The Packaging process model, located in the Other Secondary Processes process group, enables estimation of expenses related to both semi-automated and manual packing of components into boxes for shipping or transport to another facility. If you have licensed the Packaging module, packaging processes are available to be included in all other Process Group routings, so that you can estimate the complete cost of manufacturing and packaging a part or assembly.

The Packaging routing available in the aPriori Baseline VPEs includes the following processes:

The Carton Forming process estimates the time and cost to unfold a flattened carton into an open, three-dimensional state so it can contain components, and includes the cost of the carton itself. The Pack and Load process estimates the time and cost of placing components into the opened carton. It provides options to specify bagging and bubble-wrapping of component and includes the cost of bags and bubble wrap if used. The Carton Sealing process estimates the time and cost of closing and securing the carton.

Packaging costs are amortized over the total number of components contained in a carton. The size of the carton and the number of components contained in a carton both are automatically computed, but you can override them to match a specific situation.

aPriori by default will select the smallest available carton (from a table of available carton sizes) that is larger than the part (or a bag of parts, if bagging is used). aPriori then determines the number of parts/bagged set of parts that will fit in that carton; to determine this number it employs a simplified “bin nesting” algorithm that utilizes the rectangular bounding box of the part, rather than a true-part-shape 3D nesting algorithm. Process setup options are provided to allow users to override both automatically-computed carton and bag sizes and the number of items in a carton or bag, as well as many other inputs that affect cost estimates.