Dynamic Dimensions / Nested Items

Dimensional weight has been a challenge for quite some time, and factoring it in shipping calculations always leads to new challenges.

While the "Dimensions" variable on the item-level allows fixing the dimensions of the package this applicable item will be shipped in, nesting this item when quantity increases becomes a challenge. To overcome this challenge, we enhanced the "Dimensions" variable to dynamically raise the height of the package as the quantity increases - with an option to force a split at a certain quantity.

For example: A garbage bin weighing 1 lbs ships in a package of 10x15x9 for quantity of 1. However, when additional quantity is added - the items are nested in each other instead of being stacked, so the only parameter changing in the dimensions is the height (e.g. 1 inch increase for every quantity of 1). That said, a package can only fit up to six (6) of these nested items. Larger quantities will have to split to new boxes.

To accomplish the above example scenario - the "Dimensions" variable will be set as follows: 10x15x9=1|6 (every quantity increases the height by 1 inch - up to quantity of 6, and then splits to a new package). With this setting - quantities 1-10 will be treated as follows:

Qty 1 is shipped in a package of 10x15x9 weighing 1 lbs.
Qty 2 is shipped in a package of 10x15x10 weighing 2 lbs.
Qty 3 is shipped in a package of 10x15x11 weighing 3 lbs.
Qty 4 is shipped in a package of 10x15x12 weighing 4 lbs.
Qty 5 is shipped in a package of 10x15x13 weighing 5 lbs.
Qty 6 is shipped in a package of 10x15x14 weighing 6 lbs.
Qty 7 is shipped in a package of 10x15x14 weighing 6 lbs, and a package of 10x15x9 weighing 1 lbs.
Qty 8 is shipped in a package of 10x15x14 weighing 6 lbs, and a package of 10x15x10 weighing 2 lbs.
Qty 9 is shipped in a package of 10x15x14 weighing 6 lbs, and a package of 10x15x11 weighing 3 lbs.
Qty 10 is shipped in a package of 10x15x14 weighing 6 lbs, and a package of 10x15x12 weighing 4 lbs.

Of course, as the quantity increases - the weight of the item is multiplied by the quantity to account for the ship-weight.