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Automated Pallet Planning Tools

Description:

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this effort is to develop automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo. 

DESCRIPTION: The Air Mobility Command (AMC) is seeking innovative technologies as a part of its Aerial Port of the Future initiative to reduce airman disabilities and injuries and improve the efficiency of aerial port operations. This topic has the endorsement of both the AMC/ST and AMC/A4. The Air Mobility Command (AMC) is responsible for shipping approved air cargo anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice to support warfighter requirements. AMC transported over 300,000 tons of cargo in 2016. Most of this air cargo is made up of non-standard packages which must be individually picked and assembled into pallets; furthermore, these pallets need to be configured specifically for the aircraft that will transport the cargo. Packages may be larger and heavier than those encountered in typical retail pallet-building operations. Due to the configuration needs, weight difference, and varying sizes, the selection and assembly process to construct these pallets is time-consuming and inefficient. The airman has to manually optimize pallet configurations and place the cargo manually or by forklift. This effort would develop automated algorithms and planning tools for palletizing cargo. The system would capture important facts about the incoming cargo to be palletized – size, weight, geometry, intermediate and final destination, etc. After all the information is collected, the software would design the optimal pallet load. Possible technologies that could be utilized include, but are not limited to, the following: RFID scanning to provide cargo information, sensing technology to capture cargo dimensions, and integrated multi-variate routines to optimize cargo configuration. The main goal of the effort is to increase the efficiency of pallet planning and optimize the pallet load, normally for standard 463L pallets. The system may require identification of the most appropriate criteria and weighting analysis to understand what makes an optimized pallet load. In some cases it might be maximizing the volume utilization of a particular aircraft cargo bay. In others it might be the most efficient unloading and redistribution of the cargo at the final destination. The algorithms and tools should allow for maximum flexibility and should be able to accommodate multiple pallet build configurations for different aircraft. Commercial applications of this technology include commercial shipping via air, rail, or ship. 

PHASE I: Design study demonstrating feasibility of automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo and potential integration. Initial architectural concepts for automated algorithms and planning tools. 

PHASE II: Proof-of-principal development of automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo. A demonstration should show feasibility of the system and increase in efficiency (Threshold =10%, Goal = 25%). 

PHASE III: Refine design based on outcomes of tests and customer feedback in Phase II. Fully operable automated algorithms and planning tools for palletized cargo. 

REFERENCES: 

1: Martins, Gustavo H. A. (2003). Packing in Two and Three Dimensions (dissertation). Retrieved from public DTIC website at http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA43622

2:  Wilson, S. J. (2011). The Impact of Increased Pallet Utilization on Intra-Theater Airlift (dissertation). Retrieved from public DTIC website at http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA54879

3:  Pallet Loading Training Video (2008). Pallet Loading: Building a Pallet. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAXzviz3BqM.

4:  463L HCU-6/E Pallet. Retrieved February 23, 2017 from http://www.aarcorp.com/cargo-products/mobility-systems/catalog/pallets/.

KEYWORDS: Cargo; Packing Problem; Military Cargo Aircraft; Package Picking 

CONTACT(S): 

Paul Fleitz (AFRL/RQQC) 

(937) 938-4628 

paul.fleitz@us.af.mil 

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