05/02/2012

Optimization Software for Load Planning that helps to minimize wasted space and consequently reduces the costs of shipments. It is an innovative and flexible software that adapts easily to the most diverse Load Planning Software needs: pallets, racks, trucks, containers, railroad cars. Appreciated and used throughout the world

This software  is an effective tool suited to contexts of any size. Its strengths are:

• advanced internal optimizer, truly three-dimensional;
• easy and user-friendly management of many loading rules;
• visual environment for modifying or creating the loading plan;
• easy integration with external management systems.

As an example of the many possibilities offered by this software application, the programme defines the vertical sequence of the units based on the maximum weight that can be withstood by the unit (normal stess). The User can thus obtain realistic solutions without the need to provide empirical stacking rules.
Or, you can use the set load, optimizing so that for certain types the number of units in each container comply with the assigned proportions, even in the case of solutions with multiple containers.

is a program with a modern and easy-to-use graphical user interface. All functions are integrated and easily accessible. The size of the executable, written in C++, is really small, with great advantages in terms of speed and responsiveness of the application.

1 Solvers

Automatic - The automatic mode allows the User to respond quickly to problems of load plan optimization. Solutions are characterized by high efficiency, even in the case of complex rules.

Manual - In manual mode you can modify or even create the entire load plan with the ease of a paint program. The two modes, automatic and manual, are perfectly integrated.

2 Import/Export

Import/Export - To meet the most different needs, functions for data import and export are manifold. You can use the simple “copy & paste”, or you can import / export data via Excel file in native format, or you can enable the exchange of data from any external system with support to the ODBC protocol.

Internal Database - To automate data entry, the program comes with an internal Database that allows you to maintain information about different types of packages and containers.

3 Report

Report and Documents - The program offers many functions for saving data, creating reports and exporting data. The load plan report is in pdf format and the application offers several layouts for the visualization of the loading sequence.

Analysis Tools - The analysis tools allow you to check how the units are distributed among the containers, the loading sequence, the unusable spaces inside each container, the load distribution along the container axle.

4 Utilities

Loading rules - Thanks to different visual environments, the application provides all necessary tools to apply the loading rules in a simple and intuitive way. Rules to manage the loading of the container, and “logical” rules, e.g. priority list, FI/LO ordering, grouping, are always managed through a suitable visual interface.

For experienced Users the program provides many shortcut options.

5 Loading rules

The quality of a load planning software is given in turn only by the quality of its internal optimizer. A program with powerful management or report facilities, but with an inefficient optimizer, just leads to waste the benefits of its usage. packVol is based on a proprietary algorithm, developed in many years of research, fast, efficient, scalable and easily extensible. The application can take into account many different loading rules, to create reliable load plans according to the User's needs.

6 Allowed positions

You can define which base faces and which orientations are allowed when loading a package. It is possible to impose a maximum overhang value, the spatial separation between packages, the rear balance verification, and special rules in case of handling by forklift.

7 Vertical ordering of packages

The program can define the vertical ordering of the units according to the load bearing strength (normal stress) of each item and/or via stacking indices. Items can then be marked to stay only at floor, not at floor, or only on top of others. The program also provides rules to exclude the overlap between pairs of packages, for all or only some positions, and to impose columnar ordering of the units.

8 Longitudinal ordering of packages - priority

The application can handle the load list according to priority rules, physical or logical. Packages can be grouped according to a priority rule in ascending order with respect to the container axle, a rule needed for example in presence of different destinations. Some parameters can tune how groups can be stacked and/or mingled with the others.

9 Maximum load weight - Weight distribution - Stability check

The program can check that the total load weight in each container does not exceed a threshold value, with a uniform or non uniform distribution along the axle. Other parameters can enforce the solution to have the center of mass inside four bounds expressed as percentage of the container depth and width.

10 “Load by Ratio” (Set) Load - Batch Load

The program implements the Load by Ratio (Set) load in general case, namely, when only a subset of items are grouped (e.g., [table,chairs] in ratio (1:4) + beds in any number). You can also employ the batch load, where the packages are loaded in each container in multiples of an assigned number.

11 Irregular Containers

You can define containers with unusable spaces, thanks to a particular manual session in which the units are interpreted as obstructions, or by import of data via Excel / ODBC. You can also assign unusable sections in the case of partial load.

12 Load plan in multiple steps

The load plan can be defined in multiple steps, increasing at each step the number of packages to be loaded while keeping fixed the arrangement of those already loaded.