Packing suggestions (was Re: PDP11 Redux, or Behind-The-Scenes Bull)

From: Tothwolf <tothwolf_at_concentric.net>
Date: Sat Feb 23 17:37:04 2002

On Sat, 23 Feb 2002, Sellam Ismail wrote:

> For light items, foam peanuts are good.

Make sure you know what type of peanuts you are using too. Styrofoam
peanuts don't loose their cushioning ability when exposed to humid
conditions or moisture, but the newer biodegradable ones made from corn
starch will shrivel up or become a soggy mess.

I'd recommend people who reuse peanuts _not_ mix the two types together.
Biodegradable peanuts go bad, and must be removed from a batch of the
styrofoam type before they are dumped into the peanut bin or hopper.
Removing a few 100 biodegradable peanuts from a box of styrofoam peanuts
is a very tough chore...

> Also, make sure you put the item inside a plastic bag first if you are
> going to use foam peanuts, lest foam penauts and bits get inside the
> item (again, Hans).

All pc boards and drives should be packed in ESD protective bags. EPS and
other types of styrofoam peanuts can create a large amount of static and
damage semiconductors. A plastic grocery bag is *not* adequate.

If the item is sensitive to moisture, a good desiccate packet should be
put inside the ESD bag with the item. Desiccate packets are inexpensive,
and can be bought by the bucket. They can usually be reused if they are
sealed in an airtight container when they are removed from the ESD bags.

> It also helps to compartmentalize the box. Use pieces of cardboard to
> create barriers between items, and fill each compartment with foam
> peanuts.

3Com and many other manufacturers use this method for bulk packing boards.
This method requires nothing more than ESD bags and lots of cardboard.

> Bubble wrap is always recommended for everything.

Cables should also be bagged, and wrapped with bubble-wrap. Bagging is
mandatory if they are going to be packed in styrofoam. Styrofoam isn't
friendly to many types of insulation, and bits of styrofoam love to get
into connectors, especially the smaller ones that are hard to clean ;)

If a connector on a cable is delicate or very expensive, it should be
wrapped with bubble-wrap or part of a foam sheet if the entire cable is
too big to wrap with bubble-wrap.

> Securing the box closed is perhaps the most important thing. Don't
> rely on the existing tape of a box. Always put new tape on each seam.
> Don't be fooled by those big box staples either. Even if a box is
> stapled, still put tape over that seam. I double tape the top and
> bottom seams. I also tape the sides of the seams.

The adhesive for old packing tape may also have gone bad. Remove old tape
before reusing a box unless you are very sure that the old tape's adhesive
is fine.

-Toth
Received on Sat Feb 23 2002 - 17:37:04 GMT