Concepts for the use of Knowledge-based Engineering in intralogistics System Planning: Dynamic Layouting

Intralogistics systems are indispensable across all industries and their planning is a complex, multi-domain process. Challenges arise from system complexity, the management of heterogeneous components, and the reliance on planner expertise, potentially leading to delays and errors. Existing information, such as 3D designs, is often underutilized, and there is a lack of relevant research and transparent methodological details. In response to these limitations, a novel method for the Knowledge-based Layouting (KBL) of intralogistics systems has been developed. This method – based on the Knowledge-based x (KBx) definition – is, among other things, founded on concepts such as the reuse of existing information utilizing a library-based approach, Blackbox modeling and encapsulation, as well as a grouping mechanism. The grouping mechanism is a particular focus of this work, as it enables the representation of hierarchical structures and can shift complexity from knowledge application to knowledge capturing. The central research question investigates whether the developed KBL method can be employed for the dynamic generation of conveyor lines between defined start and end points in intralogistics system planning. To address this, algorithms based on Euclidean and Manhattan Routing were implemented and tested. The results demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic conveyor line generation using the KBL method. Furthermore, geometric collision detection against static objects was developed and implemented.