Container Selection Rules

Overview

This article will provide an introduction to the container selection rules available in Cube-IQ and explain how they influence the optimizer’s choice of container types during a multi-container load. These rules are designed to help you achieve specific loading objectives, whether that's maximizing space utilization, minimizing shipping costs, or following a customized loading strategy.
 

Requirements

1. Cube-IQ version 5.1 or higher.

Product Information

The Selection rule controls the order in which Cube-IQ attempts to load available containers. This is critical when multiple container types are allowed in a single load. Below are the available options: 

To set these:

1. Click on the Options tab on the top menu.
2. Select Defaults from the sub-menu.

1. Best fill: 

   1. All containers are simulated per step.
   2. The container with the highest utilization is selected.

2. Largest first: 

   1. The largest available container is used at each step.
   2. Except in the final step where the best fit is selected.

3. Minimum overall cost: 

   1. Cube-IQ selects the combination of containers with the lowest total cost.
   2. If no cost is defined in container details, Cube-IQ uses estimated values that favors fewer containers and better space usage.

4. One container only: 

   1. Only a single container is loaded.
   2. If more than one is needed, the load fails.
   3. Used primarily in cartonization applications.

5. Largest reaching minimum fill first: 

   1. The system chooses the largest container that can be filled to at least its defined minimum fill percentage.

6. Sequenced reaching minimum fill first: 

   1. The optimizer loads the container with the lowest sequence number that meets the minimum fill percentage.

7. Minimum overall cost + Largest first: 

   1. Runs the optimizer twice, once using each rule.
   2. Then selects the better result.
   3. Ideal for users whose load profiles vary significantly.

Assistance

If any further assistance is needed, please contact our Support team.

Related Articles

How to use Preferred Containers

How To Control Maximum Reach Into The Back Of The Container

How To Avoid Using Costly Containers Unless Necessary