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Warehouse Model

How warehouses are represented in Waremax.

Overview

Waremax models warehouses as graphs with physical locations, connections, and resources.

Topic Description
Graph-Based Maps Map structure and representation
Nodes & Edges Location and path concepts
Storage & Inventory Racks, bins, and SKUs
Stations Service stations for robots

Graph Representation

The warehouse is a directed graph:

  • Nodes: Physical locations
  • Edges: Paths between locations
  • Weights: Edge lengths (distance)
    [S1]----[A1]----[A2]----[S2]
      |       |       |       |
    [R1]----[R2]----[R3]----[R4]
      |       |       |       |
    [A3]----[A4]----[A5]----[A6]

Key Components

Nodes

Physical locations where robots can be:

  • Aisles: Traversable corridors
  • Racks: Storage locations
  • Stations: Service points
  • Charging: Charging locations
  • Maintenance: Repair locations

Edges

Connections between nodes:

  • Have length (meters)
  • Can be bidirectional or one-way
  • Have capacity limits

Storage

Inventory system:

  • Racks with multiple levels
  • Bins within levels
  • SKUs placed in bins
  • Quantity tracking

Stations

Service points:

  • Pick stations (order fulfillment)
  • Drop stations (delivery)
  • Inbound/outbound stations
  • Charging and maintenance

Coordinate System

Nodes have (x, y) coordinates:

  • Origin at (0, 0)
  • X increases rightward
  • Y increases upward
  • Units in meters
Y
^
|  [0,10]----[5,10]----[10,10]
|     |         |          |
|  [0,5]-----[5,5]-----[10,5]
|     |         |          |
|  [0,0]-----[5,0]-----[10,0]
+--------------------------------> X

Design Principles

Grid Layouts

Most warehouses use grid-like structures:

  • Regular spacing
  • Clear aisles
  • Accessible racks

Station Placement

Stations typically at:

  • Edges of the warehouse
  • Accessible from main aisles
  • Near relevant storage zones

Traffic Flow

Consider:

  • Main travel corridors
  • One-way aisles (optional)
  • Congestion points