5.1.11 How to limit the max stack when different kinds of goods are stacked on top of each other

When a variety of goods are packed, different goods can be stacked on each other. But the total number of stacked layers has a certain limit. How to define it in LoadMaster?

Let's use an example to explain.

Cargo data:

Name	Quantity	Length（cm）	Width（cm）	Height（cm）
A	6	110	110	112
B	28	110	105	40
C	26	110	105	45
D	28	110	105	35
E	26	105	100	20

Loading requirements:

1) The goods can only be placed as the height is vertical to the ground.

2) B, C, D can be stacked on each other, but the total number of stacking layers cannot exceed 4 layers.

3) Cargo A is heavier and should be placed at the bottom, and cargo E is lighter and placed at the top.

Calculate what type of container is suitable for this batch of goods, and how many such containers will be used.

According to the loading requirements, the task type [Loading Container/Multiple Cargoes] should be selected and click to enter.

Enter the [Basic Information] interface. The items in this page is optional, and users can fill in the PO number, order number or destination information according to actual work requirements for later check. Next, start to designing the plan:

Step 1: Click [Cargo] on the left to enter the cargo interface. For there are lots of cargo types, you should add them in batches by [Add Cargo>Import From Excel]. Firstly, click [Add Cargo>Get Excel Template] to download the Excel template and save it to a certain location in your computer.

Secondly, fill in the template with the cargo information.

①Copy the name, quantity, length, width, height, and weight (gross weight of a single box) of the goods into the template, which are required items. Pay attention to the matching of the units. “Weight” refers to the gross weight of a single carton or box of goods. If the cargo is too light, the “Weight” can be ignored and not filled in, and the system will default to "1".

②Then define the load orientations of the goods. For it is required that cargoes can be placed as the height is vertical to the ground, that is only “stand” and “stand & rotate” are allowed, you should fill in “0” under the “allowed” Column of other orientations. “0” means not allowed such load orientation, leave it blank or “1” means allowed.

③Define the properties for loading.

For the total number of stacking layers of B, C, D cannot exceed 4 layers, you should set the "Max Stack" column under their allowed load orientations, "stand" and "stand & rotate" of cargo B C D. The number should be set to 4. And the same "stack code" should be set for cargo B C D. The stack code can be numbers or English letters or Chinese characters. For example, set to "BCD" in this case.

Also Cargo A is heavier and should be placed at the bottom, and cargo E is lighter and placed at the top, therefore the “stacking orders” of the goods should be set. The “stacking orders” is a relative value. The larger the value, the stronger the load-bearing capacity. You can set a relatively large number, such as “12” to A, and set a small number, such as “9” to E. For the “stacking orders” of all goods in the template is “10” by default, the value of BCD can be omitted or all filled in “11”.

For there are no other requirements, you do not need to set other parameters, leaving them as the default value. The specific details of each parameter can be found in this guidance documentation. Save and close the template when finishing.

Thirdly, return the [Cargo] page, click [Add Cargo>Import From Excel], choose the template in the dialog box, and open it. Then the cargo information will be imported to the task.

Step 2: Click [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. For the user does not know the type and quantity of container that should be used, it is necessary to add all the commonly used container types so that the system can select the most appropriate container from such containers.

For the commonly used container information is already maintained in the database, click [Import from Database], check the 20GP, 40GP and 40HC in the pop-up box, and then click [Add]. Edit the corner castings size and reserved size of the container, the size of the corner castings is 10*10*10cm. Precautions for defining the reserved size, please refer to "How to simulate carton expansion and manual interval".

Step 3: Set the loading rules on the [Loading Rules] page. Set the "Methods for Calculate Max Stack" to "Cargoes with the same stacking code is used as the same type to calculate the max stack".

Click [Optimize] to get the loading plan. From the container list on the left, you can see that this batch of goods has been loaded with a 40GP. In the middle is the 3D loading diagram, according to which, you can see that the cargo A is placed at the bottom and the cargo E is placed at the top. And whether cargo B C D are stacked on themselves or on each other, their total number of stacking layers does not exceed 4, which fully meets the lading requirements.

After the scheme audit is completed, you can use your mobile phone to guide the on-site loading and download the loading report to make the packing list and customs declaration. Details please refer to this guidance book.