Disclosed are a method and device for moving an article based on dense storage, a storage medium, and a dense storage system. The method includes: upon detecting that a target shelf is blocked by at least one blocking shelf, instructing a first self-driven robot to remove the blocking shelf and/or a blocking storage box to make the target shelf not blocked by the blocking shelf or make a target storage box on the target self not blocked by the blocking storage box; instructing the first self-driven robot to carry the blocking shelf and/or the blocking storage box and perform a circular movement along a robot travelling passage; and instructing a second self-driven robot to move the target shelf from its current position to a workstation, or instructing the second self-driven robot to remove the target storage box from the target shelf and move the target storage box to the workstation.

Disclosed are a method and device for moving an article based on dense storage, a storage medium, and a dense storage system. The method includes: upon detecting that a target shelf is blocked by at least one blocking shelf, instructing a first self-driven robot to remove the blocking shelf and/or a blocking storage box to make the target shelf not blocked by the blocking shelf or make a target storage box on the target self not blocked by the blocking storage box; instructing the first self-driven robot to carry the blocking shelf and/or the blocking storage box and perform a circular movement along a robot travelling passage; and instructing a second self-driven robot to move the target shelf from its current position to a workstation, or instructing the second self-driven robot to remove the target storage box from the target shelf and move the target storage box to the workstation.

An automated warehouse is disclosed comprising an enclosure. A robotic arm mounted above the enclosure places packages in the enclosure and removes packages from the enclosure. In embodiments, packages may be packed tightly within the enclosure to improve storage efficiency within the enclosure.

An automated warehouse is disclosed comprising an enclosure. A robotic arm mounted above the enclosure places packages in the enclosure and removes packages from the enclosure. In embodiments, packages may be packed tightly within the enclosure to improve storage efficiency within the enclosure.

A pickface builder for a storage and retrieval system for storing goods units and having an in-feed conveyor and a picking device, each goods unit holding at least one product package therein, the pickface builder including a frame, a pusher member movably coupled to the frame, and a snugger member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the pickface builder is configured to receive goods units from the in-feed conveyor and the pusher member and snugger member are movable at least in a direction transverse to a direction of goods unit travel on the in-feed conveyor and configured to form the goods units into a pickface picked by the picking device as a unit and having a predetermined reference datum relating the pickface to a placement position of goods units forming the pickface along a storage surface of the storage and retrieval system.

A pickface builder for a storage and retrieval system for storing goods units and having an in-feed conveyor and a picking device, each goods unit holding at least one product package therein, the pickface builder including a frame, a pusher member movably coupled to the frame, and a snugger member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the pickface builder is configured to receive goods units from the in-feed conveyor and the pusher member and snugger member are movable at least in a direction transverse to a direction of goods unit travel on the in-feed conveyor and configured to form the goods units into a pickface picked by the picking device as a unit and having a predetermined reference datum relating the pickface to a placement position of goods units forming the pickface along a storage surface of the storage and retrieval system.

A storage system features a fleet of storage/retrieval vehicles and a gridded three-dimensional structure. The structure features a gridded two-dimensional track layout on which the one or more storage/retrieval vehicles are conveyable in two directions, and a plurality of storage columns residing above or below the gridded track layout in spaced distribution throughout the two-dimensional area of the track layout. Upright shafts reside above or below the gridded track layout and provide vehicle access to the storage columns. At least one working station resides outside the two-dimensional area of the track layout, and via one or more extension tracks, is served by the same vehicles that navigate the gridded structure.

A storage system features a fleet of storage/retrieval vehicles and a gridded three-dimensional structure. The structure features a gridded two-dimensional track layout on which the one or more storage/retrieval vehicles are conveyable in two directions, and a plurality of storage columns residing above or below the gridded track layout in spaced distribution throughout the two-dimensional area of the track layout. Upright shafts reside above or below the gridded track layout and provide vehicle access to the storage columns. At least one working station resides outside the two-dimensional area of the track layout, and via one or more extension tracks, is served by the same vehicles that navigate the gridded structure.

Orchestrated delivery of retrieved storage units from a three-dimensional gridded storage structure to an entrance or intake point of a working station in a sequenced manner is performed entirely within the footprint of the gridded three-dimensional storage structure by the same fleet of robotic storage/retrieval vehicles operable to retrieve the storage units from storage locations within that gridded structure, thereby enabling omission of large sortation conveyors or other external sortation equipment.

Orchestrated delivery of retrieved storage units from a three-dimensional gridded storage structure to an entrance or intake point of a working station in a sequenced manner is performed entirely within the footprint of the gridded three-dimensional storage structure by the same fleet of robotic storage/retrieval vehicles operable to retrieve the storage units from storage locations within that gridded structure, thereby enabling omission of large sortation conveyors or other external sortation equipment.