📋 Overview
This file is a Visual Basic form class responsible for shipping space calculation within the logistics management system. It optimizes cardboard packaging and container loading, and creates shipping plans based on truck and transport equipment specifications.
Main Features:
- Reading and processing shipping packaging volume data
- Cardboard packaging calculation and palletization
- Container loading optimization
- Loading plans based on truck/transport equipment specifications
- Calculation of berth numbers and shipping space optimization
🔧 Dependencies
Imports OfficeOpenXml
Uses the EPPlus library for reading and writing Excel files.
📊 Key Classes and Members
Class: T3_4ShippingSpaceForm
A form class derived from Windows Forms for calculating shipping space.
🔹 Important Global Variables
| Variable Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Container Type | The model of the container to be used (e.g., 20ft, 40ft) |
| Shipping Container Fill Rate | Container filling efficiency (%) |
| Cardboard Fill Rate | Pallet filling efficiency for cardboards (%) |
| Total Cardboard Count | Total number of cardboard boxes |
| Total Shipping Container Count | Total required number of containers |
| Total Shipping Container Volume | Total volume of the containers |
| Empty Transport Equipment Area | Area of empty transport equipment |
🎯 Main Methods
1. Form Load Processing
Private Sub SpaceCalc2BShippingSpace_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs)
Process Details:
- Initialization (DgvDisplay_Check = 0)
- File existence verification
- Copyright and validity period display
- Excel data reading for Space Calculation 2A results
- Excel data reading for truck and transport equipment specifications
- Execution of shipping space and berth count calculation
2. Shipping Space and Berth Count Calculation
Private Sub ShippingSpaceAndBerthCountCalc()
Processing Flow:
- Execute shipping cardboard calculation
- Execute shipping container calculation
- Aggregate shipping space and berth count
3. Cardboard Packaging Calculation
Private Sub ShippingCardboardCalc()
Functionality:
- DataGridView initialization and configuration
- Calculation and display of cardboard packaging data
- Palletization (PL) calculation
- Truck loading capacity calculation
- Calculation of berth count and loading time
Note: Cardboard sizes and loading methods vary depending on the packaging method.
- Shipping Data Category: Uses more detailed categories
- Consolidated Cardboard Packaging: Uses grouped packaging
- Shipping Data Category: Uses more detailed categories
- Consolidated Cardboard Packaging: Uses grouped packaging
4. Container Calculation
Private Sub ShippingContainerCalc()
Calculation Details:
- Container direct stacking calculation (cardboards loaded directly)
- Container palletization calculation (loading using pallets)
- Selection and calculation of transport equipment (pallets, roll cages, etc.)
- Optimization of loading efficiency
- Calculation of required container count
5. Aggregation Processing
Private Sub ShippingSpaceAndBerthCountAggregation()
Aggregation Items:
- Total shipping berths
- Total number of trucks
- Total loading time
- Total waiting area
- Temporary storage area calculation
- Calculation of workable range
📥 Excel Data Loading
Space Calculation 2A Result Loading
Private Sub SpaceCalc2AResult_ExcelRead()
Loaded Data:
- Shipping packaging volume data
- Shipping packaging quantity and volume
- Total shipping days, specified shipping date
- Packaging method
- Container type and fill rate
- Cardboard related data
File Path: DatSavePath & "\SoftData\SpaceCalc.xlsx"
Sheet Name: Shipping Packaging Volume
Sheet Name: Shipping Packaging Volume
Truck and Transport Equipment Specifications Loading
Private Sub TruckAndTransportEquipSpecs_ExcelRead()
Loaded Sheets:
| Sheet Name | DataGridView | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Truck Specs | TruckSpecsDgv | Loading capacity and dimensions of various trucks |
| Transport Equip Specs | TransportEquipSpecsDgv | Specs for pallets, roll cages, etc. |
| Cardboard PL Truck Loading Capacity | CardboardPLTruckLoadCapDgv | Loading capacity when palletized |
| Shipping Container Direct Load Count | ShipContainerDirectLoadCountDgv | Direct loading capacity into containers |
| Shipping Container PL Load Count | ShipContainerPLLoadCountDgv | Pallet loading capacity into containers |
| Transport Equip Load Count by Truck | TransportEquipLoadCountByTruckDgv | Transport equipment loading capability by truck |
| Container Load Count by Transport Equip | ContainerLoadCountByTransportEquipDgv | Container loading capability by transport equipment |
File Path: DatSavePath & "\SoftData\ShippingSpaceCalc.xlsx"
🚛 Transport Equipment Selection Feature
All Cardboard Packaging Mode
Private Sub AllCardboardPackaging()
Selectable Transport Equipment:
For Shipping Data Categories:
- Direct Stacking Transport
- Pallet 1100*1100
- Roll Cage 850*650
- Roll Cage 1100*800
- Dolly Cart
- Double Sided Cart 1260*425
- Double Sided Cart 900*600
For Consolidated Cardboard Packaging:
- Direct Stacking Transport
- Pallet 1100*1100
- Roll Cage 850*650
- Roll Cage 1100*800
- Double Sided Cart 1260*425
- Double Sided Cart 900*600
- (Dolly Cart is excluded)
Automatic Conversion: If Dolly Cart is selected, it automatically converts to Roll Cage 850*650.
🔍 Helper Functions
Truck Spec Retrieval Function
Private Function TruckSpecs(ByVal VehicleName As String, Col As Integer) As Double
Retrieves the specification value of the specified vehicle by column number.
Transport Equipment Spec Retrieval Function
Private Function TransportEquipSpecs(ByVal EquipName As String, Col As Integer) As Double
Retrieves the specification value of the specified transport equipment by column number.
Loading Capacity Calculation Function
Private Function CardboardPLTruckLoadCap(VehicleName As String, EquipName As String) As Double
Returns the loading capacity based on the combination of truck and transport equipment.
Container Loading Count Calculation Functions
| Function Name | Description |
|---|---|
| ShippingContainerDirectLoadCount() | Direct loading capability of cardboards into containers |
| ShippingContainerPLLoadCount() | Pallet loading capability into containers |
| TransportEquipLoadCountByTruck() | Loading capability of transport equipment into trucks |
| TransportEquipLoadTimeByTruck() | Time required for loading |
📐 Calculation Logic
Basic Flow for Container Calculation
- Determine Container Availability
- If Total Container Count > 0: Use Container Mode
- If Total Container Count = 0: Direct Cardboard Shipping Mode
- Select Loading Method
- Direct Stacking: Load cardboards directly
- Palletization: Use transport equipment like pallets
- Calculate Required Counts
- Calculate number of transport equipment
- Calculate number of trucks
- Calculate number of berths
- Calculate Space
- Calculate waiting area
- Calculate temporary storage area
- Calculate working space
Berth Count Calculation
Berth Count = Total Loading Time / (Shipping Days × Working Hours per Day)
Area Calculation
Waiting Area = Number of Trucks × Truck Occupancy Area
Temporary Storage Area = Number of Transport Equip × Transport Equip Area
Total Space = Waiting Area + Temp Storage Area + Working Space
Temporary Storage Area = Number of Transport Equip × Transport Equip Area
Total Space = Waiting Area + Temp Storage Area + Working Space
🎨 UI Components
DataGridView List
- PostShipPackagingVolumeDgv: Displays volume data after packaging
- ShippingCardboardCalcDgv: Displays cardboard calculation results
- ShippingContainerCalcDgv: Displays container calculation results
- SpaceCalcAggregationDgv: Displays aggregated results
- TruckSpecsDgv: Displays truck spec data
- TransportEquipSpecsDgv: Displays transport equipment spec data
ComboBox (Transport Equipment Selection)
- ShippingMethod1TransportEquipCb
- ShippingMethod2TransportEquipCb
- ShippingMethod3TransportEquipCb
TextBox (Data Display)
- TotalShippingDaysTb
- SpecifiedShippingDateTb
- PackagingMethodTb
Buttons
- StartShippingSpaceCalcBtn: Executes the calculation process
- Background color changes upon click (LightYellow ⇔ PowderBlue)
- Visual feedback of calculation state
- SpaceCalc1Receive_CloseTb: Closes the form
⚠️ Error Handling
File Existence Check
If fi.Exists = False Then
MessageBox.Show("File not found. Please run from Space Calculation 2A. Terminating.")
Me.Close()
End If
MessageBox.Show("File not found. Please run from Space Calculation 2A. Terminating.")
Me.Close()
End If
If required Excel files do not exist, displays an error message and closes the form.
Important: This module cannot run if Space Calculation 2A (previous process) is not completed successfully.
🔄 Overall Processing Flowchart
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Form Load │ └──────────┬──────────────────────────┘ │ ├→ Verify Files ├→ Display Copyright ├→ Read Excel (Calc Results) ├→ Read Excel (Spec Data) │ ▼ ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Shipping Space & Berth Calc │ └──────────┬──────────────────────────┘ │ ├→ Shipping Cardboard Calc │ ├─ Cardboard Count Calc │ ├─ Palletization Calc │ ├─ Truck Count Calc │ └─ Berth Count Calc │ ├→ Shipping Container Calc │ ├─ Direct Stack Calc │ ├─ Palletization Calc │ ├─ Equip Selection │ └─ Efficiency Calc │ └→ Shipping Space & Berth Aggregation ├─ Berth Count Aggregation ├─ Truck Count Aggregation ├─ Waiting Area Calc ├─ Temp Storage Area Calc └─ Total Space Calculation
📈 DataGridView Formatting
Cell Styles
| Style | Settings | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| cstyle1 | Alignment = MiddleCenter | Center alignment (Headers, etc.) |
| cstyle2 | Alignment = MiddleRight Format = "N1" |
Right align, 1 decimal place |
| cstyle3 | Alignment = MiddleRight Format = "N3" |
Right align, 3 decimal places |
Common Settings
- RowHeadersVisible = False: Hide row headers
- ColumnHeadersVisible = False: Hide column headers
- AllowUserToAddRows = False: Disable user row addition
- AutoSizeColumnsMode = AllCells: Auto-adjust column width
- SortMode = NotSortable: Disable sorting
- ReadOnly = True: Read-only mode
- Frozen = True: Freeze first row/column
💾 Data Flow
Input Data
- SpaceCalc.xlsx
- Shipping Packaging Volume sheet
- Data generated in the previous process (T3_2)
- ShippingSpaceCalc.xlsx
- Master data (Truck specs, transport equip specs, etc.)
Output Data
- Calculation results displayed in DataGridViews
- Aggregated values for berth count, truck count, required space, etc.
- Detailed loading plan data
🔧 Technical Specifications
Libraries Used
- EPPlus: Excel file operations (read/write .xlsx)
Development Language & Framework
- Language: Visual Basic .NET
- Framework: Windows Forms
- Target: .NET Framework
Key Technical Elements
- Event-driven programming
- DataGridView data binding
- Excel data integration (EPPlus)
- Logistics optimization algorithms
📝 Commented Code Regions
#Region Directives
The code is structured using the following regions:
- ShippingSpaceCalcExcelRead: Excel data loading processes
- Delete: Deleted/unused code (commented out)
Maintainability: Region directives improve code readability and maintainability.
🚀 Optimization Points
1. Fill Rate Optimization
- Adjusts container fill rate to improve spatial utilization
- Adjusts pallet efficiency via cardboard fill rates
2. Transport Equipment Selection
- Automatic selection of optimal equipment based on packaging method
- Appropriate handling of special equipment like Dolly Carts
3. Berth Allocation
- Calculation of berth counts considering working hours and shipping days
- Efficient allocation of waiting and temporary storage areas
⚙️ Configurable Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Impact Area |
|---|---|---|
| Container Type | Type of container to use | Loading capacity, required count |
| Fill Rate | Container/Pallet filling efficiency | Required quantity, space |
| Transport Equip | Type of transport equipment | Loading efficiency, working time |
| Truck Type | Type of truck to use | Loading capacity, count, waiting area |
| Shipping Days | Total shipping days | Berth count, daily workload |
🔗 Related Modules
- T3_2 (Previous Process): Calculates shipping packaging volumes and generates input data for this module
- T3_5 (Next Process): Assumed to create more detailed plans using the results from this module
Data Integration: Data is shared with the previous process via SpaceCalc.xlsx.
📚 Summary
T3_4_ShippingSpace.vb is a crucial module responsible for the optimization of shipping plans within the logistics management system.
Key Features
- ✅ Comprehensive calculations from cardboard packaging to container loading
- ✅ Supports multiple transport equipment and truck specifications
- ✅ Visual results display using DataGridViews
- ✅ Flexible data management through Excel integration
- ✅ Optimization features based on fill rates
- ✅ Automatic calculation of berth counts and working space
Use Cases
- Planning large-scale shipping operations
- Space design for warehouses and logistics centers
- Optimization of transportation costs
- Analysis and improvement of operational efficiency
Important: Execution of the previous process (T3_2) and preparation of master data (ShippingSpaceCalc.xlsx) are required for this module to function correctly.
📞 Support Information
Document Date: Auto-generated
Target File: T3_4_ShippingSpace.vb
Language: Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET)
Total Lines: 2047 lines