AFE Path Service - Business Capabilities

Overview

The AFE (Automated Fulfillment Equipment) Path Service manages sorter-based workflows for multi-item order consolidation. It handles approximately 30-35% of all warehouse orders through automated induction, sorting, and rebin operations.

Business Capabilities

1. Batch Formation

Purpose: Group orders for efficient AFE sorter processing.

2. Induction Management

Purpose: Control item induction into the AFE sorter system.

Induction Workflow

sequenceDiagram
    participant BATCH as Batch
    participant STATION as Induct Station
    participant SORTER as Sorter
    participant TRAY as Tray

    BATCH->>STATION: Assign batch
    loop For each item
        STATION->>TRAY: Load item
        STATION->>SORTER: Induct tray
    end
    STATION->>BATCH: Induction complete

3. Sorter Control

Purpose: Route items through sorter lanes to correct destinations.

Sorter States

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> RUNNING
    RUNNING --> PAUSED: pause
    RUNNING --> JAMMED: jam_detected
    PAUSED --> RUNNING: resume
    JAMMED --> RUNNING: jam_cleared

4. Rebin Operations

Purpose: Manage wall/slot assignments and order consolidation.

Slot Lifecycle

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> AVAILABLE
    AVAILABLE --> ASSIGNED: assign_order
    ASSIGNED --> RECEIVING: first_item_arrives
    RECEIVING --> COMPLETE: all_items_received
    COMPLETE --> RELEASED: pack_triggered
    RELEASED --> AVAILABLE: slot_cleared

5. Tray Circulation Management

Purpose: Optimize tray flow and prevent circulation imbalances.

6. Wall Capacity Management

Purpose: Monitor and manage rebin wall utilization.

Integration Points

Upstream

Downstream

Key Performance Indicators

Technology Stack

References

• DDD Documentation
• Process Path Overview