Shock Absorbing Pallet Design
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Feature Focus: Improved Pallet Design Thermotron, established industry-leader and innovative problem-solver, recently introduced a new pallet to ensure more reliable deliveries of environmental test chambers, as well as reduce damage to products from vibration that sometimes occurs during shipment. Thermotron’s new pallet design uses thick, dense foam between wooden boards with metal endcaps to help reduce the amount of shock during transport. The previous pallet design was an industry standard, with a simple, single-level wooden pallet. Thermotron wanted to design and create a new pallet that could reduce damage to equipment during the transport process. Vibration and shock damage in long-distance shipping, especially to areas with less than ideal transport infrastructure, was occasionally causing damage to the chambers and shakers. The previous pallet design could not withstand the vibration caused by unpaved roads or potholes, and the equipment suffered as a result. This led to delays in production for companies planning to use the environmental test chamber in product testing, as well as an increase in service calls for customers, costing time and money. Thermotron engineers Frank Amatangelo and Rob Walker teamed up to develop a solution. Over a four month design process, they designed a pallet that uses thick, dense foam to absorb shock and ensure the high quality service that customers expect from Thermotron. These pieces of foam are placed horizontally on the standard skid, with the foam placed intermittently between two boards. Metal endcaps provide strong support and serve as the finishing touches on the improved design. Implementation of the new pallet design took place in April 2015, and has successfully decreased damages from shipping to environmental test chambers, solidifying a decision for customers choosing Thermotron to fulfill their environmental testing needs. 291 Kollen Park Drive • Holland, Michigan 49423 (616) 393-4580 • info@thermotron.com www.thermotron.com