NWPCA Releases PDS v6.5

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Recessed decks on overlap base block pallets

Here’s what’s new

Recessed decks on overlap base block pallets have been a popular design feature in PDS. This ability has been matched and expanded for stringer pallets in PDS 6.5.

Flush deck pallets can be designed using either notched stringers or filler boards placed between deckboards. A flush top deck is often used to provide better support to cargo while a flush bottom deck facilitates smoother travel over conveyors in addition to providing improved support when stacking unit loads. In some cases, a flush deck can even increase the safe load rating of a pallet by transferring some of the load directly to the stringers.

Improvements and new features included in PDS 6.5 are:

  • Flush deck stringer pallets for top and bottom decks can be accomplished using filler boards or notched stringers.
  • Deckboard overhang limits have been extended, allowing even more pallet design customization.
  • Automatic verification of block pallet mat fasteners that prompts the user when the fasteners are too short, too long, and not clinched. The user can override PDS’s recommendations for mat fasteners when needed.
  • The maximum allowable number of deckboards for stringer pallets has been increased.

Learn more about PDS.

Contact:

Brad Gething, PhD
Vice President, Science & Technology
bgething@palletcentral.com
703/519.6104

NWPCA Releases PDS 6.4; Users Guide in Spanish & French

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PDS RELEASE VERSION 6.4 ANNOUNCEMENT: ENGLISH, FRENCH, SPANISH

Leer en español  | Lire en français | English

NWPCA Updates PDS Users Guide, One-Stop Shop for Pallet Design
Available in English, Spanish and French

Today, the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) releases Pallet Design System™ (PDS) Version 6.4. The main feature in this release is a translation of the PDS User’s Guide in Spanish and French. The addition of these two languages in the User’s Guide complements the existing software interface already being used in eight languages in more than 30 countries, and further expands our global accessibility in pallet design.

The User’s Guide is considered the authoritative book on pallet design with its glossary, tables and other terminology. There is a wealth of information in the 300+ page Guide with numerous solutions to the most common questions in pallet design.

“From fasteners to lumber, pallet designers learn more about how different aspects of these components can impact overall pallet performance,” said Brad Gething, PhD, Vice President, Science & Technology. “The national and international wood species tables and fastener characteristics are invaluable tools in the User’s Guide and referenced quite frequently, whether or not you’re using PDS for pallet design.” The Guide was carefully reviewed and updated during the translation phase for a more intuitive, user-friendly product.

“The User’s Guide in PDS does such a great job of explaining how to use a particular feature, so there is zero reliance on technical support,” said John Dye, Scott Pallets, United Kingdom. “We use it to train new PDS users so they can better understand the interaction of all the materials used in pallet design with pallet performance.”

Illustrations and figures were all revamped and modernized as part of this new release, led by George Scharps, PDS Associate Engineer and John McLeod, PDS Advisor to the President.

Special thanks to the Softwood Export Council for their partnership and support in this project. With the expanded languages, new international markets can now benefit from the User’s Guide as well.

Contact:

Brad Gething, PhD
Vice President, Science & Technology
bgething@palletcentral.com
703/519.6104

La NWPCA met à jour le guide des utilisateurs de PDS, un guichet unique pour la conception de palettes
Disponible en anglais, espagnol et français

Aujourd’hui, la National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) publie la version 6.4 du Pallet Design System™ (PDS). Le fait saillant de cette version est la traduction du guide de l’utilisateur du PDS en espagnol et en français. L’ajout de ces deux langues dans le guide de l’utilisateur complète l’interface du logiciel existante, déjà utilisée en huit langues dans plus de 30 pays, et élargit encore notre accessibilité mondiale en matière de conception de palettes.

Le Guide de l’utilisateur est considéré comme l’ouvrage faisant autorité en matière de conception de palettes, avec son glossaire, ses tableaux et sa terminologie. Ce guide de plus de 300 pages contient une mine d’informations et de nombreuses solutions aux questions les plus courantes en matière de conception de palettes.

« Des fixations au bois d’œuvre, les concepteurs de palettes en apprennent davantage sur la manière dont les différents aspects de ces composants peuvent avoir un impact sur les performances globales des palettes », a déclaré Brad Gething, PhD, vice-président, Science et technologie. « Les tableaux des essences de bois nationales et internationales et les caractéristiques des fixations sont des outils précieux dans le guide de l’utilisateur et sont référencés assez fréquemment, que vous utilisiez ou non PDS pour la conception de palettes. » Le guide a été soigneusement révisé et mis à jour au cours de la phase de traduction, afin de rendre le produit plus intuitif et plus convivial.

« Le guide de l’utilisateur de PDS explique très bien comment utiliser une fonction particulière, de sorte qu’il n’est pas nécessaire de faire appel à l’assistance technique », a déclaré John Dye, de Scott Pallets, le Royaume-Uni. « Nous l’utilisons pour former les nouveaux utilisateurs de PDS afin qu’ils puissent mieux comprendre l’interaction de tous les matériaux utilisés dans la conception des palettes avec les performances de celles-ci. »

Les illustrations et les figures ont toutes été redessinées et modernisées dans le cadre de cette nouvelle version, sous la direction de George Scharps, ingénieur associé de PDS, et John McLeod, conseiller du président de PDS.

Nous remercions tout particulièrement le Softwood Export Council pour son partenariat et son soutien dans ce projet. Grâce à l’ajout de langues, de nouveaux marchés internationaux peuvent désormais bénéficier du guide de l’utilisateur.

Guía de usuarios de PDS para las actualizaciones de la NWPCA, la solución integral en el diseño de tarimas
Publicación disponible en inglés, español y francés

El día de hoy, la National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) lanza la versión 6.4 de su programa Pallet Design System™ (PDS). La principal característica de este nuevo lanzamiento es que la Guía del Usuario del PDS ya se encuentra disponible en español y francés. La suma de estos dos idiomas a la Guía del Usuario complementa la actual interfaz del software que, actualmente, se emplea en ocho diferentes idiomas en más de 30 países. De este modo, nuestra accesibilidad para el diseño de tarimas, a nivel mundial, continúa en expansión.

La Guía del Usuario está considerada como la obra de consulta estándar para efectos del diseño de tarimas junto con el glosario, tablas y la terminología incluidas. Dentro de las más de 300 páginas de esta guía, la riqueza de datos nos proporciona distintas soluciones a las preguntas más comunes sobre el diseño de tarimas.

“Desde sujetadores, hasta el tipo de maderas, los diseñadores de tarimas aprenden más acerca de los diferentes aspectos y cómo estos componentes pueden tener un impacto sobre el desempeño general de la tarima,” afirmó el Dr. Brad Gething, Vicepresidente de Ciencia y Tecnología. “El contenido de las tablas sobre especies de maderas nacionales [estadunidenses] e internacionales y las características de los sujetadores son herramientas invaluables dentro de esta Guía del Usuario y, con frecuencia, sirven como literatura de referencia, aun cuando no utilicen el PDS para el diseño de sus tarimas”. Durante la etapa de traducción, se revisó y actualizó el contenido de la guía, para lograr que este producto resulte más sencillo e intuitivo.

“La Guía del Usuario de PDS logra su objetivo al explicar cómo emplear una determinada especificación con el fin de lograr un nivel de dependencia cero del soporte técnico,” comentó John Dye de Scott Pallets en el Reino Unido. “La utilizamos en la capacitación de los nuevos usuarios de PDS para que comprendan mejor la interacción de todos los materiales que se utilizan en el diseño de una tarima con rendimiento”.

Como parte de este nuevo lanzamiento, el total de las imágenes e ilustraciones fueron renovadas y actualizadas, dirigido por George Scharps, Ingeniero Asociado de PDS, y de John McLeod, Asesor del Presidente de PDS.

Por otro lado, se expresaron agradecimientos especiales al Softwood Export Council por su colaboración y apoyo en este proyecto. A partir de esta ampliación lingüística, los nuevos mercados internacionales podrán gozar de los beneficios que ofrece la Guía del Usuario. Por otro lado, el Consejo de Asesoría de la NWPCA del programa Pallet Design System™ mantiene bajo revisión nuevas traducciones a otros idiomas de la Guía del Usuario.

NWPCA RELEASES PDS 6.3; UNIT LOADS OF SHEET GOODS

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NWPCA Releases Pallet Design System™ 6.3

WHAT’S NEW IN PDS 6.3

PDS 6.3 introduces the design and analysis of unit loads of sheet goods. This is the first in a series of expansions that will allow custom pallets to be designed and analyzed to transport large and/or heavy products and equipment.

Improvements and new features included in PDS 6.3 are:

  • Longer pallets can now be designed and analyzed up to 30 feet. (stringers and deckboards must still be continuous pieces of lumber)
  • 4-way stringer pallets be analyzed for forklifting from the side with no need for a forklift notch, provided the bottom deckboards are tall enough for fork tine clearance.
  • The stiffness and strength of long products can be included in the analysis in all support conditions.
  • Fortunately, long products almost always have sufficient stiffness and strength to support some of their own weight. This is analogous to the load bridging seen in unit loads of boxes.

PDS 6.3 now includes the capability of taking the strength and stiffness of long products into account when analyzing the pallet. PDS can determine the bending and compression stress in the products as well as the radius of curvature to ensure that the products are adequately supported to prevent damage. This can help reassure the pallet end-user that the unit load will safely survive handling. The pallet design itself can be optimized to ensure that only the necessary materials are used in just the right places to obtain the most economical pallet.

PDS 6.3 also includes increased limits for the maximum pallet length and width, and the ability to have a partial 4-way stringer pallet with no notches cut in the stringer if the bottom deck is tall enough to permit fork tine entry.

CONTACT

Brad Gething, PhD
NWPCA Vice President of Science & Technology
Phone: 703.519.6104 Ext. 215
Email

ABOUT PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™

The Pallet Design System™ software provides fully engineered and safe pallet designs, delivered in a professional manner. Nearly 450 major pallet manufacturers in more than 30 countries around the world use PDS to create 3-D designs that are comprehensive, detailed and efficient. In addition to predicting safe load capacity and deflection under load, PDS provides detailed specifications in 2-D and 3-D drawings for virtually any wood pallet design. PDS is a proprietary software of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. For more information on PDS, visit www.palletdesignsystem.com.

NWPCA RELEASES PDS 6.2; TRENCHED STRINGER & FILLER BOARDs FOR BLOCK PALLETS

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NWPCA Releases Pallet Design System™ 6.2

WHAT’S NEW IN PDS 6.2

PDS 6.2 makes it possible to design overlap-base block pallets with recessed bottom decks. It also contains an important extension to our unit load for boxes analysis capabilities.

Improvements and new features included in PDS 6.2 are:

  • Filler boards and trenched stringer boards can be added to overlap base block pallets.
  • Interlock stacked boxes can be analyzed for unit loads.
  • Forklifting from the end of stringer pallets can be analyzed when there is no stringer between the fork tines.
  • Improved properties for air dried softwood pallets that are assembled green and dried prior to use.
  • The PDS installer is now available in many languages, in addition to English: German, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese

PDS 6.2 can draw and analyze a new family of overlap-base block pallets having uninterrupted, flat bottom decks. Pallets with flush bottom decks are advantageous when stacking unit loads such as drums. The deck engages over more of the top surface of the bottom unit load, providing better support to the upper unit loads and reducing the risk of damage to the cargo on the bottom pallet. Overlap base pallets can be made stronger and more durable than perimeter base pallets due to the better connections in the bottom deck. Now you can have the best of both worlds – a strong overlap-base pallet which has a flat and continuous bottom deck. This is essential for designing CP-9 pallets which are popular in the chemical industry. The gaps that would normally be there between the deckboards are either filled with nailed-on filler boards or the deckboards are recessed into a thicker stringer board that has been trenched (dadoed) to accept them.

PDS 6.2 allows interlock stacked box unit loads to be analyzed. Interlock stacking tends to shift more loads away from the pallet while greatly reducing the crushing resistance of the boxes. While not lending itself towards optimization of corrugated boxes, it is used to improve the stability of unit loads, particularly, when stretch wrap or other stabilizers have not been applied.

CONTACT

Brad Gething, PhD
NWPCA Director of Science & Technology Integration
Phone: 703.519.6104 Ext. 215
Email

ABOUT PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™

The Pallet Design System™ software provides fully engineered and safe pallet designs, delivered in a professional manner. Nearly 450 major pallet manufacturers in more than 30 countries around the world use PDS to create 3-D designs that are comprehensive, detailed and efficient. In addition to predicting safe load capacity and deflection under load, PDS provides detailed specifications in 2-D and 3-D drawings for virtually any wood pallet design. PDS is a proprietary software of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. For more information on PDS, visit www.palletdesignsystem.com.

NWPCA RELEASES FIRE CODE COMPLIANCE MANUAL IN SPANISH

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Leer en español | English

EXPANDS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY

Alexandria, VA – July 15, 2020: The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) releases the “NWPCA Fire Code Compliance Manual for Outdoor Storage of Wood Pallets,” in Spanish. The complimentary manual was originally produced in 2017 to assist industry in compliance with the outdoor pallet storage provisions incorporated in the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) Section 2810 of the International Code Council, and NFPA1, Section 34.10.4, of the National Fire Protection Association.

The release in Spanish broadens the Association’s educational outreach and distribution of proven best fire safety practices for pallet facilities. “There are over 67,000 jobs directly related to the wooden pallet and container manufacturing sector, and so many of them only speak Spanish,” commented NWPCA Chair, Frank Shean of PLA Holdings-Valley Pallet, based in Salinas, California.

“Spanish-speaking owners and safety personnel can now better understand the 2018 fire codes of both the ICC and NFPA,” added Dr. Brad Gething, NWPCA Director of Science and Technology Integration. Gething also highlighted NWPCA’s continued emphasis on proactive outreach to fire officials. “The guidelines helps these facilities build a compliance plan in their native language that is consistent with the latest fire codes, and also share them with their local fire officials and first responders.”

Safety is of the utmost importance. “The translated document is another tool for industry to strengthen its safety programs that prevent fires from starting, mitigate against their spread, and protect life safety of our employees’, first responders, and our communities,” added Shean.

The guideline “NWPCA Fire Code Compliance Manual for Outdoor Storage of Wood Pallets” was developed in 2017 with the cooperation from industry and fire code experts. The translated guideline is available as a free download and is accessible at www.palletcentral.com/compliancemanual-Spanish.

ABOUT NWPCA

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, with more than 670 company members in 28 countries who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry. NWPCA is an advocate and strong supporter of model safety codes for proven best industry practices. For more information, visit www.palletcentral.com/firecodesafety.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA)

NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC)

The International Code Council (ICC) is a member-focused association dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. For more information, visit www.icccampus.org.

CONTACT

Annette Ferri
NWPCA Vice President of Communications
703.519.6104
Email

 

NWPCA PUBLICA EL MANUAL DE CUMPLIMIENTO DEL CÓDIGO DE INCENDIOS EN ESPAÑOL
EXPANDE SU COMPROMISO EDUCATIVO EN LA COMUNIDAD HISPANA

Alexandria, VA – 15 de julio de 2020: La Asociación Nacional de Pallets y Contenedores de Madera (NWPCA) publica el “Manual de Cumplimiento del Código de Incendios de NWPCA para el almacenamiento al aire libre de pallets de madera”, en español. El manual complementario se produjo originalmente en 2017 para ayudar a la industria a cumplir con las disposiciones de almacenamiento de pallets para exteriores incorporadas en el Apartado 2810 del Código Internacional de Incendios (CFI) 2018 del Consejo del Código Internacional y en el Apartado 34.10.4 de NFPA1 de la Asociación Nacional de Protección contra Incendios.

El lanzamiento en español amplía el alcance educativo de la Asociación y la distribución de las mejores prácticas comprobadas de seguridad contra incendios para las instalaciones de tarimas. “Hay más de 67,000 empleos directamente relacionados con el sector de fabricación de pallets y contenedores de madera, y muchos de los empleados solo hablan español”, comentó el presidente de NWPCA, Frank Shean de PLA Holdings-Valley Pallet, con sede en Salinas, California.

“Los propietarios de habla hispana y el personal de seguridad ahora pueden comprender mejor los códigos de incendios de 2018 tanto de la CPI como de la NFPA”, agregó el Dr. Brad Gething, Director de Integración de Ciencia y Tecnología de la NWPCA. Gething también destacó el continuo énfasis de NWPCA en el compromiso proactivo para los inspectores de incendios. “Las pautas ayudan a que estas instalaciones elaboren un plan de cumplimiento en su idioma nativo que sea consistente con los últimos códigos de incendios, y que también los compartan con sus inspectores de incendios locales y los servicios de primera respuesta”.

La seguridad es de suma importancia. “El documento traducido es otra herramienta para que la industria fortalezca sus programas de seguridad que previenen los incendios, y también para que mitigue su propagación y que proteja la seguridad de la vida de nuestros empleados, los servicios de primera respuesta y de nuestras comunidades”, agregó Shean.

Las normas “Manual de cumplimiento del código de incendios NWPCA para el almacenamiento al aire libre de pallets de madera” se desarrollaron en 2017 con la cooperación de expertos de la industria y del código de incendios. Las normas traducidas están disponibles como descarga gratuita en www.palletcentral.com/compliancemanual-Spanish.

ACERCA DE NWPCA

La Asociación Nacional de Pallets y Contenedores de Madera (NWPCA) es la organización de especialistas de empaques de madera más grande del mundo, contando con más de 670 miembros de compañías en 28 países que fabrican, reparan y distribuyen tarimas y empaques de madera en soluciones de carga unitaria, o que suministran productos y servicios al sector. NWPCA es un firme defensor de los códigos de seguridad modelo para las mejores prácticas probadas de la industria. Para obtener más información, visite www.palletcentral.com/firecodesafety.

ACERCA DE LA ASOCIACIÓN NACIONAL DE PROTECCIÓN CONTRA INCENDIOS (NFPA)

NFPA es un líder mundial en la seguridad eléctrica y vital tanto como en la seguridad contra incendios, y de construcción. La misión de la organización internacional sin fines de lucro fundada en 1896 es reducir la carga mundial de fuego y otros peligros en la calidad de vida al proporcionar y defender códigos y estándares de consenso, investigación, capacitación y educación. NFPA desarrolla más de 300 códigos y estándares para minimizar la posibilidad y los efectos de incendios y otros peligros. Todos los códigos y estándares de la NFPA se pueden ver de forma gratuita en www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

ACERCA DEL CONSEJO DEL CÓDIGO INTERNACIONAL (ICC)

El Consejo de Códigos Internacional (ICC) es una asociación centrada en los miembros que está dedicada al desarrollo de códigos y estándares modelo utilizados en el proceso de diseño, construcción y cumplimiento para construir estructuras seguras, sostenibles, asequibles y resistentes. La mayoría de las comunidades de EE. UU. y muchos mercados globales eligen los Códigos Internacionales. Para obtener más información, visite www.icccampus.org.

CONTACTO

Annette Ferri
NWPCA Vice President of Communications
703.519.6104
Email

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF CORRUGATED BOXES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMPRESSION STRESSES ON THE TOP SURFACE OF WOODEN PALLETS

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Research & Abstract by Page Clayton, Virginia Tech, CPULD
Fall 2018

This study aims to investigate pallet deflection as a result of different sized packages in a column stacking pattern and the presence of headspace in the box.

Pallets are the foundation of unit loads and supply chains. They provide a way to store and transport products in an efficient manner. Currently, however, the use of “component based” designs for unit loads doesn’t consider the interaction between unit load components or how this interaction effects the overall structural integrity of the unit load.

Component based unit load designs also result in the excessive use of raw materials which reduces the sustainability of unit loads, drives costs up, and creates issues for people in the supply chain.

The objective of this study was to investigate the interactions between the unit load components, box size and package head space, especially focusing on the deflection of the pallet as a function of pallet stiffness across multiple common pallet support conditions.

This study aimed to investigate pallet deflection as a result of different sized packages in a column stacking pattern and the presence of headspace in the box. The effect of each of these components on deflection is known as load bridging, in which a redistribution of stress occurs depending on the loads’ characteristics within the unit load.

Results showed that, in a column stacked arrangement, smaller boxes caused greater deflection than larger boxes (up to 53 % higher). Data analysis identified that a change in box size causes a decrease in the deflection of a pallet; smaller boxes, with the same load, transfer less pressure to the supports (31% less) and cause more deflection (53% more) than large boxes, especially on lower stiffness pallets. The presence, or lack, of headspace in a box didn’t have any significant impact on deflection.

This study confirmed that supported pallet components do, in fact, carry more of the weight of the load and that the boxes’ sizes do affect deflection. The experiments from this study confirm that the compressive pressure across the top of the pallet surface redistributes itself towards the supports of pallets when the sizes of the corrugated boxes increase. As more of the compressive forces redistribute across the top of the pallet to the supports, the deflection along the free span decreases.

These quantitative results can help to further understand the load bridging effect and allow us to make adjustments based on the current safety factors. Therefore, to increase the sustainability of pallets and to conserve resources, it is recommended that pallets are always designed with product packaging designs in mind.

Research funded by the Pallet Foundation of the NWPCA and by the U.S. Forest Service. Paper submitted to the IAPRI Peer Review Stream.

PALLET INDUSTRY DESIGNATED ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKFORCE DURING COVID-19

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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RECOGNIZE ROLE OF PALLETS

Alexandria, Va. (March 23, 2020) – Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) late last week designated manufacturers and distributors of packaging materials, including the pallet industry, as essential workforce critical infrastructure.

As the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) recognizes the importance of this federal guidance as state and local governments seek to keep needed goods moving while working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As state and local officials work to designate essential business operations in their districts, NWPCA urges government agencies to follow the DHS guidance.

“The continued development, use and reuse of pallets provides a critical piece of our supply chain,” said Brent McClendon, President and CEO, NWPCA. “The system for getting important goods where they need to be is rapidly evolving and being pushed harder than ever. Making sure pallets remain a part of that system now will help deliver food, medicines, sanitizers and other essentials that are required to successfully manage a quarantine.”

Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, nearly 2 billion pallets were in use across the U.S. during any given day. The total number of pallets in circulation each day is likely higher now. More than 93% of all goods are shipped using pallets. The increase in demand for food, essential medicines, sanitizers and other critical items that are shipped on pallets is a clear demonstration of how essential the pallet industry is at this time.

NWPCA will continue to champion the industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond as our country keeps essential goods moving to consumers at a pace that meets demand. For more information on the guidance from DHS and CISA, click here.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOODEN PALLET & CONTAINER ASSOCIATION

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, with more than 650 company members around the world who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry.

CONTACT

Annette Ferri
Vice President, Communications
703.519.6104
Email

NWPCA SCORES BIG WIN FOR ENVIRONMENT AND PALLET INDUSTRY – PALLETS TO WOOD PELLET FUEL

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March 12, 2020: Last night, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, signed into regulation language that opens the path for wood pallet residuals to be sold as wood pellet fuel. NWPCA’s Vice President of Advocacy and External Affairs Patrick Atagi said, “NWPCA members were able to be proactive and change existing federal regulation that had previously prevented recycled wood pallets from being used in pellet fuel.” Atagi continued, “I’m very proud of NWPCA members, the pallet industry, and EPA to make this change – it shows working-together-works! A special shout-out to BDL Supply, CHEP/Brambles, Hay Creek Pallet Co., Industrial Pallets, Northland Pallet, Vecoplan Midwest and WestWind Logistics for their time, energy and tremendous support.”

On March 16, 2015, EPA issued a final rule revising the Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters. 80 Fed. Reg. 13,671 (Mar. 16, 2015). In that rule, EPA promulgated regulations governing requirements for pellet fuel. EPA also listed a variety of prohibited fuel sources. One such category of sources was “Railroad ties, pressure-treated wood or pallets.” The language inadvertently, but effectively, prevented wood pallets from being certified as wood pellet fuel. The pallet industry prides itself on its environmental footprint; including a 95% recover, recycle rate that leads the landfill avoidance rate of all competing packaging materials.

With the passage of this revised regulation, the wooden pallet industry can maintain and grow its recycling rate even further. This is a fantastic win for the environment, the industry, and NWPCA members – job well done!

CONTACT

Patrick Atagi
Vice President, Advocacy & External Affairs
703.519.6104
Email

NWPCA RELEASES PDS 6.1; IMPROVED PANEL DECK ANALYSIS

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NWPCA RELEASES PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™ 6.1

ENHANCEMENTS IN PDS 6.1

PDS 6.1 adds several frequently user-requested features as well as increased performance for panel deck pallets.

Improvements and new features included in PDS 6.1 are:

  • Doubled the number of stringers for stringer pallets from a limit of nine to eighteen. This allows very wide pallets used for siding and other long, semi-rigid items to be designed and analyzed.
  • Up to two bottom deckboards located between blocks, running parallel to the pallet length can be analyzed. CP7 pallets can now be analyzed, as well as designed.
  • More sophisticated panel deck pallet analysis models are better able to capture performance differences between designs.
  • Updated properties for air dried softwood pallets that are assembled green and dried prior to use.

PDS 6.1 allows the design of very wide stringer pallets with up to 18 stringers. These pallets are typically used for transporting packages of house siding, gutters or other long items that support some of their own weight. This addition is the first step in developing a system to analyze unit loads of sheet goods and other semi-rigid long items, allowing reasonable load ratings to be determined for forklifting.

PDS 6.1 can explicitly analyze block pallets with up to two bottom deckboards between the blocks that run parallel to the top stringer boards. This is needed to analyze CP-7 pallets as these pallets have one bottom deckboard between blocks. Previously, the analysis did not consider the bottom deckboards between the blocks as contributing to the stiffness and strength of the pallet. With this new feature, the racked across length strength for these pallets is greatly improved.

Click to view the Product Release for PDS v6.1 with example schematic.

CONTACT

Brad Gething, PhD
NWPCA Director of Science & Technology Integration
Phone: 703.519.6104 Ext. 215
Email

ABOUT PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™

The Pallet Design System™ software provides fully engineered and safe pallet designs, delivered in a professional manner. Nearly 450 major pallet manufacturers in more than 30 countries around the world use PDS to create 3-D designs that are comprehensive, detailed and efficient. In addition to predicting safe load capacity and deflection under load, PDS provides detailed specifications in 2-D and 3-D drawings for virtually any wood pallet design. PDS is a proprietary software of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. For more information on PDS, visit www.palletdesignsystem.com.

NWPCA RELEASES PDS 6.0, GROUND-BREAKING UNIT LOAD DESIGN TOOL

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NWPCA RELEASES PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™ 6.0

GROUND-BREAKING UNIT LOAD DESIGN TOOL MINIMIZES DAMAGE, MAXIMIZES PROFIT

ALEXANDRIA VA, September 25, 2019 – The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) announces the release of PDS 6.0, the most advanced software tool in the world that considers the interactions between a flexible wood pallet and corrugated boxes. The tool uses world-leading science and modeling that allows pallet designers to prevent cargo damage, while optimizing cost and material efficiency.

“Unit Load for Boxes takes technology normally associated with space flight, race cars, and jet engines and uses it to gain insight into wooden pallet and unit load design,” commented Kristen DeLack, PE, PDS structural engineer. “We’re excited to take all this know-how and put it into the hands of wooden pallet manufacturers,” added Brent McClendon, NWPCA President and CEO.

Jordan Piland, NWPCA’s Board Chair said, “Expect to see more from the PDS development team for 2020. PDS 6.0 Unit Load for Boxes is just the first installment of system-level unit load design and analysis tools in PDS; drums, plastic pails, and sheet goods will follow.” Piland added, “NWPCA and The Pallet Foundation investments, totaling nearly $1.5 million over the next two years, advance our industry and benefit each of our companies, making PDS the international language for pallet design.”

For more information on Pallet Design System™ 6.0, read the detailed product release.

CONTACT

Brad Gething, PhD
NWPCA Director of Science & Technology Integration
Phone: 703.519.6104 Ext. 215
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOODEN PALLET & CONTAINER ASSOCIATION

The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) is the largest organization of wood packaging professionals in the world, with more than 650 company members around the world who manufacture, repair and distribute pallets and wood packaging in unit-load solutions, or who supply products and services to the industry.

ABOUT PALLET DESIGN SYSTEM™

The Pallet Design System™ software provides fully engineered and safe pallet designs, delivered in a professional manner. Nearly 450 major pallet manufacturers in more than 30 countries around the world use PDS to create 3-D designs that are comprehensive, detailed and efficient. In addition to predicting safe load capacity and deflection under load, PDS provides detailed specifications in 2-D and 3-D drawings for virtually any wood pallet design. PDS is a proprietary software of the National Wooden Pallet & Container Association. For more information on PDS, visit www.palletdesignsystem.com.

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LOCATION

Pallet Foundation
1421 Prince Street, Suite 340
Alexandria, VA 22314-2805

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