Efficient automated pallet loading

The problem of finding efficient pallet loading patterns can now be solved with the aid of a variety of heuristic and exact techniques. Once a layout has been selected the actual placement of boxes is frequently carried out using a robot palletiser. Such equipment is usually restricted to picking up pre-determined blocks of boxes (usually 2×2, 2×1 or 1×1 blocks). In order to execute the loading with maximum efficiency it is necessary to minimise the number of transfer operations. This paper is concerned with models and solution techniques for this problem with emphasis being placed upon the provision of fast optimal solutions utilising current micro-computer technology.