Freight dimensioning: dimensions, volume and weight, automatically

Why accurate dimensions pay off

Freight is charged not only by weight but also by the space it takes up. Carriers convert the volume into a volumetric weight and charge the higher of the two values.

In air freight, length × width × height in centimeters, divided by 6000, gives the volumetric weight in kilograms. Road carriers and parcel carriers set their own divisors in their tariffs, and groupage (LTL) freight is often charged by loading meter. You can find the formula, the divisors and a calculator on the page Calculate volumetric weight.

An example: a pallet of 120 × 80 × 160 cm has a volumetric weight of 256 kilograms in air freight. If it is actually 10 cm taller, that makes 272 kilograms. Such deviations happen quickly when dimensions are estimated or measured by hand. If the values are too low, you give away margin as a carrier or pay back charges as a shipper. If they are too high, you pay too much or face complaints.

Receiving: real dimensions from receipt onward

Receiving is where the data your warehouse works with is set. The figures in the advance shipping notice (ASN) can differ from the goods delivered, and new items usually have no dimensions yet.

• Check shipments: Dimensions and photo are captured when the shipment is set down or scanned, plus the weight when a scale is connected. That lets you settle deviations from the ASN right at receipt, and the photo shows the condition of the goods.
• Create master data: You place new items on the S140 without aligning them. Length, width, height, weight and photo go into the item master via the interface or as a file.
• Pass data on: The values are in the WMS or ERP before the goods are put away.

Warehouse: plan space with reliable master data

Many warehouse management systems check at putaway whether an item fits the storage location by weight and volume. That only works if the master data is right. If it is missing or estimated, locations stay half empty or the goods do not fit the slot.

• Assign storage locations: With measured dimensions the WMS can assign every item a location of the right size.
• Choose packaging: If you know the dimensions of every item, you can pick the matching carton instead of shipping air.
• Capture existing stock: You capture items without dimensions gradually on the S140, cartons on the L13x, long goods on the L63x.

Cross-docking: measure every shipment where it already stops

At the cross-dock, shipments from many shippers come together and move on after a short time. What the shipper declared determines the invoice and the load plan. Many carriers therefore re-measure and correct the invoice when the figures are wrong.

• Re-measure: The measuring station is placed where the pallet is set down in any case. Dimensions and up to four photos are captured during the brief stop, plus the weight with a floor or forklift scale. Depending on the process, you measure 300 to 600 pallets per hour this way, scan included.
• Billing: If you bill by measured dimensions, you generally need legal-for-trade values. That is what the legal-for-trade variants are for.
• Plan cargo space: You calculate loading meters from measured instead of declared dimensions. The optional NSP Detection module also detects whether a pallet is stackable.
• The right system: The L23x measures pallets and bulky goods, the L33x pallets wrapped in black or glossy foil.

Shipping: know the freight cost before the truck arrives

As a shipper you declare dimensions and weight. If the carrier later measures different values, a back charge follows, and without your own proof it is hard to dispute.

• Know your freight cost: You know the volumetric weight of every shipment before it leaves the building and declare it with the measured values.
• Secure proof: Measured values and photo are stored with the shipment. If there is a claim, you can show what you handed over and in what condition.
• Parcels: The L13x measures every parcel during the brief stop at scanning, optionally with a scale in the roller conveyor. Depending on the feed, you measure up to 1200 parcels per hour this way, scan included.
• Pallets and bulky goods: The L23x is freestanding in the shipping area or mounted above the pallet wrapper and measures as soon as the pallet comes to rest.

How the measurement works

3D sensors capture the shipment during a brief stop, when it is set down or scanned. You do not need an additional stop for this. The measurement itself takes around 200 milliseconds.

All systems measure statically and have no moving parts, so there is no mechanical maintenance.

Where the measurement data goes

The measurement is triggered automatically, by barcode scan or via the REST API. The results go into your WMS, TMS or ERP in real time via REST API, as a file in CSV, XLSX or PDF, or as a QR code right at the system.

The interface is the same on all product lines. You can read more on the page about the MetriX­Freight platform.

What does legal-for-trade mean?

Legal-for-trade means that an independent body has examined the type of the measuring system and confirmed that it meets the legal requirements for measuring instruments used for billing. You generally need legal-for-trade values when you bill by dimensions or volumetric weight. For a binding answer, ask your weights and measures (verification) authority.

The variants L135, L235, L335 and L635 are legal-for-trade under OIML with EU type examination. L135, L235 and L335 are additionally NTEP-certified for the US market. The weight comes from a scale, which has to meet the requirements itself. You can find the certificates and certified measuring ranges on the page Legal-for-trade volume measurement.