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Using the Pallet Layer Editor - Part II
| These screenshots explain how the Layer Editor can be used for mixing different boxes in the same pallet with custom configurations. In this case, the shipper wants to send a pallet with trays and blue boxes to a customer. The customer requested 48 trays and as many blue boxes they could fit. To do this, we start from the previous example and select the second pallet from the list. Then, we select "Layer Editor" from the Tools menu to see the top-most view in the Layer Editor. |
| The animation at right explains how the first part of the example is executed: first, we move the boxes at the bottom of the view further away from the rest of them to make a space in the middle. This is done by changing the "y" axis values. Next, we rotate the pallet view and make sure that the rest of the layers adopt the changes. Then, we will import saved boxes (click here to download the file) and fit them in the space between the tray rows. The final step is to click on "Organize Boxes" to update the drawing. |
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| After completing the last part, the first pallet row should look like the one at the beginning of this movie. The next step is to duplicate the first layer across the available pallet height (data taken from input) and then click on the "Organize Boxes" button to update the drawing. |
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| After the first layer with mixed boxes has been duplicated, we notice that the middle boxes stick out because they're taller than the trays. For the example, this affects the placement of the pallet straps. Hence, we will need to remove the top boxes. For this, we move the pallet view, select each box and then the "Clear Box" command. Once this has been done, we save the pallet rearrangement and add the pallet straps to give it its final look. |
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| We can choose to look at the detailed report to be able to print out the pallet and box data. Other report options are also available. |
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| From the detailed report, we can choose the "Export Palletizing Movie" option from the File menu. This option will create a QuickTime movie like the one that can be opened through the screenshot at right. |
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| This last screenshot contains the four drawings from the Pallet View tab. The same example has been calculated with another computer. |
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