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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reduce the distribution cost of an Indian cooperative dairy. The reduction of cost was achieved with the application of the clustering method (k-means clustering) and capacitated vehicle routing problem (cheapest link algorithm (CLA)). Design/methodology/approach Capacitated k-means clustering was used to split delivery locations into similar size groups (i.e. clusters) based on proximity without exceeding a specified total cluster capacity. Each cluster would be served by a local stockist. CLA was then used to find delivery routes from dairy (i.e. depot) to stockist in each cluster and from stockist to all other delivery locations within the cluster. Findings K-means clustering and CLA suggested optimal delivery routes on which vehicles will run. The complete algorithm was able to provide a solution within 30 s. Practical implications Clustering of delivery locations and use of heterogeneous fleet of delivery vehicles can result in considerable savings in daily operational cost. Originality/value Most of the research related to the use of demand clustering to improve distribution routes has been theoretical, which do not take into account real-world limitations like vehicle’s specific limitations. The authors tried to address that gap by taking a real-world case of a cooperative dairy and compared the result with existing distribution routes used by dairy. This work can be used by other dairies or distribution companies according to their scenario.

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Introduction: This study investigates basic dosimetric properties of unflattened 6 MV photon beam shaped by multileaf collimator and compares them with those of flattened beams.Materials and Methods: Monte Carlo simulation model using BEAM code was developed for a 6MV photon beam based on Varian Clinic 600 unique performance linac operated with and without a flattening filter in beam line. Dosimetric features including lateral profiles, central axis depth dose, photon and electron spectra were calculated for flattened and unflattened cases, separately.Results: An increase in absolute depth dose with a factor of more than 2.4 was observed for unflattened beam which was dependent on depth. PDDs values were found to be lower for unflattened beam for all field sizes. Significant decrease in calculated mlc leakage was observed when the flattening filter was removed from the beam line. The total scatter factor, SCP was found to show less variation with field sizes for unflattened beam indicating a decrease in head scatter. The beam profiles for unflattened case are found to have lower relative dose value in comparison with flattened beam near the field edge, and it falls off faster with distance.Conclusion: Our study showed that increase in the dose rate and lower peripheral dose could be considered as realistic advantages for unflattened 6MV photon beams.