Dimensions 2007 - Trip Notes
Karen Greene
If you believe package engineering is not a science, a technology or a multi-billion dollar global business force, then you need to attend Dimensions.08. Dimensions is a broad scope packaging forum covering all aspects of the technology and management of transport packaging.
Dimensions.07 covered issues of packaging sustainability as presented by Sams Club, IBM Corporation, Rochester Institute of Technology, Herman Miller and Lansmont Corporation. These companies are setting the new standards for the total packaging lifecycle and challenged packaging professionals with their original research, corporate metrics programs and their forecasts for continuous improvement on preserving and conserving our world’s resources towards the development of packaging materials and systems.
Dimensions.07 attendees were educated on the design and development of shipping pallets, cushion curves for protective packaging foam, a case study on cushioning foam failure and pallet stacking assessment for optimization of beverage cans.
ISTA, International Safe Transit Association, provided an update on Project 4AB, a web-based test plan generator for enhanced simulation of shipping distribution. This test plan generator produces customized simulations for your specific product and shipping and distribution methods.
Attendees heard presentations on managing and motivating a package engineering team, original research on vibrational frequencies within the shipping and distribution environment, developing a random vibration profile standard and development of ISTA cold chain environmental standards from Amgen. Also presented were issues concerning distribution testing and sterile medical devices. We heard how a tool manufacturer benefited from the implementation of a packaging lab within the manufacturing floor. For the International in ISTA, we heard from the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards on their implementation of a packaging test lab in this East African region.
A presentation by Mr. Dennis E. Young, Rochester Institute of Technology, challenged our thinking on the utilization of pre-existing random vibration profiles found in ASTM 4169 and ISTA 2C. He highlights recent data on real vehicle vibration levels incorporated into ISTA 3A and 3H and selecting an optimal match for your distribution method. Alternatively, execute a focused simulation, whereby a company measures their distribution method and environment. He also evaluates the test time element, real time or compressed time. Time compression provides convenience and is based on aerospace theories that suggest a formula to increase test intensity to accelerate real time. Lastly, he challenges the notion that the vibration or shaker machine controller faithfully reproduces the random vibration spectrum that has been programmed. He suggests a closed loop control, whereby vibrational feedback is measured on the table and fed back to the controller.
Dimensions.07 also provided time for fun and recreation with a World Class Disney Lion King show, a golf tournament and volleyball tournament.
Dimensions.07 hosted an exhibitors reception, in which DDL participated. This was an excellent forum for leading edge distribution packaging information, networking and the fostering of an innovation mindset.
