packVol - Optimization Software for Load Planning

You can define which base faces and which orientations are allowed when loading a package. The program also controls the center of mass position of every package, expressed as how much a box can overhang its support base.

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, parameters instructing the program on how the items should be stacked among themselves. Items can then be marked to stay only at floor, not at floor, or only on top of others. In these three cases you can define the value of the maximum stack.
The program also provides rules to exclude the overlap between pairs of packages, for all or only some positions.

Packages can be grouped according to a priority rule in ascending order with respect to the container depth, a rule needed for example in presence of different destinations. Two parameters can tune how a group can be stacked and/or mingled with the others.

The program can check that the total load weight in each container does not exceed a threshold value and to force the solution, if required, to have a uniform weight distribution. Other parameters can enforce the solution to have the center of mass inside four bounds expressed as percentage of the container depth and width. For this purpose, if necessary, the program can spatially separate the units.

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. When there is no space to load all packages, you can define priority rules to force the loading of specific items.

Containers with unusable spaces (obstructions) are easily defined by starting a special visual session where packages are interpreted as obstructions. In case of partially filled containers, you can define unusable sections.

Load planning can be performed in multiple steps, by incrementing the number of packages to be loaded while keeping fixed the position of the packages already present in a solution.