Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Container XML Files

Question: When I save a container and open it again, I cannot adjust the quantities of each item. Is there any other way of doing this?

Answer:
Our current Quick Pallet Maker version (4.3.2) can save three different types of container loading files (all XML files):

a) Input Shipment File: If you save a shipment file when in the first tab of the container fill window, the file you save will contain the information of the items that you wish to load into the container plus the type of container that you wish to load them in. So, for example if you have a list of pallets and boxes that you wish to fit into a 40' container, when you open the input file again, this list will appear along with the container info so you can just select "Recalculate" to obtain the list of containers needed to make this shipment.

b) Output Shipment File: If you save a shipment file after calculating the list of containers, the file will contain the information for these containers only. Therefore, next time you load the file, you will see that the second container tab is visible and the first container is visible. Clicking on the right arrow allows you to see the others in the list if applicable.

c) Individual Container Files: When viewing the second tab of the Container Fill window (i.e. the large container drawing), you can save the individual container file. If this file is reopened, then you will see a non-editable container.

Hence, the best option for you is to save a shipment input file in which you can modify the quantities, add more items and change the container type.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Screenshots Of The Day - April 29, 2008


Below you will find a set of screenshots from an example regarding the use of the Layer Editor.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Screenshots Of The Day - April 22, 2008


Below you will find some screenshots of how two trays are calculated independently and then mixed into a pallet, using the Layer Editor since the automatic calculation did not deliver the desired configuration.

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container loadingcontainer loading

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Screenshots Of The Day - April 16, 2008


Here's one Quick Pallet Maker container fill screenshot worth sharing: a mix of drums and boxes.

shipping container fill

Monday, April 14, 2008

Screenshots Of The Day - April 14, 2008


Below you will find some screenshots of how two trays are calculated independently and then mixed into a pallet, using the Layer Editor since the automatic calculation did not deliver the desired configuration.

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Friday, April 04, 2008

Screenshots Of The Day - April 04, 2008


Hi there, here are some screenshots from a drawing application called Inkscape that can be used for editing pallet arrangements produced by Quick Pallet Maker and exported to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). We will post an example soon of how this is done.

QPM + InkscapeQPM + Inkscape
QPM + InkscapeQPM + Inkscape
QPM + InkscapeQPM + Inkscape

Different Pallet Displays

Question: What type of pallet displays can I see when I run Quick Pallet Maker?

Answer: With each box calculation, QPM delivers automatically three different pallet patterns: one with boxes arranged lengthwise, another with the boxes placed transversally and finally, one with the boxes placed to maximize the amount per pallet. Although the last arrangement maximizes the boxes per pallet, you can still get more patterns by selecting a type 1 or type 2 pallet and then using the Optimize command from the central menu in the Available Solutions window. A pallet like the fourth one will be produced.
Pallet Type 1Pallet Type 2
Pallet Type 10Optimized Pallet
Additionally, you can create two more arrangements using the central menu of the detailed report window and selecting Display Box Length and Display Box Width, respectively. Doing this from the Available Solutions window, you can obtain pallet arrangements such as the ones shown in the fifth and sixth attachments.
Display LengthDisplay Width
Finally, you can use the Layer Editor to create practically any pattern.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Does It Work With Mac OSX 10.5.2

Question: Does Quick Pallet Maker run on Mac OSX 10.5.2?

Answer: Yes, as you can see in the screenshot below. For Intel Macs, QPM currently uses Rosetta but we will have a Universal Binary in the near future (i.e. for the next version). You can download Quick Pallet Maker for OSX here.

Quick Pallet Maker on OSX 10.5.2