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This study explores the prediction and mitigation of pallet collapse during transportation within the glass packaging industry, employing a machine learning approach to reduce cargo loss and enhance logistics efficiency. Using the CRoss-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) framework, data were systematically collected from a leading glass manufacturer and analysed. A comparative analysis between the Decision Tree and Random Forest machine learning algorithms, evaluated using performance metrics such as F1-score, revealed that the latter is more effective at predicting pallet collapse. This study is pioneering in identifying new critical predictive variables, particularly geometry-related and temperature-related features, which significantly influence the stability of pallets. Based on these findings, several strategies to prevent pallet collapse are proposed, including optimizing pallet stacking patterns, enhancing packaging materials, implementing temperature control measures, and developing more robust handling protocols. These insights demonstrate the utility of machine learning in generating actionable recommendations to optimize supply chain operations and offer a foundation for further academic and practical advancements in cargo handling within the glass industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Numerical modeling of an integrated refrigerated container. • Different cargo pallet arrangements and cargo packaging boxes are tested. • Airflow short-circuiting has both positive and negative effects on cargo cooling. • Improving vertical airflow in cargo pallets enhances cargo cooling than air gaps. Improving the performance of a refrigerated container is crucial in effectively preserving thermal-sensitive cargo. The combined effect of vertical airflow resistance and airflow short-circuiting in air gaps play a vital role in cargo cooling. This study numerically investigates the effects of cargo vertical airflow resistance and air gaps between cargo pallets using two commonly used apple packaging boxes, each stacked in six different cargo pallet arrangements. A heat transfer enhanced refrigerated container design and a numerical model developed from the present authors' previous studies are used. The numerical model uses the porous medium model to incorporate the refrigeration unit and cargo within the refrigerated container. Additionally, the numerical domain includes the T-bar floor in the refrigerated container. Initially, the airflow characteristics based on vertical airflow resistance and air gaps are discussed. Then, the corresponding effects on cargo cooling are addressed. Results show that the air gaps between the cargo pallets have positive and negative effects on cargo cooling. In cargos with lower vertical airflow resistance, an increase in air gaps leads to reduced cargo cooling and elevated temperature non-uniformity. Conversely, cargos with higher vertical airflow resistance experience increased cooling rates and reduced temperature non-uniformity with the increase in air gaps. However, avoiding airflow short-circuiting through the air gaps between the cargo pallets and improving the vertical airflow inside the cargo pallets can provide better cargo cooling, which outweighs the positive cooling effect of the air gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a multiple-deep automated vehicles storage and retrieval system (AVS/RS) rack following a Depth-First storage and a Depth-First relocation strategy. We propose an analytical model based on a novel approach that utilises the Markov chain stochastic steady-state model. To verify the analytical model, a numerical simulation is developed. We also derive an empirical model using first- and second-order polynomial functions that are accurately fitted with regression equations and examined with MAPE and RMSE prediction accuracy measurements from a large-scale simulation study. The empirical model enables a straightforward calculation of the expected number of location movements of shuttle carriers and the attached satellite vehicles from which the AVS/RS throughput performance can be calculated. We present threefold and sixfold deep AVS/RS case study scenarios with an equal number of storage locations and estimate the cycle times. The evaluation of the case study results reveals that the analytical and empirical models achieve less than 2% error in the case of a dual command cycle time prediction compared to the simulation results. This proves that our approach allows an accurate estimation of multiple-depth AVS/RS throughput performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent control systems developed for production facilities significantly contribute to production efficiency and quality. Using intelligent control systems has now become a necessity in iron and steel sintering plants that produce millions of tonnes annually. Automatic control of the sinter machine speed, which directly affects production efficiency and quality, is one of the first issues to be addressed. The complexity of the sintering process, being affected by many variables, and the nonlinearity of these variables make it difficult to control the machine speed. This study demonstrates that we have overcome this challenge using a fuzzy logic controller (FLC), which is optimized with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The FLC we have designed operates with the characteristic point of the thermal state, the mixture level, the vacuum average, and the current speed parameters. We achieved an average success rate of 95%. The developed system automatically controls the speed of the sinter machine with high accuracy, independent of the operator. The system we have developed is used continuously at the Iskenderun Iron & Steel Co. sinter plant. The results obtained from the production facility show that the developed system captures the thermal change in the sinter pallet and manages the machine accordingly, increases the sintering efficiency by at least 10%, and ensures process safety. These results revealed that the developed system can be used effectively in the iron and steel industry and the use of the system will increase efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In outdoor unmanned forklift unloading scenarios, pallet detection and localization face challenges posed by uncontrollable lighting conditions. Furthermore, the stacking and close arrangement of pallets also increase the difficulty of positioning a target pallet. To solve these problems, a method for high-precision positioning and rotation angle estimation for a target pallet using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) and vision is proposed. Deep dual-resolution networks (DDRNets) are used to segment the pallet from depth images and RGB images. Then, keypoints for calculating the position and rotation angle are extracted and further combined with the 3D point cloud data to achieve accurate pallet positioning. Constraining the pixel coordinates and depth coordinates of the center point of the pallet and setting the priority of the pallet according to the unloading direction allow the target pallet to be identified from multiple pallets. The positioning of the target pallet in the forklift navigation coordinate system is achieved by integrating BDS positioning data through coordinate transformation. This method is robust in response to lighting influences and can accurately locate the target pallet. The experimental results show that the pallet positioning error is less than 20 mm, and the rotation angle error is less than 0.37°, which meets the accuracy requirements for automated forklift operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The logistics transportation system is critical to the United States economy. Underground Logistics Transportation (ULT) is a class of automated transportation systems in which vehicles carry freight through pipelines and tunnels between terminals. Being able to use a part of the underground space of existing highways will greatly facilitate the construction of such pipelines and tunnels and reduce their construction costs. Underground Logistics Transportation (ULT) could be the answer to make freight transport more sustainable and competitive. Texas highways and railroads are expected to increase by nearly 207% from 2003 to 2030. Truck tonnage will grow by 251%, while rail tonnage is forecasted to increase 118%. The number of trucks carrying NAFTA goods will increase by 263%, and the number of rail units will grow by 195%. This will have a profound impact on the highway and rail systems. The objective of this paper is to present requirements and operational components for three types of ULT lines: standard shipping containers, a standard crate size, and a standard pallet size. This study examines the use of ULT as a mode of underground transportation with the help of three case studies. This research shows that ULT is financially viable, feasible, greener, cost effective, and can become an important part of intermodal freight mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industry usually faces a problem during the loading/unloading of finished products and raw materials from one place to another when both places are at different elevations. As trucks are of variable height and industry loading bays are at different elevations, it is not possible to drive the pallets effectively into freight, which results in decreasing loading/unloading efficiency of small concerns. In this paper, an adjustable height ramp system for increasing production efficiency and improving the industrial working environment was developed using a linear actuator and automation system for the safe loading and unloading of pallets. This adjustable ramp will help to increase the productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and it will provide a safe working environment. Using an adjustable ramp will help create a bridge between industry loading bays and freight, and it will also resolve the issue of different heights of both by making a path between them. The Internet of things (IoT)-enabled lifting and downward movement of the ramp is attempted for oil/air filter MSMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There can be two automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) in the same distribution center: one for pallets and the other for cases. Full pallets or half‐full pallets are depalletized and moved to the case storage system. The number of cases depalletized daily for an item needs to be determined based on the average daily demand for that item. Too many depalletized cases ahead of time will inflate the required storage capacity of the case storage system. On the other hand, depalletizing only the necessary cases day by day might lead to too frequent material flow, and therefore more stacker cranes are necessary. Therefore, the number of depalletized pallets affects the number and utilization of stacker cranes in the pallet storage system. It also affects the needed space in the case storage system. This study determines the most efficient number of depalletized cases for three classes of items (A, B, and C), which are determined based on their daily demand. This is done using three scenarios. The total cost is minimized, considering the utilization of the two storage systems. More investigation was done for B items, which have daily demand levels of one layer of cases or more, but less than pallet size. First, analytical equations were formulated to model the system. The model was solved using a genetic algorithm (GA) with special chromosome representations. Results showed that B items can be grouped into two subgroups that are replenished based on two different material flow scenarios. Items with relatively large demand levels have scenario 3 as the optimal one. Results also showed that the model reduces both total costs and stacker crane utilization while improving system flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pallet roller conveyors are designed to facilitate the movement of pallets along a conveyor system, which consists of a series of rollers mounted on a frame. In industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, pallet roller conveyors are widely used where the efficient movement of palletized loads is crucial for productivity and warehouse optimization. This study optimized pallet roller conveyors in the case of the number of critical conveyor parts. To verify the existing design, pallet conveyor parts were first modeled geometrically, and then, structural analysis was carried out. To reduce the overall weight and save a significant amount of materials, the existing pallet conveyor system is redesigned by designing the critical parts. A structural analysis was carried out, followed by a comparison of the existing pallet roller conveyor design and the optimized one. The calculated maximum deflection and safety factor remained within acceptable limits, ensuring the safety of the optimized design. This minimizes the overall weight and cost of the pallet conveyor system as well as saving a considerable amount of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), so necessary in industrial environments, require precise control of trajectory tracking to make accurate stops at logistics stations, such as loading stations, or to pick up or drop off trolleys, pallets, or racks. This paper proposes a hybrid control architecture for trajectory tracking of a hybrid tricycle-differential AGV. The control strategy combines conventional proportional integral derivative (PID) control with advanced nonlinear Lyapunov control (LPC). The LPC is used for trajectory tracking while the PID is used for speed control of the robot. The stability of the controller is demonstrated for any differentiable trajectory. When a PID optimized with genetic algorithms is compared with the proposed controller for several trajectories, the LPC outperforms it in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pallet is an important tool in transportation, and its production raw materials show a diversified development trend. In order to design the structure of discarded glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) pallets, a static analysis was performed using ABAQUS. The pallet's structural parameters were used as variables, while the pallet mass and maximum stress were set as optimization objectives. An optimization experiment using DOE with ISIGHT was conducted to obtain a locally optimal solution. The DOE experimental results were fitted using a RBF model to obtain an approximate model. By applying the NSGA-II algorithm, the approximate model can be further optimized to achieve the optimal structure. The results showed that after optimizing through DOE, the pallet's mass increased by 9.2% and maximum stress decreased by 18.2%. Furthermore, after further optimization using the NSGA-II algorithm, the pallet's mass decreased by 1.2% and maximum stress decreased by 15.3%. Optimised design of the pallet structure was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A key issue in the transportation of pallets is their proper preparation. The selection of an appropriate pallet, the stacking of goods and the proper securing of the pallet with the cargo is intended to minimize the risk of damage to the goods. Transporting goods on a pallet allows for additional protection of fragile items, as well as transporting heavy or oversized cargo. Unfortunately, damage to transport shipments is a common problem for many companies, for the sake of the damage to the goods being transported and the costs they entail. That's why it's so important to be safe when transporting pallet shipments to reduce its negative effects. This article addresses the problem of a logistics operator that serves its customers by first placing products on pallets and then loading the pallets onto trucks. In addition to the standard geometric constraints of keeping products from overlapping and exceeding the dimensions of pallets and trucks, there are many other constraints in this real-world problem, related to the total weight of the load or the distribution of the load inside the truck, as well as transportation safety. By analyzing the transportation process and shipment damage data, it was possible to propose measures to implement to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of damage to pallet shipments. Design/methodology/approach: The article briefly reviews the literature in the area of the concept of pallet. A map of the processes of execution of the transport order of pallet shipments was used, as well as FMEA analysis, which is an effective tool for identifying potential risks, causes of damage and their impact on the process of transporting pallet shipments. Findings: The purpose of the article was to analyze the current state of transportation management in the studied company using process mapping and to detect the causes of the appearance of damage to pallet shipments using FMEA analysis. Originality/value: As the selection of an appropriate pallet, the stacking of goods and the proper securing of the pallet with the cargo is aimed at minimizing the risk of damage to the goods, the topic addressed is relevant to the business of the logistics operator under review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The next-generation 650 MHz solid state power amplifier designed by the Institute of Modern Physics will utilize 24 modules with an output power of 60 kW. The outputs of each of the 12 modules will be combined using a 12-in-1 rectangular cavity combiner integrated into the rack. This cavity combiner, requiring only a single stage to combine power, is characterized by a minimal power loss and a high combining efficiency. The input couplers of the combiner are adjustable to change the number of combination channels. In the event of one amplifier module failure, the corresponding port can be adjusted to decouple, transforming the combiner to an (N-1)-channel combiner with a combining efficiency decay of 0.2%. The prototype of the combiner has been fabricated and tested with a small signal. The combining efficiency is 98.5%. In this paper, we will validate the feasibility of the combiner from the design, simulation, and experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision targets an increase of 34% in non-oil revenue participation in the GDP, thus the need for automation and digital transformation. The Company ER is a market leader producing high-quality dairy products in the Kingdom and is a pioneer in the production industry. The company has recently increased the capacity of its milk factory to meet its vision. An investment was made to automate the pallet handling procedures at the milk factory to provide increased production for daily consumption. The new automation transition in Company ER's milk factory provides a unique opportunity to utilize lean management tools to improve the current automated processes before commercialization. Design/methodology/approach: OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) will monitor losses for different operational losses in the new automated system and indicate system improvements, with 85% as the target. Based on DMADV (design, measure, analyze, design and validate) methodology, this study analyzes the entire automated pallet handling system. It uses lean tools to identify areas for improvement, identify waste elements and propose solutions to achieve Company ER's OEE targets. Findings: In this paper, the outcomes will be presented as documented solutions that address the losses encountered in the production system, showing a 12.8% increase in the system's OEE. Research limitations/implications: Owing the time and resource constraint, this study only involved automated pallet handling procedures in a milk production facility. Hence, the generalization of the result is slightly limited. More studies in several different processes and sectors are required. Practical implications: This study provided a valuable tool for researchers for gaining deeper understanding regarding the lean manufacturing and its implementation. For practitioners, it is useful to evaluate the degree of lean manufacturing tools in their material handling systems. Originality/value: This study is the first attempt to develop lean manufacturing constructs for evaluating the automated pallet handling procedures in a milk production facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rack upright frames of conventional pallet racking systems are obtained by the assembly of uprights and braces or diagonals. Rack uprights are commonly mono‐symmetric open thin‐walled members with regular perforations along their length. These perforations are used to enable the connection with braces and beams by means of bolts or hooks. The structural behaviour of a rack upright frame under a pure compression load, in which the buckling phenomenon has a relevant influence, depends on several geometrical parameters, such as the column cross‐sectional dimensions, perforations characteristics, frame length, distance between braces, etc. Therefore, these particular issues should be considered to perform a proper structural analysis. In this paper, the structural behaviour of a pallet rack frame under a pure compression load is analysed by means of eigenbuckling and geometrically nonlinear Generalized Beam Theory (GBT) analyses. The influence of GBT deformation modes involved in the analysis is discussed. Moreover, different approaches to reproduce the connection between uprights and braces are presented and discussed. Finally, GBT results are compared with beam, shell finite element analysis and experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistory car parking system garages were introduced to increase the capacity of parking garages. However, the systems have problems, such as accidents (intrapark movement and theft), searching for parking spaces, awkward boarding/deboarding at narrow designated places, and difficulties in their use by beginners and elderly people. Several studies have been conducted to address these issues. One was a proposal to introduce automatic and electric pallets for transporting vehicles, and to realize automated valet parking for entering and exiting. An electric pallet was equipped with its own sensor, which made it easier to move and realize a more effective use of space in a parking lot. However, evaluations of the capacity of the parking lot and the time efficiency of exiting demonstrated that the method was insufficient. We propose herein a method of moving automatic pallets that improves the time required for exiting in automated valet parking. Specifically, we propose to reduce the exit distance (distance to the exit) by changing how automatic pallets are moved. In this study, various sensors were introduced to move automatic pallets accurately. In addition, considering the material as the detection target of the sensor, we selected the parking lot and the passage in the multistory car park as options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of World Nuclear Geoscience is the property of World Nuclear Geoscience Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Pallets ensure efficient processes in logistics and are exchanged between the different actors, while passing through various supply chains several times. In common practice, the exchange is often not directly carried out on site, e.g. due to a lack of time, so that additional trips and new pallet purchases become necessary. To reduce these negative effects, a digital cross-actor platform is designed, and its potential is investigated. Design/methodology/approach: The authors developed an agent-based simulation model with mathematical optimization. Using experience from practitioners, as well as real-world datasets which were analyzed, the authors ensure a realistic model of the pallet exchange system in Germany. Findings: The authors demonstrated that, with the help of this platform concept, transport routes can be shortened, debts and receivables can partly be equaled out through balancing, and the quantity of pallets in the overall system can be reduced. Research limitations/implications: The results are not directly transferable to pallet exchange systems in other countries without considering their general settings. Practical implications: Digital networking increases the efficiency of the existing pallet exchange system. Even small collaborations prove to be reasonable. Originality/value: The authors developed new mechanisms for a digital pallet exchange platform, which takes on the role of a central planning instance, in addition to recording pallet receivables and debts. It enables the planning of the commodity flow of empty pallets, which are transported by the forwarders on regular routes, and distributed between the platform participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system in pallets was developed for 'Padrón' peppers as a way to extend their shelf-life while maintaining good fruit quality. Peppers were stored at 6 °C in cardboard boxes arranged on pallets wrapped in micro-perforated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags. Physico-chemical (moisture, firmness, color, chlorophylls, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic content) and sensory analysis were carried out after 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage. An initial mixture of 11.8% O2–8.5% CO2 prevented anaerobic conditions and kept suitable CO2 levels throughout the entire storage period. Silica gel was tested as a moisture absorbent and considerably reduced water vapor condensation inside packaging bags. The MAP system developed maintained the shelf-life of peppers until the end of the 21-day storage period. The fruit always showed a good appearance and color. No rotting or other types of undesirable alterations were observed. MAP markedly reduced the fraction of peppers with water loss as evidenced by a minimum percentage of fruit with wrinkles (12.5%) as compared to unpackaged samples (75%). Good pigment stability was also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crane & shuttle-based storage and retrieval system (C&SBS/RS) is the first automated warehouse technology that supports pallet picking, case picking and item picking. In the C&SBS/RS, aisle-captive cranes perform pallet picking, while tier-captive shuttles handle cases and items picking. To balance picking tasks, we propose an order dividing algorithm to fulfil required specific picking sequences. The optimisation objective is to minimise the order line picking time. Therefore, we modelled and analyzed the C&SBS/RS and considered single and dual command cycles for each resource (i.e. cranes, rail-guided vehicles, shuttles and lifters) separately according to their respective operation processes. Finally, numerical experiments were conducted to analyze impact factors and a real case to verify the power of the proposed order dividing algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1006-2467) is the property of Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents an integrated storage assignment method for low-level picker-to-parts order picking warehouses taking into account economic and ergonomic objectives. Three different pallet rack layouts are studied in this paper, namely (a) picking from full pallets on the floor, (b) picking from half-pallets on the floor, and (c) picking from half-pallets on the upper rank of the shelf. First, cost functions are developed to assess the total order picking performance impact of these different pallet rack layouts. Second, with regard to workload, the metabolic cost and energy expenditure rates for picking from the different rack layouts under study are derived. Third, for assessing the working posture during order picking, the Ovako Working Posture Analysing System index is used where the required data is collected using a motion capturing system. The developed models are combined to propose a heuristic storage assignment procedure that supports the decision of which item to store on which pallet. The developed storage assignment method is then applied to an industrial case study. The results of the paper support warehouse managers in assessing the order picking storage assignment from an ergonomics viewpoint and in estimating its impact on financial order picking performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the problem of building stacked pallet load units consisting of at least two stackable pallet load units. Moreover, this article concerns the part of the flow of goods in distribution networks that is prepared at the place of initial assembly in the form of palletized loading units designed for the final receiver. Such a unit does not exceed the limits of permissible weight or height. The article proposes a single-criteria binary programming model in which the goal is to minimize the pallet spaces required to accommodate the constructed units. In addition to the classical parameters of acceptable weight and height of the units, the constraints also take into account the fragility of the goods placed on each unit, filling the top layer of each unit, and its height homogeneity. The model developed was verified on a test dataset, and the savings from the use of optimum construction of the stacked palletized cargo units were demonstrated through the conducted experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]