Article ID: | iaor19962211 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 46 |
Issue: | 11 |
Start Page Number: | 1322 |
End Page Number: | 1336 |
Publication Date: | Nov 1995 |
Journal: | Journal of the Operational Research Society |
Authors: | Bischoff E.E., Ratcliff M.S.W. |
Keywords: | packing |
This paper addresses the problem of loading pallets with non-identical items, i.e. what has been called the ‘Distributor’s Pallet Packing Problem’. It concentrates on the situation where the consignment to be loaded cannot be accommodated on a single pallet. A greedy procedure for tackling this problem, which is based on a published approach for loading single pallets, is described and evaluated. Also discussed is a series of possible modifications of the basic method, whereby the pallets involved are packed simultaneously. A detailed performance analysis is undertaken. The paper concludes with suggestions for further work in this area.