LoadPlanner does not define any specific units of measurement (inches,
centimeters, pounds, kilograms, etc.). It is up to user of the system to give
a meaning to the numbers, as soon as they are consistent with all items,
and other definitions that use numeric values.
Orientations
Define how dimensions of the item are aligned relating to the dimensions of
the load space.
A box can be oriented inside another box in six different ways. Every dimension
(length, width, height) can be aligned parallel to the height of the load space,
and for every such alignment there are two remaining dimensions to be aligned
along space's width, the last dimension will go along the length of the space.
A cylinder may have only three orientations, depending on which dimension of the
load space the cylinder height is aligned parallel to (upright, widthwise or
lengthwise).
Display
Properties used for image drawing in diagrams and reports.
Label
If Label property is not set, Load Viever will display item's ID as
its label on the diagram.
Color
If Color property is not set, Load Viever will randomly assign one
of the predefined colors. You can choose the value of the Color
property from the "Palette" image, or specify component values.
LoadPlanner uses 24-bit coloring scheme. Each color component
(Red, Green, Blue) is represented by a hexadecimal number in the
range [00..FF]
Indices
Numeric object's properties.
Priority
Priority index defines which items must be loaded completely in
the current load, and which are optional. There will be no items
with lower priority in the load, unless all items with higher
priorities are completely loaded. Priority does not guarantee any
specific order of the items inside the container. For example, use
Priority index to manage loading of mandatory and optional items.
Preference
Preference index customizes selection of items during loading
process. Items with higher preference will have better chances to
be loaded earlier in the process, although this is not guaranteed.
For example, use Preference index to fine-tune load quality.
Sequence
Sequence index defines relative order in which groups of items will be
loaded inside the container. Before any items from a group with higher
sequence number will be considered for loading, all prior items must
be loaded first. For example, use Sequence index to manage loading or
unloading order.
Stacking
Stacking index defines stackability of the items in the load. Items
with greater stacking index can not be placed on top of the items with
smaller stacking index. For example, when palletizing groceries, items
with liquid content should be given higher stacking index than dry
products. No item can be placed on top of zero stacking item.
Groups
To define object's categories.
DoNotMix
DoNotMix property allows you to prevent certain groups of items from
being loaded together in the same load. For example, when palletizing
shipments, you may want all orders for different customers to be loaded
on separate pallets, or when shipping hazardous materials you may want
to separate them from all other items.
DoNotSplit
DoNotSplit property allows you to prevent certain groups of orders from
being spread across different loads. For example, when truck-loading
shipments you may want all orders for the same customer to be loaded in
one trailer (although orders for more than one customer can be loaded in
the same trailer), or when shipping industrial equipment, you may want
to keep all the parts, tools and documentation, necessary for assembly
in one load (although other parts may also be loaded in the same load).
Context
When defining DoNotMix or DoNotSplit properties, you can specify at what
level those properties will be enforced. For example, choose "Pallets" option
if orders for different customers need to be loaded on separate pallets, but
still can ride in the same trailer.
Limits
Defines values of various numeric constraints.
MinSurface
MinSurface value defines minimum height of a surface that the item
can be loaded on. For example, use this property to prevent certain
items from being placed on the floor.
MaxSurface
MaxSurface value defines maximum height of a surface that the item
can be loaded on. For example, when loading a trailer or sea container,
certain items are to be loaded using forklift. Inside a trailer the forklift
can be extended up to certain height, which defines value of MaxSurface
for that item.
Overhang
Overhang defines maximum value of unsupported linear dimension for
the item. Value of the property to be specified as a percentage of allowed
"hanging" dimension. The default value for the property is 50%.
Unsupported
Unsupported defines maximum value of the unsupported area for the
item. Value of the property to be specified as a percentage of allowed
"unsupported" area. The default value for the property is 50%.
TopWeight
TopWeight defines maximum value of the weight applied on top of
the item.
TopPressure
TopPressure defines maximum value of top pressure for the load object.
Pressure is calculated as top weight divided by area of the item's side
in given orientation. Value specified in this property must be consistent
with units of measurement, used to define items (dimensions and weight),
for example, PSI or kg/cm2.
Import/Export
LoadPlanner can import/export tabular data using clipboard (Copy/Paste) operations.
You can use MS Excel or any text editor to prepare your data externally.
In text format each record begins with a new line and values are Tab-separated.
Imported data have to be formatted (have the same number of columns and matching data types for each column) as the format of the target grid.
When importing Items, LoadPlanner expects following columns and types:
| ID | Description | Length | Width | Diameter | Height | Weight | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| String | String | Float | Float | Float | Float | Float | Integer |
Before attempting to import data you may want to export some sample data first, paste it into a spreadsheet or text editor and use the result as a template. LoadPlanner also provides a sample XLS file with pre-defined spreadsheets for Items and Spaces.