Tag: Cargo securement

Woven Vs. Composite Strap

Posted on by teamA-GG

Two of the most popular types of strap used in the cargo securement industry are polywoven and composite. Both are great products to use when securing your cargo, but there are differences between the two that make each one more suitable for certain load applications.

Polywoven strap is made up of polyester fibers that are woven together. Its strength comes from the way the fibers are woven in a multi-directional pattern, weaving both horizontally and vertically. The composition of polywoven strap allows it to have flexibility while providing good tension on rigid loads. The woven material provides slight elongation of the strap, helping it absorb some of the shock and impact during transit while still maintaining its position.

Composite strap is made up of strands of polyester fibers, all traveling vertically and coated together by clear polypropylene. The polypropylene coating increases its resistance to abrasion, yet still allows for slight elongation during transit. Due to its polypropylene coating, composite strap is much stiffer than polywoven strap. The stiffness of composite strap makes it easy to feed underneath pallets.

Both woven and composite strap have different wire buckles that are intended to be used with each type of strap. The difference is the finish on the buckles. For woven strap, you should use phosphate coated wire buckles. The phosphate coating on the buckle allows for more friction against the woven material. If composite strap were used with the phosphate coated wire buckles, the strap would become worn from the friction between the buckle and strap. Instead, for composite strap you should use galvanized wire buckles. The smooth finish of the galvanized buckle allows the composite strap to thread effortlessly on the buckle and stays in place because of the stiffness of the strap. If woven strap were used with the galvanized buckles, the strap could slip off the buckle as there would be no friction between the buckle and strap to hold the strap in place.

In order to get the maximum effectiveness from your cargo securement products, it is important the correct products are used together. To find out more about the products you should be using in your load plan contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

Dunnage Bag Performance Levels

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Are you using the proper dunnage bags in your load plan? When using dunnage bags to secure your product during transit, certain dunnage bags should be used depending on your load plan, the product being shipped, how the product is being shipped, and the weight of shipment. There are six types of dunnage bags; Over-the-Road (OTR) bags and bags leveled 1 through 5. All dunnage bags come in a variety of sizes to fit your load plan. Over-the-road dunnage bags are intended for use in truckload shipments only. Whereas, Level 1 dunnage bags to Level 5 bags are intended for rail and intermodal shipments. The performance level of each bag can be seen in the chart below from the AAR’s publication Closed Car Loading Guide – Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars:

The chart shown above should be used by loaders as a reference for the minimum requirements each type of dunnage bag meets. In some cases, higher precautions should be taken, exceeding the minimum requirements. For example, Complete Packaging Systems suggests using Level 5 bags in horizontal applications with cylindrical voids, instead of Level 4 bags, regardless of the shipment weight. Complete Packaging Systems suggests using Level 5 bags in cylindrical voids with horizontal applications because the bags will have pockets they can expand into. The higher pressure building in these pockets can cause the Level 4 bag to decrease in strength by 50%, compared to when positioned in flat wall voids. The contour of the bags that causes these pressure pockets can be seen in the diagram below. In addition to the minimum guidelines in the chart above, each dunnage bag has different PSI requirements and the user should follow the manufacture guidelines printed on the dunnage bags. In section 6.7.18 of their publication Closed Car Loading Guide – Minimum Loading Standards for Freight in General Purpose Boxcars, the AAR also recommends leaving the railcar open after loading the shipment and checking the dunnage bag PSI after 30 minutes for leakage. Finally, the size of the dunnage bag you are using should cover at least two thirds of the adjacent product around the bag. In conclusion, there are many factors that can affect which bag is the right fit for your load plan, so let us help; to find out more about the use of dunnage bags in cargo securement and how they should be applied in your load plan, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800. 

 

 

New Valve Technology

Posted on by teamA-GG

Here at Complete Packaging Systems we strive to provide innovative products to our customers. That’s why we are pleased to announce the launch of a new valve technology for our lightweight Over-the-road and Level 1 dunnage bags called the Striker Valve. The Striker Valve and its corresponding inflators make the inflation of dunnage bags easier for the user. This new inflation technology simply clips over the striker valve from any angle with little pressure applied, no aligning or struggling required. Once the inflator is attached to the valve, it can be easily rotated around the valve, so you can achieve the perfect angle needed for inflation without having to worry that the inflator will come loose from the valve or that the bag will twist. The Striker Valve inflator also has a low-profile head that fits into tight spaces. Once you are ready to remove the inflator from the valve, it is as simple as pinching the inflator head. The Striker Valve inflation tools are also available in a variety of styles. Whether you want a manual inflator or a digital inflation system for an accurate PSI reading, both styles are available. Both the inflator options are similar to the inflators we currently carry, so they will be comfortable/familiar in your hand when you make the switch. Like our current inflators they allow for fast inflation, filling at a speed of 235 liters/minute with the striker inflator and 500 liters/minute with the digital inflator. To make the inflation process even more comfortable and easy for you, we are offering a range of hose lengths that can be used with the Striker Valve. The hoses connecting the handle of the inflator to the inflator head are available in lengths of 4”, 15” and 10 feet so you can have the perfect distance and reach that you require for your load plan. Deflation of the Striker Valve bags is just as easy as inflation. The Striker Valve has a deflation cap attached. Simply clip the deflation cap over the valve and the dunnage bag will start to deflate. For more information about the Striker Valve dunnage bags and their inflation technology, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

 

2018 AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Conference

Posted on by teamA-GG

Earlier this month, Complete Packaging Systems had the pleasure of attending the 126th AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. This year’s conference presentations reminded us just how much the industry has advanced over the past few years. Each year the industry seems to flourish in technology developments and safety enhancements. With safety being our main concern, Complete Packaging Systems is eager to attend this conference every year.

This year’s conference covered topics ranging from North American Trade and its impact on railroads to autonomous trucking. Throughout the entire industry, technology changes are being made to make the industry safer and more automated. Autonomous trucking, Positive Train Control, rail trip optimizers, smart sensors, delivery drones and more are all being researched to discover a more efficient way to deliver products safely within a supply chain. Even the testing for rail cars and securement products has advanced. Simulators used to test securement products and modes of transportation have become life-like and can pick up on the smallest vibration or shock that could affect the cargo within.

Furthermore, the AAR has published numerous General Information Series over the past year, helping to continuously improve freight standards and guidelines for shipments passing through rail. Along with the new GISs, new securement products have been developed and tested to ensure product arrives safely to its destination; ranging from products designed to hold down barrels during transit to products that prevent cars and automotive from shifting during transit.

A lot of developments and changes were discussed at the AAR Conference regarding what we can look forward to in the next generation in the industry, filled with technology advancements and automation. Participating in the annual AAR Damage Prevention & Freight Claim conference keeps us up-to-date with the newest industry regulations and developments. For more information about the conference, contact us toll free at 866-858-8800.

 

Edited by: Stephanie Irvine

U.S. Protective Packaging Market to Reach $6.8 Billion in 2018

Posted on by teamA-GG

Protective packaging, including cargo securement for safety and damage prevention, is highly valuable and necessary for organizations transporting goods via rail, truck, or boat.

A recent market research study of the U.S. protective packaging market by Freedonia forecasts that the U.S. demand for protective packaging will reach $6.8 billion by 2018.

This increase is based on the continuing recovery of the manufacturing sector after the recession, as well as an increased prevalence of Internet shopping.

Dunnage bags, in particular, are expected to see moderate growth as the industry improves.

What Does This Mean for You?

Certain industries in particular will experience greater demand, which will result in the need to ship more product. It may also mean an increase in the amount of rail, truck, and boat traffic as the economy continues to improve.

This is great for business and cause for optimism in the manufacturing and shipping industries! However, as traffic increases, more product is shipped, and deadlines draw near, we must ensure that safety is at the forefront.

When loads are properly secured, product will arrive undamaged and personnel will be able to do their jobs safely.

Work with your cargo securement supplier – like us – to ensure that they’re informed of any increased volumes of production. That way, your supplier will be sure to manage stock accordingly so you will always have the products you need, when you need them.

>> Complete Packaging Systems provides cost-effective, high quality cargo securement products to Canadian and U.S. organizations, such as pulp and paper companies. Contact us to order products.

We also offer professional load planning services. Talk to a securement specialist now!

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