Rack cell configuration problem: a mathematical model and effective combined heuristic

This paper discusses the configuration of a space-effective rack cell for storing a given set of heterogeneous items. Rack cells are the primary components of rack storage areas. A rack cell configuration problem (RCCP) for heterogeneous storage is formulated as a combinatorial mathematical model. An effective heuristic for solving the RCCP in practical cases is presented. The proposed heuristic consists of multistage brute force searching of defined sets of feasible solutions and solving linear integer assignment problems by the branch-and-bound method. The developed algorithm was implemented and tested, and the rack cell obtained meets the modularity requirements in the design and operation of heterogeneous storage areas.