Floor Joist Shipping Optimization via Computerized Bundling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping methodologies for cold formed steel floor joists result in inefficient use of space within containers, leading to increased transportation costs and time inefficiencies at construction sites due to disorganized bundling and difficulty in identifying the correct joist for assembly.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that optimizes the packaging of floor joists by analyzing member dimensions and shipping vessel constraints to maximize space utilization, determining the ideal bundling order, and generating a graphical representation for efficient loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If members are bundled together for shipping, then transportation efficiency is improved, but space utilization within the shipping container deteriorates due to large bundle volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the floor joist members into smaller sub-bundles or individual units rather than creating one large bundle. This segmentation allows for more flexible arrangement within the shipping container, improving space utilization while maintaining transportation efficiency. The computer program coordinates the delivery of multiple smaller bundles to be assembled on-site.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from three-dimensional bundled packaging to a two-dimensional flat-pack approach, where floor joist members are disassembled into planar components that can be efficiently stacked and arranged within the shipping container. This dimensional change maximizes space utilization while the members are reassembled on-site.
2Volume of moving object
If members are shipped as individual units, then space utilization is improved, but time consumption at site increases due to sorting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization by grouping members into logically arranged sub-bundles or flat-packs that are pre-configured for specific assembly sequences. This preliminary action reduces on-site sorting time while maintaining efficient space utilization, as workers receive members in the correct assembly order rather than requiring full sorting of individual units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual sorting operations with computer program coordination that automatically manages the delivery sequence and organization of members. The software system substitutes for the manual sorting process, providing digital tracking and coordination that delivers members in the correct assembly order without requiring physical sorting at the site.
3Ease of manufacture
If arbitrary placement is used in shipping, then loading simplicity is improved, but assembly correctness deteriorates due to inability to identify members
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded tags, labels, or markings on members and bundles to provide visual identification. This allows for simple loading procedures while ensuring assembly correctness, as workers can quickly identify members by their color-coded labels that indicate their specific location and orientation in the floor joist assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a tracking and identification system that provides feedback information about each member's intended location and orientation. This feedback mechanism, whether through digital tracking software or physical labeling systems, ensures that members are placed correctly during loading and assembled in the proper sequence, maintaining assembly correctness without complicating the loading process.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a system, comprising: isolate at least one floor joist from a building model; process a first set of data associated with the characteristics of the floor joist members, wherein the characteristics are related to the profile and length; process a second set of data associated with the assembly of the floor joist; create an assembly process of the floor joist, wherein an assembly and disassembly of the floor joist is performed to determine at least one assembly process based on the order of connecting the floor joist members from a construction perspective; formulate a package of the floor joist, wherein the package is organized based on assembly process; adjust the orientation of the members within the package based on the shipping vessel limitations and the other bundles of the model which are contained within the shipping vessel; and generate a graphical representation of the package.