Patent Publication Number: US-2004044537-A1

Title: System and method for determining a shipping configuration for a part

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates generally to the shipping configuration of parts, and more particularly, to a computer based system and method of determining a shipping configuration of a part based on characteristics of the part.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Typically, a company may receive material, e.g., parts, from many different parties or suppliers. Some companies may use standard containers, e.g., standard sized tubs, to receive the parts. Standard containers may vary in terms of size, shape, material, etc . . . . Often, these standard containers are re-usable, i.e., once the parts are received by the company, the container is shipped back to the supplier to be used again.  
       [0003] To ship a quantity of parts, a container must be chosen and then a quantity of parts are placed within the container. Previously, a number of parts desired to be shipped was determined and a container was selected that will carry the desired number of parts. Additionally, the parts were laid or placed in the container in an ad hoc manner, meaning that a container carrying one type of part may be packed completely differently than the same type of container carrying the same type of part, packed by a different packer, or the same packer at a different time.  
       [0004] Different packing styles may lead to different quantities of the same part being loaded into identical containers, leading to both cost and time inefficiencies, e.g., in transportation costs.  
       [0005] Additionally, a container may be selected to accommodate the desired quantity to be delivered without any determination regarding the cost effectiveness of using that particular container or the ordering that particular quantity.  
       [0006] The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a shipping configuration for a part is provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a set of part characteristics and determining the shipping configuration for the part as a function of the part characteristics. The shipping configuration includes a container, a number of parts in the container, and a layout of the parts in the container.  
       [0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a computer based system for determining a shipping configuration for a part is provided. The system includes a database for storing packaging data and a processing unit coupled to the database. The processing unit establishes a set of part characteristics and determines the shipping configuration for the part as a function of the part characteristics. The shipping configuration includes a container, a number of parts in the container, and a layout of the parts in the container. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a first flow diagram of a method for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to an aspect of the present invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a second flow diagram of a method for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to another aspect of the present invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer program product for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to an aspect of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer program product for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to another aspect of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 6A is a first diagrammatic illustration of a graphical user interface, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 6B is a second diagrammatic illustration of the graphical user interface of FIG. 6A;  
     [0016]FIG. 6C is a third diagrammatic illustration of the graphical user interface of FIG. 6A;  
     [0017]FIG. 7A is a first diagrammatic illustration of a container information window, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 7B is a second diagrammatic illustration of the container information window of FIG. 7A;  
     [0019]FIG. 7C is a third diagrammatic illustration of the container information window of FIG. 7A;  
     [0020]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a container layout window, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 9A is a diagrammatic illustration of an EOQ estimation window, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and,  
     [0022]FIG. 9B is a second diagrammatic illustration of the EOQ estimation window of FIG. 9A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0023] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention provides a system  100  and method  200 ,  300  for determining a shipping configuration for a part. As discussed below, the shipping configuration for the part may include a container and an economic order quantity (EOQ) or portion thereof.  
     [0024] In one embodiment, the system  100  includes a database  102  for storing configuration, or packaging data and a processing unit  106  coupled to the database  102 . The processing unit establishes a set of part characteristics and determines the shipping configuration for the part as a function of the part characteristics.  
     [0025] As discussed below, the shipping configuration may include a container, a number of parts in the container, and a layout of the parts in the container. The layout of the parts refers to how the parts are stacked or orientated with respect to the container. In one embodiment a graphic is shown illustrating the orientation of the parts within the container. Alternatively, only a portion of the parts in the recommended layout or orientation are shown.  
     [0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, a user  110  may establish information related to the part to be shipped and the system  100  and method  200 ,  300  generate the shipping configuration.  
     [0027] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the system  100  includes the database  102  and the processing unit  104 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit  104  is embodied in a computer  106  and a computer program application  108  running on the computer. The user  110  interacts with the computer program application  108  through a graphical user interface or “GUI”  112 . Furthermore in another embodiment, the system  100  may include a plurality of computers  106  which are connected into a network. Specified computers or users on the network having access to the system and methods of the present invention.  
     [0028] In one embodiment, the system  100  may include a printer  114  which allows packaging information and other data to printed on paper. Alternatively, the printer  114  may be separate from the system  100 .  
     [0029] In one aspect of the present invention, the database  102  has stored thereon configuration data such as, container and part data. The database  102  may also include user data. The shipping configuration is determined as a function of part characteristics which may be stored in a packaging database. In one embodiment, the computer program application  108  is a database application written for a database program, such as Microsoft Access, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Alternatively, at least a portion of the data may be input by a user.  
     [0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system  100  establishes at least one dimension associated with a part and a weight associated with the part. The system may also establish a part identification. As described below, in a first embodiment, the part identification, at least one dimension, and/or weight may be input by the user  110 . In one aspect of the present invention, required information not provided by the user  110  is located within the database  102 . In another aspect of the present invention, information not located within the database  102  is input by the user  110 .  
     [0031] Additionally, the processing unit may establish a desired container or the desired container may be input by the user  110 . As described below, the system  100  may recommend a recommended container. The recommended container may be the same as the desired container or another container. Alternatively, the system  100  may provide packaging information for both the desired container and the recommended container.  
     [0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shipping configuration includes the number of parts in the container (desired or recommended or both) and a layout of the parts in the container (desired or recommended or both).  
     [0033] In another aspect of the present invention, the system  100  establishes a dimension associated with the part. The dimension may be associated with at least one edge of the part. Alternatively, a dimension for a plurality of edges may be established. The dimension for the one or more edges may be input by the user  110 . Additionally, the system  100  may establish one of the edges as having a specific orientation. For example, the system  100  may establish the part must be orientated in the container such that one edge is towards the bottom of the container. Alternatively, the system may establish a general shape associated with a part and at least one dimension associated with the general shape.  
     [0034] In still another aspect of the present invention, the system  100  may establish a set of usage characteristics for the part. The shipping configuration may then be determined as a function of the part characteristics and the usage characteristics.  
     [0035] For example, the usage characteristics may be indicative of the price for the part and/or a quantity of parts used over a period of time. The system  100  determines a most economic order quantity based on the usage characteristics. In one embodiment, the usages characteristics includes the part price and the annual usage quantity, i.e., the number of parts used during a year&#39;s time period.  
     [0036] Furthermore, the recommended container may be determined as function of an economic lot size.  
     [0037] In another aspect of the present invention a method of determining a shipping configuration for a part is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of establishing a set of part characteristics and determining the shipping configuration of the part as a function of the part characteristics. The shipping configuration may include a container and at least one of a number of parts in the container and a layout of the parts (or portion thereof) relative to the container. In the first step, a set of part characteristics is established. The set of part characteristics may be established via input from a user or read from a data file containing the part characteristics. Part characteristics may include part dimensions, part number, part weight, etc. . . . In one embodiment, a user may input part dimensions. For example, the user may input a length and/or a height of the part. Alternately, the user may select the dimensions from a menu. In still another embodiment, the user may enter a part or select a part from a list of available parts and the associated dimensions and/or weight of the part are obtained from the database  102 .  
     [0038] Additionally, the desired number of parts to be shipped may be entered. As discussed below, the desired number of parts my be determined as a function of the estimated number of parts that will be needed in a specified period of time, such as a year, as well as the costs associated with shipping, storing, handling, the desired container or a recommended container, and the layout of parts within the container, etc.  
     [0039] In the second step, a shipping configuration is determined as a function of one or more of the part characteristics. In one embodiment, the shipping configuration may include a number of containers based on a quantity of the parts and the number of parts in each container. The shipping configuration may also include a recommended layout of the parts relative to the container. As discussed below, a graphic may be shown or used to illustrate the parts or a portion of the parts in the recommended layout.  
     [0040] In one embodiment, the user may provide a desired container. The system or method may also determine a recommended container. The desired container and the recommended container may both be illustrated together or separately and may include an illustration of the parts or a portion of the parts in a recommended layout.  
     [0041] A discussed below, the layout and container recommendations may be based on a cost benefit or economic analysis. For example, the system and method may determine an economic lot size as a function of the part price and the estimated annual usage. In one aspect of the present invention, the economical lot size is also determined as a function of external factors such as supply chain costs, for example, inventory costs and holding, distribution, and receiving costs, current part prices, past part prices, or a forecast of future part prices (see below).  
     [0042] In one aspect of the present invention, a weight limit for a container may be stored in the database  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, if a weight limit for a container is stored in the database  102 , then a weight of the part may be required. If a weight limit is not stored in the database  102  for a container, then a weight of the part is optional. If the weight limit for a container is not in the database then weight of the part is not used in the determination of the economical lot size.  
     [0043] With reference to FIG. 2, a method  200  for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In a first control block  202 , a set of part characteristics is established. In a second control block  204  a shipping configuration for the part as a function of the part characteristics is determined. In one embodiment, the shipping configuration includes at least one of a container, a number of parts in the container, and/or a layout of the parts in the container.  
     [0044] With reference to FIG. 3, a method  300  for determining a shipping configuration for a part, according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In a third control block  302 , a set of part characteristics is established. The set of part characteristics includes at least one dimension and a weight associated with the part and a desired container. In a fourth control block  304 , the shipping configuration for the part is determined as a function of the part characteristics. In one embodiment, the shipping configuration includes at least one of a recommended container, a number of parts in the recommended container, and a layout of the parts in the recommended container.  
     [0045] With reference to FIG. 4, a computer program product  400  determines a shipping configuration for a part, according to one embodiment of the present invention. A computer readable program code means  402  establishes a set of part characteristics. A computer readable program code means  404  determines the for the part as a function of the part characteristics. In one embodiment the shipping configuration includes at least one of a container, a number of parts in the container, and a layout of the parts in the container.  
     [0046] With reference to FIG. 5, a computer program product  500  determines a shipping configuration for a part, according to another embodiment of the present invention. A computer readable program code means  502  establishes a set of part characteristics. The set of part characteristics includes at least one dimension and a weight associated with the part and a desired container. A computer readable program code means  504  determines the shipping configuration for the part as a function of the part characteristics. In one embodiment, the shipping configuration includes at least one of AA recommended container, a number of parts in the recommended container, and a layout of the parts in the recommended container.  
     [0047] With reference to FIGS.  6 A- 9 B, a graphic user interface (GUI)  112  according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed.  
     [0048] With specific reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and  6 C, the (GUI)  112  includes a data entry window  600 . The data entry window  600  includes a title bar  602 , a menu bar  604  and a data entry screen  606 . The menu bar  604  includes three menus: a file menu  604 A, a Screens menu  604 B, and a Help menu  604 C.  
     [0049] In one embodiment, the file menu  604 A includes two menu items: “Print Screen” and “Exit”. Selection of Print Screen will print the screen to a default printer. Selection of Exit will exit all screens and exit the system  100 . The Screens menu  604 B includes four menu items: “Data Entry”, “History”, “Reporting”, and “Update Resource Files”. Selection of Data Entry displays the data entry screen  606 . Selection of History displays a History screen (see below) from which the user  110  can access stored information. Selection of Reporting displays a Reporting screen (see below) from which the user  110  can generate various reports. Selection of the Update Resource Files provides a method in which the information stored in the database  102  can be updated from external sources. The Help menu  604 C contains several items which provide access to general and specific help files.  
     [0050] The data entry screen  606  includes planner or user information section  608 , a unit selector  610 , a part information section  612 , a procurement information section  614 , a container information section  616 , and a part shape information section  618 .  
     [0051] The planner information section  608  is optional and may be used to identify the current user  110  of the system  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are three ways for the current user  110  to enter their name. First, the current user  110  may select their name in a planner scroll down list  608 A. Second, the current user&#39;s name may be typed into a planner entry box  608 B. Third, the current user  110  may begin to type their name in the planner entry box  608 B, a history list (not shown) will appear which contains a list of users who match the previously entered keystrokes. The current user  110  may then pick their name from the history list. The system  100  tracks changes by the user.  
     [0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the Unit Selection  610  includes a millimeter selector  610 A and an inch selector  610 B for selecting the units for part and container measurements.  
     [0053] The user  110  identifies the part for which they will be defining the shipping configuration using the part information section  612 . The part information section  612  includes a part list  612 A and a part number text entry box  612 B. The part list  612 A includes a list of available part numbers for the current user  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the part list  612 A also includes a code identifying a supplier for the part. There are two ways in which the user  110  may enter the part number: (1) by selecting from the part list  612 A or entering the part number into the part number text entry box  612 B. To enter a new part number, the user  110  enters the part number in the part number text entry box  612 B.  
     [0054] The procurement information section  614  contains information relating to the supplier for the selected part and additional information related to the part, e.g., a price related to the part, an estimated annual usage of the part, and a weight associated with the part. Some of the information may be automatically filled in the procurement information section  614  if the part was selected from the part list  612 A or copied from history data (see below). If the current part is a new part or if the information had not been previously entered, the user  110  may enter the information directly into the procurement information section  614 . In the illustrated embodiment, the procurement information section  614  includes a supplier name text entry box  614 A, a supplier code text entry box  614 B, a price entry box  614 C, an estimated annual usage entry box  614 D, and a weight entry box  614 E.  
     [0055] The container information section  616  allows the user  110  to select a desired container for the part. The container information section  616  includes a container list  616 A and a container entry box  616 B. There are two methods in which a desired container may be selected: (1) the user  110  may select the desired container from the container list  616 A or enter the desired container in the container entry box  616 B.  
     [0056] The system  100  may also display information related to the quantity of containers at one or more facilities in a container location information box  616 C. As described below, the system  100  may also suggest or determine a recommended container. The recommended container (if any) may be listed in a suggested container box  616 D.  
     [0057] Furthermore, the system  100  may allow the user  110  to define a thickness of a divider in the container information section  616 . In the illustrated embodiment, the container information section  616  includes a divider thickness entry box  616 E and a retain divider thickness check box  616 F.  
     [0058] With reference to FIGS.  7 A- 7 B, in one embodiment of the present invention, after the user  110  selects a desired container in the container information section  616 , the system  100  displays a container information window  700 . The container information window  700  contains information related to the desired container. In the illustrated embodiment, the container information window  700  includes a graphic  702  illustrating the desired container and additional information which may include container identifying information, an empty weight of the container, dimensional data, a stack limit, a stack height, and an overhang limit. The graphic may be either a drawing or a picture of the container. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and  7 C contain sample information for three standard containers: an ILC box #809, a  110  standard steel tiering rack, and a plastic tub, respectively.  
     [0059] Returning to FIG. 6A, the system  100  further allows the user  110  to define the shape and size of the current part in the shape information section  618 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shape information section  618  includes a predefined shape section  618 A and a part dimension entry section  618 B. The shape information section  618 A includes a plurality of predefined shapes. The user  110  may select the shape which most closely resembles the actual shape of the current part. In the illustrated embodiment, the shape information section  618 A includes three predefined shapes: a box  618 C, a cylinder  618 D, and a package of parts  618 E. However, it should be noted that additional predefined shapes may be included.  
     [0060] Each shape has a plurality of dimensions which should be defined. For example, the box predefined shape  618 C has dimensions a, b, and c which should be defined. The cylinder predefined shape has dimensions a and b which must be defined. The part dimension entry section  618 B includes a plurality of dimension entry boxes  618 F,  618 G,  618 H,  6181 ,  618 J. When a predefined shape  618 C,  618 D,  618 E is selected the corresponding number of dimension entry boxes  618 F,  618 G,  618 H,  6181 ,  618 J become active. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the cylinder predefined shape  618 D is selected, the first two dimension entry boxes  618 F,  618 G become active.  
     [0061] The part dimension entry section  618 B also includes a submit data button  618 K and a plurality of edge down check boxes  618 L (corresponding to each active dimension entry box  618 F,  618 G,  618 H,  618 I,  618 J). Once all the required information is entered, the submit data button  618 K becomes active. Additionally, the plurality of edge down check boxes  618 L allows the user to select which edge should be orientated downwards in the container. Only one of the edge down check boxes  618 L may be selected.  
     [0062] With particular reference to FIG. 6B, the package of parts predefined shape  618 E allows the user to define either a package containing a plurality of parts (as shown) or to define a group of the current parts which when placed together have the illustrated shape. For example, the current part may be prepackaged in a box containing a plurality of parts.  
     [0063] Alternatively, the part may be irregularly shaped or have a shape different than one of the predefined shapes. This option allows the user  110  to group two or more parts together in a manner which resembles the selected shape. For example, if a part has a triangle shaped cross section, two parts may be placed together such that they form a box shape.  
     [0064] When one package of parts predefined shape  618 E is selected, three dimensions should be defined (a, b, and c). Furthermore, the quantity of parts contained within the package of parts should be entered into a quantity entry box  618 M. Additionally, a weight of the total package may be entered into a weight entry box  618 N.  
     [0065] In one aspect of the present invention, the following information is used: part number, print units, price, estimated annual usage, desired or selected container, and the dimensions of the selected predefined part shape.  
     [0066] The contents of the part dimension entry section  618 B when the box predefined shape  618 C is selected is shown in FIG. 6C. Additionally, for discussion purposes only, the following information has been entered on the data entry screen  606 :  
                                                          part:   1075668               weight:   50   lbs,           estimated annual usage:   18           desired container:   104           divider thickness:   6.35   mm                      
 
     [0067] rectangular shaped part with a, b, c dimensions of 50 mm, 150 mm, and 40 mm, respectively.  
     [0068] After all of the information is entered into the data entry screen  606 , the submit data button  618 K becomes active. Selection of the submit data button  618 K activates the system  100  to determine a recommended container, a part layout for the desired and recommended container and economic order quantity estimate information (see below).  
     [0069] With reference to FIG. 8, after the submit data button  618 K has been actuated a container layout window  800  is displayed by the system  100 . The container layout screen  800  illustrated in FIG. 8 is based on the information shown on the data entry screen  606  shown in FIG. 6C.  
     [0070] The container layout screen  800  includes a first graphic  802 A and a second graphic  802 B. The first graphic  802 A displays the desired container and the second graphic  802 B displays the recommended container (if any). It should be noted that if there is no recommended container or if the desired container will not work because of the dimension or weight requirements of the part and/or container, then no graphic is shown.  
     [0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the container layout screen  800  includes a first layout pattern  804 A and a second layout pattern  804 B. The container layout screen  800  also includes a first statistics section  806 A and a second statistics section  806 B. The first layout pattern  804 A and the first statistics section  806 A are related to the recommended container and the second layout pattern  804 B and the second statistics section  806 B are related to the recommended container.  
     [0072] The recommended container is based (in part) on the part, i.e., dimensions and weight and on a recommended lot size, i.e., number of parts ordered at any one time. The recommended lot size is based on an economic analysis based on part price and annual estimated usage, as well as internal costs involved with ordering, storing, handling, etc . . . . the received parts (see below).  
     [0073] The first layout pattern  804 A displays how the parts should be placed in the desired container based on the size (dimensions), shape, and weight of the container and the part, as well as any weight limit of the container and the designated edge orientation (see above). The number of parts may be modified by the desired economical lot size (see below). Alternatively, the number of parts may be the number of parts which will fit in the container given all the limitations, such as weight limit.  
     [0074] The second layout pattern  804 A displays how the parts should be placed in the recommended container based on the size (dimensions), shape, and weight of the container and the part, as well as any weight limit of the container and the designated edge orientation (see above). The number of parts may be limited by the recommended lot size (see below). Alternatively, the number of parts may be the number of parts which will fit in the container given all the limitations, such as weight limit.  
     [0075] The recommended container may then be determined based on how many parts will fit into a given container. In one embodiment, the system  100  determines how many parts will fit into each available container using an iterative loop. For example, for each container the system  100  determines the number of parts that will fit into a container for each possible orientation of the part. In one embodiment, the container which will hold or fit the largest number of parts without exceeding a most economical lot size is chosen as the recommended container. Alternatively, the container which cost effectively holds the parts may be selected. For example, the user  110  selects a type of container. Based on the estimated annual usage, the parts would fit into 1½ of these containers, whereas two smaller containers or a single larger container may be more cost effective (based on other factors, see below).  
     [0076] For example, in FIG. 8, the desired container is the  104  standard steel tote box #104. The first layout pattern  804 A illustrates the recommended layout of parts in each layer of parts for the desired container, 50 rows of 40 parts. The first statistics section  806 C contains additional information, i.e., the total quantity of parts in the container, the number pf parts per layer, the number of layers, the total weight, and the divider thickness.  
     [0077] In the given example, the recommended container is a plastic tub (“Ach”). In a similar manner, the second layout pattern  804 B and the second statistics section  806 B illustrate the recommended layout of parts in the recommended container and additional information.  
     [0078] The system  100  may determine a most economic lot size as a function of the part price and the estimated annual usage. In one aspect of the present invention, the most economic lot size is also determined as a function of external factors such as supply chain costs, for example, inventory costs and holding, distribution, receiving costs, current part prices, past part prices, and/or a forecast of future part prices. In one embodiment of the present invention, the external factors are estimated using a predetermined factor. The predetermined factor, however, may be modified or updated to reflect changes in the external factors.  
     [0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, the most economical lot size is determined using an experimentally derived formula. In another embodiment of the present invention, the most economic lot size is determined using a plurality of experimentally derived formula, where each formula is used over a predetermined range of part quantities.  
     [0080] Referring again to FIG. 8, the container layout window  800  includes a Show EOQ menu item  808 . With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, selection of the Show EOQ menu item  808  displays an economic order quantity (EOQ) estimation window  900 . The EOQ estimation screen  900  includes a recommended lot size section  902 , a what if section  904 , a container summary section  906 , and a data section  908 .  
     [0081] The recommended lot size section  902  includes a EOQ text box  902 A, a pieces per load text box  902 B, and a EOQ note box  902 C. The EOQ text box  902 A displays the determined most economic lot size and the pieces per load text box  902 B displays the number of parts per load (container).  
     [0082] The container summary section  902 C contains summary information related to the recommended and desired containers. Additional information regarding the supplier of the part is located in the data section  908 .  
     [0083] The what if section  904  allows the user  110  to enter certain information to see how this would affect the most economic lot size. In the illustrated embodiment, the what if section  904  includes a EQU entry box  904 A and a price entry box  904 B. The user  110  may enter different values to determine how it impacts the recommended lot size. Once this information is entered, a calculate button  904 C becomes active.  
     [0084] With reference to FIG. 9B, when the calculate button  904 C is actuated, the system  100  calculates a new lot size and displays it in a lot size box  904 D.  
     [0085] Industrial Applicability  
     [0086] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention provides a system  100  and method  200 ,  300  for determining a shipping configuration for parts. The system  100  and method  200 ,  300  are utilized by a user  110  or planner to designate the shipping configuration for a particular part. The user  110  defines the part, i.e., its shape, size and weight and other attributes of the part, includes price and estimate annual usage.  
     [0087] The shipping configuration may include a container, a number of parts in the container, and a layout of the parts in the container.  
     [0088] The user  110  may also designate a desired container in which the part is to be shipped.  
     [0089] The system  100  and method  200 ,  300 , using the input data, may also determine the most economic lot size for the part to be shipped. Based on the most economic lot size, the system  100  and method  200 ,  300  may also determine a recommended container. The system  100  and method  200 ,  300  may also generate an image of the container and a layout illustrating the best layout of parts within either the desired or recommended container or both.  
     [0090] Other aspect and features of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.