The implement of a remote control system for automated warehouse by ZigBee networking

Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, 6, Lane 2, Sec.3, Shanchiao Rd., Yuanlin, Changhua 51003, Taiwan, R.O.C.

^* e-mail: hccheng@gm.ccut.edu.tw

Abstract

Excessive raw materials and products in stock unduly increase an enterprise's overhead. However, insufficient raw materials and products will also influence the efficiency and output of the manufacturing process. Therefore, to largely reduce stock cost and facilitate adequate production for plants with multiple manufacturing processes and warehouses, the adjustment of raw material and products between warehouses is necessary. In addition, in order to keep track of current raw materials and products, remote online monitoring and control of the storage/retrieval system is compulsory. To simplify the search in an AS/BS process, a graph-aided strategy that manually selects the location within the stock map is presented. Moreover, to avoid interference from internet wiring allocation with existing equipment, a wireless storage/retrieval system using the ZigBee module is adopted. Consequently, a prototype of the remote wireless monitoring and control storage/retrieval system for sixteen storage spaces is exemplified.