I have a total number of cubic meters (CBM), and need to figure out the best
combination of shipping containers that leaves the least amount left over.
Here is an example:

Total CBM = 311

Container Type 20' holds max of 28 CBM
Container Type 40' holds between 55 and 58 CBM
Container Type 40H holds between 65 - 68 CBM
Container Type 45 holds max of 75 CBM

To further complicate this, I would like to minimize the number of 45'
containers, and also have an alternative solution that doesn't involve using
20' containers. I've tried using Solver, but can't seem to get things set up
right to make it work.

Thanks in advance!

No waste would use 6 of containter 40' with each one at 55.15

Container Type 40' holds between 55 and 58 CBM
331/6.
55.166666666666664

or 5 of 40H at 66.2 each.
Container Type 40H holds between 65 - 68 CBM
331/5.
66.2

Which shows that the problem is probably more complicated than this due to
the dimensions of each shipping item and the dimensions of each container.
There is usually a cost for each container also that is not taken into
account also.
For packing problems, one usually runs another program to generate the
different packing options for each container. Solver than runs with
constraints that some cells take on only "Integer" values.
--
HTH :)
Dana DeLouis
Windows XP & Excel 2007


"jocpinmn" wrote in message
...
I have a total number of cubic meters (CBM), and need to figure out the
best
combination of shipping containers that leaves the least amount left over.
Here is an example:

Total CBM = 311

Container Type 20' holds max of 28 CBM
Container Type 40' holds between 55 and 58 CBM
Container Type 40H holds between 65 - 68 CBM
Container Type 45 holds max of 75 CBM

To further complicate this, I would like to minimize the number of 45'
containers, and also have an alternative solution that doesn't involve
using
20' containers. I've tried using Solver, but can't seem to get things set
up
right to make it work.

Thanks in advance!