Rochester Institute of Technology
Packaging Science
Industry Advisory Board
May 10, 2013
Attendees:
Thomas Kausch
Stefanie Soroka
Khana Nthoiwa
Scott Evans
Steve Rickey
Seth Holmen
Craig Densmore
Duane Beck
Paul Harris
Bill Wynkoop
Shauna Newcomb
Changfeng Ge
Brian Stepowany
Carol Herring
Kathy Myers
Don Appleton
Richard Flanagan
Karen Proctor
Sharon Kemp
John Siy
Alison Tyler
Hamidah Mansur
Chris Donnelly
Dan Johnson
Carlos Diaz
Katie Coyne
Valerie Overlan
Deanna Jacobs
Introductions – Dan Goodwin and Dan Johnson welcomed everyone to the meeting. The
attendees introduced themselves.
Dan Johnson
Packaging Science is now the Department of Packaging Science again, as of December 2012
Reasons:
Size of MMET/PS – over 900 students
Corporate funding for PS continues to grow
Research and outreach efforts were outlined including:
Enterprise Center in Packaging – Dynamics Lab
American Packaging Corporation Center for Packaging Innovation
RIT Center for Sustainable Packaging
Numbers, statistics and facts about RIT and PS were presented
 RIT is now one of the largest private universities in the US (10th)
 New hockey rink - The Gene Polisseni Center
 New buildings – about one per year
 News story/RIT alumni recruiting at RIT PS career fair (see link)
 Esko gift – Kongsberg sample table
 Co-ex blown-film line – APC Lab
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Dan Goodwin
Semester conversion
 2013-2014 will be the first year for semesters
 Intersession (January- 3 weeks): Opportunities for short classes/study abroad
 5 x 3 model – 5 courses, 3 credits each per semester was discussed
 B.S. degree, 121 credits. M.S. degree 30-36 credits

Key changes:
Materials and containers run full year
Distribution and dynamics expand to 15 weeks each
More depth
Design projects including prototyping
Food packaging required
New courses

Two semesters of co-op
2 summers to a full year
 Support Courses
Full year calculus, statistics, physics
Slight increase in chemistry
 Electives – offered at least once a year
Packaging machinery
Process control
 Packaging minor
5 courses
Now - 3 electives + materials and containers online courses
 Flex packaging/printing minor (NEW)
Going through curriculum committees
5 courses
Not for packaging students, but PS students can do a concentration.
Changfeng Ge and a Bob Eller from Printing have worked closely together
Question: Hamidah Mansur: Are there other minors?
Minors outside of PS Typical minors outside of packaging that students are pursuing were
discussed. Common choices are Psychology, Printing and Languages
Stefanie Soroka
Advising transition
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August 16, 2013 is the last day for quarters
Physics 1, 2, 3 quarters, Physics 1,2 semesters
Quarter credit hours conversion to semester credit hours
Individual Advising Plan (IAP)
Students have to do their IAP or a “Hold” will be placed on their account
Question: what about pre-reqs?
The computer system regulates pre-reqs (Peoplesoft)
Question: how will the semester conversion affect co-op?
Scott Evans: easier for corporate budgetary processes
“Wait list”: manages the class enrollments better
Stefanie Soroka is now the student advisor for Packaging Science only
IoPP Student Chapter
Events:
Social Buffalo Wild Wings
Surprise in a can (gift)
Packaging Jamboree 2013
At MSU/Topic: Packaging Sustainability
Track jackets
Curling outing at the Curling Club of Rochester
Visits:
Tour to Vigneri Chocolate (Doodle Eggs)
Jeopardy – students vs. faculty
Next year’s e-board was discussed
Plans for next year:
Ways to raise funds were discussed
IoPP national
Try to get involved with local chapters
Tours with WNY IoPP Chapter
May help in getting contacts for jobs
Ideas are welcome to increase student involvement
Board invited to the golf tournament
Tom Kausch gave a special recognition to this year’s E-board
FACULTY UPDATES
Carlos Diaz
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Carlos’ research and educational background were presented
Current projects were discussed
Production of foamed plastics with functionalized nucleating agents and chemical blowing
agents
Understanding and improving the tear resistance of polylactic acid
Design and manufacturing of a high-pressure gas saturation system for solid-state microcellular
foam production
Improving the sustainability of bakery product packaging (Wegmans)
Courses taught this year:
Packaging Metals and Plastics
Computer Applications (Design II)
Develop the skills in ArtiosCAD and Adobe Illustrator to create paperboard cartons,
prepare files for electronic Prepress, and create prototypes.
Other roles and activities
IoPP student chapter faculty advisor
Packaging Jamboree 2013
IoPP 48 hour repack competition
Faculty contact for PMMI, Coordinator for PackExpo 2013
Changfeng Ge
Projects:
Transport Sensor built from scratch
Special features include alerts through email
Reports shock and vibration, vibration spectrum, drop height.
Low cost compared to commercial options
Question: does the device need a computer in close proximity?
Response: ipad, cellphone
Attractive technology
HP asking for quotation
Question: real time data?
Response: you will get an email in real time
Comment: bio-pharmaceutical, big potential
Comment: currently there is no options but testing at the end of the distribution cycle.
Oshenite, calcium carbonate project discussed
Role of location, outer layer vs. center layer
Results presented
New book, “Packaging Development with SolidWorks”
The book provides leverage for students to compete in the job market
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Foam project presented
Digital imaging correlation techniques
Khana Nthoiwa
Started at RIT in mid-July 2012
Background and previous research was discussed
Barrier properties of multilayer EVOH
Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Wisconsin stout
Courses:
Flexible packaging
APC visit, pouch technology, Diamond Packaging
Research projects:
Antimicrobial films
Safety aspects of food packaging
Other roles: Board member of Women in Technology
Question: What is the next generation in military packaging
Response: High pressure processing, retort processes
Tom Kausch
Courses taught:
Principles of Packaging
Packaging for Distribution
Flexible Containers
Rigid Containers
Concept to Consumers
Challenge the students more
Getting them more involve in design
Apply skills to real design problems
Manufacturability
Requirements
Sustainability
Corrugated
Successful year for tours
Lab Update
Technical Staff - introductions
Open lab, academic labs.
Equipment acquisitions
Annual calibrations were performed
Material donations were acknowledged
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Dynamics lab.
6 part time students
4 ISTA certified
Lift-truck operators
Summer 2013
Test protocols
Trends in testing: Vibration 20% up
Punkin’ Chunkin 2012, images shown
ISTA Transportation Forum, photos and discussion
Karen Proctor
Course highlights:
Packaging Process Control
What can we do to add value?
Included green belt
Great student feedback
Demonstration of skills
Incorporated permanently
Problem solving methodology
Packaging for end use
Sun Corporation sponsored the class project (no images shown for PI reasons)
Last year’s products sponsored by Wegmans
Outside organization
SPC
ISTA
Just finished an ISO document
Our students get Compas, Walmart scorecards,
Whole packaging aspect included in the projects
Comment: green belt is going to give these students a leg up
Comment: Those skills are invaluable (Don Appleton)
A lot of learning in interdisciplinary teams
Comment: (Scott Evans) This happens in the industry mismatch marketing and manufacturing
Comment: (Katie Coyne) Designers sometimes don’t get packaging
Adjunct Faculty were acknowledged
Dan Goodwin
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Numbers:
Increase of 15% in student population from last year
40 students in the faculty minor
AALANA population 12.8%
Dan Goodwin research
Dangerous Goods Packaging
Biocushion Performance Curves
Inconsistent performance in the mid loading range
International Working Group on Vibration Analysis
International opportunities
Wuhan University
2 + 2 agreement
ACMT(Croatia) potential for packaging programs
IAPRI
Symposium was discussed
Youth exchange, Jennifer Smith – Munich Germany
University of Monterrey, Mexico – ten students spent a week at RIT
Personal statement: “This is my last advisory board meeting as Chairman”
Transition to retirement
40 years of teaching as of 2013
Will teach only Fall Semesters in 2013 and 2014
Shauna Newcomb
100 years of coop at RIT
Work with students and employers
Job market review
Lots of phenomenal opportunities
Co-op students placement was discussed
Steady market
Fulltime listings
71 job posting in spring
Career fair
On campus recruiting
SpaceX has a packaging student going on coop
Hiring demographics were discussed
Employers in Career Fair
3M for the first time
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Graduate program update
Numbers: 25 active students
Slight increase in applications
“We are becoming an international graduate program”
India and China, on top of the list
Certifications
XL model to return after semester conversion
Boot camp course:
Bridge the gap in basic packaging knowledge
Semester course for incoming grad students without packaging background
Plan of study/ semester conversion
Looking at the possibility to launch a totally online masters
Link for this past year’s minutes and presentation is available and functional.
Lunch break
ALUMNI AND DEVELOPMENT
Katie Coyne
Alumni relations
1600 alumni
Where are they?
Top 5 states
NY 495, PA 144, NY 123, CA 72, CT 65.
Rit.edu/alumni
Events, we come to you
Alumni network,
Distinguished Alumni Award, Richard Flanagan is a previous recipient
Save the date: PackExpo, alumni reception at Margaritaville September 23, 2013
Brickcity Homecoming
CAST signature lunch
Valerie Overlan
Development updates
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Visits, 40 packaging companies or alumni
3 new scholarships, gifts
Paul Harris: Director of Corporate Relations
We created great partnerships
American Packaging Corporation and Wegmans are founding sponsors
of the Center for Sustainable Packaging
We want to grow the center
Dairy, food processing – initial research focus
Packaging is hot; you can’t mention it without mentioning sustainability
Equipment gifts, as companies upgrade
Comment: equipment gift process was difficult with Harris. Consul potential donors
Response: The process has been streamlined.
Comment: (Goodwin) we are very pleased with the increase in scholarships
RockTenn has provided scholarships
Olsson scholarship: seeking endowed status
IoPP: WNY chapter
PMMI
Comment: (Bill Wynkoop): $2000 was received from PPA to sponsor student design challenge
TESTING PROJECT UPDATES
Sample products from the lab,
Mixers:
Mixers were having problems during distribution. Product was breaking at the
hinge.
Fragility test, drop test, vibration
The problem with breakage was identified: low temperatures caused the
damage
Recommendations were given to the company
Gas dryers:
Gas dryers were failing within one month of being shipped. The igniters were
damaged after distribution.
Fixture was created to test the igniters
“We had a reproducible test simulated with the fixture”
Tom Kausch
Where the lab is heading:
Traditionally it was a distribution lab.
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People are seeking help for other types of capabilities such as vibration.
Student have grown and learned to handle heavy product samples “It takes skill”
We now know how to instrument these heavy packages
We stress safety in the lab. We want to ensure we do it safely and get
the data we are asked for.
Bus door test - How robust is the design?
Vibration of optics and electronics
Test coordination
How to start a test from scratch
Tailgate test was discussed. “Real world” test of a cooler on a trip.
Fragility analysis
How fragile or robust a product is:
Magazine for DVDs
High speed video capability
ISTA database, test selection tool:
Understanding what tests are available
What is the difference between tests?
Is this appropriate to what I want to use?
IT and packaging students involved.
Test procedure customized to a particular product
Reports will be generated electronically
Question: (Don Appleton) where is the data stored? How are you managing confidentiality?
Response: We have an excellent security protocol.
We are learning as much as we are doing
Comment: Costumers usually don’t have data about fragility.
Recommendation: Send one of the engineers along to see the test.
It is an educational process.
BOARD ACTION ITEMS
Comment: project management: is there a component in one of the classes?
Response: It is available as an elective from the business school
Flex Pkg. Minor
The difference between a minor and a concentration was discussed.
Concentrations are not noted on the transcript.
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(Kathy Myers) young professionals lack the understanding of the interaction between
structural design and machinery
(Changfeng Ge) This is an ongoing discussion. Ex. Interaction of films with pouch making
machine.
Transfer of known-how from the industry to the classroom was discussed.
(Dan Johnson) gave examples of visits, and cases from manufacturing
(Kathy Myers) we need someone that can design a carton and that can be part of a
design team for a carton folding machine.
(Richard Flanigan) gave an example of machinery experts not knowing about packaging.
Strategies for commercialization. RIT will focus on commercialization.
(Dan Johnson) gave examples: Finger Lakes development groups.
Supply chain management: pieces that we should consider in the curriculum
STUDENTS COMPETITION
Bill Wynkoop
PPA student design challenge was discussed
Contest history
Academic component
23 ex-participants involved in the paper industry.
Scholarship awarded every year, $2000, partial coverage of travel to PackExpo
14 students sent to boot camp, How carton is made, every component
Competition: We do it as an independent project. Students get a solid
experience.
Manufacturability is a component of the competition.
Requirements:
Dispensing feature
Novel closure
Team presentation:
Juicy cups
Sweeties
Mixems
8 teams started, 4 teams submitted.
(Kathy Myers) The competition integrate all that we have talk about.
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(Bill Wynkoop) Deals with more than the need of the package, project
managements, manufacturing.
They now have a portfolio piece
Comment: (Myers) It is very important to talk about something you did, why you did it, how you did it.
Important in looking for a job.
Dan Goodwin: Thank you. Meeting adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Carlos Diaz, Ph.D.
Packaging Science
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