Port Process

Allocate Cell

In order to get Bins delivered to the Port, the WMS must allocate cells for Bin reception. The purpose of the cell
allocation is to let AutoStore plan the flow of Bins to the Port. Cells are normally allocated before the Port is
ready to physically receive the Bin.

One cell can only have one pending allocation. A new allocation request will override the previous one. The
WMS normally sends the next allocation request immediately after AutoStore has confirmed the Bin operation
(bintoport/binfromport).

(If a Port includes multiple port cells, the WMS must allocate the cells in the same sequence as that in which it
wants the Bins delivered. However, the Port Interface does not support Ports with multiple port cells.)

Normally, when a Bin is delivered to a Port another Bin is returned. However, if the process uses
separate cells for returning the Bins to the Grid, the WMS needs to allocate these cells as well. The purpose of
such announcements is to let AutoStore plan the flow of empty Robots to the Port. The two allocation
sequences (delivery and fetching) are independent of each other.

The WMS allocates Port cells for interaction by sending the **portcellallocate **message to AutoStore.

Exchange Bins to and from Grid

Cell allocation alone does not permit AutoStore to physically use a cell.

The WMS allows AutoStore to physically deliver a Bin to a cell by sending the **portlocationready message. The
WMS allows AutoStore to physically retrieve a Bin from a cell by sending theportbinready **message.

The **portlocationready **message indicates whether AutoStore should just deliver a Bin, or if it should also
retrieve a returned Bin (Bin exchange). This is via the getbin parameter.

AutoStore confirms the physical operations in a cell via the Log Publisher Interface.

The logical message bintoport is sent as an ordinary BL segment (new Bin location) in the Port's position. It
confirms that a Bin has been delivered to a cell, and AutoStore relinquishes control of that cell.

The logical message binfromport is sent as an ordinary BL segment (Bin on Robot or in another position) of
the Bin specified by portbinready. It confirms that a Bin has been retrieved from a cell, and AutoStore
relinquishes control of the cell.

Please note that the BL segment that reflects the binfromport may specify a Grid position that is different from
the Port. The BL segment may confirm the Bin on a robot (no position), but it may also directly specify the next
position without first sending a BL without position. Both these cases should be interpreted as binfromport.