Multi-objective optimization of the number of transport resources in the high-bay warehouse

The transport plays a growing role in the integrated logistics management of semi-finished products and components flow. For manufacturing companies it is important to maximize the use of production resources, minimize the number of transport resources and optimize the process, in terms of both production costs and time. The use of specific means of transport and correct organization of material flow are fundamental in order to assure continuity of production and to deliver products to the customer just in time. Due to highly complicated processes of organization and management of material flow, computer systems are currently used. Based on this type of application, some necessary simulations were carried out. These tests were aimed at investigating the impact of the number of transport resources on handling time of high-bay warehouse. On this basis, a methodology of defining a multi-objective function and determining weights of each objective are presented. The conducted analysis allowed to select the most effective number of internal transport resources in exemplary warehouse. The obtained results, particular stages of conducted analysis and conclusions were presented in this paper.