Example Configurations

These examples show typical Shelfbot configurations for different operation sizes, from small (500 SKUs) to high-volume (10,000+ SKUs). Examples include both single row and double row configurations.

Small Operation (500 SKUs)

Profile:

  • 500 active SKUs
  • ~100 orders/day (~250 line items)
  • Single-shift operation

Small configuration:

  • Bins: ~975 bins (room for ~2 bins per SKU on average)
  • Aisles/Robots: 2 robots in 2 aisles
  • Racking: 2 aisles, 5 bays (13.5m), 13 levels (5.9m high)
  • Footprint: 13.5m × 4.4m × 5.9m (L × W × H)
  • Throughput capacity: 120 presentations/hour (2 robots × 60 presentations/hour per robot)
  • Operators: 1 operator (works across 2 pick stations)
  • Sufficient for: 100 orders/day (~30-40 presentations/hour with buffer)

Medium Operation (2,500 SKUs)

Profile:

  • 2,500 active SKUs
  • ~400 orders/day (~1,000 line items)
  • Single-shift operation

Medium configuration:

  • Bins: ~2,600 bins (assumes ~1 bin per SKU on average)
  • Aisles/Robots: 3 robots in 3 aisles
  • Racking: 3 aisles, 10 bays (26.9m), 13 levels (5.9m high)
  • Footprint: 26.9m × 6.2m × 5.9m (L × W × H)
  • Throughput capacity: 180 presentations/hour (3 robots × 60 presentations/hour per robot)
  • Operators: 1 operator (works across 3 pick stations)
  • Sufficient for: 400 orders/day (~125-150 presentations/hour with buffer)

Growth-Ready (5,000+ SKUs)

Profile:

  • 5,000+ active SKUs
  • ~800 orders/day (~2,000 line items)
  • Single-shift operation with seasonal peaks

Double row configuration:

  • Double rows: 10 rows (2 rows per robot — each robot serves both sides of its aisle)
  • Bins: ~8,450 bins (high-density storage)
  • Aisles/Robots: 5 robots in 5 aisles
  • Racking: 5 aisles with 10 rows, 13 bays (35m), 13 levels (5.9m high)
  • Footprint: 35m × 13.5m × 5.9m (L × W × H)
  • Throughput capacity: 300 presentations/hour (5 robots × 60 presentations/hour per robot)
  • Operators: 1 operator (works across 5 pick stations)
  • Advantage: Higher storage density — each robot serves two dedicated rows instead of sharing a row

High-Volume (10,000+ SKUs)

Profile:

  • 10,000+ active SKUs
  • ~1,600 orders/day (~4,000 line items)
  • Multi-shift operation

High-volume configuration:

  • Bins: ~10,000+ bins
  • Aisles/Robots: 10 robots in 10 aisles (2 operators, 5 robots each)
  • Racking: 10 aisles, 13 bays (35m), 13 levels (5.9m high)
  • Footprint: 35m × 18.6m × 5.9m (L × W × H)
  • Throughput capacity: 600 presentations/hour (10 robots × 60 presentations/hour per robot)
  • Operators: 2 operators (each works across 5 pick stations)
  • Supports: Peak throughput up to 1,600 orders/day

Understanding the Numbers

How bins are calculated

  • Formula: Rows × Levels × Bays × 5 bins per bay
    • Single row mode: (N+1) rows where N = number of bots
    • Double row mode: 2N rows where N = number of bots (higher density)
  • Bins per SKU: Most operations average ~1 bin per SKU, but this varies:
    • Fast-movers or high-stock items may need 2-3 bins
    • Slow-movers or small items may share a bin
  • Safety stock: Add 10-20% extra bins for growth and flexibility

How throughput scales

  • Per robot: 60 presentations/hour
  • Per operator: Up to 300 presentations/hour (with 5 robots)
  • Multiple operators: Each operator works with their own cluster of 5 aisles

Footprint breakdown

  • Length (L): Number of bays × 2.69m per bay
  • Width (W): Depends on row mode
    • Single row mode: (N+1) rows where N = number of bots
      • Formula: (N × 1.78m) + 0.84m
      • 2 bots = 4.4m, 3 bots = 6.2m, 5 bots = 9.7m, 10 bots = 18.6m
    • Double row mode: 2N rows where N = number of bots (each robot serves 2 dedicated rows)
      • Formula: 2.62m + (N-1) × 2.72m
      • 5 bots = 13.5m, 10 bots = 27.1m
  • Height (H): Number of levels × 0.385m + base height
    • 13 levels = 5.9m (fits under 6m ceiling)
    • 16 levels = 7.3m (requires higher ceiling)

Need Help Sizing Your System?

The fastest path is a data dive: send us your SKU master data + order history, and we’ll provide a detailed sizing report within 5-10 business days.

What to send:

  • SKU master (SKU, description, dimensions, weight, stock on hand)
  • Order history (12 months preferred; minimum 30 days)

Download Data Dive Specification (PDF)

Or contact us directly:

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