4th Quarter / 2005
Yo u r A l l i a n c e i n Tr a n s p o r t P a c k a g i n g
Latest CPLP
The Effect of Mechanical Interactions
Between Pallets and Packaging on
Professional:
A Dimensions.05 Presentation
Packaging Costs
Rick Roberti
IN THIS ISSUE
2-3
Inside ISTA Headquarters
4-5
Welcome New Members
6
Test Procedure Changes &
Updates
Dr. Marshall
White
Professor and
Director
Center for Unit
Load Design,
Virginia Tech
These three components are
mechanically interacting, both
statically and dynamically, during
unit
load
storage
and
distribution. Understanding these interactions is
a key element of designing a more efficient
supply chain for consumer and industrial
products.
This system of three components (package,
8-9
CPLP Corner
10-11
Spotlight on ISTA Member:
Kevin Howard
Package Descriptions:
Are They Really That important?
Dimensions.06
Spotlight on Supplier &
Certified Lab: AcuTemp
16-17
Member & Industry News
SGS U.S. Testing, Fairfield NJ
The dynamic and static
mechanical interactions
between packaging and
pallets during unit load
distribution and storage are
quite complex and until
recently, not well
understood. Current design
procedures for many types
of distribution packaging
account for these
interactions using very
rough approximations.
Recent research has lead to
improved measurements of
these interactions and how
this can lead to more
efficient packaging designs.
MORE ON PAGE 18
12-13
14-15
Exclusive of the product being
stored and distributed, the
components of the unit load
portion of the supply chain can
be broadly segregated into three
categories: packaging, pallets,
and
unit
load
handling
equipment.
Meredith Young
ISTA Director of
Member Services
Packaged-product performance testing has come a long
way since 1948, when the first version of ISTA Procedure 1A
was released. Field studies, transportation updates,
technology advances - all these things have changed the way
testing is performed, as well as the way it's reported. A
crucial bit of logic behind the concept of test reports is that
of being able to recreate both the packaged-product and the
test at a later date. It is with this in mind that the subject of
"package descriptions" is raised.
Rick started with SGS U.S.
Testing in 1992, and in 1997 was
named Lab Manager. He now
serves as Manager of the Paper &
Packaging and Product Evaluation
Labs for SGS facilities in both
Fairfield
and
in
Southern
California.
An active member of ISTA for
over a decade, Rick has been on
MORE ON PAGE 1
MORE ON INSIDE FRONT COVER
Check out page 13 to
see the Dimensions.06
Forum At A Glance!
Industry Events
23
Test Reports Processed
Are You Getting ISTA Emails?
Rick Roberti has become only
the sixth person to achieve CPLP
Professional status. This highest
CPLP level requires the holding of
both Technician and Technologist
certificates, and then is based on
an extensive résumé of industry
activities and achievements.
Applicants are evaluated in a
number of different categories,
including job function, continuing
education, industry participation
and support, honors and awards,
etc. Significant emphasis is also
placed on contributions to the
field through speaking, writing,
and teaching.
All ISTA test reports require the same information to be
recorded: the test levels used, equipment used, data concerning the testing,
21
25
Rick Roberti
Mark Your Calendars and Dust Off Your Cowboy Boots to Participate in
this Educational Forum on Transport Packaging.
April 18-21, 2006 San Antonio, Texas Crowne Plaza Hotel
www.dimensions-info.com
CPLP Professional
CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER
4th Quarter 2005
INTERNATIONAL SAFE TRANSIT ASSOCIATION
1400 Abbott Road, Suite 160, East Lansing, Michigan 48823
517.333.3437 phone 517.333.3813 fax
www.ista.org ista@ista.org
STAFF |
Executive Director
Edward A. Church, CPP
echurch@ista.org
Marketing Manager
Kathy A. Joneson
kjoneson@ista.org
Associate
Executive Director
William I. Kipp, CPP, CPLP
bkipp@ista.org
Certification Assistant
Chantal Grewal
cgrewal@ista.org
Director of
Member Services
Meredith L. Young
myoung@ista.org
Accounting
accounting@ista.org
Education Manager
Lisa M. Bonsignore
lisa@ista.org
OFFICERS |
DIRECTORS |
President
Bill Noonan
L.A.B. Equipment, Inc
Larry Anderson
TEN-E Packaging Services
Incorporated
Executive Vice
President
Joan Pierce
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Dan Hill, CPP
ABF Freight Systems
Executive VPInternational
Ann Stirling Roberts
Pira International
Perry Hock
gh Package and Product
Testing
VP-Education
Paul Singh
Michigan State University
School of Packaging
VP-Finance
Eric Joneson, CPLP
Lansmont Corporation
VP-Member Services
Hal Miller
PACE Solutions, LLC
VP-Testing &
Certification
Chad Thompson, CPLP
UPS Professional Services
VP-Operations
Larry Dull
Syngenta Crop Protection
Secretary
Leon Venech
SGS U.S. Testing Company
the ISTA Testing & Certification Council
since its inception. He also holds
memberships in TAPPI and ASTM D10,
is HazMat certified, and is certified as a
CPP by the Institute of Packaging
Professionals.
As a teacher and speaker, Rick has
conducted in-house training for SGS
personnel, has presented seminars on
testing for corrugated companies, and
has been part of several HazMat
programs. Most recently he spoke at
the ISTA China Symposium in Chengdu,
and was also a presenter for the ISTA
track at last May's Packaging Services
Expo.
For more about Rick Roberti, see the
article "Spotlight on ISTA Member" in the
2nd quarter 2004 issue of ISTA's
PreShipment Testing Newsletter. PST
Newsletters for the last two years are
archived at www.ista.org.
Congratulations to Rick and to
all the ISTA Certified Packaging
Laboratory
Professionals.
A
complete list may be found at
www.ista.org/Certification/CPLPList.htm.
Everything You Need to
Generate More Business
& Increase Sales
Advertising with ISTA
2006 Contracts NOW AVAILABLE!
Preshipment Testing Newsletter: This
dependable, well-read source of transport
packaging news and information keeps
packaging professionals informed, involved
and connected to the industry.
ISTA Website Banner Ads: Target your
audience with distinctive banner ads in key
ISTA Website pages.
The ISTA website is visited daily by
packaging professionals. It’s an easy and
affordable way to add Web Advertising to
your ad program.
iNews Electronic Newsletter:
Published monthly and sent directly to
our subscribers email addresses.
Jill Geurts
Microsoft Corporation
Robert Lancaster, CPLP
Thomson Consumer
Electronics
Ken Neuburg
University of WisconsinStout
Paul Russell
Hewlett Packard
Larry Rutledge
Federal Express
Dwight Schmidt
Corrugated Packaging
Alliance
John Siy
Eastman Kodak Company
Immediate Past
President
Bill Armstrong, CPP, CPLP
Sealed Air Corporation
Preshipment Testing is published quarterly by the
International Safe Transit Association, 1400 Abbott Road,
Suite 160, East Lansing, Mi 48823-1900, (517) 333-3437.
All inquires, address changes, and requests to receive
this publication should be directed to that address.
Articles written by outside authors do not necessarily
reflect the view or position of the International Safe
Transit Association (ISTA). Manuscripts are accepted at
the approval of ISTA, which reserves the right to reject or
edit. Advertising rates and other information available
upon request.
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
Package Descriptions
CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER
product name, who did the testing, who
the testing was done for, the date of
testing, how many samples were used,
how many replicate tests were
performed; we also require the lab
submit the packaged-product weight,
dimensions and acceptance criteria. All
this information is self explanatory and
rarely do we see much diversity when it
comes to the reporting of these basic
facts.
When you throw the idea of being
able to reproduce a specific test,
however, the package description
becomes a vital part of the reporting
equation. Ask yourself this question:
based on the package description of the
last test report you submitted (for a lab)
or that you supplied your test facility (for
a
product
manufacturer),
could
someone take that report and "rebuild"
the packaged-product, as well as
reproduce the test results? If your
answer was "No" or "I'm not sure" then
chances are your package description
isn't nearly detailed enough.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Let's look at the following examples:
Item #1
"Outer package is double-wall
corrugated box. The inner cushion
material is EPE."
packaging professionals would be able
to re-create packaging for Item #2,
which makes re-testing much easier for
everyone involved.
"Item is placed inside a clear poly bag
and sealed with 1" of pressure
sensitive packing tape. The poly bag
with item is then placed in a gift box of
single-wall design, with a glued joint
and a tuck-in lock bottom. The gift box
is then placed in the master carton,
which is a double-wall corrugated box
with glued joint and secured by 7.5cm
wide pressure-sensitive packing tape.
The void is filled using foam-in-place
around the gift box."
The policy of ISTA will now be that
all test reports submitted must
include detailed descriptions of both
the product and the package system.
If a report form is submitted with
information that would make it difficult
for a future repeat of the testing, we will
be asking that you submit additional
information.
Photographs of the
package, both external and internal, are
strongly recommended to help support
the description. ISTA accepts test
reports via mail, fax and email. Email
makes attaching photos easy, and all
test reports that are submitted
electronically are kept in secure, offsite
data storage.
See the difference? It would be very
difficult to reproduce the package as
described in Item #1.
But most
If you have questions about whether
the product and package descriptions
you are submitting are acceptable,
please contact Meredith Young at ISTA
Headquarters.
Item #2
Page | 1
INSIDE ISTA
headquarters
Procedure 3A
Promoted at the
Parcel Shipping &
Distribution Forum
underscoring the simulation strengths
of Procedure 3A and how those are
achieved. Ed also participated in the
panel
discussion
"Operation
Improvement Ideas", and focused on
various aspects of preshipment testing
and engineered package design.
International Safe Transit Association
1400 Abbott Road, Suite 160
East Lansing, Michigan USA 48823
This Forum, held early November in
Chicago, was dedicated to providing
meaningful information on how to
improve the entire parcel-shipping
operation, from order entry to final
delivery. Since obviously packaging is
an important part of this process, ISTA
was invited to participate - with an
emphasis on Procedure 3A, the test
designed specifically for Parcel Delivery
System simulation. We produced an allday "pre-conference" workshop, made a
presentation during the conference
itself, and took part in a panel
discussion.
Overall, the Parcel Forum helped us
to introduce ISTA, testing, and
Procedure 3A to people who could
benefit from what we offer.
517.333.3437 phone 517.333.3813 fax
ista@ista.org www.ista.org
Packaging
Wedded Bliss!
On September 16th, our very
own Lisa Sabala became Lisa
Bonsignore by marrying ISTA
member Jon Bonsignore of
Lansmont Corporation. Jon and
Lisa met over 11 years ago while
attending
Michigan
State
University and finally tied the
knot this fall in Farmington Hills,
Michigan.
Chad Thompson (far right), ISTA’s VP of Testing &
Certification hosted a tour of the UPS lab in Addison to
workshop attendees.
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Bonsignore. Lisa and
Jon were married this fall in Michigan.
Their wedding was a very
special day for both ISTA &
Lansmont and we are thrilled for
the newlyweds!
Quite a
package; truly tested and
certified!!
Lisa has been with ISTA for
over five years and is primarily
responsible for implementing
ISTA's educational programs
which includes Dimensions. Her
new
email
address
is
lisa@ista.org. Jon has been with
Lansmont for almost 10 years
and delivers professional Testing
and Customer Support services.
Page | 2
The audience was generally not
familiar with preshipment testing, so
this was a good opportunity to explain
the basics and describe the benefits. Of
particular interest were the details of 3A
and how it relates to actual conditions
and hazards in small parcel handling,
sorting, and transport.
Our
Workshop
was
entitled
"Packaged-Product Testing".
In the
morning, Ed Church and Bill Kipp talked
about ISTA and testing in general, and
then specifically about 3A. In the
afternoon, Chad Thompson of UPS
Professional Services (and ISTA's VP of
Testing & Certification) hosted an
excellent tour of the UPS lab in Addison.
The
test
demonstrations
were
especially helpful in illustrating and
reinforcing the morning's discussion.
Ed and Chad presented "Ride Along
With Your Package" in the main program,
ISTA at Pack Expo
Las Vegas
This "other" Pack Expo, held in the off
years between Pack Expo International
in Chicago, is a big show in its own right.
The September 2005 event had a total
attendance of over 33,000, with nearly
1200 exhibitors in 483,000 square feet
of exhibit space. ISTA was there, with a
booth in the Education & Associations
Concourse area, which served as a
convenient
gathering
place
for
members, prospective members, and
friends.
The ISTA exhibit conveyed a clear
message of what we do, and the
benefits of membership, with the
statement "We Help Our Members
Control Costs, Damage, and Resources
for the Safe Transport of PackagedProducts". Handouts included a mini-CD
entitled "All About ISTA", containing
complete membership information and
forms, a list of the ISTA staff and Board
of Directors, the Guidelines document
for selecting and using ISTA tests, a
current lab directory, recent examples of
the PST newsletter, and an equipment
vendor list. This is a great resource for
anyone interested in ISTA - contact
Meredith Young at Headquarters if you'd
like a free copy of the CD.
Meredith Young, ISTA’s Director of Member Services and
Ed Church, ISTA’s Executive Director enjoyed meeting
ISTA members as well as prospective members.
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
Meredith Young
Speaks in Boston
Meredith Young
ISTA Director of
Member Services
In October 2005,
Meredith Young, ISTA's
Director of Member
Services, joined several
other speakers for the
Intro
to
Protective
Packaging
Seminar
presented by the New
England Chapter of IoPP.
The unique seminar
was
designed
to
provide
a
comprehensive overview of the key
design issues and materials for
developing a new package to provide
shock, vibration and compression
protection. The event included experts
in the cushioning and corrugated fields:
• Charlie Waldner of UFP Technologies
gave presentations on Shock and Basic
Cushioning Theory, as well as giving the
audience an overview of the properties
and uses of Polyethylene and
Polyurethane Foams.
• Mae Drzyzga of Dow Chemical gave a
detailed presentation on the basics of
Vibration and how to protect your
product from its effects.
• Mark Matthews of Polyfoam
Corporation gave a great overview of
the properties and uses of Expanded
Polystyrene
and
Expanded
Polypropylene Foams.
• Mike Brown of Packaging 2.0
discussed Thermoformed Cushions,
showing many examples of the different
types of foam.
• Jean Feldkamp of Rand Whitney
Packaging, and New England Chapter
President, gave a presentation on the
role that corrugated cartons play in the
protection of products.
• Meredith's presentation covered ISTA,
the test series and, more specifically,
Procedure 3A. Her presentation is
available by request on CD-ROM.
The audience was made up of a great
group of packaging professionals who
asked solid questions and who really got
involved in the seminar. Following the
presentations, a dinner reception was
held for further networking and
discussions.
For information on other IoPP
Chapter events, check out the IoPP
website at www.iopp.org.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
2006 Dues Invoices
Mailed
recently started his new job as a
Packaging
Engineer
for
UPS
Professional Services in Addison, IL. It
helps to know that he will be heavily
Invoices for 2006 membership dues
were mailed in early November. You can
pay by mail or fax, but we've made it
even easier to pay online this year!
Login and Pay Dues!
http://www.ista.org/Login/login.php
Member delegates can simply Login
to the Members Only section of the
ISTA website and click Pay Dues. You
can then review and print your dues
invoice, as well as pay online by clicking
Pay Now. Enter your credit card
information (the site is secure), click
Finish and you're done! You'll be able to
print a confirmation page and you'll get
an email confirming your payment. A
sales receipt will also be e-mailed to
your attention.
You can pay by fax if you wish complete the bottom portion of your
dues invoice and fax it to ISTA
Headquarters at +1 517-333-3813. No
cover sheet is necessary. If your
company would prefer, we also accept
payment by check or wire transfer. For
our bank details please contact us.
If you need to add a Purchase Order
number to your invoice, please contact
Meredith Young (myoung@ista.org).
Be sure to pay by the January 31,
2006, deadline to get your full member
benefits in 2006! Only members that
have paid dues are sent their
complimentary copy of the Resource
Book as well as a copy of the
Procedures on CD. Other valuable
benefits, such as use of the Certification
Mark, promotion of a Certified Lab,
certification of packaged-products and
personnel, and your Members Only
website access will be suspended if
dues are not paid. Don't risk a loss of
member benefits - Login and pay your
dues today!
ISTA Waves Goodbye
to A.J. Gruber
A.J. Gruber, a recent graduate of the
Michigan State University School of
Packaging, has made the move into the
"real world" of packaging professionals!
A.J. was our Testing & Certification
Assistant for more than 2 years but has
ISTA intern, A.J. Gruber is now working as a Packaging
Engineer for UPS Professional Services in Addison, IL.
involved with ISTA testing at the UPS
lab, so we aren't really waving goodbye!
A.J. will now take his experience
reviewing and processing thousands of
test reports into the laboratory and we
know he will really enjoy his new role in
the packaging world. We look forward
to receiving his first submitted test
report!
We are all so proud of A.J. on his
accomplishment and we wish him the
very best in his new career as a
packaging professional!
New Packaging
Student Joins ISTA
We are very pleased
to announce that a new
packaging
student,
Chantel Grewal, has
started working at ISTA
Headquarters! Chantel
will take over the role as
Chantel Grewal
Testing & Certification
ISTA Testing &
Certification
Assistant, which is a
Assistant
position we've offered
to packaging students
for many years.
Chantel is enrolled in Michigan State
University's School of Packaging, where
she is finishing up her sophomore year.
She comes from a packaging family,
with both her parents working in the
automotive industry as packaging
professionals. Chantel brings to ISTA a
great attitude and a willingness to learn
all she can about package testing in
preparation for a career in the packaging
field. She will be assisting Meredith
Young with the administration of the
package and laboratory certification
programs.
Chantel can
cgrewal@ista.org.
be
reached
at
Page | 3
NEW MEMBERS
welcome
SHIPPER | members
LABORATORY | members
DRS-Codem Systems
Centro Nacional de
Embalagem
Delegate: Philip Orlando
21 Continental Boulevard
Merrimack, NH 03054 USA
Gilson, Inc.
Joined August 1st, 2005
through
October 31st, 2005
Delegate: John Roessler
3000 W. Beltline Highway
Box 620027
Middleton, WI 53562 USA
Manitowoc Beverage
Equipment
Delegate: Gary Herrmann
2100 Future Drive
Sellersburg, IN 47172-1868 USA
National Factory for Air
Conditioners Co. WLL
Delegate: Dr. S. Dorairaj
PO Box 20409
Riyadh, 11455 Saudi Arabia
Schneider Electric N.A.
Delegate: Everett McIntosh
1415 South Roselle Road
Palatine, IL 60067 USA
Sunrise Medical
Delegate: Kevin Davis
7477 East Dry Creek Parkway
Longmont, CO 80503 USA
Delegate: Margarida Alves
Complexo ISQ / Edificio F2
Av. Prof. Dr. Cavaco Silva, no. 33
TagusparkPorto Salvo 2780-994 Portugal
Packaging Logic, Inc.
Delegate: Brian Biggs
239 Factory Street, P.O. Box 338
LaPorte, IN 46352 USA
Sealed Air PDDC
Delegate: Tan Yeh Fuat
2A, Lorong IKS Bukit Tengah
Taman IKS Bukit Tengah
Bukit Mertajam, Penang 14000 Malaysia
Sirim QAS International
SDN BHD
Delegate: Mohd Azlan Mustaffa
Mechanical Product Testing Section
Sirim Complex, 1 Persiaran Dato Menteri
Shah Alam, Selangor 41900 Malaysia
Specialized Technology
Resources (Shanghai) Ltd.
Shenzhen Branch
Delegate: Winson Qiang
No. 29, 6 South Keji Road
High-Tech Industrial Park
Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518057 China
Viking Range Corporation
Delegate: Dan Lyvers
5801 Viking Road
Greenwood, MS 38930 USA
SUPPLIER | members
Domtar Inc.
ZTE Corporation
Delegate: Wang Zhihui
ZTE Plaza, Keji Road South
Hi-Tech Industrial Park
Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong
518057 China
Vycon Inc.
Delegate: Gary Granbery
12880 Moore Street
Cerritos, CA 90703 USA
Delegate: Rene Goguen
609 Rang 12, PO Box 1010
Windsor Quebec J1S 2L9 Canada
NACCO Materials Handling
Group
Delegate: Jacques Dionne
2200 Menelaus Pike
Brea, KY 40403 USA
West Technology Co., Ltd.
Delegate: David Jin
Rm.310 CIMIC Tower , No.1090 Century AV.
Pudong Shanghai 200120 China
Page | 4
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
INDIVIDUAL | members
ASSOCIATE | members
Edwin Burtnett
Mark Reynolds
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
10500 Dr. MLK Jr. Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716 USA
Schneider Electric N.A.
1601 Mercer Road
Lexington, KY 40511 USA
Ernest Castiaux
Scott Wilson
Tercica, Inc.
2000 Sierra Point Parkway, Suite 400
Brisbane, CA 94005 USA
Baldwin Hardware Corporation
A Black & Decker Company
841 E. Wyomissing Blvd.,
Bldg 75
Reading, PA 19611 USA
Cary Common
5-6 June 2006, Amsterdam
www.pkgeurope.com
Mattel Toys
333 Continental Blvd
Mail Stop M1-0500
El Segundo, CA 90245-5012 USA
Mike Simmons
Huntington Foam Corporation
180 Westec Drive
Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 USA
ISTA Certified • ISO Quality Procedures
Drop • Shock • Vibration • Compression • Bounce
Specializing in POP Display Testing
Environmental Chambers
Heat • Cold • Humidity • Salt Spray • Carbon Arc
Confidential • Timely • Dependable results
Phone 877 298-7468 Fax 201 489-9365
13231-A Slover Avenue • Fontana, CA 92337
909/434-2800
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 5
TEST PROCEDURE
changes & updates
www.ista.org
Procedures
3C & 3D Retired
When Procedure 3A was
developed in 2004 it combined
the best of 4 other procedures
into one convenient document:
3C, 3D, 2D and 2E. With the
approval of the latest revision
of Procedure 3A by the ISTA
Testing & Certification Council,
the decision to discontinue the
publication of Procedures 3C
and 3D will take effect as of
January 1, 2006. Procedures
3C and 3D will therefore not be
printed in the 2006 Resource
Book. We strongly encourage
all users of Procedures 3C and
3D to start using Procedure 3A
immediately. Procedures 2D
and 2E will remain published
standards at this time. If you
have any questions about this
please don't hesitate to
contact us!
2006 Resource
Book
FYI...Production on the 2006
ISTA Resource Book has begun
and will ship to each of our
member companies at the end
of January.
Page | 6
Project 3B Moving
Ahead!
Project 3B, ISTA's future "less-thantruckload" testing standard, has entered
the initial stages of research and
information gathering.
In early
November, Erin Drouillard, who is the
packaging
engineer
at
NMFTA,
generously agreed to help us with a
survey of LTL carriers in regards to their
handling methods. With the survey
replies in hand, ISTA will be developing
a standard for the less-than-truckload
environment, and NMFTA will be use
the information to revise their own LTL
Item 180. Erin will give an update on
the revisions to both LTL Item 180 and
Item 181 at Dimensions.06 in San
Antonio. An update on Project 3B will
also be given at Dimensions, by Chad
Thompson of UPS and ISTA's VP of
Testing & Certification.
Robert Meisner, of UPS Supply Chain
Solutions, is heading up the task group
that has been asked to complete this
project. Many ISTA members have
already volunteered their time and
expertise and we will be asking them to
help once the survey replies are in,
which will be January 15, 2006. If you
are interested in assisting with the
development of this standard, please
contact Meredith Young at ISTA. We are
looking for people with expertise and
experience in all areas of LTL shipments
- labs, suppliers, carriers and product
manufacturers alike!
Procedure 3A
Revised for 2006
ISTA Procedure 3A, first released in
January of 2004, has recently
undergone revisions and format
changes, which will be published in the
2006 edition of the ISTA Resource Book.
Procedure 3A is ISTA's general
simulation test for Parcel Delivery
System Shipment, and is becoming
increasingly popular with vendors,
product manufacturers, carriers, and
testing laboratories. Using a series of
drop and impact tests, random vibration
tests with and without top loads, and
optional atmospheric conditioning and
vibration-under-vacuum (altitude) tests,
this Procedure allows the user to
simulate in a laboratory what typically
happens to their packaged-products
during small parcel shipment. After its
initial release in 2004, we received
feedback that some portions of the
Procedure did not seem to read well,
were confusing, and/or were subject to
different interpretations. It was decided
that a comprehensive review of the
document was in order, with the goal of
making it more straightforward and
user-friendly.
Earlier this year, the ISTA Testing &
Certification Council approved the
formation of a task group to review and
revise the Procedure. That process took
several months, with many members
offering good suggestions for editorial
changes and improved formatting. After
reviews from Chad Thompson, ISTA's
VP of Testing & Certification, and Bill
Kipp, ISTA's Associate Executive
Director, the revised 3A has now been
sent to the Council for final approval.
The new version will be published in the
2006 Resource Book, as well as being
available for members online starting
January 1, 2006.
A thorough review of Procedure 3A
has resulted in the following revisions:
• Significant layout changes for better
readability, flow, and ease of
interpretation
• Numbering of Test Blocks, to aid the
user in following the steps for each
specific package type
• Changes to achieve consistency
throughout the document
• Numerous typographical corrections
• The addition of cylinders, pails and
envelopes to the Identification of
Faces, Edges, and Corners section
• A more complete definition of the
vibration top-load apparatus, including
an explanatory graphic, but removal of
supporting details to the Guidelines for
Selecting & Using ISTA Procedures and
Projects document
• Improved explanation and added
examples for calculating the maximum
top-load weight
• Reformat of the vibration Test Blocks,
showing package orientations and test
times more clearly and understandably
• Improved graphics showing the shock
test set-ups
• The addition of a "strong
recommendation" to report the basis
weight of any corrugated container
being tested
• Better explanations of what
constitutes changes to the package,
process, or product.
Procedure 3A has already shown
itself to be a powerful and useful test
protocol. The 2006 revisions should now
make it easier to read and use as well.
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED
ISTA CERTIFIED
ISTA Capabilities
Additional Capabilities
Testing packagings from less than
One pound up to 3000 lb.
Express Service Available
Multiple Package Discount
Procedures performed by ISTA
Certified Laboratory Technicians
VIBRATION TESTS
Random / Sine-Sweep
Rotary Motion / Vertical Linear
SHOCK TESTS
Free-Fall
Inclined-Impact
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TESTING
UN / Dept. of Transportation (UN/DOT)
Int'l Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Int'l Air Transport Association (IATA)
Int'l Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
SPECIFICATION TESTING
Federal / Military / Railroad /Truck
7A Radioactive / Infectious Materials
Regulated Medical Waste / ASTM D-4169
NMFC Item 180 & 181
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Paper and Corrugated Analysis
TAPPI / ASTM
Customized Test Development
Package Redesign
COMPRESSION TESTS
Static / Dynamic
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Frozen or Winter Ambient
Tropical Wet & Dry
Desert or Summer
Pro-Pack Testing Laboratory, Inc
2385 Amann Drive
Belleville, IL 62220
THIRD PARTY CERTIFIED
AFFILIATIONS
ISTA
TAPPI
IOPP
Manuel Rosa, Jr., President
Phone: 618-277-1160
Fax: 618-277-1163
www.propacktestlab.com
m.rosa@propacktestlab.com
The bottom line in service, efficiency and integrity.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 7
Certified
Packaging
Laboratory
Professional
corner
Bill Kipp
ISTA Associate
Executive Director
Heartiest
congratulations to all
the new CPLPs!
Congratulations to the following new CPLP Recipients!
CPLP Technicians
Eugenia Abraham
Tobias Becht
Samuel Bergeon
Brian R. Biggs
Pedro Boronat
Stefano Bulessi
Edwin Burtnett
Chan Chuen Kit
Peter Chen
Cheung Kai Yiu
John Clark
Anuradha Dhamija
Oscar Otero Fabre
Luca Giussani
Niels Hansen
Louisa Huang
Allen Hsu
Vinod Kumar K.R
Lewis Lamson
Mario Lehr
Andi Lim
Lok Ma Ming
John Anthony Martin
Christian Roberto
Vincent Sakkers
Taufiq Urakhman
James K. Van Dress
Yolanda Guardeno Varo
Wong Kim Kwan
Rand Whitney
Sealed Air Germany
Sealed Air France
Packaging Logic, Inc.
Sealed Air Spain
Sealed Air Italy
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
Sealed Air Shanghai
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
CTL Group
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (India)
Sealed Air Spain
Sealed Air Italy
SGS U.S. Testing
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
Sealed Air India
Rand Whitney
Sealed Air Germany
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Indonesia)
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
Atlas Box & Crating (Ireland)
Merchandise Testing Laboratories S.A. de C.V. Portillo Perez
Sealed Air Netherlands
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Indonesia)
GTS - Grief Testing Services
Sealed Air Spain
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
CPLP Technologists
Christian Brandenfels
Rain Chen
Larry Ching
Timothy J. Glasmeier
William Cutler Hamilton
Chad Hsieh
Eric Hsu
Muse Ma
Robert Meisner
Poniran Tukimin
Sealed Air Germany
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Shanghai)
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong)
gh Product and Package Testing & Consulting
Rock-Tenn Company
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Taiwan)
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Taiwan)
Shanghai SIC-MTL Testing Co.
UPS Supply Chain Solutions
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (Taiwan)
CPLP Professional
Rick Roberti
Page | 8
SGS U.S. Testing
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
CPLP Fee Increases
For 2006
The Certified Packaging Laboratory
Professional self-study program is
available both online and in printed form.
Of course, printed study materials and
exams are more costly to handle,
package, and send as compared to
online delivery. So, beginning January
1, 2006, fees for the printed versions of
the Technician and Technologist levels
will increase to $385. This was first
announced in the October iNews
(ISTA's electronic newsletter) and
simultaneously posted to the ISTA
website.
All other CPLP fees will remain
unchanged, including those for the
online versions of Technician and
Technologist ($295), CPLP Professional
level ($295) and in-person Workshops
($595).
The online approach is certainly
preferred, and not simply because of
cost. This delivery method, which
requires only Internet access and a
standard browser, ensures that
applicants are always using the latest
study materials, employs more and
better graphics, and is supplemented by
a "Slideshow Review" that reinforces
major points. The exams are also
administered online, and computerassisted grading by ISTA means faster
notification.
From the ISTA home page at
www.ista.org,
click
"Certification
Programs” and then “CPLP for People"
for complete information on the
program, and to sign up online. Please
contact Lisa Bonsignore at ISTA
Headquarters
517.333.3437
or
lisa@ista.org if you have any questions.
CPLP Fall Workshops
in Chicago Area
The third annual Certified Packaging
Laboratory Professional Fall Workshops
were held November 2 and 3 in
Countryside, IL. These workshops are
an alternative to the self-study CPLP
approach, and offer a fast track
to
certification
as
Technician
or Technologist. The
workshop
information
can be found at
www.ista.org/Knowledge/ConSem.htm.
The fall sessions included an evening
tour of the nearby UPS CACH (Chicago
Area Consolidation Hub). This huge
facility processes between 1 and 2
million packages per day, and
incorporates some amazing technology
to get the job done. Thanks to Chad
Thompson and Tracy Koblich of UPS for
a fascinating tour!
How rough is
too rough?
Lansmont Field Instruments
•
Hands-Free Data Collection
•
90-Day Battery Life; set-it and forget-it
•
Small Size, Light Weight
800-LANSMONT
www.lansmont.com
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 9
SPOTLIGHT on an
ISTA member
Kevin Howard
Kevin Howard
The Next Phase of Packaging Life
Members may recognize Kevin Howard as a result of his four presentations since
1992 at ISTA conferences, including his most recent at the Dimensions.05 conference
on "Packaging and Distribution Hazards in India". Besides his outstanding presentations,
folks may recall his winning Luau outfit at Dimensions.04. Kevin says he has since hung
up the coconuts, grass skirt and wig (see picture to far right).
Starting college as a philosophy major at Michigan State University's James Madison
College, Kevin had a chance discussion with a stranger in a dorm elevator late in his
second year. The other student was a packaging major. Packaging was a field of study
that Kevin never heard of but he soon signed up for an introductory class. He fell in love
with packaging and has never looked back. At the time, MSU's School of Packaging had
only 4 instructors and 60 students. Eventually receiving both a BS and MS in packaging
made him one of fewer than 500 people in the world with such credentials. Working for
his mentor and friend Dr. Jim Goff, he spent two years as a graduate teaching assistant
in the Packaging Dynamics class. While in school, he had two internships: one at IBM
Boulder and the other at MTS Systems in Minneapolis.
After graduate school, Kevin worked for Whirlpool Corporation for three years, where
he had the opportunity to start their first shock and vibration test lab. He learned a
valuable lesson there: by shaving off the overall height of a dishwasher package, he was
able to get 50% more units into a truck, resulting in savings of $2 million/year. At that
time, the department's goal was to save $150,000/year, but the company had only been
focused on material costs. This was the indication of identifying empty space as the
most expensive part of supply chain costs. After receiving an invitation to teach from
the Northwest Institute of Light Industry, the first school of packaging in China, Kevin
left Whirlpool. He and his new wife, Deb, moved to central China in September 1987
for the most remarkable experience of their lives. After teaching at the school for five
months, Kevin traveled around China for two months to lecture at other schools and
consult on damage issues. Kevin's students became the first in Chinese history to gain
degrees in Packaging.
Until October 14, 2005, Kevin was the senior packaging engineer for HewlettPackard's Vancouver, Washington site, where consumer inkjet (DeskJet) printers were
developed. HP, in the process of some downsizing, began offering a very attractive early
retirement program to long-time employees willing to voluntarily leave the company.
Kevin and his family have been re-habilitating this log cabin located on the south side of Mt. Adams in Washington.
Page | 10
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
Kevin decided the offer was too good to
pass up but at the same time, Kevin
does not expect to stay "retired" for long
and is working on opening a consulting
practice.
Kevin's successes at HP resulted in
annual savings of over $100 million,
along with the approval of four patents.
The largest part of the savings came
from his pioneering work in packaging
postponement (when a product is
shipped in a bulk format and "localized"
only when it nears its final destination.
The end result is a substantial reduction
in transportation, storage, materials
handling
and
inventory
costs).
According to Packaging Technology and
Science magazine, this idea was the
largest documented cost savings in the
history of packaging, and that only
accounted for the effect upon the
DeskJet product. As the idea spread to
virtually every high volume product that
HP made, the savings multiplied further.
Many other companies, including some
competitors, have since adopted this
concept.
Beyond postponement, Kevin led
initiatives in revamping testing, replaced
environmentally troubling packaging
materials with greener alternatives,
recommended
product
geometry
changes to minimize overall costs,
replaced all resilient cushioning with
molded EPS foam, developed molded
pulp cushioning for the heaviest HP
product yet to use this material, and led
the introduction of slip-sheets for
international shipments. Kevin feels
very grateful for having found a great
company like HP to work for, where
good ideas are welcomed and put into
production as quickly as possible.
Kevin is a member of IoPP, Western
Packaging Association (he won their
Packaging Person of the Year award in
2001), and was chairman of ASTM's D999 task group on vibration testing for
the past 20 years. He was also the
chairman of the D10.22 sub-committee
on physical test methods for several
years.
Outside of professional pursuits,
Kevin and Deb are the proud parents of
7-year-old Ella, who just had her first visit
to Disneyland. They enjoy outdoor
pursuits, and have been re-habilitating a
log cabin since 1995, where they've
added electricity, plumbing, and doors
and windows that actually work. The
cabin is on the south side of Mt. Adams,
a 12,276' dormant volcano.
It is
surrounded by a 6,000-acre wildlife
refuge which affords them close up
views of elk herds, bald eagles, sand hill
cranes, and a myriad of song birds, all
less than 2 hours from their year round
home.
Kevin particularly enjoys
telemark skiing, which is downhill skiing
on metal edged cross country skis.
Biking, hiking and ocean kayaking are
also favorite pastimes.
Coconuts, grass skirt and a wig...instant contest winner!
Kevin and his wife, Deb, recently took their daughter,
Ella, to Disneyland for her very first time!
We wish Kevin all the best in his
"retirement" and look forward to the
achievements and contributions he will
make in the "next phase of his packaging
life"!
Kevin’s view of Mt. Adams from his back porch is breathtaking! Herds of Elk can often be seen in this 6,000-acre wildlife refuge.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 11
ISTA & IoPP Invite You to EXPERIENCE Dimensions.06
www.dimensions-info.com
April 18-21, 2006
Crowne Plaza Hotel, River Walk, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
REGISTER TODAY! SAVE NOW
Early Bird Registration ends February 17, 2006
WHY ATTEND
If you and your company are involved in the physical distribution of products as
a manufacturer, carrier, packaging supplier or testing laboratory, you should not
miss Dimensions.06.
This event is the most well attended educational forum on transport packaging
providing the latest techniques, ideas and innovations for the packaging
professional.
Fellow packaging professionals will keep you ahead of the curve with
presentations covering all aspects of the technology and management of
transport packaging. You'll have opportunities to discuss critical issues that will
help you gain ideas and solutions you need to succeed.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Dimensions.06 has been developed to offer something for the seasoned
professional or the newcomer to packaging and is the largest dedicated meeting
for packaging and distribution professionals working in all areas of the industry.
The ability to network and share information and ideas with fellow Managers,
Engineers, Testing Labs, Packaging Suppliers, Carriers and Consultants alone is
worth the trip. Prepare to walk away a more knowledgeable packaging
professional.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A balance of practical applications, case studies and technical information from
some of the field's leading experts. As always, Dimensions features quality
presentations and information that you can use immediately upon your return to
the work place.
Exhibiting Opportunities at Dimensions.06
There's no doubt about it. Exhibiting your products
and services at Dimensions.06 will be a powerful, costeffective and convenient way to target the transport
packaging industry. Call us at [+1] 517.333.3437 to
get on the list!
This educational event proudly
presented by:
Space is limited!
Visit the Dimensions Website at www.dimensions-info.com to see the
current list of exhibitors or to reserve space for your company.
Page | 12
Media Partner:
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
FORUM AT A GLANCE
Time
frame
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
April 17
April 18
April 19
April 20
April 21
Dim06 Registration 8:00 - 5:00
Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
Continental Breakfast
Welcome to Dimensions.06 &
Networking Activity
Corrugated Transport Packaging and
Today’s Dynamic Supply Chain Needs
Fibre Box Association
Video Highlights
7:30 - 8:00
8:00
www.dimensions-info.com
ISTA CPLP
Workshop
Technician
Course
8:00 - 12:30
ISTA CPLP
Workshop
Exam
Golf Outing
The Quarry
Golf Course
8:00 - 12:00
8:00 - 12:30
Temperature & Humidity Ocean
Containers
Xerox Corporation
Globalization of the Packaging Supply
Chain?
The Home Depot
“It’s a Family Thing”
Get-Together
9:00 - 10:30
Packaging Myths
Dennis Young and Associates, Inc. &
Xerox Corporation
RFID
Danish Technological Institute
European Express Shipping Drop /
Impact Study
Hewlett-Packard & ISTA
10:00 - 10:30
Break
10:00 - 10:30
Break
10:00 - 10:30
10:30
Determining Cushion Curves:
The Stress-Energy Method
Hewlett-Packard Company
Global Truck, Rail and Parcel Shipments
California Polytechnic State University
Packaging for the Less-than-Truckload
Environment
NMFTA
12:00 - 1:00
1:00
ISTA CPLP
Workshop
Technologist
Course
1:00 - 5:30
All About Dimensions,
ISTA & IoPP
Optional Session
1:30 - 2:30
Ship Testing a Unit Load Using Less
Than a Unit Load of Product
The Hershey Company
Test Facilities on the open
Air Test Site
Federal Institute for Materials Research
and Testing
Package Closure/Containment Analysis
FedEx
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00
Testing Automotive Returnable
Containers
Ford Motor Company
Virtual Testing in Real Life
Pira International
Break with the Exhibitors
9:30 - 10:30
Cushion Specification:
Impact of MADE Study Data on
Cushion Design
True North Associates
Stretch Marketing Manager
AEP Industries
End of Forum Wrap Up
11:30 - 12:00
Analyzing and Simulating Railcar Shock Case Study: Appliance Package Design &
Testing
and Vibrations
Green Bay Packaging
Victoria University
Manufacturer/LTL Carrier Partnership
United Technologies – Carrier Corp. &
ABF Freight Systems
Corporate Packaging and Containerization
Strategy
Rockwell Automation
RFID Antennas on Corrugated Paperboard
Thai Containers Group Co., Ltd.
Implementing Packaging
Solutions in China
GlobalPKG, Inc. & Logitech Inc.
2:30 - 2:45
Break
2:30 - 2:45
Break
2:30 - 2:45
2:45
Methods of Correlating Table Testing to
Packaging Development
Dell Inc.
End of Day Wrap Up
2:45-3:00
Video and Measurement of the
LTL Shipping Environment
Michigan State University School
of Packaging & Lansmont Corporation
ISTA Update
Optional Session
3:00 - 4:00
3:45 - 4:00
4:00
End of Day Wrap Up
4:00 - 4:15
5:30
Networking Event
“Take A Float” River Boat Tour Along San
Antonio River Walk
5:00 - 6:00
Evening Events
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Welcome Reception
“Texas Style”
5:30 - 10:00
Exhibitors Reception
6:30 - 9:00
Page | 13
SPOTLIGHT
on ISTA Supplier
with a Certified
Testing Laboratory
AcuTemp
7610 McEwen Road
Centerville, OH 45459 USA
937.312.0114 phone
937.312.1277 fax
www.acutemp.com
AcuTemp is a market-focused provider of temperature management solutions with a
singular purpose of maintaining their customers' valuable, and in many cases, lifesaving
payloads at the right temperature - regardless of external influences.
AcuTemp provides customers with the capability to integrate technology, application
know-how, advanced testing and diagnostics, design engineering, and manufacturing
prowess. The result is customer- and market-specific solutions that deliver reliable,
consistent performance. AcuTemp solutions consistently outperform products typically
deployed for temperature sensitive applications. Their innovative packaging solutions
cover a wide-range of thermal protection needs.
AcuTemp utilizes its proprietary ThermoCor® high
performance insulation in a variety of temperature
sensitive packaging and transport containers. Their
single-use and multi-use shipping boxes are used
primarily in the pharmaceutical market to ship
temperature sensitive medications, vaccines or
medical equipment. These boxes can be used for
virtually any temperature-sensitive cargo requiring
extended hold times to complete the transportation
cycle.
AcuTemp delivers
temperature
management
solutions with a
singular purpose:
Maintaining our
customers' valuable
and, in many cases,
lifesaving payloads at
The HemaCool® and VaxiCool® products are mobile
the right temperature refrigerator/freezer units capable of operating on either
regardless of external
AC or internal battery power, providing protection of
influences.
temperature sensitive and often life-saving cargo such
as blood, vaccines, tissue or medicines. These units
are used extensively by the military and also by
emergency responders in disaster situations such as
hurricanes or earthquakes where electrical power is disrupted and mobility of delivering
life-saving supplies to their point of need is essential. AcuTemp also offers a portable
vaccine carrier called the VaxiPac® which offers extended hold times for transporting or
storing vaccines or specimens for up to 20 hours. These are ideal for administering
immunization programs offered by state and local municipalities.
The newest product, scheduled for release in the
first quarter of 2006, is the RKN thermal pallet shipper.
This unit will allow pallet-size temperature-sensitive
cargo to be transported at three different temperature
set points from -15°C to +22°C. The unit can operate
on AC or internal battery and features sophisticated
data logging capabilities to verify cargo was maintained
at the required temperature while in transit. Testing
and validation is currently underway for this product.
The RKN thermal
pallet shipper will
allow pallet-size
temperature-sensitive
cargo to be
transported at three
different temperature
set points from -15°C
AcuTemp certified an ISTA testing lab in April of
to +22°C.
2003. The lab is managed by Pam Jones, who is an
ISTA CPLP-Technician. In addition to ISTA Procedure
7D testing, AcuTemp can test and validate to literally
any protocol. Using environmental test chambers, 64- and 128-channel data acquisition
systems and advanced control and analysis software, AcuTemp can confirm internal
payload temperatures under widely varying ambient conditions, including temperature
and humidity changes. In addition, portable data acquisition systems allow AcuTemp to
validate packaging performance under actual field conditions.
All equipment is calibrated on a regular basis using National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) traceable instruments.
Many customers benefit from the testing and product/package design services
Page | 14
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
offered by the lab. AcuTemp temperature
sensitive shipping solutions are currently
used primarily in the pharmaceutical and
bio-medical markets where the need for
transporting and maintaining payloads at
the right temperature is critical.
Their
ThermoCor high performance insulation
technology - which is at the heart of each
AcuTemp innovation - can be utilized in a
wide range of industries or applications
including white goods, construction and
transportation. The ability of ThermoCor to
provide high efficiency insulating properties
in thicknesses of an inch or less allows
space-saving benefits over traditional
insulation products.
According to Pam, "product testing and
validation through our ISTA certified lab has
been essential to supporting the needs of
our customers for safe transport of their
products. Because AcuTemp products are
utilized to transport or store critical and
often life-saving cargo, it is essential that
our customers have piece of mind that their
cargo will reach its destination without
compromise. In addition, because of the
high performance qualities of ThermoCor
insulation, we have been able to develop
shipping boxes for our customers that are
smaller in size and require less or no
additional coolants. By testing these
containers in our lab, we have been able to
not only validate their performance, but
assist our customers in reducing their
shipping and coolant costs. Finally, the lab
has been instrumental in testing and
validating the performance of new
AcuTemp products currently in the
development stage."
AcuTemp is located in Centerville, OH.
They can be reached by telephone at
937.312.0114, or check out their complete
line of products and services online at
www.acutemp.com.
The RKN Pallet Shipper is ideal for transporting
temperature sensitive products.
The HemaCool is designed to safely store and
transport blood and plasma.
AcuTemp Boxes are ideal for one-time shipping
of highly valuable, temperature sensitive
products.
VaxiPac, shown here with a VaxiSafe pack, is
capable of extensive hold times with no active
cooling.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 15
MEMBER &
INDUSTRY
news
Sun Microsystems
Completes
Acquisition of
StorageTek
Sun Microsystems, Inc. announced in
August of 2005 that it had completed its
acquisition of StorageTek following
approval of StorageTek stockholders.
"By combining with StorageTek and
leveraging its 35 years of leadership in
the storage and data management
market with Sun's 24 years in network
computing solutions, Sun becomes an
instant heavyweight in the global
storage market," said Scott McNealy,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Sun
Microsystems,
Inc.
"Few
companies are better positioned to help
enterprises manage the complexities of
information management. StorageTek
knows how to store it and Sun knows
how to put that data to work better than
any other company on the planet."
The Sun-StorageTek combination:
• Creates a global leader in network
computing and data management with
combined revenues of $13.3 billion for
the last 12 months, and whose products
hold 36% of the world's total archived
data;
• Instantly expands the addressable
customer base, providing significant
new channels for each company's
products and services around the globe;
• Provides customers with flexibility
and choice in storage and data
management
offerings
for
heterogeneous environments, coupled
with robust identity management and
security solutions, drawing upon the
combined companies' long history of
innovation and proven data center
expertise;
• Delivers shareholder value through
access
to
significant
growth
opportunities in the storage market and
an expanded sales force with a broader
product and services portfolio.
With the close of the acquisition,
StorageTek becomes a part of Sun's
Data Management Group (DMG),
formerly named Sun's Network Storage
Group (NWS). This newly formed
organization will be led by Mark Canepa,
Executive Vice
President,
Data
Page | 16
Management Group. Canepa, a 30 year
tech veteran, has put the vision,
strategy and leadership team in place to
leverage Sun's powerful new position in
the global storage market.
In marking the close of the
acquisition Canepa said, "Combining our
strength in network identity with the
world's deepest core competence in
data archiving and information lifecycle
management is a sweet spot that
competitors simply cannot match. The
intersection of the two is where our
customers are headed, and where we
plan to lead the industry."
Canepa continued, "I am thoroughly
impressed with the top notch leadership
team cultivated at StorageTek. Sun is
very fortunate to have the opportunity to
bring many of the company's key
executives to the DMG leadership team
and I'm confident that they will be
making critical contributions to our
future success in delivering solutions
that meet out customers' storage and
data management challenges."
StorageTek's former CEO, Pat Martin,
will not be joining the combined
company.
With the combined portfolios of two
industry leaders, Sun now has all the
building blocks to bring real value to
information lifecycle management
(ILM),
including
award-winning
automated tape solutions, leading
software
and
disk
arrays,
a
comprehensive identity management
product suite for virtually unmatched
security, and leading-edge virtualization
solutions. Based on lessons learned in
heterogeneous mainframe and open
systems environments, Sun will
continue to develop repeatable
methodologies,
blueprints,
and
reference architectures that support all
enterprises.
Sun and StorageTek are synergistic in
product sets and solutions with very
little overlap. The disk and management
software areas are where product
collaboration can be achieved and Sun
expects to do this within the next two
months.
Advanced Product Testing (formerly
StorageTek APT), will now do business
under the APT name only. APT is an
ISTA Certified Lab, located in Longmont,
CO.
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
Robert Meisner, CPP, CPLP,
Appointed
IoPP Vice PresidentCertification
Robert Meisner, CPP, CPLP, has been
named Vice President-Certification for
IoPP
(Institute
of
Packaging
Professionals). His involvement with
IoPP includes serving on the IoPP
Membership Committee and he is also
involved with the IoPP Transport
Packaging Committee. He is currently
the Corporate Packaging Engineer for
UPS Supply Chain Solutions. In his
current position, he works with
customers to identify and resolve
packaging issues that result in product
damage. Robert's role as Vice PresidentCertification will focus on the current
certification program as well as look at
new certification opportunities in areas
of specialization within packaging.
Robert is also the Chair of the newly
formed ISTA task group that has been
assigned the job of creating Project 3B,
a less-than-truckload standard (see
article on page 6) for further info on 3B.
IoPP Selects
Packaging Summit
for AmeriStar Awards
Reception
"Not only does winning an AmeriStar
have global impact, it recognizes both
the package and the individuals for
bringing it into the marketplace," says
Dull. "Because IoPP's AmeriStar honors
the best in packaging - including
container and material usage, the actual
packaging processes and services
utilized for the development of
packages, and how package concepts
are developed, presented and used in
the marketplace - the Packaging Summit
emphasizes all the elements that make
a package an AmeriStar winner. It's no
wonder this type of recognition is why
packagers covet the AmeriStar Award.
As an organization, we feel the
Packaging Summit is a natural - the
perfect venue for such an esteemed
awards program."
The Signode
Packaging Research Laboratory
n
According to Lawrence Dull CPP, IoPP
President, the Packaging Summit
provides the ideal place to honor the
AmeriStar winners and is essential to
the competition's ongoing success.
Stephen
Krogulski,
business
development manager, Packaging
Summit, says, "The prestigious IoPP
AmeriStar Awards program is an
important addition to this event. We are
thrilled that IoPP has recognized that the
Packaging
Summit's
focus
on
containers, materials and services make
it the best venue to showcase its award
winners."
The Packaging Summit is a one-of-akind, three-pronged packaging event
that includes the Packaging Summit
Conference (developed in cooperation
with IoPP), Packaging Containers &
Materials Expo, and Packaging Services
Expo.
n
The
Institute
of
Packaging
Professionals (IoPP) has selected the
Packaging Summit as the new home for
the organization's prestigious AmeriStar
Package Awards Reception.
And, starting with Packaging Summit
2006 - scheduled for May 16-18, 2006 at
the Donald E. Stephens Convention
Center in Rosemont, Illinois - the 2005
AmeriStar award winners will be
displayed exclusively in the Packaging
Summit Hall of Packaging Excellence so
attendees can see the award winning
packages up close.
■ Testing capability for the full range of packaging
sizes, types, and weights up to 6,000 lbs.
■ I.S.T.A. Certified Laboratory
■ U.N./D.O.T. Third Party Certified Agency for packages,
drums & IBC's
■ Comprehensive documentation including printed &
PDF reports with color photographs and digital
video CD’s
■ Consulting Services
■ Over 150 years of combined packaging experience
■ Quick turnaround time
3640 West Lake Ave. • Glenview, IL 60025
1-847-657-4597 • Fax: 1-847- 657- 7690
e-mail: aneesan@signode-adr.com
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 17
Mechanical Interactions Between Pallets and Packaging
CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER
pallet, and unit load handling equipment)
is typically designed by three
independent design communities, with
a primary focus of cost reduction of the
component for which they have
responsibility. This process generally
includes
reducing
raw
material
requirements for each component. That
is, reducing the wood fiber or plastic
required for packaging, wood or plastic
required for pallets, and steel required
for manufacture of unit load handling
equipment, such as fork lifts, roller
conveyors, etc.
In an interacting system of
components such as the unit load
supply chain, a modification of one
component will affect the performance
of the others, as well as the entire
system. The result of the historical
"component based" approach to the
design of this supply chain is that, while
it may operate, it does not operate as
efficiently as possible, and contains
significant, avoidable, operational,
energy, environmental and health costs.
For example, the operation of the US
domestic supply chain in 2002 was
reported to cost $970 billion, or roughly
9.5% of GDP. The annual consumption
of diesel fuel by Class 8 Trucks in the US
is 16.8 billion gallons. In terms of
product damage, in 2002, $1.6 billion of
un-sellable beverage and grocery
product can be attributed to poor
packaging, unit load formation, or
material handling practices. EPA
estimates that 34% of municipal solid
waste mass is the material of unit loads.
This waste contributes significantly to
the greenhouse gas emissions within
the US. Finally, there is the cost to
human health and safety. Twenty-five
percent of all occupational injuries are
associated with materials handling.
Home Depot averages an in store injury
rate of 185 claims per week, and WalMart reports an average of 150 injuries
per day associated with falling objects in
retail stores. 1
What is needed to reduce these high
costs of operating the domestic supply
chain is a true "systems-based" approach
to designing what is actually a system of
interactive components. To accomplish
this, the three design communities
must be provided the technologies such
that they can communicate and interact
in the design process. A common
vocabulary is needed to accomplish this,
based on an understanding of how the
Page | 18
three
components
mechanically
interact. Interestingly, the pallet is in a
unique physical position, as it is the
interface between the packaged product
and the unit load handling equipment.
Most of the dynamic, and static
stresses imposed on the packaged
product during unit load storage and
distribution must pass through the pallet
and are associated with the pallet
interface.
These mechanical interactions can be
categorized as: 1) vibration interactions
which occur during shipping and
conveying, 2) shocks and impacts during
fork lift movement, and shipping, 3)
compressive forces associated with the
complex interactions within the unit load
during warehouse rack, block stack
storage, and shipping, 4) load shifting
during unit load movement as affected
by surface friction characteristics of all
components, the choice and application
of unit load stabilizers, and the use of
blocking, bracing, or dunnage. The
documentation of these interactions
and the development of new packaging
design technologies, as part of a
systems based design methodology,
will significantly improve supply chain
efficiencies.
Some pallet/packaging interactions
are considered during packaging design.
For example, during the design of
corrugated fiberboard containers, there
is a pallet deckboard gap allowance of 10
to 25 percent of the compression
strength of corrugated fiberboard
containers when the container is to be
palletized. 2,3
load during shipping and storage.
To measure the actual stress
distribution at the pallet deck/package
interface, a strip of highly sensitive low
pressure film was placed between
several pallet deck sections of varying
stiffness and a layer of corrugated
fiberboard (35-26C-35). A rigid load
representing 75 kPa (10 psi) was applied
using the test procedure shown in
Figure 1. The range of pallet deck
stiffness tested was 100 to 500 kg/cm
of deck deflection (500 to 2500
pounds/inch).
Figure 1: Test setup for the pallet section stress
distribution analysis.
MORE ON PAGE 20
However, this allowance assumes
that the stress is distributed uniformly
across the pallet deck components.
Recent testing conducted at the Center
for Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech
indicates this assumption is often
inaccurate. Pressure sensitive films can
be used to measure the pressure or
stress between two contacting surfaces
from 7 kPa (1.0 psi) to 126 mPa (18,000
psi).
Compressive
stresses
on
packaging in contact with the pallet deck
during 3- to 4-high block stacking of 900
Kg ( 2000-lb) loads are in the range of 30
kPa to 40 kPa (4 to 6 psi) depending on
pallet deck coverage. However, this
assumes the pallet decks are uniformly
stiff and do not deform under load. Our
studies have shown that the decks of
most pallets deform or deflect under
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 19
Mechanical Interactions Between Pallets and Packaging
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
Figure 2 shows the exposed film
adjacent to two pallet sections,
representing the range of pallet deck
stiffness tested. The dark areas on the
film are regions where the stress
between a package of rigid contents and
the pallet deck exceeds 15 kPaA (2 psi).
The corrugated medium leaves an
image that confirms that stress at the
pallet deck/package interface is not
uniform. In this test, the "effective"
bearing areas can be less than half that
of the surface area of the pallet deck
member. The effect is a significantly
greater potential stress than predicting
using the 10 to 25% allowance for deck
spacing.
Figure 2. Pressure sensitive film showing how stress
(darkened areas) is distributed across top deckboard
surfaces when supporting a uniform rigid load. The top
photo shows the stress distribution across a low stiffness
pallet deck and the bottom photo shows the stress
distribution across a high stiffness pallet deck.
Unfortunately, low stiffness pallet
decks are the rule rather than the
exception because pallet designers
today use tools such as the Pallet
Design System (PDS), and focus on
meeting the strength requirement of
the pallet. By ignoring the pallet deck
stiffness and stress distribution
interaction, package or product damage
may result.
Page | 20
This potential problem can become a
significant opportunity. If one breaks
down the cost of the packaging
components of a unit load, for example
the unit load of quarts of oil, you can see
in Figure 3, the highest cost is the
empty plastic bottle with the RSC
corrugated container being the second
most costly component, and the pallet
being a relatively low cost. If the pallet
deck, as shown in Figure 4, deforms,
the bottles within the containers are not
stressed uniformly and the bottles
immediately above the stringer
component of the pallet, and the corner
of the corrugated container are
supporting much of the compressive
load. While this might not damage the
bottle or its content, it may compromise
seal integrity, develop stress cracks, and
lead to "leakers."
Figure 4. Pallet deck deformation causes non-uniform
stress distribution at the package/pallet interface.
Another example is the cost
breakdown of a unit load of 3.5-gallon
plastic pails. As shown in Figure 5, the
highest cost packaging component is
the empty pail. If stress distributions are
not uniform across pallet deck
components, and the pail is not
adequate to resist the resulting high
stresses, crimping or collapse of the pail
walls can occur, as shown in Figure 6.
This can lead to "leakers", but more
importantly can become a safety hazard
and result in load destabilization, as
shown in the Figure 7.
Figure 3. Typical packaging costs in a unit load of
automotive oil.
Stretch Wrap
Pallet
Corrugated cases
HDPE 32 oz. bottles
$1.80
$8 - $9.00
$45.00
$324.00
Figure 5. Typical unit load packaging costs of product in
3 ½ gallon plastic pails.
Stretch Wrap
Pallet
3 ½ gallon pails
$1.80
$8 - 9.00
$210.00
MORE ON PAGE 22
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1, 2006
Packaging Design 2006
Clearwater Beach, Florida USA
www.packstrat.com
MARCH 20-22, 2006
EPS Expo 2006
Kansas City, Missouri USA
www.epspackaging.org/expo.html
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 2, 2006
WestPack
Anaheim, California USA
www.westpackshow.com
APRIL 18-21, 2006
DIMENSIONS.06
San Antonio, Texas USA
Proudly sponsored by ISTA and IoPP
www.dimensions-info.com
FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 1, 2006
Packaging Strategies 2006
Ponte Verde Beach, Florida USA
www.packstrat.com
MARCH 10-12, 2006
9th International Molded Fibre
Product Seminar
San Antonio, Texas USA
www.impepa.org
UPCOMING
industry events
APRIL 18-20, 2006
Packaging 2006
Beijing, China
www.packagingexpo.com.cn
MAY 16-18, 2006
Packaging Summit 2006
Rosemont, Illinois USA
Come see ISTA and our members at the
Packaging Services Expo!
www.pkgsummit.com
TRACK
PACKAGING
PERFORMANCE
ISTA MEMBERS:
If you have an upcoming industry
event to share with us, please contact
Chantel Grewal at ISTA Headquarters
517.333.3437 or cgrewal@ista.org
Both Shockwatch ShockLog and Shockwatch Micro ShockLog support
your efforts to observe and control the effect that impact, temperature
and humidity have on your products and their protective packaging.
Define the Environment
The ShockLog helps you assess shipping
and storage conditions. ShockLog mates
advanced tri-axial piezo electric technology
with state-of-the-art electronics and software to offer a sophisticated shock and
vibration-monitoring instrument.
• Three built-in accelerometers
• Built-in temperature sensor, inputs for external sensors
• Provides detailed, time-stamped record for up to 12 months
• Recording periods variable from 10 minutes to 24 hours
• WIN95/98/NT software analyzes data and generates summary reports
Manage Critical Shipments
Observe the life cycle of your shipments with Micro ShockLog.
Micro ShockLog is a cost efficient tri-axial shock and vibration monitor which can record temperature and impact
events over time frames as long as 12 months or more.
• Three built-in accelerometers with temperature monitor
• iButton® interface downloads information in field
without computer
• Non-volatile memory records 500 day history
• Recording periods variable from 10 minutes to 24 hours
• Analyze data in PC to generate reports, graphs
For more information and detailed specifications,
call Kraig Nunn, Product Manager.
1-800-527-9497 ext.108
Shockwatch is a trademark of Media Recovery, Inc. iButton is a trademark of Dallas Semiconductors, Inc.
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
www.shockwatch.com
kjn@shockwatch.com
Page | 21
Mechanical Interactions Between Pallets and Packaging
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16
Figure 6. Crimping or collapse in the walls of plastic
pails due to non-uniform compressive stresses across the
pallet deckboard.
Figure 7. Non-uniform stress distribution at the pallet
deck/pail interface can lead to unit load failure and
unsafe working conditions.
A better approach, and the
opportunity, is to focus on the design of
the entire shipping unit and manipulate
component costs to affect overall unit
load performance improvement and
cost reduction. In these examples
where compression strength is a design
criteria, a stiffer pallet deck (potentially a
more expensive pallet) would clearly
reduce product damage, but more
importantly, reduce the cost of the
corrugated container, plastic bottles, or
plastic pails. Intuitively, the best
opportunity for reducing the packaging
cost of the shipping unit will be in the
most expensive packaging component,
which in these examples are the plastic
pails and bottles. In the world of unit
load materials handling, stiffer pallet
decks are better, even for products
susceptible to vibrations, which occur
during transportation.
Clearly, this interaction between
pallet deck and packaging within unit
loads is very complex. The stress
distribution at the container/pallet
interface will also be a function of the
geometry and stiffness characteristics
of the container. Additional research is
planned to understand, and eventually,
model this interaction.
Current design procedures for many
packaging systems susceptible to
compression within unit loads during
Page | 22
handling and storage assume a uniform
distribution of stresses across the pallet
deck components. However, these
stresses are not uniform if pallet deck
members deform under load. While
associated stress concentrations will
lead to packaging failures and/or product
damage
using
current
design
procedures, opportunities exist to
reduce shipping unit packaging costs
using a "system" based design
approach. A methodology should be
developed to predict "effective" bearing
areas of the pallet/package interface as
a function of pallet deck stiffness and
the
geometry
and
stiffness
characteristics of the package being
placed on the deck. Such design tools
can lead to significant improvement in
unit load design and performance. Until
such methodologies are developed,
distribution testing can be performed to
assure the integrity of the components
of the unit load.
References
White, M.S. and P. Hamner. 2005. Pallets move
the world: A case for developing design
technologies for unit loads. Forest Products
Journal, Volume 55. Number 3.
2 Levone, U.I. 1975. The Effect of Warehouse
Mishandling and Stacking Patterns on the
Compression
Strength
of
Corrugated
Containers.
3 Fibre Box Handbook. 1999. Fibre Box
Association. Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008.
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
Members
Non-Members
Members
Non-Members
Procedure 1A
100
317
Procedure 3A
4
16
Procedure 1B
16
5
Procedure 3C
0
2
Procedure 1C
0
0
Procedure 3D
0
0
Procedure 1D
0
0
Procedure 3E
1
1
Procedure 1E
3
8
Procedure 3F
0
0
Procedure 1G
3
12
Procedure 3H
0
0
Procedure 1H
2
1
Guide 5B
0
0
TEST REPORTS
received & processed
153 Member Reports
405 Non-Member Reports
558 TOTAL
August 1, 2005
through
October 31, 2005
Procedure 2A
8
36
Procedure 2B
6
2
Project 7A
0
0
Procedure 2C
0
2
Procedure 7B
0
0
Test Report Forms
Procedure 2D
0
3
Procedure 7C
0
0
Procedure 2E
0
0
Procedure7D
0
0
LTL Item 180
10
n/a
ISTA Certified Laboratories can now easily
download test report forms as Word documents.
Go to...
http://www.ista.org/Testing/ReportForms.htm
ASTM D4169
0
n/a
www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 23
www.ista.org
MAKE IT ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES...
• Thermal Package Testing
• Convenient QUICK CLICKS to visit
popular destinations within our site
• Test Procedure Changes
• Testing FAQ’s
• Download current Test Report Forms
• Search for an ISTA Certified Laboratory
to fit your needs
Page | 24
4405
4407
www.package-testing.com
PST | 4th QUARTER | 2005
ISTA Emails: Are You
Receiving Them?
In this day and age the advancement
of cyberspace is moving faster and
faster! ISTA is moving right along with
it, making electronic correspondence
even more important than before.
If you are involved in Transport Packaging, join us
today and start realizing the benefits of
ISTA membership!
We Help Our Members Control Costs, Damage, and Environmental Resources
during the Distribution of Packaged-Products.
Because of so many problems with
SPAM and unsolicited emails, many
companies have installed security
blocks into their email systems, which
block unwanted emails but also puts
organizations like ISTA at risk for being
labeled "spammers". We're asking all
members to take a moment and check
with their IT departments to be sure that
all emails with the @ista.org extension
are being accepted.
1. We don't have a valid or current
email address for you - contact us today
so we can update our records!
2. Our email is being labeled SPAM by
your email system - have your IT
department add us to the "whitelist"!
In February of 2006 we will be
alerting all members of the upcoming
Board of Directors election. This coming
year, instead of the typical printed and
mailed ballot, we will be conducting our
balloting by means of an online survey.
It's a simple and convenient way to
collect votes without having to go
through the expense and delay of a
mailing, and the information is easily
converted into data for use by our
Nominations Committee.
Don't be left out of the loop - check
your Inbox to be sure you're getting
emails from ISTA!
2004
AWARD
A M E R I ST A R
WINNER
Proven Science
Two ounces of our Phase 5 will absorb or
release the same amount of energy as one
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time consuming and costly process of validating
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your shipping package. Engineered in our ISTA
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certified lab, the Shipper System conforms to
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the most demanding shipping environments.
-5
Temperature (celsius)
ISTA sends out several emails each
month, including our electronic
newsletter (iNews), updates to
members on procedures, important
membership issues and notices about
Dimensions. If you haven't received an
email from ISTA within the last 30 days
it could mean one of two things:
-10
-15
Flexible Design
Time (hours)
The TCP Phase 5 Panels can be easily interconnected to provide a small, lightweight footprint. These innovative panels won both
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www.ista.org | 517.333.3437
Page | 25
International Safe Transit Association
1400 Abbott Road, Suite 160
East Lansing, MI 48823-1900 USA
Prsrt Std
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lansing, MI
PERMIT #979