Master Data Stacking Matrix
The ALC palletizing software calculates optimal stacking patterns of orders consisting of a set of articles. Every article is linked to one package type, which describes its physical parameters.
The core parameters of a Stacking Matrix element are:
- identifier (int): Unique identifier of the record
- application (str): Application for which the element is used. Valid values are: "TML" = To filter allowed package types to be placed on Top Mixed Layer; "Pallet" = To specify, which layer pattern can be placed on top of another layer pattern
- pallet_no (int): Unique identifier of the Pallet Type
- bottom_pattern (str): package_id for the bottom pattern if application = "TML"; pattern_name of the bottom pattern if application = "Pallet"
- top_pattern (str): package_id for the top pattern if application = "TML"; pattern_name of the top pattern if application = "Pallet"
- enabled (bool): "True" if stacking is allowed; "False" if stacking is not allowed.
- stacking_cost (int): Cost value used by the optimization algorithm to prefer or avoid a specific layer combination.
The following table contains two example views of Stacking Matrix combinations:
 Stacking Matrix Example 1 |
 Stacking Matrix Example 2 |
You can view the stacking matrix combination by clicking on the "hook" or "X" in the respective cell of the Stacking Matrix table.
Options
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Options | |
| Application | Application for which the element is used. Valid values are: "TML" and "Pallet" |
| Pallet Type | Unique identifier of the Pallet Type |
| Filter | |
| show only "Enabled" patterns | Show only the entries for the enabled layer patterns |
| Stackability | |
| Min. coverage | Used to determine whether a unit is stable on the bottom pattern |
Actions
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Select File | Select a file in a specified Excel Format to be imported |
| Import Stacking Matrix | By pressing the button "Import Stacking Matrix" you can import stored values from an Excel file. The import file must be first selected via the button "Select file". |
| Export Stacking Matrix | By pressing the button "Export Stacking Matrix" an Excel file is created and supplied to download. This file contains all stored values in the above summarized columns. |
| Reset Stacking Matrix | By pressing the button "Reset Stacking Matrix" the existing matrix is deleted and an empty matrix for all (enabled) layer patterns is created |
| Calculate Stackability | By pressing the button "Calculate Stackability" the algorithm is called which checks, whether all item of the top pattern can be placed onto the items of the bottom pattern |
Please note: By pressing the button "Calculate Stackability", all values inside the filtered Stacking Matrix are automatically calculated based on the specified value "Min. coverage".
The algorithm checks for each item of the top layer if four quadrants of each item has enough coverage from one or more items of the bottom layer. If the cumulative coverage is larger than the specified "Min. Coverage", the item is deemed stable. If one item is not fulfilling this requirement, then the whole combination is rated as instable.
This calculation is on the conservative side and may rate more combinations as instable than they actually are.
Stacking Matrix Table
By clicking on any cell of the Stacking Matrix Table the corresponding stacking matrix pair is shown below.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Bottom / Top | Sequence of layer patterns (Application = "Pallet" or Package Types (Application = "TML")) |
| Show 5 entries | With changing this value you can display more or less records in the table |
| Search | You can search any element by typing any string into this field |
| Buttons 1,2, ... Next | You can scroll through the list of entries |
Context Sensitive Menu
| Menu Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Toggle Enabled | The specified "enabled" value will be negated. |