All Member Forum

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Hi All , 

I wanted to know for capital equipments that typically get shipped in crates , do we need to perform ASTM D4169 on the whole crate system or would testing individual accessories  and components in their corrugated boxes suffice ? 

Thanks! 

-------------------------------------------

It is recommended that you test the shipping unit. If you ship packaged accessories inside a crate, test the crate with all contents as prepared for shipping. If you ever ship boxed accessories, not inside a crate, you should test the boxed accessories as packaged for shipping.

Regards,
Robert Meisner

According to the standard, paragraph 5.1: "Test specimens consist of representative samples of complete shipping units, including actual contents. Products
with blemishes or minor defects may be used if the defective component is not to be studied by the test and if the defect is documented in the report. Dummy test loads are acceptable if testing the actual product might be hazardous."

------------------------------
Jean-Francois Guillerez CPP, Fellow
Professor, Packaging
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Cambridge ON
Canada
------------------------------

When deciding what configuration to test, it's important to select the option that best represents the actual shipping environment. If the product is typically shipped as a fully crated system, testing the assembled crate could be most representative. In some cases, however, individual components or accessory boxes are also shipped separately, in which case testing those configurations might also be appropriate.

In general, testing the individual packages is often considered a more conservative, or "worst-case," approach since they experience the full distribution stresses directly. Some teams choose to focus on that configuration when both crated and individual shipments occur, while others evaluate both for a more complete assessment.

We regularly support similar distribution studies and can help explore which approach may best align with your shipping practices and regulatory objectives. Feel free to reach out.

Best,

Chris

Chris.Alfred@WESTPAK.com

------------------------------
Chris Alfred
Account Executive
Westpak
San Diego CA
19703313417
------------------------------