scope:

Introduction 

Preliminary note

This guideline deals with the calculation of cycle times for floor conveyors in narrow aisles for storage and retrieval in accordance with guideline VDI 3577 and the standards DIN 15 185-1 and -2.

The guideline only refers to the cycle time calculation for personnel-operated narrow-aisle stackers in accordance with DIN EN 1726-1 and -2. The operator exercises an influence on the cycle times to be measured in operation, and this limits the accuracy of the calculated values compared to automatic storage and retrieval systems. The guideline assumes an adequately trained and experienced operator.

It is recommended that this guideline be made a priority element of the contract.

Purpose of the guideline

This guideline provides a calculation aid for the cycle time of personnel-operated narrow-aisle stackers on the basis of unified parameters which can help to

• calculate the aisle-specific throughput of narrowaisle stackers,

• calculate the number of vehicles and thus the system throughput, and

• design the warehouse systems.

This guideline serves to establish the standard and the procedure for cycle time calculation in the compilation of invitations to tender so that offers can be compared.

Delineation

The cycle time calculation is limited to unit warehouses in which only whole load units are stored and retrieved, and represents the average value. For further delineations see Section 3.1.

The load unit is provided at the centre of the front side of the rack at a defined height. The fork is located at the side of the transfer point, pallet-centred in the aisle.

The time for moving the narrow-aisle stacker from one aisle to the other and for turning the load handling device are not taken into account in the cycle time.