Autostore Basics
Autostore is an automated storage and retrieval system that uses robots to manage inventory in a grid-based warehouse structure.
System Overview
Section titled “System Overview”The Autostore system consists of several key components working together to automate warehouse operations:
- The Grid: A modular aluminium grid that forms the foundation of the system. Robots travel across the top of the grid and move bins from above.
- Bins: Storage containers that hold inventory items inside the Autostore system
- Ports: Access points where operators interact with the system
There are several types of ports, and all ports can be used for all operations.
- Conveyor Ports: A standard conveyor port to access all bins inside the grid
- Carousel Ports: A large port built for faster bin delivery
Bins and Compartments
Section titled “Bins and Compartments”- Single Compartment Bins: Hold one type of product
- Multi-Compartment Bins: Divided sections for multiple products (typically 2, 4 or 8 compartments)
Tasks and Task Groups
Section titled “Tasks and Task Groups”Task Groups
Section titled “Task Groups”A task group is a collection of tasks that are executed together.
Task Category: The category property restricts the selection of a task group to ports which are allowed to select tasks from a given category.
Suspended Tasks: A task group that is suspended will not be selected by Autostore unless specifically requested. When an operative logs out of a port, a task is suspended until the port is used again.
A task specifies the retrieval of one specific bin. Tasks are always grouped into a task group structure which defines a set of one or more tasks that must be handled together.