Pallet and Truck Loading Planner
Fraunhofer SCAI has added planning for pallet and truck loading, as well as cost calculation, to its PackAssistant packaging software. Users will now be able to compare multiple solutions in terms of their packing and logistics costs.
The software’s core function remains the space-efficient arrangement of identical parts in containers. Its 3D packaging planning is based on CAD data and takes into account not only a part’s length, width and height, but also its actual geometry.
PackAssistant uses this information to calculate arrangements that make the best possible use of available space while also protecting parts from damage. For parts with complex shapes in particular, these calculations can reduce or eliminate time-consuming manual packing trials. This allows packaging solutions to be evaluated as early as the product development stage.
The new features build on this container load optimization. Once the arrangement of the parts has been determined, PackAssistant places the loaded containers on pallets and then arranges them in the cargo space of a truck. Loading without pallets is also possible. Users can select the required container, pallet and truck types through the user interface.
The software visualizes the calculation results graphically, making it clear how the available space is used in the container, on the pallet, and in the truck. For a more realistic representation, packing materials such as trays, inserts and compartments are now displayed directly.