Guides: CSUN University Library: Estimated System Capacity

Estimated System Capacity

First determine the average size and weight of an item being placed in the various bin sizes to determine how many items can fit within the various size bins. Then multiple that number by the number of bins for that size. Then add them all together for an estimated total capacity for the system. To determine estimated percentage of capacity, divide current inventory number by estimated total capacity of the system.

*Reminder: This is an ESTIMATION based on multiple variables.

CSUN Example as of April 8, 2023:

Bins = 13,260 total steel bins, each 2 feet wide x 4 feet long, various heights are listed below
- 6-inch - typically used for Microfiche, Maps, CDs and VHS
  - Total Number of Bins = 390
    - Full = 122; Partial = 128; Empty = 140
  - Average Item count per bin with typical no dividers based on VHS sizes placed on side (4"h x 1"w x 7.5"d) = 138
  - Total Estimated Capacity = 390 x 138 = 53,820
    - Estimated Remaining Growth Capacity = 140 x 138 = 19,320 (using only empty bins)
- 10-inch - Monographs
  - Total Number of Bins = 7,020
    - Full = 425; Partial = 5,701; Empty = 894
  - Average Item count per bin with typical 3 x 3 layout (9 storage areas) based on monograph dimensions (10"h x 8"w x 1"d) = 144
  - Total Estimated Capacity = 7,020 x 144 = 1,010,880
    - Estimated Remaining Growth Capacity = 894 x 144 = 128,736 (using only empty bins)
- 12-inch - Monographs and Journals
  - Total Number of Bins = 5,070
    - Full = 1,059; Partial = 3,696; Empty = 315
  - Average Item count per bin with typical 3 x 2 layout (6 storage areas) based on bound journal dimensions (12"h x 10"w x 1"d) = 96
  - Total Estimated Capacity = 5,070 x 96 = 486,720
    - Estimated Remaining Growth Capacity = 315 x 96 = 30,240 (using only empty bins)
- 15-inch - Folios
  - Total Number of Bins = 390
    - Full = 58; Partial = 313; Empty = 19
  - Average Item count per bin with typical 3 x 2 layout (6 storage areas) based on folio dimensions (15"h x 12"w x 2"d) = 48
  - Total Estimated Capacity = 390 x 48 = 18,720
    - Estimated Remaining Growth Capacity = 19 x 48 = 912 (using only empty bins)
- 18-inch - Elephant Folios
  - Total Number of Bins = 390
    - Full = 197; Partial = 128; Empty = 65
  - Average Item count per bin with typical 3 x 1 layout (3 storage areas) based on elephant folio stacked dimensions (19"h x 12"w x 1"d) = 54
  - Total Estimated Capacity = 390 x 54 = 21,060
    - Estimated Remaining Growth Capacity = 65 x 54 = 3,510 (using only empty bins)
Inventory of items stored in AS/RS
- Totals as of April 8, 2023 = 918,868
  - Currently available = 806,940
  - Currently delivered (checked out) = 111,889
  - Currently lost = 39
Total
- Estimated Entire AS/RS Usage
  - 918,868 / 1,591,200 (Sum of all bins total estimated capacities) = 57.75%

Kovalcik, J., & Villalobos, M. (2019). Automated Storage & Retrieval System. Information Technology and Libraries, 38(4), 114-124. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v38i4.11273(link is external)