Loading of cargo in container (possible with lsp)?

[julcad]

dear all,

i been using autocad for about 5 years now, mainly for modelling design for manufacturing.Now, i am in operation position incharge of container loading from malaysia to middle east.I've been using autocad to make the 3D models of cargo and place it in a 3D container so as to lay out my loading plan.

I've been looking at commercial container loading software which utilises special programmed algorithm to optimized eg.MaxLOAD but none provide support of non-sqaure type cargo.By so saying,my cargo consists of various shapes including trapeziod shape and some involves intersection of cargo.

Any one could come out with a routine (supposed to be a very complex 1),or any suggestions? we could kick start with a 3D container,say 6Mx 2.4mx2.4m, and the routine will auto optimise the loading of say 3D con of a r=100mm & height=300mm to the fullest?

thank you for your attention.

rgds,

julcad

[David Bethel]

I've looked into an app like this in the past. It is a daunting enough task with standardized containers and very accurate ship dimensions. Add in non uniform packaging, optimal loading sequences and port loading schedules and you have 1 whale of a project.

I have written some fairly simple storage capcity model routines in the past and really thought I would go nuts before they was completed.

I would have thought that there were some apps out there already that were up to the task. Very high dollar stuff I would guess. -David

[julcad]

thanks for replying, yes,i've tested some software which can do that but only supports square carton boxes/oil barrels cylinder shape.Cheapest i can get is not even 2% of autocad 2005 but as i mentioned b4,they only manage square type shape.Been looking into customization as well but no progress till date although 've approached more than 5 companies.I guess there is too much variables to control for non standard size.

oh..You were trying to load a cargo ship! i only need to load 1 container with around 1500 unts of cargo.

thanks again for paying attention to my post.

[hendie]

As David mentioned, this is a very complex task, even for relatively simple shapes.
As you have found, even the commercially available software only deals with simple cubic shapes.
I can think of a few appproaches to this but certainly couldn't guarantee that anyone of them would guarantee to give you the absolute optimimum loading pattern, and that would only deal with cubic or cylindrical shapes. Anything out with those forms would be an incredible programming task.

[julcad]

well, i am aware of the enormous amount of programming task involved in this one,but i will keep on trying to find a solution.BTW,thanks for taking time to reply my post.

rgds,

julcad

[Big Mike]

We have Optitext 'nesting' software...but it's for 2D shapes. It nests shapes for efficient cutting of fabric on our Eastman cutting system. Have you looked into other 2D 'nesting' applications, to see if they could be adapted for your use.

The worst part of Optitext is that's it's a stand alone program and not an Autocad extension. It does a very poor job of importing drawings (DXF files from Autocad drawings).

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but does anyone know of an Autocad nesting application?

[julcad]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but does anyone know of an Autocad nesting application?

anything related would be greatly appreciated,i am not aware of the autocad nesting apps though.

rgds,

julcad

[Mr T]

Howabout using an INVENTOR assembly to constrain and snap container shapes ?

Nick

[julcad]

hmm, no sure about that,care to enligthen me ?i may consider learning inventor from scratch as we have unused inventor license.

rgds,
julcad

[julcad]

well any more suggestion? perhaps some1 come across? btw, my cargo are

1)3D trapezoid
2)3D rectangular

the rest more complex shape i will use manual simulation for now.