Three dimensional display of warehouse pallets?

[CW]

For the location recording of pallets in our warehouse we use a three
dimensional grid as follows:

Left to right, rows A to M
Front to back, stacks 1 to 4
Bottom to top, levels 1 to 3

So to log the position of a pallet in the second row from the left, and in
the third stack back from the aisle, and on the second level, we would use
Location: B-3-2.

This works fine and we use a simple whiteboard to track the pallets at
present but as I have now got all other aspects of our business covered by my
Access system we would like to have a graphic display of all the pallet
positions in the warehouse and to have them coloured green when empty and red
when occupied.

I wouldn't have any problem doing this for one level, i.e. a single plane,
or even to display separately for each level, one at a time, but I can't
think how to do it three-dimensionally.

Bright ideas welcome!
Many thanks
CW

 

[John Spencer]

How do you do it on the white board? Would it make sense to emulate that on
the computer?

It is very difficult to represent three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface.

You might consider three grid arrangements.

A to M across the top
Stacks 1 to 4 along the side

One grid for each Level

Or if it work better for you have 4 grids one for each stack.

John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007-2008
The Hilltop Institute
University of Maryland Baltimore County

 

[CW]

John -
Thanks for your suggestions. On the whiteboard we use a square (well a
rectangle actually) for each stack and write the pallet numbers within the
rectangle, either at the bottom of it, in the middle, or at the top of it, to
indicate which level each pallet is at. One of the problems is that sometimes
people are in a hurry and the positioning of the pallet number is not
accurate. The other potential problem, a nightmare scenario, is that somebody
would think it fun one day to wipe all the numbers off. That's the main
reason we want it on the system, for security of the data (and also to make
the positions accessible/visible to the office personnel without having to go
out into the warehouse).
I accept what you say about 3D being difficult. We may well end up with 3
separate grid displays, one above the other, but I thought I would put the
issue to the discussion group as there seems to be a bottomless knowledge
bank here and somebody might have a brainwave!
Thanks
CW

 

[Peter Hibbs]

CW

A Flex Grid Control will probably do what you want but you will need
to write a bit of VBA code, have a look at my Flex Grid Demo program
for some examples.

Go to http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180

HTH

Peter Hibbs.

 

[Klatuu]

Ignore Steve. He specializes in whatever the question is.

 

[Klatuu]

I just had a thought.
I am not really good with them, so I could not give you technical details on
how to do it, but I am wondering if this would be a good use for a treeview
control?

 

[John... Visio MVP]

Hello CW,

I specialize in developing solutions to unique problems like yours. I
charge a modest fee. If you would like my help, contact me at
(e-mail address removed).

Steve

These newsgroups are provided by Microsoft for FREE peer to peer support.
Stevie is a known troll who likes to make imodest proposals by offering
questionable services to unsuspecting users of hese newsgroups. He is fully
aware of the policy, but has chosen to be a nuisance.

John... Visio MVP

 

[Stanley and Evelyn Lipkin]

Unsubscribe now immediately

How do you do it on the white board? Would it make sense to emulate that on
the computer?

It is very difficult to represent three dimensions on a two-dimensional
surface.

You might consider three grid arrangements.

A to M across the top
Stacks 1 to 4 along the side

One grid for each Level

Or if it work better for you have 4 grids one for each stack.

John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007-2008
The Hilltop Institute
University of Maryland Baltimore County

 

[BruceM]

Soliciting work in the newsgroup is inappropriate. What about that can you
not understand?

 

[Fred]

I think that you would say that ideally you wold like a sort of 3D-looking
display on a (2D) report view which shows the contents of and empty/full
status of all of those locations.

There is a more fundamental problem....even a "3D" view wouldn't do that.

For example, if you go to Egypt and look at a pyramid, you are getting a 3D
view, but that view does not transfer into your brain the status of each
cubic yard of space/rock inside of the pyramid.

Making things transparent and corlor coded, or cut-away isometic view can
show a little bit interior content, but not much. I think that you are going
to need some nicely designed simple 2D views of "layers" to fully convey the
interior contents of your 3D array.

 

[CW]

Thanks Peter, good food for thought there
CW

CW

A Flex Grid Control will probably do what you want but you will need
to write a bit of VBA code, have a look at my Flex Grid Demo program
for some examples.

Go to http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=180

HTH

Peter Hibbs.

 

[CW]

Thanks Dave, I think I know what you mean and I'll have a play around with that
Thanks
CW

 

[CW]

Yes Fred, you're probably right and I think I may end up with 3 separate
displays for the 3 layers of the stacks. Not ideal, but feasible.
Thanks
CW