hexagons leave less empty space between objects because they have extra material sticking out, but that extra material also means they have to sit further away from the sides of the container
circles already pack in a hexagonal pattern anyway so you’re not gaining any stability either
Rigidity is the big thing anyways, anything with corners has failure points. Plus the small amount of space around cylinders can be used for packing material.
Isn’t the ideal packing shape a cylinder? Specifically for rigidity and use of space.
I’m not a Geometrist but I think hexagons beat cylinders space-wise by just a bit, but again you hit the cost effectiveness curve and cylinders win.
hexagons leave less empty space between objects because they have extra material sticking out, but that extra material also means they have to sit further away from the sides of the container
circles already pack in a hexagonal pattern anyway so you’re not gaining any stability either
Rigidity is the big thing anyways, anything with corners has failure points. Plus the small amount of space around cylinders can be used for packing material.