PackStak Pro - TOPS - Packaging Software

PackStak Pro
Software for Pallet Patterns,
Stacking Analysis and Truck Loading
®
PackStak Pro, a smaller module of TOPS Pro software, provides users the ability to design new ship
cases or cartons around fixed-sized primary packages. It also designs pallet pattern based on the
dimensions of a master carton and pallet restrictions, as well as to calculate stacking strength and truck
configuration. Cartons can be loaded into truck as floor loads or pallet loads.
Total
Optimization
Product
Arrangement
Case
Sizing
Pallet
Patterns
PackStak Pro
i
RFID
Analysis
Packaging
Software
@
Data
Sharing
Reports
Generation
Load
Planning
Stacking
Analysis
Benefits
Savings ...
With PackStak Pro, users can improve the bottom line by
reducing packaging, transportation and storage costs by 5-20% .
Optimize pallet patterns to allow more products to be stacked and
improve load stability.
Optimize shipping case sizes for less corrugated usage.
Calculate stacking strength to determine the best board grade, cut
corrugated cost and minimize damage during transit and storage.
Reduce transportation costs with optimized cargo loads.
Improve productivity by decreasing the time and errors in the
packaging and loading process.
Improve communication among all functional groups.
User Friendly Software
Why TOPS ®
?
®
TOPS has been offering packaging design and
palletization software since the mid-1980’s.
It currently has over 7,500 installation base
worldwide, including corporate-wide licenses
for major players in the corrugated, food &
beverage, technology and pharmaceutical
sectors.
®
TOPS offers the best customer service and
support in the industry. Its financial stability
assures support for your software purchase for
years to come.
®
TOPS owns all of its products source code and
®
allows full custom integration of TOPS
applications into your existing enterprise
solutions.
Ease of Use – Pop-up tool tips and menus provide online help and quick access to commonly-used
functions.
Rich Graphics – A real-time 3D graphics engine provides quick and realistic renderings for primary
packages, shipcases, pallets and cargo loads. Rotate 3D graphics to get different views of package
designs and pallet solutions. Paste-on graphics provide realistic views of the solutions.
Email and Export options – Easily share packaging and load solutions via e-mail. Directly export
reports in PDF, JPG and pre-defined Word templates. Easily integrate solutions and data with other
systems via XML format.
Multiple Language Support – Support over 10 different languages including Simplified and
Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch and more.

. . . . . . . .
Corner Posts Package Design Dividers Pallet Patterns Case Size
TOPS Pro Truck Loading RFID Intermediate Packa
PackStak Pro Functions
Primary Pack Sizing
Determine the best size and arrangement to package a product.
Support bottles, milk cartons, bags, tubs, stand-up pouches and blister
packs.
Apply graphics to create realistic packages.
Simply enter the dimensions and apply graphics -a3Drendering of the
product will come right on the screen within seconds.
Pallet Building
Automatically generate different pallet patterns for straight loads.
Specify overhang and underhang.
Use a slave pallet or add a raised platform for shipcases on the pallet.
Restrict unitloads to certain pattern styles.
Add labels, caps, pads, slip sheets, straps, corner posts and more.
Primary package in different shapes
and arrangements
Pallets column stacked, pin-wheeled and loaded
with alternating layer with secondary pattern on top.
Combining Pallet Patterns
PackStak Pro automatically generates different pallet patterns for straight loads. Users can
pick the one that best meets their needs, be it for cubic efficiency, for store displays,
for load stability or for inventory keeping. Simply point and click on the pallet pattern
editor and the software will automatically change the pattern. Users can also combine
two pallet patterns in the same unit load to meet their specific needs.
Unit load with
slave pallets (left)
and raised
platform (right).
Compression and Stacking Strength Analysis
PackStak Pro offers a host of mechanical and environment analyses to ensure savings
in corrugated costs and minimize damage during transit and storage. It uses the McKee
formula along with other factors to calculate stacking strength results based on Edge Crush,
Ring Crush, or Kellicut results. Users can enter their own paper and board values as
well as to filter out values for quick reference. Stacking strength is also available
for non-RSC boxes as a relative percentage of RSC strength.
Vehicle Loading
Load a single product directly as floor loads or as pallet loads.
Allow pallet loads and loose-filled items at the same time to maximize cube
yield.
Quickly visualize the best way to maximize floor space and cubic efficiency.
Choose from an extensive database of trucks, railcars and sea containers or define your
own transit vehicle.
RFID Analysis
The RFID location optimizer helps users find the best shipcase location for RFID tag
placement for maximum readability. Users can also specify the shipcase face and position to
place tags. (Feature to be released in third quarter 2007.)
Floor loaded (middle), palletized (right) or
combination loads with unit loads and loose
items (left) into different vehicle types.
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
RFID
Automatically place
RFID tags for
maximum readability
Versatile Reports
Create reports with different layouts.
Realistic 3D views of primary pack, shipper, unitload and vehicle.
Statistics for unitloads and vehicle loads.
Comparison reports between load solutions or analyses.
Save reports in XML, JPG, PDF, ASCII formats and more.
Send reports via e-mail or share over a network.
Share Specifications over Company Network or World Wide Web
PackStak Pro’s web publisher allows users to convert packaging specifications into web pages
for the Internet or a company’s Intranet to share among colleagues and customers.

. . . . . . . . .
ge Stacking Analysis TOPS Pro Shrink Wrap Mixed Pallet Case Size
TOPS Pro RFID Slip Sheets Container Loading
The PackStak Pro Design Process
1.
2.
Define Parameters for each Specified Step
Control Panel:
Specify the design sequence for the analysis
Click on the graphic icon to add respective step
Choose from sequence to include primary pack,
shipcase, pallet and transit vehicle
Primary Pack: Select the primary package and enter the dimensions, weight and other
parameters, if available for that shape. Users can specify the unit measure as well as
the orientation of the package when placed inside the shipcase.
:
PackStak Pro Saves
Packaging and
Freight Costs
8-15%
Shipcase Parameters:
PackStak will determine the dimension of the shipcase for the
selected primary package. Users can specify primary pack quantity,
unit of measure, orientation of the shipcase when loading onto
pallets by checking the corresponding boxes under “Vert”, that is, to
check off the dimensions that are allowed vertical during loading.
UnitLoad: Select the pallet to be used from the PackStak database or create a custom
pallet as desired. With unit load, users can:
Specify its maximum height in actual value or by limiting the number of stacked layers
Set the maximum weight for the unit load
Specify the amount of overhang or underhang allowed
Use of slave pallet or a raised platform
Add labels, straps, corner posts and more
Vehicle Parameters: Select the vehicle to be used from the PackStak database or create
a custom sea container or trailer as needed. Users can:
Load loose items to fill the void space not used by the unit loads
Allow PackStak to use different unit load heights to cube out the vehicle
Limit the style of loading patterns
Specify how the loads will align inside the vehicle
3.
pallet pattern and how the unitloads will be
Solutions:
PackStak provides different solutions on
primary pack arrangement which determines
the shipcase size. Users can also pick the
loaded into the transit vehicles for the
analysis.
4.
Reports:
PackStak provides a versatile report
format where users can define what
graphics and statistics to be included.

How to Save Money with PackStak Pro
Reduces Corrugated Use by
Optimizing Shipcase Sizes
By picking an alternate shipcase for
the primary pack, board area is cut
down by 17.15% while retaining the
same cubic efficiency.
Ln:
Wd:
Ht:
Net:
Grs:
Cube:
RSC (FEFCO 0201) 16.3125x12.3125x7.6250
Can/Cylinder
(OD)
4.0000 in
4.0000 in
7.0000 in
0.0000 oz
0.0000 oz
87.96 in3
Height Vertical
Shipper
(ID)
16.0000 in
12.0000 in
7.0000 in
0.7778 ft3
Shipper
(OD)
16.3125 in
12.3125 in
7.6250 in
0.000 lb
0.793 lb
0.8863 ft3
Height Vertical
Can/Cylinder: 12
Area Efficiency 78.54%
Cubic Efficiency 78.54%
Pattern:
4x3x1
RSC Area: 7.93 ft2
Ln:
Wd:
Ht:
Net:
Grs:
Cube:
RSC (FEFCO 0201) 12.3125x8.3125x14.6250
Can/Cylinder
(OD)
4.0000 in
4.0000 in
7.0000 in
0.0000 oz
0.0000 oz
87.96 in3
Height Vertical
Shipper
(ID)
12.0000 in
8.0000 in
14.0000 in
0.7778 ft3
Shipper
(OD)
12.3125 in
8.3125 in
14.6250 in
0.000 lb
0.657 lb
0.8662 ft3
Height Vertical
Can/Cylinder: 12
Area Efficiency 78.54%
Cubic Efficiency 78.54%
Pattern:
3x2x2
RSC Area: 6.57 ft2
Ships More Products by
Optimizing Pallet Pattern
Improvements made by using a
different pallet pattern include:
One more shipper per layer
Five more shippers per pallet
Area efficiency up by 10.45%
Cubic efficiency up by 10.34%
Ln:
Wd:
Ht:
Grs:
Cube:
GMA (Notched) 48.000x40.000x5.000
Shipper
(ID)
17.9375 in
10.6875 in
9.0630 in
1.0055 ft3
Shipper:
Area Efficiency:
Cubic Efficiency:
Layers/load:
Pattern:
RSC Area:
Shipper
(OD)
18.2500 in
11.0000 in
9.6880 in
12.500 lb
1.1255 ft3
Height Vertical
0.00 %
0.00 %
8.40 ft2
Unitload
(Incl. Pal)
44.000 in
36.500 in
53.440 in
565.000 lb
49.6670 ft3
40
83.65 %
82.69 %
8
5
Column
336 ft2
Unitload
(Incl. Pal)
47.500 in
40.250 in
53.440 in
627.500 lb
59.1265 ft3
45
94.10 %
93.03 %
9
5
Diagonal
378 ft2
Saves Shipping Costs with
Container Optimization
Provides up to 50 different plans for
straight loads. An optimal plan can
load more shippers with the same
resources.
Ln:
Wd:
Ht:
Grs:
Cube:
476.00x98.00x110.00
Shipper
(ID)
24.6875 in
12.9375 in
11.3750 in
2.1025 ft3
Shipper:
Area Efficiency:
Cubic Efficiency:
Cases per layer:
Layers/load:
Pattern:
RSC Area:
Density (gr/cc):
Shipper
(OD)
25.0000 in
13.2500 in
12.0000 in
0.000 lb
2.3003 ft3
Height Vertical
0.00 %
0.00 %
13.41 ft2
0.0000
Vehicle
Load
475.000 in
92.75 in
108.00 in
0lb
2753.52 ft3
1179
93.02 %
91.33 %
131
9
Triblock
15815 ft2
0.0000
Ln:
Wd:
Ht:
Grs:
Cube:
476.00x98.00x110.00
Shipper
(ID)
24.6875 in
12.9375 in
11.3750 in
2.1025 ft3
Shipper:
Area Efficiency:
Cubic Efficiency:
Cases per layer:
Layers/load:
Pattern:
RSC Area:
Density (gr/cc):
Shipper
(OD)
25.0000 in
13.2500 in
12.0000 in
0.000 lb
2.3003 ft3
Height Vertical
0.00 %
0.00 %
13.41 ft2
0.0000
Vehicle
Load
475.000 in
92.75 in
108.00 in
0lb
2753.52 ft3
1188
93.73 %
92.03 %
132
9
Triblock
15936 ft2
0.0000
System Requirements
Platform
Network
Processor
Hard Drive Space
RAM Required
Code
Compiler
Framework
Database Format
Import/Export
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
.....
Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP and 2003
Any (Need only a file server)
Pentium 400 Mhz or faster
40 MB minimum
128 MB, 256MB recommended
32-bit
Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0
32-bit XVT 5.0 and Microsoft Foundation Classes
32-bit C-Tree
Uses ASCII comma delimited text files
Compatible with most document management
systems, spreadsheets, databases and
mainframes. Include Excel, Access, Paradox,
AS400 and Unix platforms
Software Maintenance and Support
®
TOPS has an expert team to provide outstanding technical
support and services including:
Unlimited technical assistance.
Free software upgrades for the one year subscription.
® .
Toll-free access (USA only) during TOPS office hours
One full day of free training set at customer’s convenience*
or web based training.
® .
Access to TOPS flash-based software tutorial series
Newsletters with the latest news and improvements in
®
TOPS software and tips on how to get the most out of your
.
software investment
*Travel & living expenses are responsibility of customers
T O P S
275 West Campbell Road, Suite 600
Richardson, Texas 75080 USA
voice: 972-739-8677 fax: 972-739-9478
www.topseng.com info@topseng.com
For more details, call 972-739-8677
or visit our web site at
www.topseng.com