MOST ECONOMIC SIZE RATIOS FOR VARIOUS DESIGNS

The formulas below were calculated using partial differentiation. Naturally, it is impossible to include bend allowances or manufacturing joints in such formulas, as they bear no direct relationship to board area in terms of length, width and depth.

L = length of pack.
W = width of pack.
D = depth of pack.
V = volume of pack.
C = the proportion of the width which is to cover by the outer flaps, expressed as a fraction of the width.

STYLE

MOST ECONOMIC PROPORTIONS

FORMULA FOR CALCULATING DEPTH

RSC / FEFCO 0201
FEFCO 0226
L = D = 2W D = 32 * V
AFM / FEFCO 0204 2L = D = 2W D = 34 * V
RSC Inner flaps meet, outer flaps overlap / FEFCO 0206 2L = D = 4W D = 38 * V
RSC Gapping Flaps / FEFCO 0209 CL = D = 2CW
or
L = D/C = 2W
D = 32C 2V
or
W = 3V / (4 * C)
0209-01/0201 L/2(C+1) = D = W(C+1) D = 3(V * (C+1)2) / 2
Slotted Tray / FEFCO 0300
0301
0302
0303
0304
0307
0308
0309
L = 4D = W D = 316 * V
0411
0416
L = 4D = 2W D = 3V / 8

Naturally, these formula will be of most help when deciding on the arrangement of retail packs in an outer case. However, they should be kept in mind at all times.

A size calculator is available in Boxcomp Help


MATHEMATICAL PROOF OF AN 0201's MOST ECONOMIC SIZE RATIOS BY PARTIAL DIFFERENTIATION

     _______________________________
W/2 |       |       |       |       | Board area = A
    |_______|_______|_______|_______|
    |       |       |       |       | A = 2DL + 2DW + 2WL + 2W2
 D  |       |       |       |       |
    |   L   |   W   |   L   |   W   | Volume = V = LWD
    |_______|_______|_______|_______|
    |       |       |       |       | Therefore - D = V
W/2 |_______|_______|_______|_______|                LW
By substitution:- A = 2V + 2V + 2WL +2W2 
W L 
By Partial differentiation:- 
 dA    -2V 
 --  =  -- + 2W
 dL     L2 
dA    -2V
--  =  -- + 2L + 4W 
dW     W2
For max or min value of A:- dA = 0 and dA = 0
                            --         --
                            dL         dW 
Therefore:- 
-2V + 2W = 0 -2V + 2L + 4W = 0 
L2 W2 
2W = 2V 2L + 4W = 2V 
L2 W2 
2WL2 = 2V 2LW2 + 4W3 = 2V 
L2 = V 2LW2 + 4W3 = 2WL2 
W 
LW + 2W2 = L2 
Since V = LWD Therefore:- L2 - LW - 2W2 = 0 
L2 = LWD (L - 2W)(L + W) = 0 
W 
Therefore:- L = 2W or L = -W 
L2 = LD 
Therefore:- L = D 
Therefore, for maximum board economy L = D = 2W