Prototype packing failures

Categories: packaging, POWERleap, shipping, travel

Sep 2, 2008 11:52 pm 8 Comments

Last Saturday I packed up a POWERleap tile and sent it out to the west coast for presentation to a new potential client and investor. In the past, I've not had the greatest luck packing up the prototype tile. For example, (evidence pictured below) last February I shipped three POWERleap tiles out to New York to shoot a segment for the short film Metropolis Magazine was making for their Brilliant Simplicity tour. When they were shipped back to me, the tiles got lost in transit for 2 weeks.  They went back and forth from the Chicago dispatch center to the New York dispatch center 2 times before they reached my office. Once they finally arrived, the boxes had severe stress wounds along the seams and the tiles were not in immaculate condition. Another time later in the spring, a tile was shipped back to me with a break straight down the bias!  This event was more disheartening than the first as I spent countless hours designing a new packing model and the outcome was worse.

Due to the events of this POWERleap tile packing fiasco (pictured below), this time I decided to leave the packing up to the discretion of the FedEx Division St. attendant. To my greatest discontent, the tile arrived today and was cracked on the corner. Thankfully the package was insured for a humble amount so I will be able to replace the broken materials in the prototype. On an even lighter note, the tiles still works and the benefits and features can still be exhibited in tomorrows meeting!

All this said, these events have certainly informed the design criteria for the upcoming product development phase. I never expected this iteration of the prototype to be the final, but I did hope it could withstand some bicoastal travelling. In the meantime, if anyone has some (sustainable) packaging tips that I'm not aware of, please share!

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cmain
September 5, 2008 - 3:24am

I would reccomend double boxing. Pack the first box like before and then put it inside another box with about 1.5 to 2 inchs of additional packing. It stinks because it will increase shipping costs but if it prevents breakage it will be worth it.

cmain
September 5, 2008 - 3:38am

Actually I just saw your album and while plastic bags are great for taking up space they will do little to absorb the impacts of shipping also peanuts are more for taking up space they shift leaving the tile to absorb impacts so all that was really protecting your tiles was the thin layer of bubble wrap. If possible try dense foam and more layers of bubble wrap preferably with larger bubbles then use bags and peanuts to take up excess space.

john Pontillo
September 5, 2008 - 9:18pm

Elizabeth, After looking at the pictures of the box that the tile was shipped in I have a few suggestions. I would recommened using a thicker wall box. The corrugated box looks a little on the light side. You might want to use corner reinforcers inside the box. The corners are very durable. You can make your own by cutting up another box and bending them in 90 degree angles. Double them up if you have to. The packing peanuts are good but be sure that the box is big enough so you can put enough in to do the job A company you can check out on the net is {www.uline.com}. Take a look at their catalog to get some ideas. Because of the cost of the tile I wouldn't skimp on the packaging. You have a great idea

Abhi Lath
October 9, 2008 - 8:51am

Hi Elizabeth, Not sure how I got to this site! But it is wonderful to see that you are taking things to the next step (pun intended). I am assuming that your prototype tiles are still the Sensitile Terrazzo Lumina modules we fabricated last year. - If so, I would really recommend that you make a wooden "A" frame crate with Plywood and 2 x 4's. Line it with 1" thick insulation foam and you have an ideal crate. This is also quite sustainable since you can mandate your clients to send it back to you in the original packaging. We had no idea that the tiles would see this many miles otherwise I would have suggested this at the onset. Also, you might want to look into applying more sealer on them. I would also create a "loan" document that every borrower must sign (no matter how "important" they seem) - this would acknowledge that this is your property in their possession and also list its replacement value. I hope this helps. We have recently moved shop to Ypsilanti and you are welcome to stop by on your next trip to AA. All the best, Abhi

Pedro.G
October 28, 2008 - 10:41am

hey whats up elizabeth

earthday78
December 15, 2008 - 6:53pm

two words....Welcome Mats! For the home or business, charge all day from traffic and light all night...acrylic inlays for artistic design with customizable to the business or homeowner....so investors would not be needed, a ebay sellers account set to donate to your cause and a few people will to team up with you....ME, please contact me, want to know your take on things

Vanesa
March 13, 2009 - 9:34am

Hi Elizabeth, i have written an e-mail to you and i have not received an answer from you, for that reason i´m writing here! I visited your project web site about PowerLeap and I am writing for further information. Firstly, I need to know whether the project is finished or in case it is not, what era of the project you are going through, what it was meant for and the installation cost of said project. I would also like to know whether you have an official representative in Argentina, because I intend to install the project in a high foot-traffic area of the Municipality of Malvinas Argentinas, located in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I´ll be waiting for your answer! thank you! Vanesa.

ShawnC
September 3, 2009 - 1:04am

I havent read through your whole story yet, but this struck me immediately as the kind of forward thinking that much of society...me included... is lacking! I look forward to reading more!

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