Port Process

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Ports controlled through the Port Interface should be configured with the port type CUSTOM.

Cells Allocation

To deliver/retrieve bins to/from a Custom Port, the WMS must allocate a port cell. This allocation allows AutoStore to plan bin and robot movements before the port is physically ready.

Cell Allocation Rules

• Each cell can have only one pending allocation.
• A new allocation replaces the previous one.
• The WMS typically sends the next allocation immediately after AutoStore confirms a bin operation (bintoport and/or binfromport).

❗️

Port Interface does not support ports with multiple port cells.

Returning Bins To Grid

• Usually, a bin delivered to a port is returned using the same cell.
• If separate cells are used for returning bins, the WMS must allocate those cells as well.
• Delivery and return allocations are independent processes and help AutoStore plan empty robot movement.

Allocation Message

• The WMS allocates a port cell by sending portcellallocate to AutoStore.

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Exchange Bins To/From Grid

Cell allocation alone does not allow physical bin movement. The WMS must explicitly permit it:

• Deliver bin to cell → portlocationready
• Retrieve bin from cell → portbinready

The portlocationready message includes the getbin parameter, which indicates whether:

• Only a bin should be delivered, or
• A bin exchange (deliver and retrieve) should occur.

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Log Publisher Confirmation

AutoStore confirms physical operations indirectly via the Log Publisher Interface:

• bintoport: delivered as an ordinary BL segment (new bin location), confirms a bin has been delivered to the port cell. AutoStore releases control of the cell.
• binfromport: delivered as an ordinary BL segment (new bin location or bin on robot), confirms a bin has been retrieved from the port cell. AutoStore releases control of the cell.

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The binfromport confirmation may:

• Show the bin on a robot (BL,bin_id,grid_id), or
• Directly specify a new grid position (BL,bin_id,grid_id,xpos,ypos,depth).

Both cases mean the bin was successfully retrieved from the port.

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Examples

Custom Port Picking | Outbound

Moving bins from AS grid to the outside.

Custom Port Picking | Inbound

Moving bins from the outside to the AS grid.