reduction to a merge problem and characterize which merge-problem instances arise from the storage model. We define a recursive class of retrieval orders and construct a polynomial-time dynamic program that minimizes energy expenditure over this class. Finally, we quantify the additional energy savings from batching, which allows several requested bins to be retrieved in one cycle.