Abstract
The Manufacturers’ Pallet Loading Problem has been studied with computer-based solutions for over 3 decades. This problem is the study of how to fit the optimal number of identical boxes on to a pallet for manufacturing purposes. In that time a great many advancements have been made, however, the solutions discovered have yet to be widely implemented. This study has remained largely a theoretical mathematical exercise. As such the studies and papers which have been published have not been reviewed from the viewpoint of aiding engineering studies in implementation. Most of the data gathered on this subject came from research articles discovered either through the CSUS library website or other publically available search engines. Several people in the robotic palletizing industry were also questioned as to their experience on the topic. Finally, 10 years of personal experience in the manufacturing industry, with hands on experience with both automated palletizers and robotic palletizing cells allowed for insight. While there are many papers published on this topic, a small group of some of the more recent papers will provide the best insight as to the most promising paths to being able to provide an integrated solution. The most important ideas and conditions from these papers have been reviewed in this thesis to provide insight to future studies.