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User Safe Cargo Securement Products

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At Complete Packaging Systems, we take safety very seriously. The shipping industry can be dangerous if products are not secured properly. Not only can shipping your product be dangerous, the act of securing your cargo before the journey can be dangerous as well. At Complete Packaging Systems, we try to offer our customers new, innovative products that are safer for the user during application compared to traditional methods of cargo securement. Below lists some of the products we offer as safe cargo securement options.

TexSteel Synthetic Cord Strap

The use of steel strap to secure cargo has been around for a long time. Although steel strap is an effective method of tying down cargo, it can be dangerous for the user. The cut ends of the steel can become sharp and cut the user when applying or removing the straps. Complete Packaging Systems offers our customers a safer method of tying down cargo. We offer a synthetic cord strap which users will not accidently cut themselves on. When using our TexSteel cord strap, you will not have to worry about sharp steel edges potentially leading to workplace injuries.

LoadSecure™ Friction Mats

Another product offered by Complete Packaging Systems that can prevent workplace injuries is LoadSecure™ friction mats. Our friction mats are an effective method of replacing wood blocking & bracing. When companies switch to using LoadSecure™ friction mats, their employees will no longer have to spend time bent over nailing into wooden blocks/braces potentially leading to back injuries, not to mention the potential for injuries when working with nails & nail guns alone. When using LoadSecure™ friction mats, employees can simply roll out the mats to prevent sliding of cargo during transit.

CYCLONE Hanger Bags

Complete Packaging Systems created the CYCLONE Hanger Bag to provide a safe method of installing tall dunnage bags between stacks. Instead of having to get on a ladder or climb to the top of a load and drop the dunnage bag down, the CYCLONE Hanger Bag allows the user to use a pole to hang the bag between loads from ground level. From here, the bag will stay in place by itself and the user can simply fill the bag with ease. The Hanger Bag eliminates the risk of workplace falls and injuries by allowing the user to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground while installing the bags.

Dunnage Bag Deflation Caps

Another safety benefit all our CYCLONE dunnage bags have is a deflation cap that is attached to the valve of our bags. Simply twist the deflation cap over the valve of the bag and the air will release from the bag. Loaders no longer need to cut or puncture a highly pressurized bag which can cause an explosion like event, leaving the loader vulnerable to unpredictable hazards. The deflation cap on our bags is a quick and easy way to safely release the air in dunnage bags before removing and deposing of them.

Customer safety is very important to us. Therefore, Complete Packaging Systems has worked hard to offer our customers a variety of new methods and products to secure cargo that can also help decrease the potential of workplace injuries. Be sure to check in with us as we continue to create safer and more innovative products for the cargo securement industry.

For more information about the products above, visit our website or call us toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

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Metals Industry – LoadSecure™ 8260

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Complete Packaging Systems supplies LoadSecure™ 6910 rubber friction mats as an effective, safe and cost- efficient replacement to traditional wood blocking and bracing, which are manufactured with a maximum working C.O.F. (Coefficient of Friction) rating of 1.2g. This C.O.F. value exceeds the required securement Performance Criteria rating of 0.8 g during forward deceleration events and 0.5 g when providing securement for cargo shifting to the sides and rear directions of the trailer or container, this per U.S. FMCSA 49 CFR and Canada National Safety Code 10 Regulations.

However, did you know that Complete Packaging Systems offers another grade of LoadSecure™ friction mat well suited for the Metals Industry? LS – 8260 provides all the benefits of our standard LoadSecure™ mat, but is a superior alternative based on ASTM dynamic test results for Tensile, Tear, Elongation and Density properties. Having  greater density (lbs./cu.³) equates to greater strength and durability necessary to withstand the load bearing forces typically realized when shipping finished products in the form of, but not limited to: Billets, Ingots, Pigs, Logs, Coil, Plate and Wire.

Given product being shipped in the metals industry can be extremely heavy, it is typically shipped on skids instead of pallets. Skids are often built with only 2-3 runners and have no bottom crossing boards. Meaning, the weight of the product on top of the skid is displaced across a much smaller load bearing footprint. The above conditions result in greater shear type forces and dynamic demand being applied to the mat.

Other industries typically ship their product on pallets. Pallet design often incorporates as many as 5 boards that travel perpendicular to the runners. The weight from the product on top of the pallet is distributed across these 5 boards and therefore less weight onto the load bearing surface area. LS – 8260  provides measurably more durability at load bearing points underneath skids and is best suited for the heaviest of cargo securement requirements.

LoadSecure™ 8260 friction mat incorporates the same high-vis printing as our standard LoadSecure™ friction mat, to identify the C.O.F. rating of 1.2 g. This assures North American friction mat compliance with all Roadside Enforcement agencies. Product is available in pre-cut sheets, rolls, perforated rolls and in thickness ranging from 2mm – 6mm.

Given this grade of mat is typically used in the metals industry, LoadSecure™ 8260 is also very effective for other applications requiring securement of extremely heavy Cargo or for shippers who want to be able to reuse their friction mats.

For more information or to speak about your Cargo Securement application, please contact us at 866-858-8800!

 

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Paper Vs. Polypropylene Dunnage Bags

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In this blog we will discuss the benefits of choosing polypropylene dunnage bags over paper dunnage bags when used in cargo securement. Complete Packaging Systems recommends our CYCLONE polypropylene dunnage bags over paper dunnage bags because of the cost, space, recyclability, valve technology and durability benefits of polypropylene bags when compared to paper dunnage bags.

Cost and Space Savings

Polypropylene dunnage bags are typically cheaper and take up less space than paper bags. Just one pallet of polypropylene bags is equal to approximately 2-3 pallets of paper bags. Having more bags per skid will take up less of the valuable space on your warehouse floor. More polypropylene bags per pallet also means the freight costs per bag will be lower than when shipping paper dunnage bags because you won’t need as many pallet spots in a carrier truck for polypropylene bags as you would for the same amount of paper dunnage bags.

Recycling Polypropylene bags Vs Recycling Paper Bags

Polypropylene bags are easier to recycle than paper dunnage bags. When recycling paper bags, the plastic bladder inside the bag needs to be removed and recycled using a plastic recycling method, while the outer layer of the bags will need to be recycled using a paper recycling method. When recycling polypropylene bags, the inner bladder and outer woven layer of the bag can be recycled in the same way.

Inflation and Valve technology comparison

Paper bags tend to have old style valve technology that can lead to slow fill times and air leaks. There is also typically no deflation mechanism built into the valves on paper bags. CYCLONE polypropylene dunnage bags contain the latest valve technology with a spring-loaded valve to ensure the valve closes tightly and no air leaks out of the bags. The valve on CYCLONE bags also contains a deflation cap, providing a safe and easy method of deflating the dunnage bags at their destination.

Overall Durability

The outer kraft layer of paper bags is more fragile than polypropylene dunnage bags, making them more prone to rips and tears. Polypropylene bags contain a durable outer layer consisting of woven polypropylene material that is less susceptible to any rips and nicks that the bag may be exposed to during transit. Polypropylene dunnage bags are also great for use in loads that may be exposed to water, whereas the outer layer of the paper bags would not hold up well in damp conditions (ex. humid conditions in ocean containers).

Overall, polypropylene dunnage bags are a superior choice to paper dunnage bags as they are more cost-effective, more space-efficient, contain advanced valve technology and are more durable to the environment around them. For more information about our CYCLONE dunnage bags, speak with one of our knowledgeable technical sales and service representatives today by calling toll free at 866-858-8800.

 

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System Strength of Synthetic Cord Strap

Posted on by teamA-GG

When trying to determine the proper strength of synthetic cord strap needed in your load plan there are two types of measurements commonly referred to – Break Strength and System Strength – but what do these mean? Below are descriptions of each of these terms and why they are just some of the important terms to know when trying to decide which type of synthetic cord strap you need to secure your cargo.

Break Strength (also referred to as Tensile Strength):  The Break Strength of synthetic cord strap is the amount of force (commonly measured in pounds or dekanewtons) that a piece of strap can withstand before breaking and/or splitting. The Break Strength of strap is used to determine the strength of the synthetic cord strap alone, without the addition of a buckle (i.e. Joint Efficiency).

Joint Efficiency: Joint Efficiency is a percentage of the strap strength with the incorporation of a wire buckle or ladder buckle. The Joint Efficiency is critical when trying to calculate the System Strength.

System Strength: System Strength is the force (commonly measured in pounds or dekanewtons) required to break a unit of strap. This consists of one loop of strap and one buckle used to connect the ends of the strap, forming a “belt loop”. The System Strength can be found by multiplying two times the Break Strength of the strap by the Joint Efficiency of the buckle (Ex. System Strength = (Break Strength x 2) x Joint Efficiency).

Below is a diagram of the different types of measurements being tested.

When trying to obtain the proper System Strength of your strap, it is important that the same strap and compliant buckle combo are being used that was originally tested to achieve the AAR approval. Using an unapproved strap and buckle combination can lead to a different System Strength and cause your load to be non-compliant. The approved strap and their corresponding buckle can be found on the AAR’s website in Table 19.2 of the AAR’s Open Top Loading Rules. The list of AAR approved strap for doorway protection can be found in the AAR’s publication “Nonmetallic Strap Substitution for Steel Strap as Doorway Protection in Boxcars”.

Please note, not all the factors that need to be considered when choosing a strap for your load plan were mentioned in this blog. Understanding Break Strength, Joint Efficiency and System Strength will provide you with a good start on your search for your cargo strap. For more information about the strength of synthetic cord strapping and the corresponding buckles, speak to one of our knowledgeable technical sales and services representatives by calling us toll free at 866-858-8800.

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PSI Levels for Dunnage Bags

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Dunnage bags are a versatile and easy way to fill voids in load plans, but there are user recommendations for dunnage bags the operator should follow. In this blog, we will describe the importance of filling your dunnage bags to the recommended PSI level in order to use the dunnage bag safely and obtain the optimal performance of the bag. This blog will also explain the consequences of not following the PSI level recommendations and provide some easy tips to help you get the proper PSI level when filling your dunnage bags.

What is the PSI Level of dunnage bags and where can it be found?

The dunnage bag PSI level is the measurement of air pressure within the bag measured in Pounds per Square Inch. When you fill the dunnage bag with air, the air pressure will build inside the dunnage bag, reading as the PSI. In Europe, they use the pressure measurement of kPa (kilopascals) to measure the pressure within dunnage bags. One kilopascal is equal to 0.145038 PSI. Each type of dunnage bag will have a different recommended PSI or “fill” level. The recommended PSI level should be printed on the bag itself. On our CYCLONE dunnage bags, the PSI level is printed on the front of each bag in a text box filled with user recommendations. To the right is an image depicting the user recommendations on our CYCLONE dunnage bags with the recommendations outlined in red for reference.

Consequences of not following the dunnage bag recommendations:

Filling your dunnage bag to the recommended PSI level allows for the optimal function of the bag during transit. Under filling a dunnage bag can lead to unwanted product movement as the bag will not tightly fill up the void, leaving room/spaces for your product to move into during transit. If you overfill a dunnage bag this can cause the bag to pop and/or split especially if there is a large amount of pressure applied to the bag. If the bag pops during transit then the void the bag was filling will open, allowing room for your product to move and possibly become damaged during transit. If a dunnage bag pops while an operator is handling the bag, this can cause harm to the operator. Although dunnage bags are easy to use, everything has a breaking point when used incorrectly. Following the guidelines for filling dunnage bags will lead to the best outcome of the dunnage during transit.

Tips for obtaining the proper PSI level in dunnage bags:

  • The dunnage bag should be filled using an approved inflator for your dunnage bag and the bag’s specific valve design.
  • Your dunnage bags should be cared for and stored according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Use a digital or manual air gauge to check the PSI fill to ensure you have reached the optimal PSI reading.
  • The AAR recommends rechecking the air pressure in all dunnage bags 30 minutes after the initial inflation.
  • Use clean and dry air to fill the dunnage bags.

 

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Creating a Great Load Plan

Posted on by teamA-GG

A perfect way to generate a safe load plan when preparing to ship your product in a closed car is by referencing the AAR (Association of American Railroads) Loading Guides for your commodity combined with the use of load plan software. The AAR publications ensure you are following industry regulations while load planning software allows you to review the plan from multiple angles. The AAR has a general rule guide for shipping products in closed railcars called Circular 42-N. Circular 42-N covers topics from Inspection and Selection of Cars to the Center of Gravity Special Equipment. The AAR also has individual closed car loading guides for a variety of different commodities. The individual load guides outline specific regulations and load patterns created just for the product you are shipping. If any additions or adjustments are made to the AAR loading guides, the AAR will issue a General Information Series (GIS) regarding the update, allowing industry regulations and safety guidelines to continuously improve and be accessible. These AAR publications will provide the information you need to ship your product safely in a closed railcar and indicate what cargo securement products are required for your load plan.

With the AAR publications providing you all the regulatory body information you need; load planning software can help you put those rules and regulations into a 3D view. New load plan software has been developed making it easier for many users to navigate and design load plans. Developing a 3D drawing of the load plan can help the loader fully understand the load plan, determine what cargo securement products may be required and ensure that nothing has been missed or overlooked. Load planning software includes, but isn’t limited to Google SketchUp Pro, Load Xpert, LoadPlanner, and Cargo-Planner.

If you would like to confirm your load plan is up to industry standards and believe generating a 3D drawing of your load plan would be beneficial for you and your team, get in touch with one of our knowledgeable technical sales and service representatives by calling toll-free at 866-858-8800.

What Are Contour Buffer Pads?

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When shipping roll paper, it can be difficult to find a product that fills voids between paper rolls due to the curved, rounded shape of the rolls. Contour buffer pads are designed to help stabilize dunnage bags and other cargo securement products used to fill voids within roll paper shipments. Contour buffer pads contain one side that lines the shape of the roll paper while the side adjacent to the roll is a flat surface for dunnage bags or void filler to easily be applied to. The flat surface of the contour buffer pad helps prevent the dunnage bag or honeycomb being used to fill the void from curving to one side and shifting around the roll. The diagrams from the AAR’s Closed Car Loading Guide – Loading Roll Paper in Rail Cars below show how the contour buffer pads create a flat surface for the void fillers or dunnage bags to rest on.

 

Contour buffer pads allow you to get more surface area contact between the paper rolls and the void fillers/dunnage bags you are using. However, contour buffer pads are not considered as void fillers in a load plan. This means that any contour buffer pads used will not be counted towards the maximum number of void fillers and dunnage bags you can use within a load space. Although contour buffer pads can increase the effectiveness of dunnage bags, the loader is still required to find the center line of the two rolls they are trying to secure and ensure that the bags and contour pads are properly positioned. Failure to do so can still result in the bag being jettisoned out of the void post-impact. For more information about contour buffer pads and how they can be used in your load plan, contact us toll free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Images above from AAR’s Closed Car Loading Guide – Loading Roll Paper in Rail Cars

Get Creative with Recycling: CYCLONE Dunnage Bags

Posted on by teamA-GG

Are you receiving a shipment with cargo secured by CYCLONE dunnage bags? If you are currently throwing away dunnage bags after receiving a shipment and are looking for a method of disposing of them that is a little more eco-friendly, try recycling our bags! Our CYCLONE dunnage bags are made up of recyclable materials. Just contact your local recycling facility to set up a recycling program with them and help shrink your company’s eco-footprint.

Can’t recycle the bags? Try reusing them at home! Simply cut one end of the bags and slide them over the things you want to cover, like patio furniture or your BBQ to keep them from getting damaged by the harsh outdoor weather. There are many ways you can replace regular tarps with used dunnage bags. In some cases, a used dunnage bag may even be more effective than a tarp because of their sewn sides, ensuring the item underneath is covered completely with no openings along the sides. If you have a camping trip coming up, use an old dunnage bag for storage or as a cover to keep your equipment and/or firewood dry. Don’t let the durability of our CYCLONE dunnage bags go to waste, find ways to reuse our dunnage bags for other applications.

Before using old dunnage bags at home, ensure you have received permission from your manager to take the bags home for personal use. Your company may already have a recycling or reuse program in place.

For more information about our CYCLONE dunnage bags and the sizes we offer, contact our knowledgeable sales team toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

Damage Prevention before Loading Roll Paper

Posted on by teamA-GG

Our cargo securement products help prevent damage to the goods in your load during transit, but did you know there are steps that should be taken even before you start loading a railcar? Upon receiving a railcar, many people simply open the door, sweep out any debris, and start loading in their product. However, upon receiving a railcar, a thorough examination of the exterior and interior of the car should be completed. After ensuring the car doors are in working condition, the railcar should be inspected for water leaks, holes, large protrusions, bowing sidewalls, or excessive rust indicating a leak. If there are rough surfaces, or small protrusions in the railcar, they can be covered with something such as fiberboard, as suggested in section two of the AAR’s publication Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper, to ensure they won’t cause damage to your product. If a sidewall is slightly bowed, fill the bowed area with the proper cargo securement equipment described in section two of the AAR’s publication Best Practices for Loading Roll Paper, so it’s flush again before loading your product. If you need to use any wall anchors in the railcar, make sure they are fully intact before loading product. By taking the time to do an inspection of the railcar before loading, you can prevent your product from being damaged by water leaks or ripped by sharp objects in the railcar. It is the shipper’s responsibility to reject the railcar and inform the railcar provider of any damage in the railcar. Once the damage is brought to the railcar company’s attention, they can determine if the car needs repairs or needs to be replaced.  Reporting damaged railcars will help remove them from the tracks until they are restored, preventing further product damage. Implementing a railcar inspection procedure and using cargo securement products when shipping via rail can help ensure your products get delivered safely to their destination.

For more information about what should be included in your railcar inspection procedure or load consultation services, contact our knowledgeable sales team toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

C.O.F. Rating on Rubber Friction Mats

Posted on by teamA-GG

Have you ever wondered why rubber friction mats are printed with yellow numbers and writing? In this blog, we will be covering the C.O.F. value, why it’s important, and a rough idea on how it’s calculated.

The C.O.F. value (the number printed in yellow) stands for coefficient of friction, measured in G force. It’s calculated in an independent laboratory by testing the amount of force needed to move an object across a surface, while taking into account the friction between the object and the surface it is on. In order to measure the C.O.F. rating of rubber friction mats, a weight of 100 grams is placed on a tilt board lined with a friction mat. The tilt board is raised slowly, and the maximum angle is measured at the exact moment the weight begins to slide down the tilt board. The larger the angle, the more effective that particular friction mat is, which means it would be awarded a larger C.O.F. value.

Friction mats are meant to replace wood and block bracing, so the minimum industry standards have been measured to the following for rubber friction mats:

  • 0.5 G in the rearward direction towards the doorway
  • 0.5 G for side to side movement toward the walls of the trailer or container
  • 0.8 G toward the nose of the trailer or container

At Complete Packaging Systems, we believe that a minimum standard is never enough. That is why we have far exceeded industry standards, by a factor of at least 33%, to ensure our customers are confident when using our LoadSecure™ rubber friction mats.

Furthermore, the rubber friction mats must be clearly printed with a numeric C.O.F. rating and the manufacturer’s brand name, as this is what roadside inspectors use to verify the mats meet industry standards. Another feature of our mats is the printing repetition of the C.O.F. value is every 3 inches down the entire mat and placed only 5 inches from the edge. This becomes important, as inspectors must be able to easily see the rating. If you are following proper loading procedures, and leaving at least 6 inches of exposed friction mat towards any and all voids in the trailer or container, you can be certain that our printing will show the C.O.F. value.

Using our LoadSecure™ friction mats will not only save you time and money, it will create a safe, secure, and approved load every time. For more information on our LoadSecure™ friction mats, contact our load consultation services toll-free at 1-866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine