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What Is Shock Indicator?

As the name implies, the shock indicator is a product that can indicate the shock force through the display window. Shock force is known as impact force or acceleration(G).

The shock indicator can record the vibration intensity is recorded during transportation or goods exposed to inappropriate environmental conditions, which is liable to the relevant responsible person. Mostly, indicators are used in the transportation or storage of goods. With different degrees of impact resistance for each package, you should select different models by different goods. (Please refer to #How to Choose a Shock Indicator?)

There are 5 common product models: 100G, 75G, 50G, 37G, 25G, in order from least sensitive to most sensitive. Generally, the colors of commercially available shock indicators follow the industry’s specifications. They are all eye-catching colors in order to attract the attention of couriers and handlers.

The shock indicator label is a precise impact monitor device. Only the correct use of the product can accurately detect the exact G force. Don’t miss out, and check the 3 parts carefully.

Steps For Usage

Apply the warning label in the correct position of the package.

Tear off the shock indicator label and apply it on the yellow area of the warning label.

Stick a small warning sticker on the bill of lading as a reminder to handlers of the shock indicator label.

Applied Placement

The applied position is a crucial part of the shock indicator label, and the correctness of the applied position also affects the sensitivity of the indicator to detect impact and shock.

Precautions!

You need to apply the indicator on the placement of packaging where the product is more susceptible to impact. Always remember to “Apply on a hard surface“, do not apply to the center of the carton or the stretch film.

Shock Indicator Label Activation, What To Do?

The color-change of the shock indicator can immediately reflect the impact of the goods, but it cannot guarantee that the goods will be damaged as a result; therefore, when the indicator activation, the receiver “Do Not Return“, “Take Photos and Inspect” of the package, and “Note On The Receipt“.

Should you require to reject goods directly, we strongly recommend using the Dual Shock Indicator.

From the following, we prepared the correct usage for tilt indicator labels. The tilt indicator labels effectively work out as you do it step by step. We split it into 3 parts.

1  Instruction For Use

1-1 Apply the Warning Label in the correct position.

1-2 Rip off the safety seal of the tilt watch and Keep it upright. Do Not Shake.

▲ For general indicators, stick on the warning label.

▲ For multi-functional indicators, stick besides the Warning Label and write the unaccepted tilt angles of the goods on the blank.

1-3 Place the Small Warning Sticker on bill of lading as a reminder to handlers.

1-4 Inspect the indicator(s) immediately upon arrival

How To Fix The Tilt Watch Indicator Firmly?

You can use nails or screws to the drilling on top and bottom firmly in case of removal by external forces.

2 Apply Placement

To monitor 4 directions of tilt, apply 2 pieces of tilt indicator labels on 1 cargo. One is on the front and another is on the side. One indicator can monitor and detect 2 planes only, but the package is tilted in 4 directions during transit.

3  Precautions

“Should I apply a tilt watch label on top or bottom?” In fact, no matter on top or on the bottom, it doesn’t affect a lot because the tilt angle is the same for the same side.  The activation angle is nearly the same.

Where To Buy Tilt Indicator Labels?

What Is Skid Mate Pallet Cushions?

You probably have heard of damper before atop Taipei 101. In fact, the correct name is “tuned mass damper” which is a device mounted in structures to reduce or assimilate the amplitude of mechanical vibrations. However, the damper in buildings and related structures is greatly different from reducing vibration products for cargo shipping – the skid mate pallet cushions can effectively palliate shock and vibration.

Tuned mass damper atop Taipei 101

Effectively Solve Shipping Damage Problem, How?

Every time, damage happened is not only just a loss of commodity but also corporate images and labor costs. As a result, there are many solutions to damage shipping in the markets. Let’s see the following three instances.

Air Ride Truck

The air ride truck can reduce the chance of freight being jolted or damaged in transit. However, the cost is expensive, also, the air ride truck merely solves vibration occurred inland transport. It can’t solve the vibration and impact that happened on planes and on vessel loading/unloading.

Buffer Materials

Add EPE and EVA buffer materials around inside wooden containers, or at the bottom. In this way, the buffer effects are complete and cost-effective, however, foam materials or bubble wraps need to be customized. The weight-loading capacity is low. Moreover, these materials cannot be used for a long time and out of shape due to humidity or temperature, resulting in lower buffer effects.

EPE, EVA Buffer Materials

Skid Mate Pallet Cushions For Wooden Containers

The skid mate pallet cushions look like air-dampened donut cushions under the container. The cushions can protect the products inside containers from finished packing to the destination. No matter the shipment is uploaded or loaded, the skid mate pallet cushions can reduce impact forces and vibrations. The pallet cushions are applicable to any wooden cases or containers, with no need for customization. Cushions are reusable and highly loading capable.

Why Mount Skid Mate Pallet Cushions?

The skid mate pallet cushions, an air dampened cushioning device, protect from vibration and shock. The cushions are mounted on a crate or pallet base, providing effective protection as well as lower impact and shock.

The pallet cushion has a high loading capacity, high/low temperature resistant, and chemically resistant. It is reusable and can be removed and installed on any new object easily and quickly. By arranging several skid mate pallet cushions around one turn and mounting them on the bottom of a pallet, the cushioning effect is similar to an air-ride truck, which could save the cost of an expensive air-ride truck.

Selection, Quantity, Mounting Skid Mate Pallet Cushions

1 Model(S) Selection

The skid mate pallet cushions come in 5 colors. Cushions from high loading capacity to low are orange, blue, yellow, green and tan, the lower loading capacity, the better buffer effect! The spacer adds an additional and increases the height of the bottom, which makes jack pallet and stackers load and unload conveniently.

Here are loading capacity data:

2 Mounting Quantities

How many quantities do you need to mount on? Each color has its weight-loading capacity. According to the lowest weight-loading capacity per unit, divide the total weight of the cargo by the lowest weight-loading capacity of one piece. The calculation result is the mounting quantities you need. To make a jack pallet and stackers work-effectively, you should arrange the cushions under the bottom in the numbers of 4, 6, 9, or 12 units.

For example, the total weight of the shipment is 1000kgs, the calculation for orange cushions is as follows.

1000kgs ÷ 56.7 kg/unit = 17.6 units , round up to 18units, arrange 3 rows x 6 units = 18 units around one turn and mounting them on the bottom of a pallet.

3 Mounting Instructions

The mounting instructions for skid mate pallet cushions are without/with T-nut respectively.

A “G” always leaves behind the shock watch indicator. Some customers view “G” as gram, but in fact, the “G” is so-called acceleration. But what does the “G” exactly mean on the shock watch indicator? Let us take you to see around.

What Is G-Force?

The “G” in G-Force is the abbr. for “gravity”, which is the acceleration of gravity on earth and presents as

Formula:

g=9.8 m/s²

In fact, whether it is a car or a roller coaster when it comes to G-force, it’s all about the acceleration of cars. However, people frequently compare the volume of acceleration with the acceleration of gravity, and then there will be 1G, 2G, 3G and so.

For the relation between acceleration and force, we have to use the formula from Newton’s laws of motion, F=ma. “Force (F)” is equal to “Mass (m)” multiply by “Acceleration (a)”.

As acceleration is the same, the volume of force and mass of the object is proportional. All objects are subject to gravity on the earth, putting acceleration of gravity (g) into acceleration, the formula comes to F=mg which is the weight of the object.

“G” In G Force Indicator Sticker

Now, you have the concept. We can make a further discussion with the “G” in the g force indicator.

Let’s take 7ms(G): 50G for example. In general, the gravity acceleration of the shock force indicator will be accompanied by a time.

(1) 50G = 50*9.8 = 490 m/s^2 (acceleration)

(2) 490 m/s^2 (acceleration) * 7 ms (passed time)

(3) 490*0.007 = 3.43 m/s (convert to the speed at impact)

If a hard disk hits at a speed of 3.43m/s and then stops after 7ms, it will reach an acceleration of 50G.

If it hits an object at a speed of 3.43 m/s and bounces at the same speed (Newton’s law) and the elapsed time is also 7 ms, the acceleration of the hard disk is 100G.

Do you notice a simple principle? To put it simply, the g force indicator 50G means that it takes 50 times the acceleration g-force to activate the product and activate.

How Much Force Can Trigger Shock Watch Indicator?

Each g shock indicator has a corresponding “G”, which means that when the indicator is subjected to a shock acceleration that exceeds the G value number, the indicator will start to become red. The larger the number is, the greater the shock force is required.

For example, the least sensitive 100G needs to be subjected to an impact force of more than about 100G, and then activated. 100G will be activated about over 90 cm; while the most sensitive 25G needs to be subjected to an impact force of more than about 25G, which is about more than 30 cm will be activated.

Through the following YouTube video, you can understand the approximately required impact force of each impact indicator model (25G, 37G, 50G, 75G, 100G).

I believe that all company pays great attention to ship large equipment. Large equipment involves expensive pricing, and its transportation cost is much higher than normal. From this article, we provide 3 factors and some tips to transport large equipment.

3 Factors Affects Shipping Large Equipment

I.  Transportation Environment:

● Stacker

● Pallet Jack

● Lift Truck

● General Tilt Standard: 0~30 degrees

II.  Transportation Route:

● Pay attention to slope and inclination angle

● Is there any obstacle?

● Window, Door Width, Elevator, Walkway Width and Corner

III.  Installation Environment:

● Fixed Indeed

● Level

Packaging Style

In addition to the 3 factors mentioned above, here are the following common packaging styles for equipment packaging:

Common Mistakes

In the transportation of large equipment, every step and procedure is very crucial. If the handler does not follow the procedure, it may cause serious consequences.

Here are the common mistakes as transporting large equipment:

Transported by untraining individuals or companies

Rough or quick loading and unloading

Failure to follow standard handling procedures

The packaging or fixing method fails to achieve the function of protecting the goods

The Correct Operating Lifting Platform

The 3 steps in the figure below are the correct steps for the operation of the truck lift table:

Symbols Or Warning Labels On Packaging

Leaning Label

Multiple Angles Leaning Label Plus

It may not come as a surprise that most Exporter’s number one pain is damaged goods, even after paying top dollar to reduce damages. Even with the great technology and transportation services of our day, the cargo still undergoes harsh vibrations and possible shock from being moved to different locations. In addition to harm from transport, cargo may undergo added stress with damage from light, heat, moisture, or even too much tilt from movement.

How To Avoid Damages

While some of the damages are inevitable, there are ways to mitigate the harsh effects of transporting cargo. Determining the vibration and shock the shipment may have can help to better prepare for potential damages. Consider using foam to absorb vibrations or shock and pallet cushions to reduce the impact on units being transported.

Why Shock Indicators Can Make A Difference?

Shock indicators can be very telling of what is going on during shipment. They serve as both a measurement of impact during shipment and a warning to transporters that you value the cargo and expect proper care. Many shipments undergo shock and vibration damage that may not be apparent at first. Machinery and other items sensitive to movement could be hazardous if tilted or damaged internally. Shock indicators are often the only way to calculate damages that may otherwise go unnoticed. Most importantly, shock indicators can provide accurate proof of the damage and require accountability when damages occur.

What Can Happen During Shipment?

Shock & Vibration And Tilt

Shock, vibration, and tilt to cargo can either sustain apparent damage or almost invisible damage that can be extremely hard to trace back to one single source. The damages from either can be expensive and frustrating. While vibrations can’t be completely avoided, a shock or impact indicator can measure vibration amount so countermeasures can be taken to avoid damage in the future.

Moisture Damage

Moisture sensitive goods can benefit from tracking with indicators. Extreme temperature changes, heavy rains, and humidity can negatively affect moisture-sensitive goods. Smart monitoring devices can help track what is going on with moisture levels and what may be causing things like rust on the product.

Light

Unauthorized intrusions can be a potential threat to some cargo, especially depending on the transportation route. A light indicator can monitor if or when light enters the container to inform of any unauthorized intrusions that may have caused damage to the goods.

How Can You Avoid The Damages?

Blocking And Bracing

The phrase precious cargo is not just a term used lightly. Regardless of the content, damaged cargo can be a financial loss. Much of the shock and vibration damage can be avoided by preparing goods adequately ahead of time. Blocking and bracing are more secure ways to protect cargo effectively. It involves using wood, plastic, or metal to brace the inside of a container and prevent goods from shifting around during shipment.

Changing Shipping Modes

Seek out the best shipping modes to accommodate your needs. Find ways to reduce the frequency of handling to avoid a higher chance of freight damage. Consider options like full truckload or full container load shipping that allow you to rent the entire container to use for yourself. This provides more flexibility to block and brace your cargo and secure a more stable shipment.

Use Impact And Shock Indicators

Impact and shock indicators are the most effective way to know precisely what is going on in transit. Any shock , impact, or other damage sends an immediate notification to shippers so they can pinpoint where damage may have happened. This allows them to hold the right parties accountable for damages to goods. With the help of impact and shock indicators, shippers can identify problem areas to avoid and to determine the most reliable carriers. Though they are inexpensive, these indicators provide key information to keep carriers accountable for potential damages. They can offer an added security layer and save a lot of money later down the road.

Why Are Impact Indicators The Best Way To Protect Your Cargo?

Shipping Environment

Something as simple as a impact indicator can help handlers be more cautious when carrying and moving the cargo. When an indicator label is visible, they automatically know they may be held accountable for any damage happened while in their care. This greatly reduces the risk of damage to your goods.

Provide Accountability

The impact and shock indicators are designed to detect precise locations where damages may have happened. This helps reduce stress when tracking down the party that acted carelessly. With more accountability, the receiver can reject the goods on the spot if the indicator detects any damage, making the entire exchange simpler and less stressful.

Alert Recipient

The reliable tracking system and recorded data allow shippers to alert recipients to inspect the goods for possible damage. It ensures that the cargo is inspected properly by operators before sending it out for continued transit. The ability to alert recipients reinforces accountability and makes mishandling detection quicker.

Importers lose far too much money each year to shipping damages and face the repercussions of low inventory because of the damaged goods. With high-quality shock indicators, you can avoid the nightmare of tracking down damages and spend more time getting your products to your customers safely.

Package

You must know the importance of an effective package, especially for long-distance transportation or export/import logistic. As long as you keep the points for packaging design in mind, the damage and collision of goods are greatly reduced during transportation.

The following 4 key points of package design that you must pay attention to.

1 Use A Sturdy Outer Box

Wooden box, Pellet, Corrugated Cardboard Carton

2 Fill The Space As Much As Possible

Expanding Foam Packaging, EPE Foam, Bubble Wraps

3 Fasten The Goods Together

Edge Board, Stretch Wrap, Corner Protector, Dunnage Bag, Packaging Strap

4 Apply Accessory Material To Draw Attention To Handlers Effectively

Fragile Shipping Label, Shock Detector , Tilt Indicator

Fragile Shipping Label

Shock Detector

Tilt Indicator

Accessory Packaging Material

Generally speaking, during chain transportation, there are lots of handlers. The shipper and receiver hardly determine the damage point and where goes wrong as the damage delivery unfortunately happened. Are your main products high value-added commodities, such as precision instruments, medical equipment, LCD screens, servers or solar energy? Any incident increases irreparable and high costs. Production cost, additional freight charge, lead time and goodwill causes unnecessary trouble.

In this section, we provide 2 accessory packaging materials for transportation, which has been proven to effectively prevent damage delivery by 70%!

1 Shock indicator

The shock indicator we mentioned here is a shock indicator for shipment monitoring. The shock indicator has 5 types, each can detect a different impact force and drop height. The shock indicator can accurately be applied to different goods. Its usage is very simple, just like a shipping warning sticker. You just tear off the sticker and apply it to your outer carton.

Under normal circumstances, the shock indicator is white. Once the goods that contain the shock indicator are dropped or impacted, the middle window will immediately turn red, indicating product damage. The red activation makes the shipper, logistic chain, and consignee react fastly.

The great advantages of using a shock indicator are to remind the handlers of a careful handle and to provide smoking-gun evidence in case of damage delivery. Moreover, most handlers pay more attention to goods with shock indicator to avoid trouble.

2 Tip Indicator

The tip indicator turns from silver to red on a plane greater than 80°. Its usage is as simple as shock detector. Just tearing off its back adhesive and apply it to the outer surface of shipments.

When the tilt angle of the anti-tilt label on a plane is greater than 80°, the indicator in the middle will turn from silver to red, and it is as simple to use as the anti-shock label, just tear off the sticker and stick it on the goods.

Under normal circumstances, the tip indicator remains silver, even if the airplane takes off or landed, the tip indicator will not cause error activation.

Ship Via Quality Logistics Companies

There are many logistics services in the market, but what are the conditions to be viewed as an excellent logistic service?

A high-quality logistic company usually has 3 traits as follows.

1 Complete Transportation Equipment

A good transport service should have a series of transportation equipment, such as cranes, stackers, air-ride trucks, etc., in order to be able to provide better handling and transportation chain.

2 Transport Efficiency

The logistic company must be highly efficient to meet the needs of customers. Many logistic companies or express are able to deliver from place of departure to destination within 3 days.

3 Highly Rated

The logistics company ensures perfect delivery that the transported items are not damaged to the destination.

How To Reduce Cargo Damage? Shock Indicators Help

Do you know the correct procedure for shock indicator activation? You’re likely at risk of subsequent disputes if any wrong action. On the contrary, the right action leads to clarified responsibility, acquired compensation, and improved shipping quality, which realizes reduce cargo damage by 70%.

What To Do For Shock Indicators Turn Red?

The authority and responsibility divide into 3 parts from the chart: Consignee, Handler, and Shipper. Each of them has the corresponding standard procedures. You can read your position and its process.

1. Shipper

(1) You get a notification of activation from the handler. You should ask the handler to photograph first and then decide to deliver or return after full comprehension.

(2) Decision to deliver, wait for the consignee’s notification. Decision to return, take pictures as evidence, and inform the insurance company upon cargo arrival.

(3) Find out the reason why the shipping damage indicator turns red, mishandling by hander or route for example, and ask the carrier for a solution and improvement to the problem.

2. Carrier

(1)  Take photos, inform your supervisor and shipper, once handlers find the activation of shock and tilt indicators. Waiting for the instruction from the shipper/supervisor.

(2) Find out where and why thecargo was impacted during transportation and propose an effective improvement.

3. Consignee

(1) DO NOT reject the cargo and note “the indicator activation” on the receipt when the shipping indicator turns red.

(2) Notify the shipper and the insurance company first, then check the goods inside. If damage, negotiate for replacement or return. If no damage, stock in.

Cargo Insurance And Shipping Damage Indicator

Imagine you’re from the insurance company. Do you prefer customers to apply shipping damage indicators or not?

You definitely prefer the indicators on cargo because the more damage rate typically drops the fewer shipping insurance claims are settled.

What if the insurance company receives a notification of indicator activation? An insurance specialist helps with unpacking and goods checking. Shipping damage claims based on the goods damage degree. The shock and tilt indicators act as evidence and real-time notification.

Cargo insurance can reduce the loss of the goods damaged, however, if you think that cargo insurance is enough, you merely cover up the real problem. The consignee has to spend time checking goods and claims for return. The situation is troublesome for both parties.

Leaning Label gradually become an indispensable packaging material to ship valuable goods and equipment for corporations. Does it need to be applied on a required placement?

Let us take you to see the instruction for use and correct placement of Leaning Label.

Leaning Label Correct Usage

Leaning Label is literally an indicator to detect tilt. As the tilt degree of the goods is over 80 degrees, the middle window turns red.

Product Brief

In the beginning, the designer applied a leaning label on one side of goods and then do a test, that is, the leaning label can detect only one plane surface, i.e. direction to left or to right.However, the tilt direction is not under control. Goods are possible to tilt forward and backward. In this case, we have to apply 2 leaning label compulsory, on neighboring sides. (vertical plane) In this way, leaning label can detect the front and back tilt of the goods.

Numbers Of Usage

As per our statement above, you should use 2 pieces of leaning label to apply one leaning label on the front side and another leaning label on the side, so that your goods are assured under 360-degree all-around detection and protection.

Actual Test

Using 2 pieces of leaning labe makes your goods fully protection and detection. Does the placement affect the accuracy like impact indicator?

Please see the test video below. In this video, you will understand. No matter where you place the leaning labe, the tilt is over 80-degrees, the leaning labe  were all activated i.e. the placement doesn’t affect accuracy.

Summary

leaning labe have no “correct placement.” Logically, we only need to apply the leaning labe on an obvious place of the goods. In general, the upper-middle of the goods or height parallel to people’s eyes are the most obvious.

1. Use Bubble Wrap Or Inflatable Air Cushion To Protect

Please try to wrap fragile merchandise up with lots of bubble wraps and put them in the middle of the box, instead of the side. Inflatable Air Cushion, such as a large amount of bubble paper used in the package can not only prevent the movement of the merchandise but also achieve the effect of absorbing shock and protection.

2. Use A New Carton

Using old cartons is eco-friendly, but it has a big disadvantage in the protective effect. The material becomes soft and less supported after delivery. The brand-new cartons can provide complete protection for the goods.

3. Correct Packaging Label

Put a clear and correct packaging label on the package, the handlers can quickly view the goods for special care or so. There is evidence showing out packages that use packaging labels and stickers, can effectively improve transport efficiency and have lower damage to goods.

4. Do Not Use Gunny Sack

Some companies use gunny sacks for packaging because the product has irregular quantities or sizes. This is absolutely no protective effect for the goods. We should use sturdy outer packaging materials to avoid the risk of damage transportation.

5. Use Monitor Device To Monitor And Track Shipment, If Possible

Monitor Device can effectively inspect and tell whether there are abnormal incidents in the transportation process. Because of shipping indicators, handlers treat the goods more carefully to avoid increasing the risk of claims by customers.