Abstract

This paper studies the Manufacturers pallet-loading problem (MPLP), which aims to load identical small boxes within a rectangle pallet by maximising the pallet utilisation percentage. In this work, we propose a novel mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model that generates layouts of an improved structure based on the Mega-box representation. Each mega-box simply groups boxes with the same orientation along the X and Y axis. Such approach aids real life operations when fast and less complex operations are essential to reduce the pallet loading time, which will also result into reduction of the overall supply chain cost. The proposed optimisation-based approach has been tested against available literature datasets with supported graphical layout structures. The computational and graphical layout results show the superiority of the proposed approach compared with existing Manufacturers pallet-loading problem layouts.