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PUBLICATIONS

Using Simulation To Assess The Effectiveness of Pallet Stacking Methods

Published

Author(s)

Stephen B. Balakirsky, Frederick M. Proctor, Thomas R. Kramer, Pushkar Kolhe, Henrik I. Christensen

Abstract

Stacking objects onto pallets is the most widely used method of bulk shipping, accounting for over 60% of the volume of goods shipped worldwide. Due in part to the wide variation in size, shape and weight of objects to be palletized, successful stacking is more of an art than a science. Pallet stacking is an example of the three dimensional cutting stock problem, a variant of the combinatorial NP-hard knapsack problem. This makes it hard to find a common heuristic to satisfy requirements for major shippers and receivers. In this paper, we explore the role that simulation can play in comparing how well automated metrics can gauge the quality of a pallet. A physics enabled simulator allows us to study the interlocking among hidden internal boxes and makes it possible to study metrics that cannot be determined by mere statistics. Results from a competition held in May 2010 are used to illustrate the concepts.
Proceedings Title
2nd International Conference on Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots
Conference Dates
November 15-18, 2010
Conference Location
Darmstadt
Pub Type
Conferences

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Keywords

Palletizing, Simulation, Competition, Performance Metrics, USARSim
Manufacturing, Process measurement and control and Robotics

Citation

Balakirsky, S. , Proctor, F. , Kramer, T. , Kolhe, P. and Christensen, H. (2010), Using Simulation To Assess The Effectiveness of Pallet Stacking Methods, 2nd International Conference on Simulation, Modeling, and Programming for Autonomous Robots, Darmstadt, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=906569 (Accessed October 11, 2025)

Issues

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Created November 19, 2010, Updated February 19, 2017
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