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Filling Standard Boxes with Multiple-Sized Packs
Starting from QPM version 4.1, users can fill standard-sized cases with packages of different sizes. In this example, an online bookstore needs to find which one of its standard case sizes is the best one for shipping.
A customer of theirs orders four books.
- The first one measures 7" wide x 10" high x 3" depth and weighs 0.8 lbs.
- The second one is the same size and weight.
- The third book measures 6.5" wide x 11" high x 5" depth and weighs 1.5 lbs.
- The fourth book is smaller and measures 5" x 7" x 2" and weights 0.4 lbs
For this example, we will assume that the online bookstore's box inventory is the same as the list of default cases available in Quick Pallet Maker. Therefore, our first step is to open a new window starting from primary package dimensions. If the units are not in inches, they need to be changed by using the appropriate option from the Tools menu. |
| The next step is to open the Multiple Package Input window through the Tools menu. We enter the book dimensions and assign different colors to them. Please note that the rectangular package convention in Quick Pallet Maker, the book width is the Length, the book depth or thickness is the Width and the book height is the Height. |
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| Once we have added the four books, we change the Standard Case menu to indicate "Fill Standard Boxes", change the pallet type to CHEP 48x40 and increase the maximum in-case slack to 5 inches. When complete, we select "Recalculate" from the Tools menu to begin the calculations. This process may take a while as Quick Pallet Maker checks how the packs fit in ALL of the boxes from the list. Every time the books are fit into one or more of the standard cases, QPM will compare the volume that is taken by the needed cases and keep the option that occupies less volume. |
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| After finishing the calculations, we learn that QPM has chosen a box with dimensions equal to 14.50"x8.75"x12.00". Note that in this case, although we did not consider padding before calculating the box dimensions, we found out that the final arrangement has enough spaces for including the bubble-packs that are commonly associated with box shipments. |
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| When Quick Pallet Maker calculates multi-packs, it tries to find a box to fit all the contents (as in the example). If it does, then it creates a pallet that fits as many multi-packs as possible. If it doesn't then it creates a pallet with the number of standard cases needed to complete the order. In this example, the online bookstore doesn't need to ship a pallet full of boxes with four books. Hence, only the open box drawing or movie will be necessary for showing to those that fill the boxes manually. |
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| The package file with the book list is available for download through this link. This file can be decompressed and loaded into the Multiple Package Input window by clicking on the "Load Packages" button. |
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