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A tabu search algorithm for the pallet loading problem

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Abstract.

This paper presents a new heuristic algorithm for the pallet loading problem, the problem of packing the maximum number of identical rectangular boxes onto a rectangular pallet. The problem arises in distribution and logistics and has many practical applications. We have developed a tabu search algorithm based on new types of moves. Instead of moving individual boxes, we propose moving blocks, sets of boxes with the same orientation. We have tested our algorithm on the whole sets Cover I and Cover II, usually taken as a reference for this problem, and we obtain excellent results in very short computing times.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Valencia, Doctor Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain

    R. Alvarez-Valdes & J. M. Tamarit

  2. Departamento de Informatica, E. Politecnica Superior, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario, 02071, Albacete, Spain

    F. Parreño

Authors
  1. R. Alvarez-Valdes
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  2. F. Parreño
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  3. J. M. Tamarit
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Alvarez-Valdes.

Additional information

Correspondence to: R. Alvarez-Valdes

This paper has been partially supported by the Project PBC-02-002, Consejeria de Ciencia y Tecnologia, JCCM, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, DPI2002-02553 and the Valencian Science and Technology Agency, GRUPOS03/174

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Alvarez-Valdes, R., Parreño, F. & Tamarit, J.M. A tabu search algorithm for the pallet loading problem. OR Spectrum 27, 43–61 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-004-0183-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-004-0183-5

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