[rules-users] Planner: Packing items together

Working from the cloud computing example I am modifying it as a learning exercise that might have real world use for a client. The client makes items that vary in size and weight. I have built rules to handle the weight and size constraints to optimize loading of a box. Planner does a great job of optimizing loading of the boxes with those rules. The one sticking point is a sales order line must be packed in the same box or series of boxes. Can’t quite get my head around how to craft rule(s) to enforce it. 1. Each order line is a job. 2. Each job is run complete from start to finish. 3. Jobs can be manufactured in any sequence. 4. Weight varies from order line to order line 5. Thickness varies from order line to order line. 6. Items on same order line are identical in thickness and weight. 7. Items are loaded into box as they come off line. 8. Items from different sales order lines can be packed in the same box. Rules: 1. Total thickness of items in box must not exceed depth of box. 2. Total weight of items in box must not exceed weight capacity of box. 3. All items on the same order line must be packed in same box or sequential boxes. Thickness and weight are not always connected in the same direction. A thicker item can be heavier or lighter than a thinner item. Goal: Optimize the sequence that sales order lines come off the manufacturing line to minimize the number of boxes needed without exceeding depth or weight limitations of box. Example: • Order line X for Quantity 100 All in one box, OK Box 1 100 Box 2 0 Started in Box 1, rest in box 2, OK Box 1 25 Box 2 75 Box 3 0 Spread over multiple sequential boxes, OK Box 1 25 (could have other sales order lines) Box 2 50 (box can only contain Line X) Box 3 25 (could have other sales order lines) Some in one box, rest in a non-adjacent box, Not Allowed. Box 1: 25 Box 2: 0 (box has items from other order lines) Box 3: 75 This looks to be similar to the lecture compactness goal in the examination problem. I can almost see what needs to be done but can’t quite articulate it into rule(s) to ensure an order line has been packed sequentially in a contiguous series of boxes. Thanks much for any assistance Jim Kinneman -- View this message in context: http://drools.46999.n3.nabble.com/Planner-Packing-items-together-tp326226... Sent from the Drools: User forum mailing list archive at Nabble.com.