Technical Guides & Engineering Reference
Detailed technical information, engineering calculations, and specifications for industrial packaging materials.
Engineering Guides
Load Capacity Calculations
Engineering formulas for determining safe load limits
Pallet Load Calculations
- •Static Load = Material strength × Safety factor × Environmental conditions
- •Dynamic Load = Static Load × 0.6 (typically)
- •Racking Load = Static Load × 0.4-0.5 (depending on support)
- •Consider wood species, moisture content, and fastener type
Container Volume Calculations
- •Internal Volume = Length × Width × Height
- •Usable Volume = Internal Volume × 0.85 (packing efficiency)
- •Weight Capacity = Volume × Material density
- •Always verify with manufacturer specifications
Material Specifications
Detailed material properties and selection criteria
Wood Properties
- •Southern Yellow Pine: 550-700 kg/m³ density, excellent strength
- •Oak: 600-900 kg/m³ density, premium hardwood
- •Moisture Content: <19% for KD, affects weight and stability
- •Grain orientation affects strength - load parallel to grain
Plastic Properties
- •HDPE: 0.94-0.97 g/cm³ density, excellent chemical resistance
- •Polypropylene: 0.90-0.91 g/cm³ density, good strength-to-weight
- •Temperature range affects load capacity significantly
- •UV stabilization required for outdoor applications
Testing Procedures
Standard test methods and acceptance criteria
Pallet Testing (ASTM D1185)
- •Edge Crush Test: Apply force to pallet edge until failure
- •Stacking Test: Load pallet to 4x working load for 24 hours
- •Impact Test: Drop test from specified height
- •Environmental Test: Moisture and temperature cycling
Container Testing
- •Compression Test: Stack boxes to failure point
- •Drop Test: Multiple orientation drops from standard height
- •Vibration Test: Simulate transportation conditions
- •Environmental Test: Temperature and humidity cycling
Engineering Calculators
Use these calculators for quick engineering estimates and cost analysis.
Truckload Calculator
Calculate optimal loading for transportation
Inputs:
- • Container dimensions
- • Weight per container
- • Truck capacity
Outputs:
- • Units per truck
- • Weight utilization
- • Cube utilization
Cost Per Use Calculator
Total cost of ownership analysis
Inputs:
- • Purchase price
- • Expected uses
- • Disposal value
Outputs:
- • Cost per use
- • Break-even point
- • ROI analysis
Load Rating Calculator
Determine safe working loads
Inputs:
- • Material properties
- • Dimensions
- • Support conditions
Outputs:
- • Static load
- • Dynamic load
- • Racking load
Reference Tables
Wood Species Properties
| Species | Density (kg/m³) | Compressive Strength | Moisture Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Yellow Pine | 550-700 | High | 12-19% |
| Oak | 600-900 | Very High | 8-15% |
| Douglas Fir | 480-560 | High | 10-18% |
Standard Load Factors
| Load Type | Factor | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Static Load | 1.0 | Stationary, evenly distributed |
| Dynamic Load | 0.6 | Moving with forklift |
| Racking Load | 0.4-0.5 | Supported only at edges |