In the process of calculating load plans, there are many factors that may affect the selection of container/truck/trailer type. In most cases, manual knowledge is the determinant to choose which type is the best fit. While sometimes, some objective factors such as the container shortage caused by COVID, increase of shipping costs will also affect the final decision on which type to use. However, all these affecting factors shouldn’t be scientific standards for companies to determine which type to use.

Now with LoadMaster, a scientific load planning optimization software, you can determine which type of container/truck/trailer to use according to different standards. Let’s see!

First, the default rule is “The software will automatically select the container type that minimizes the number of containers used”. For example, if a batch of products can be loaded into one 40HC, then the software won’t select two 20GP.

Second, the load calculator can “Select containers in the same sequence as the input container list”. Under this rule, you should fill in the number of each container type and add the container in a sequence you want. During the covid, it’s hard to get some types of containers. Therefore, companies could only load the products with the containers they could get. For example, according to customer Mr. Yang, during the covid, they only had two 40HCs at one time when they needed to deliver goods. So they needed to load the products into two 40HC first and then into other types of containers. In this case, Mr. Yang should add Container 40HC first and then change the number of quantity to 2, and then add other types of containers. After this, the software would load the products into two 40HC first and then into other containers.

Third, this load planner can help generate the most cost-effective selection and match of different containers under the rule “Automatically select containers to minimize the cost of containers used for loading”. In such case, users need to fill in the cost of each type of container in the interface of adding containers.

Fourth, the cargo loading software can select the type of containers/trucks/trailers with the highest volume usage rate. For example, a batch of goods can both be loaded into a 40HC and two 20GPs. If under this rule, then two 20GPs will be the final loading result instead of one 40HC.

Now you can think about what kind of standards you may adopt while selecting container/truck/trailer types and then make the most scientific choice with the help of LoadMaster load planning optimization software!

NOVAZ Furniture is a leading player in the furniture industry, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and export of high-quality office and home furniture. Our extensive product range includes ergonomic office chairs, modern desks, stylish cabinets, and innovative storage solutions.

According to a shipping container calculator user, “NOVAZ specializes in the export of office furniture, managing a substantial volume of shipping 30 to 40 containers monthly on average. There are 20 to 30 kinds of cartons that need to be mixed in each container, such a challenging work load for calculating staff! Before working with LoadMaster load planning software, we used another packaging design software which however failed to help solve our actual cargo load problems. Here’s where it fell short:

1.Low container loading rate: Cargo can all be loaded into containers on site according to manual cargo load calculation but cannot based on that previous calculator’s loading plan.

2. Transport Limitations: Step-by-step loading diagrams can not be transported so that we could only make screenshots one by one, which causes a low efficiency and potential errors.

3. Inadequate Optimization: When cargoes need to be loaded in a sequence, that previous loading software failed to optimize container space effectively, leaving significant gaps which can accommodate a carton. This not only caused a low space utilization but also increased the risk of cargo moving, easily resulting in cargo damage.

4. Lackluster Support: Our experiences with the software’s after-sales support were unsatisfactory, marked by a lack of responsiveness and absence of updates or enhancements to address identified issues.

Under such circumstances, NOVAZ decided to seek another load planning software which can truly meet all their needs, and then they met LoadMaster. Following a meticulous one-month trial period, they said their findings were compelling:

1. Enhanced space utilization: LoadMaster demonstrated a notable 5% increase in container utilization rate compared to their previous loading calculator. This improvement translates not only to increased sales but also heightened customer satisfaction, which helps us gain more competitive advantages.

2. Sophisticated algorithm: LoadMaster’s algorithm framework offers 6 different container loading algorithms with a bit difference in logic, giving us options to choose the best one loading plan according to the on-site loading scenarios.

3. Greatly improved efficiency: Cargo data can be imported within 1 second and the 3d load plan can be calculated within seconds, rescuing the calculating staff from previous heavy data processing.

4. Clear and transportable loading result: Both the 3d step-by-step load plan and excel loading report can be transported in a fast and clear manner, convenient to the reference for the on-site loading staff and thus increasing the loading speed, shortening the shipment delivery cycle.

6. Versatile Handling: LoadMaster can help address complex loading challenges such as mix various sets of furniture products in one container, which the previous packaging software failed to solve.

Based on its powerful functionality, NOVAZ has decided to build long-term cooperation with LoadMaster load planning software. Leave complex container loading problems with professional helper–LoadMaster and then you can focus on more essential matters!

When multiple specifications of products are loaded into shipping containers (or vehicles or pallets), as long as the predetermined loading rate can be achieved, then out of the consideration for the convenience of tallying products, it is generally hoped that the same goods can be packed in one container as much as possible.

How to define it in LoadMaster container and truck loading software?

Let’s check it out with an example.

Cargo data:

Loading requirements:

1.Cargo A can be placed at will, and cargo B, C, D can only be placed with the height vertical to the ground.
2.When goods are loaded into containers, unitload container should be generated first, and the remaining goods can be mixed to be loaded in a container when loading.
3.Calculate how many 40GP are used to load all these cargoes.

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

Enter the [Basic Information] interface. You can fill in it with the PO number, order number or destination information according to on-site loading requirements for later check. Next, start to design the plan:

Step 1: Click [Cargo] on the left to enter the cargo interface. For there are lots of cargo types, it’s better to add them in batches through a container loading excel template. Firstly, click [Add Cargo>Get Excel Template] to download the container loading 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 carton) 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 it as “1”.

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

For there are no other requirements, you do not need to set other parameters, leave them as the default value. Save and close the template when finishing it.

Thirdly, return to the [Cargo] interface, 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 container loading system.

Step 2: Click [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. In this case, we need to calculate how many 40GP are needed to load all these cargoes. Click [Import from Database], check the 40GP 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.

Step 3: Set the loading rules on the [Loading Rules] interface.
For it is required to generate unitload container first, check [prefer unit load], and pay attention to setting the [Minimum volume usage rate required for unit load]. In this case, let’s first calculate the plan based on the default value 85% in system to see the load planning result through the 3D container loading diagram.

Click [Loading Result] to get the 3D cargo loading plan. In the container list on the left, you can see that this batch of goods has been loaded with five 40GPs. Click the container name, you can see the 3D loading effect of each container. The container 1 and 2 are all unit loaded containers, and the next three containers are mixed loaded. Since the minimum volume usage rate required for unit load is 85%, so unit load containers won’t be generated if this rate cannot be reached, which is why the next three containers are mix loaded.

Next, set the [Minimum volume usage rate required for unit load] to 60%, and see if there is any change for the load plan. Click [Loading Result] to regenerate the cargo loading plan. Click the container name respectively, you can see that the first four containers are all unit loaded, the remaining goods are mixed and loaded in the last container, which fully meets the loading requirements.

There is a common container loading requirement in home appliance industry while shipping goods. When loading the container on site, sometimes the products for example refrigerators are required to be placed with the height vertical to the ground as much as possible. If there is remaining space on top of these cargoes on the first layers and also cargoes left, then they can also be placed with the width vertical to the ground for another one or two layers. How to realize this in LoadMaster 3D cargo loading software?

Let’s check it out with an example.

Cargo data:

Container loading requirements:

1.Cargo A B C had better to be placed with the height vertical to the ground as much as possible. If there is remaining space after vertical loading, they can be placed with the width vertical to the ground for another one or two layers.

2.Calculate how many 40HC are used to load all these cargoes.

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

Enter the [Basic Information] interface. Users can fill in the “Name” with the PO number, order number or destination information. Next, start to design the plan:

Step 1: Click [Cargo] on the left to enter the cargo interface. For there are lots of cargo types, it’s better to add them in batches through a container loading excel template. Firstly, click [Add Cargo>Get Excel Template] to download the container loading 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 carton) 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 it as “1”.

②In this example, cargo A, B, C had better to be placed with the height vertical to the ground as much as possible. If there is space on the top of the vertically loaded cargoes, then cargoes can be placed with the width vertical to the ground for another one or two layers. That is, the goods cannot be placed with the length is vertical to the ground. Fill in the “Allow” column under “lay” and “lay & rotate” with “0”, “0” means not allowed, “1” or leaving it blank means allowed.

Fill in the “Max stack” column under A, B, C’s “Side” and “Side & rotate” with a smaller number “2”. But the number of this value is not fixed, you can adjust it based on the 3D load planning result.

Fill in the “Support others” column under ABC’s “Side” and “Side & rotate” with “0”, “0” means not allowed, “1” or blank means allowed.

For there are no other cargo loading requirements, leave other parameters as default. Save and close the template when finishing it.

Step 2: Click [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. For the user does not know the type and quantity of the container that should be used, it is necessary to add all the frequently used container types to the 3D container loading calculator so that the system can automatically select the most appropriate container type.

For the frequently used container information is already maintained in the container 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.

Step 3: Click [Loading Rules] on the left to enter the [Loading Rules] page. For there are no special container loading rules, leave them as default.

Click [Loading Result] above to get the 3D container loading plan. In the list on the left, you can see that this batch of products has been loaded in one 40HC. In the middle is the 3D overview of the cargo loading effect. It can be seen from the 3D diagram that most of A, B, C are vertically loaded. Since there is still remaining space on top of these cargoes, so two layers of cargoes are loaded with the width vertical to the ground, which fully meets the loading requirement.

Has this ever happened to you? When using a cargo load planning software to calculate container loading plans, for example, one shipment needs some containers such as 40HQ, 40GP, 20GP to load all the cargoes. But in the last container, there are only a few pieces of cargo left. Is there any possibility that these pieces of cargo can be loaded into the former several containers in some way? LoadMaster 3D cargo loading calculator’s cross depth may help, let’s see!

Cross depth refers to the maximum crossing range of cargoes at adjacent layers in the direction of container length when stacking them in container loading. When the value of it is 0, the cargoes of different kinds will not cross each other in the length direction when stacking. In actual operation, allowing a moderate range of cross can improve the loading efficiency, without increasing the complexity of loading, as shown below:

Let’s use an example to explain how cross depth can help optimize load planning in logistics. The cargo data and container loading requirements are as follows.

Cargo data:

Cargo loading requirements:

1.To load these pieces of cargo into 40GP.

2.When stacking, the same kind of cargo should try to be placed together instead of being mixed with others.

After uploading the cargo data into LoadMaster, adding the container, and checking the rule “Place the same cargoes next to each other” we can get the 3D container loading diagram within seconds. Then we can see that two 40GP are used and the same kind of cargoes are placed together, but in the second one, there are only 9 pieces of cargo loaded, such a waste of container space!

How to fix that? Here comes cross depth.

Enter the Loading Rules interface, locate the cross depth. We can see at the first beginning, the value of cross depth is 0cm, which means even if there is still space on the top layer of one kind of cargo, other kinds of cargoes won’t be mixed together.

But if we allow a moderate range of overlapping, these pieces of cargo can be filled in the remaining space without increasing the complexity of on-site loading but can indeed save one container.

Let’s try it!

Change the value of cross depth from 0 to 200cm, and then click “Loading Result”. Wow! Only one 40GP is used! One 40GP is saved, which means one container’s costs and may result in more profits!

Through the comparison of the above two container loading solutions, it is evident that cross depth, while meeting the packing requirement of “placing the same kind of items adjacent to each other,” holds practical significance in improving the container loading rate.

In two-steps container loading tasks, sometimes some pieces of cargo are required to be loaded on a designated type of pallet while others can be loaded on any kind of pallet. How do you make a container loading plan in LoadMaster load planning optimization software? Let’s explain step by step by using an exact example.

Cargo data:

Loading requirements:

1)All goods can only be placed with the height vertical to the ground.

2)Cargo A is directly loaded into the container; cargo B and C are palletized first and then loaded into the container.

3)Cargo D is packed into a wooden box first and then loaded into the container. The inner diameter of the wooden box is 1100×1100×1100mm, and the outer diameter is 1160×1160×1160mm.

4)The cargo E and F are required to be loaded on a designated pallet and then loaded into the container. The designated pallet size is 1200×800×120mm, with a maximum height of cargo that can be loaded on this pallet of 1.2 meters (including the height of the pallet).

5)Automatically and intelligently select the most appropriate type of container and calculate how many should be used.

Specific steps:

Step 1: For there is a requirement to specify a kind of intermediate packaging, it is necessary to maintain the specified container in the database firstly.

1)After logging in LoadMaster load planning optimization software, click [Container Management] on the left to enter the container database.

2)For there are only a few types of specified pallets in this case, you can add them into the database one by one. Click [Add Container] in the upper right corner.

①First add the wooden box, edit the name of the container in the pop-up box (for example “Wooden box 1100×1100×1100”), select the type as “Box pallet”. Then fill in the inner and outer diameter of the wooden box, and finally Click [Save].

②Then add a pallet, click [Add container], edit the name in the pop-up box (for example, “pallet 1200×800×120”), select the type as “Flat pallet”. And define the length of the pallet as 120cm, width as 80cm and height as 12cm, the maximum loadable height is 120cm, and finally click [Save].

Step 2: According to the current loading requirements, the container loading task type [2-Steps Loading] should be selected.

Enter the [Basic Information] interface and then fill in it with PO number, order number or destination information according to on-site loading requirements for later check.

Step 3: Click [Cargo] on the left to enter the cargo interface. For there are various cargo types, you should add them in batches through a container loading optimization excel. Click on [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 data.

①Copy the name, quantity, length, width, height, and weight (gross weight of a single carton) of the goods into the template, which are required items. Pay attention to the matching of the units.

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

③Define the properties for loading. For cargo A is required to be directly loaded into the container, cargo B and C are first palletized and then loaded into the container, cargo D is packed into a wooden box first and then into the container, cargo E and F are packed into the designated pallet first and then into the container, you should define the “Intermediate Packing Method” respectively as follows : Set A as 0; B C as 1; D E F as 2. And fill in the name of the corresponding designated package, which should be consistent with the name in the container database in the first step.

“0” or leaving it blank means that the goods are directly loaded into the container; “1” means that the software will automatically select the most suitable pallet/carton; “2” means that the goods are loaded on the designated pallet/carton.

In this case, since there are no special loading requirements, then leave them as default.

Thirdly, return to 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 software.

Step 4: Click [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. Add all the frequently used container types so that the system can select the most appropriate container type from these options.

Step 5: Click the [Intermediate Containers] on the left. Then click [Import from Database] to check the commonly used 1200×1000, 1100×1100 pallets in the pop-up box, and then click [add].

If there are no commonly used pallets in the database, you can click the [flat pallet] under [Add Container], and then edit the name, length, width, height and other information. In order to avoid repeated input of container information each time, you can also maintain the commonly used pallets in the database.

Step 6: Click [Loading Rules] on the left to enter the [Loading Rules] page. For there are no special container and pallet loading requirements, you don’t need to change the default rules in this page.

Step 7: Click [Intermediate Loading Rules] on the left to define the loading rules when the goods are palletized. For there are no special container and pallet loading requirements, you don’t need to change the default rules in this page.

Finally, click [Loading Result] above or click [Loading Plan] on the left to calculate. According to the container list on the left, you can see one 40GP is used. You can click on the container name to see the 3D loading diagram of each pallet or wooden box. On the right side of the diagram are the cargo statistics, loading steps and balance analysis of current container.

Though the 3D container loading diagram you can see that cargo A is directly loaded into the container, cargo D is loaded into the designated wooden box, cargo E and F are loaded on the designated pallet, and cargo B and C are loaded on pallets that the software automatically chooses. All the pallet and container loading requirements are all met.

Global economic downturn, intense international trade competition, and spiking freight costs driven by maritime uncertainties, all make foreign trade companies extremely hard. Some foreign trade companies have managed to break through the difficult situation by relying on existing customer relationships. However, maintaining and consistently nurturing these relationships is crucial. Today, I want to share a business detail that is often overlooked by 90% of foreign trade professionals but is critically important for retaining existing customers – improving container loading rates. And how can LoadMaster load planning software can help?

Why do I say this? Please take a look at the real case below.

1. In the face of intense competition, retaining existing customers is a pressing matter.

The tradition of running a business based on existing customer relationships has persisted from ancient times to the present day. In any profit-driven business society, is it guaranteed that customers with whom we have cooperated for many years will not be lost? Even long-term cooperating customers prioritize mutual benefits, and once a competitor offers them more profits, this seemingly solid existing customer relationship can easily fracture. Below is a real case:

Case 1: On a popular forum, there was a post about an existing customer who had been cooperating with a company for many years but suddenly stopped placing orders after receiving a new quote. Through investigation, it was discovered that our 3D container calculator indicated the need for 5 containers to fulfill the order, while a competitor claimed they could do it with only 4 containers. After having their most experienced container calculation expert reevaluate, it was confirmed that even with 4 containers, the order couldn’t be accommodated. Consequently, the existing customer never placed an order again, and the company lost them, just like that. It’s truly frustrating.

Why would such a seemingly unimportant indicator like container loading rate shake the seemingly invincible relationship with an existing customer?

Renowned economist Lang Xianping explained with an example: After internal adjustments in the German postal service system resulted in a 1% reduction in logistics costs, overall profits increased by 24%. The reason was that costs for each department were reduced by 1%, and when combined, the company’s profits grew by 24%. For foreign customers, a 10% increase in loading rates leads to a 10% reduction in unit product shipping costs. Lower shipping costs reduce the individual product’s costs, enlarge the pricing space, and enhance the customer’s ability to respond to market price risks. Therefore, customers pay great attention to loading rates. If this detail is not handled well, even long-term cooperating customers may be lost.

2. Load full VS Load more

Case 2: Due to the high quality and good reputation of our company’s products, we attracted a major client from Japan for a price inquiry. After providing a quote, the client raised a question: Why is the loading rate of your company lower than that of other competing companies? Considering the importance of the client, we sought the assistance of a master with years of container calculation experience to help us. The result showed that, even with this assistance, our loading rate was still 5% lower than that of a specific competitor. Later, we carefully examined the container loading diagrams drawn by the expert, and each container seemed to be loaded to the maximum. I was puzzled – how could the extra 5% of goods be fitted into the containers?

Common Manual Container Loading Solutions

LoadMaster Container Loading Solutions

The first image represents a simulated common manual container loading solution, where all goods are placed with the height vertical to the ground, demonstrating the loading effect in a 20 GP container. The second image displays the container loading plan calculated by LoadMaster container and truck load planning software, utilizing various placement methods to maximize space utilization in loading a 20 GP container. The loading results for both scenarios are as follows:

From the above cases, it can be clearly seen that different placement methods and matching rules can result in different loading results, even in containers of the same size. Therefore, sometimes containers that appear loaded full actually have remaining space to load more for improvement in loading rates.

In the increasingly competitive landscape of international trade, existing customer relationships are not that reliable, and what you see with your eyes can be deceiving. Success or failure depends on paying attention to details. Putting customer interests first, increasing container loading rates to save shipping costs for customers, and enhancing customer satisfaction are the keys to retaining existing customers and attracting new ones in today’s business environment!

When cargoes are first palletized and then loaded into the container, some users want all the goods to be palletized; others hope that the remaining space of the container can be filled with bulk cargo, or the last several pieces of cargo can be loaded into the container directly without being palletized.

How to realize it in LoadMaster container and truck loading software?

Here is an example to explain:

Cargo data:

Loading requirements:

1. Cargo can only be placed with the height vertical to the ground.
2. Calculate how to palletize cargo first onto pallets and then load them into containers, what kind of container are the most cost-effective and how many are needed. The maximum height of a piece of palletized cargo is 1.2 meters.(Pallet height is also included.)
3. If there are several pieces of cargo left, load them in bulk into the container directly without using pallets.

According to the current loading requirements, the task type [2-Steps Loading] should be selected.

Enter the [Basic Information] interface. Fill in it with the PO number, order number or destination information according to actual work requirements for later check.

Next, configure the loading 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 cargo 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/carton) of the cargo into the template, which are required items. Pay attention to the matching of the units.

②Then define the placement orientations of the cargo. For it is required that cargoes can only 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 goods are required to be palletized first and then loaded into the container, the “Intermediate Packing Method” of the goods should be set as “1”. “0” or blank means that the goods are directly loaded into the container; “1” means that the goods are free to choose the appropriate pallet/carton; “2” means that the goods are loaded with the designated intermediate packaging.

For there are no other requirements, you do not need to set other parameters, leaving them as the default value. Save and close the template when finishing.

Thirdly, return to 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 LoadMaster 3D container calculator.

Step 2: Click [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. Add all the frequently used container types so that the system can select the most appropriate container from these options. (In this case, add 40GP, 40HC and 20 GP). Set the corner casting size and reserved size in the container.

Since forklift is needed for this case to lift pallets, the height reserved size should be set to 10cm in order to facilitate forklift operations; therefore, the 10cm of container corner castings are also deducted, therefore the size of corner castings does not need to be set.

Step 3: Click [Intermediate Container] on the left to add a pallet. For the user does not know the pallet type and quantity that should be used, it is necessary to add all the frequently used pallet types. In this case, you can click [Import from Database], and then check the frequently used European and Asian standard pallets in the pop-up box and click [Add]. Set the [maximum load height] of the pallet to “120CM”.

Step 4: Click [Loading Rules] on the left to enter the [Loading Rules] page. For the user requires the left several pieces of cargo can be loaded into the container in bulk without being palletized. Therefore, select [Methods of generating intermediate Units] as [The heights of intermediate units are dynamic computed according to container height]. And check [Allow cargoes which can generate unit SKUs to be loaded directly into containers].

Step 5: Click [Intermediate Loading Rules] on the left to define the loading rules when the goods are palletized. For there is no special loading demands, you don’t need to change the default rules in this page.

Finally, click [Loading Result] above or click [Loading Plan] on the left to calculate.

We can see that the container and truck loading plan is completed within seconds. In the container list on the left, we can see that this batch of goods used 40 pallets which is 1100*1100, and finally one 40GP. From the 3D loading solution diagram, there are several pieces of cargo loaded directly into the container because if all the goods are palletized, one container is not enough. So in this case, several pieces of cargo are loaded in bulk to save one container’s costs.

You can also use your mobile phone to guide the on-site loading and download the loading report to make the packing list in preparation for the customs declaration.

Is that possible that a cargo loading optimization software can realize loading the same kind of items on one pallet as much as possible? The answer is Yes, LoadMaster can help you do that!

When the goods are palletized first and then loaded into the container, it is required to generate unit-load pallets as much as possible. How to define such requirement in LoadMaster?

Cargo data:

Loading requirements:

1. The goods can only be placed as the height is vertical to the ground.
2. Calculate how the goods are palletized and then loaded into a 40GP.
3. When the goods are palletized, unitload pallets are generated first, and then the mixed pallets.
4. There are two types of pallets: 1200×1000mm, 1200×800mm. The pallet height is 10cm, and the max load height is 1.2m (including the height of the pallet itself).

According to the current loading requirements, the task type [2-Steps Loading] should be selected.

Fill in the basic information for later check.

Next, start to designing the container loading plan:

Step 1: Click [Cargo] on the left to enter the cargo interface. For there are various cargo types, 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 data and loading requirements.

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.

②Then define the placement methods of the cargo. For it is required that cargoes can only be placed with the height vertical to the ground, that is only “stand” and “stand & rotate” are allowed. Fill in the Column of other placement methods with “0”. “0” means not allowed such load orientation, leave it blank or “1” means allowed.

③Define the properties for loading. For the goods are required to be palletized first and then loaded into the container, the “Intermediate Packing Method” of the goods is set to “1”. “0” or blank means that the goods are directly loaded into the container; “1” means that the goods are free to choose the appropriate pallet/carton; “2” means that the goods are loaded with the designated intermediate packaging.

For there are no other requirements, leave other loading rules as the default.

Thirdly, return to 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 container and truck loading software.

Step 2: Click the [Container] on the left to add a container. For this batch of items will be loaded with 40GP, you only need to add 40GP into the container loading calculator. Click [Import from Database], check 40GP in the pop-up box, and click [Add].

Step 3: Click [Intermediate Container] on the left to add a pallet. Click the [flat pallet] under [Add Container], and then edit the name (for example, “pallet 1200×1000”). The size of the pallet is 120×100×10cm, and the “maximum load height” is 120cm. In the same way, add the second pallet 1200*800.

Step 4: Click [Loading Rules] on the left to enter the [Loading Rules] page. For there are no special loading requirements, leave them as default.

Step 5: Click [Intermediate Loading Rules] on the left to define the loading rules when the goods are palletized. For it is required to prioritizing loading the same cargo on one pallet , check [Prefer unit load], and set [Minimum volume usage rate required for unit load].

Finally, click [Loading Result] above or click [Loading Plan] on the left to calculate. And within seconds, the optimal container loading plan can be generated. On the right side of the 3D loading diagram are cargo statistics, loading steps and balance analysis of the current container.

According to the 3D diagram, we can see that the same kind of cargoes are loaded on the same pallet, and the rest whose quantity is not enough to fill in a pallet are mixed with other kinds, which fully meets the loading requirements.

If there are too many mixed pallets, you can go back to the [Intermediate Loading Rules] interface, and adjust the [Minimum volume usage rate required for unit load] to be appropriately lower.

You can share the 3D container loading solution to mobile phones to guide the on-site loading and download the loading report to make the packing list for customs declaration.

Have you ever encountered the following scenario? There is only one option for the stacking layers of items on one pallet which means the height of the palletized cargo is unchangeable. However, one-height pallets may cause that there is still much space not utilized. Wasted space results in unnecessary costs. How to avoid this and make full use of the container space?

LoadMaster cargo loading optimization software can generate different heights of palletized cargo to ship less air.

Let’s check it out with an exact example.

Cargo data:

Loading requirements:

1. The items cannot be placed with the length vertical to the ground.
2. Calculate how the items are placed on pallets and then loaded into the container type 40GP. The pallet is the Asian general flat pallet 1100mm×1100mm.
3. The items should be packed into two pallets in containers. The maximum height of the cargo on the pallets is not limited.

According to the current loading requirements, the container loading plan type [2-Steps Loading] should be selected.

Fill in the [Basic Information]. Then start to design the load 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 data.

①Copy the name, quantity, length, width, height, and weight (gross weight of a single carton) of the items into the template. Pay attention to the matching of the units.

②Then define the load orientations of the items. For it is required that cargoes cannot be placed with the length vertical to the ground, that is “lay” and “lay & rotate” are not allowed, you should fill in the “allowed” Columns of “lay” and “lay & rotate” with “0”. “0” means such placement of orientation is not allowed, leaving it blank or “1” means allowed.

③Define the properties for loading. For the items are required to be palletized first and then loaded into the container, the “Intermediate Packing Method” of the items is set to “1”. “0” or blank means that the items are directly loaded into the container; “1” means that the items are free to choose the appropriate pallet/carton; “2” means that the items are loaded with the designated intermediate packaging.

For there are no other requirements, leave other loading rules as default.

Thirdly, return to the [Cargo] interface, click [Add Cargo>Import From Excel], choose the template you have finished, and open it. Then the cargo information will be imported to the software.

Step 2: Click on [Container] on the left to enter the [Container] interface. Add frequently used container types to the load plan and then the container loading software can select the most appropriate and cost-effective container. Edit the corner castings size and reserved size of the container, the size of the corner castings is 101010cm.

Since this load plan involves pallet loading, the height reserved size should be set as 10cm in order to facilitate forklift operations. In this way, the 10cm of container corner castings are also deducted, therefore the size of corner castings does not need to be set.

Step 3: Click on [Intermediate Container] on the left to add pallets. For it is required to use the Asian universal flat pallet 11001100, add it from the database. Click [Import from Database], check the pallet 11001100 in the pop-up box. Then define the [maximum load height] of the pallet. For the user requires the items to be packed into 2 pallets in container height, therefore the height of the items on a pallet is not limited. The maximum load height of the items on a pallet can be set to a value larger than half the height of the container. The value can be adjusted after checking the loading effect respectively. It is set to 150cm in this case.

Step 4: Click [Loading Rules] on the left to enter the [Loading Rules] page. Since it is required that the items can be loaded in high and low pallets in order to make full use of the space. Therefore the [Methods of generating intermediate Units] is selected as [The heights of intermediate units are dynamic computed according to container height].

Step 5: Click [Intermediate Loading Rules] on the left to define the loading rules when the items are palletized. For there is no other special loading requirements, leave them as default.

Finally, click [Loading Result] above or click [Loading Plan] on the left to calculate. With the advanced container loading optimization algorithm, the container loading plan is finished within 1 second. In the container list on the left, you can see that this batch of items used 40 1100*1100 pallets, and one 40GP. On the right side of the diagram are cargo statistics, loading steps and balance analysis of the current container. According to the 3D diagram, it can be seen that the items are loaded into different heights of pallets, which fully meets the loading requirements.

After the loading solution is completed, you can use your mobile phone to guide the on-site loading and download the loading report to make the packing list for customs declaration.