Some experiments with a simple tabu search algorithm for the manufacturer's pallet loading problem

The manufacturer's pallet loading problem consists in arranging, orthogonally and without overlapping, the maximum number of boxes with dimensions (l,w) or (w,l) onto a rectangular pallet with dimensions (L,W). This problem has been successfully handled by block heuristics, which generate loading patterns composed by one or more blocks where the boxes have the same orientation. A common feature of such methods is that the solutions provided are limited to the so-called first order non-guillotine patterns. In this paper we propose an approach based on the incorporation of simple tabu search (without longer-term memory structures) in block heuristics. Starting from an initial loading pattern, the algorithm performs moves that increase the size of selected blocks in the current pattern; as a result, other blocks are decreased, eliminated or created. Computational results indicate that the approach is capable of generating superior order optimal patterns for difficult instances reported in the literature. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.