How do we calculate what can and can't packed?

The box packing solution that is part of all of our shipping plugins is volume based.

Volume calculation is Length x Width x Height (LxWxH)

Example:

Container dimensions are 103 x 88 x 40 (cm)= 362560 (cm3)

Product dimensions are 101 x 36 x 40(cm)= 145440 (cm3)

You also need to consider the maximum weight set up for the container.

The packing system will also consider the product weight and total weight of the shipment and evaluate which container is suitable.

Without going into the specifics for this calculation as it is quite complex and we have various packing methods to select from.

Below are the steps we take to calculate which item(s) can or can’t fit inside a specified box.

Pre-check

• dimensions
• weight
• volume

Calculation

• look for an empty box
• place items into the box that is lower or equal to the box dimensions
• check maximum dimensions
• compare lowest dimension of all items and it should be smaller than the largest dimension of the box
• place this item into the box
• continue to place the additional items into the box

(DISCLAIMER

The box packer is volume based. This will in most cases provide good results, but will never be as accurate as a real person packing a box (see BIN Packing Problem) therefore it is important you understand that packing results are as accurate as they can be and any anomalies should be accepted.)

This is an attempt to provide a real world packing solution that is as accurate as possible. In most cases it does provide fairly accurate results however there are some events where the calculation may not provide an accurate outcome. This is generally due, and widely accepted, for this type of packing solution. For the most accurate outcome for packing, please read 3d bin packing problem.

Volume shipping has its drawbacks. This type of calculation (volume) is the typical way that all shipping plugins work - not just ours.

The only way that we can provide the most accurate packaging is based on a mathematical algorithm called 3D Bin Packaging. In a nutshell, this is a complex set of mathematical equations and calculates objects in 3 dimensional space and places them into a box.

Unfortunately, this isn't how volume packing works and therefore our shipping plugin. We are still very confident with some tweaks to your product's dimensions you will get fairly close to what you are after. You will have to play around and experiment a little.

PACKING QUESTIONS:

Can l assign a certain product to be shipped in a certain container?

Products will be packed based on the dimensions and weight of your product, the packing algorithm will select the closest container to pack your products using these units to determine the best container.