Western Pallet Magazine March 2023 | Page 19

MARCH 2023

ASTM D1185 to verify the load capacity of the pallet and ISTA 3E to ensure that the fully built unit load is safe to transport through the supply chain. Virginia Tech’s  Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design is very experienced in conduction such tests. These tests should be followed by field trials to verify design performance.

Summary

These examples demonstrate a fundamental principle that within most unit loads, stiffer pallets are better. In addition to reducing compression stresses on packaging, such pallets, better stabilize unit loads in transit. They better protect the product from damage due to impacts or shocks during handling. Stiffer pallets are typically more expensive, but this cost can be more than offset by the associated reduction in packaging cost. Stiffer pallets result in more sustainable unit load designs. Unit loads with stiffer pallets are safer to use.

Referenced Literature

Quesenberry C., L Horvath, J Bouldin, M.S. White. The effect of pallet top deck stiffness on the compression strength of asymmetrically supported corrugated boxes. Packaging Technology and Science. 2020; 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2533

Valverde M. P. A., L Horvath. Effect of wooden pallets characteristics on the compression strength of palletized plastic pails. Packaging Technology and Science. 2022; 35(10):719-727. Doi:10.1002/pts2672

Kim, S. Investigation of the environmental effect of unit load design optimization using physical interaction between pallets and corrugated boxes. [Master Thesis], Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.