Table of Contents

LOADING METER - Loading Meters Calculation

Overview

The Loading Meter calculation method determines the number of loading meters needed for transportation planning. Loading meters are a standard unit used in logistics to calculate transportation space requirements, typically based on handling unit quantity adjusted by a loading meter factor.

Purpose

This method calculates the Expected Shipment Handling Unit Qty. as loading meters by:

  1. Determining the handling unit type and handling unit type group
  2. Calculating base handling unit quantity
  3. Applying loading meter factor from handling unit type group
  4. Optionally handling weight/volume-based calculation for specific handling unit types
  5. Accounting for interleave handling units and stacking factors

Parameters

Parameter Name Type Description Default
STACKING FACTOR COND Code[10] Condition code containing stacking factor (empty)
WEIGHT CARR.TYPE Code[20] When this handling unit type is used, calculate by weight/volume instead of quantity (empty)
ROUND_TO_FULL_LAYERS Boolean Round to full layers when interleave is required true
INTERLEAVE_COND_FILT Text Filter to check for interleave condition(s) (empty)
MIX_REMINT_COND_FILT Text Filter to check for "remove interleave condition for mix handling unit" condition(s) (empty)

Algorithm

Step 1: Validate Document Line

If document line is not Customer Item type OR quantity = 0:

  • Exit with result = 0
  • Go to End

Go to Step 2

Step 2: Determine Handling Unit Type

Determine which handling unit type to use:

  1. Use DocumentLine."Handling Unit Type Code" if available
  2. Get shipment handling unit type from conditions (using filter)
  3. Get from Customer Item (Shipment or Receipt)
  4. Must have a handling unit type to continue

Go to Step 3

Step 3: Get Handling Unit Type Group

Retrieve the Handling Unit Type Group:

  • Handling Unit type must have Handling Unit Type Group Code set
  • Handling Unit Type Group must have Loading Meter Factor set

Go to Step 4

Step 4: Check Weight/Volume Calculation

If handling unit type matches WEIGHT CARR.TYPE parameter:

Go to Step 5A: Weight/Volume Calculation

Else:

Go to Step 5B: Quantity-Based Calculation

Step 5A: Weight/Volume-Based Calculation

  1. Get maximum weight: CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Weight"

  2. Calculate weight factor:

    WeightFactor = DocumentLine."Gross Weight" / CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Weight"

  3. Get maximum cubage: CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Cubage"

  4. Calculate volume factor:

    VolumeFactor = (Quantity × UnitOfMeasure.Cubage) / CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Cubage"

  5. Use the maximum of weight and volume:

    BaseResult = Max(WeightFactor, VolumeFactor)

  6. Apply loading meter factor:

    Result = BaseResult × CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor"

Go to End

Step 5B: Quantity-Based Calculation

  1. Get Stacking Factor:

    • If STACKING FACTOR COND parameter is provided:
      • Get stacking factor from conditions
      • If stacking factor = 0, set to 1
    • Else:
      • Set stacking factor = 1

  2. Get Handling Unit Type UOM:

    • Look up CarrierTypeUOM for customer item, unit of measure, and handling unit type group
    • Must have Qty. per UOM Code set

  3. Calculate Base Loading Meters:

    BaseResult = Quantity / CarrierTypeUOM."Qty. per UOM Code" × CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor" / StackingFactor

  4. Add Interleave Factor (if applicable):

    • If Qty. per Layer > 0 AND Quantity >= Qty. per Layer:
      • If interleave handling units condition is enabled:
        • Calculate number of layers: NoOfLayers = Quantity div Qty. per Layer
        • Determine height: Use CarrierTypeUOM.Height or UnitOfMeasure.Height
        • Calculate interleave factor: 
          InterleaveFactor = CarrierType.Height / (NoOfLayers × Height + CarrierType.Height) / StackingFactor
        • Add to result: 
          Result = BaseResult + (InterleaveFactor × CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor")

Go to End

Calculation Steps

Weight/Volume-Based Calculation

Variable Definitions:

  • A = Weight factor
  • B = Volume factor
  • C = Base result (maximum of A and B)
  • D = Loading meter factor
  • E = Final result

Formula:

  1. Weight factor: A = Gross Weight / Pick Max. Load Weight
  2. Volume factor: B = (Quantity × Cubage) / Pick Max. Load Cubage
  3. Base result: C = Max(A, B)
  4. Final result: E = C × D

Quantity-Based Calculation

Variable Definitions:

  • A = Quantity
  • B = Handling Unit capacity (Qty. per UOM Code)
  • C = Stacking factor
  • D = Loading meter factor
  • E = Base loading meters
  • F = Interleave factor (if applicable)
  • G = Final result

Formula:

  1. Base calculation: E = (A / B) × D / C
  2. If interleave: F = CarrierType.Height / (NoOfLayers × Height + CarrierType.Height) / C
  3. Final result: G = E + (F × D)

Examples

Example 1: Quantity-Based Loading Meters

Scenario:

  • Quantity = 100 pieces
  • CarrierTypeUOM."Qty. per UOM Code" = 50 pieces per handling unit
  • CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor" = 0.8 loading meters per handling unit
  • Stacking factor = 1.0
  • No interleave handling units

Calculation:

  1. Base loading meters: E = (100 / 50) × 0.8 / 1.0 = 2 × 0.8 = 1.6 loading meters
  2. Interleave factor: F = 0 (not applicable)
  3. Result: G = 1.6 loading meters

Result: 1.6 loading meters

Example 2: With Stacking Factor

Scenario:

  • Quantity = 200 pieces
  • CarrierTypeUOM."Qty. per UOM Code" = 50 pieces per handling unit
  • CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor" = 0.8 loading meters per handling unit
  • Stacking factor from condition = 0.5 (allows double stacking)

Calculation:

  1. Base loading meters: E = (200 / 50) × 0.8 / 0.5 = 4 × 0.8 / 0.5 = 3.2 loading meters
  2. Result: G = 3.2 loading meters

Result: 3.2 loading meters

Example 3: With Interleave Handling Units

Scenario:

  • Quantity = 150 pieces
  • CarrierTypeUOM."Qty. per UOM Code" = 50 pieces per handling unit
  • CarrierTypeUOM."Qty. per Layer" = 10 pieces per layer
  • CarrierTypeUOM.Height = 0.20 m per layer
  • CarrierType.Height = 0.15 m (interleave pallet)
  • CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor" = 0.8 loading meters per handling unit
  • Stacking factor = 1.0
  • Interleave handling units enabled

Calculation:

  1. Base loading meters: E = (150 / 50) × 0.8 / 1.0 = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 loading meters
  2. Number of layers: NoOfLayers = 150 div 10 = 15 layers
  3. Interleave factor: F = 0.15 / (15 × 0.20 + 0.15) / 1.0 = 0.15 / 3.15 = 0.0476
  4. Interleave loading meters: InterleaveLM = 0.0476 × 0.8 = 0.0381 loading meters
  5. Result: G = 2.4 + 0.0381 = 2.4381 loading meters

Result: 2.4381 loading meters

Example 4: Weight/Volume-Based Calculation

Scenario:

  • Quantity = 80 pieces
  • DocumentLine."Gross Weight" = 1200 kg
  • UnitOfMeasure.Cubage = 0.05 m³ per piece
  • CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Weight" = 1000 kg
  • CarrierType."Pick Max. Load Cubage" = 2.0 m³
  • CarrierTypeGroup."Loading Meter Factor" = 0.8 loading meters per handling unit
  • Handling Unit type matches WEIGHT CARR.TYPE parameter

Calculation:

  1. Weight factor: A = 1200 / 1000 = 1.2
  2. Volume factor: B = (80 × 0.05) / 2.0 = 4.0 / 2.0 = 2.0
  3. Base result: C = Max(1.2, 2.0) = 2.0
  4. Result: E = 2.0 × 0.8 = 1.6 loading meters

Result: 1.6 loading meters

Important Notes

  • Loading meters are a standard logistics unit for transportation planning
  • The loading meter factor is defined per handling unit type group
  • Weight/volume calculation is used for specific handling unit types (e.g., containers)
  • Stacking factor allows accounting for double-stacking capabilities
  • Interleave handling units add additional loading meters based on interleave pallet height ratio
Edit this page