SAVERs save $12,000,000 for Midea!

By Eric Joneson posted Friday, February 17, 2012

Midea is a renowned Chinese global producer of household appliances that has undergone substantial growth in the last decade. The rapid growth has lead to some unusual challenges associated with the distribution of their products. In some geographic regions they supply, it’s not unusual for most of the distribution chain to utilize manual handling (as compared to forklifts or automated systems). Because these products are large & heavy, manual handling puts them at an increased risk for accidental damage.

Midea realized they needed to better understand of their distribution environments to reduce distribution damage claims and improve customer satisfaction.

With a fleet of Lansmont SAVER field instruments, they set out on a project to aggressively measure their distribution environment. Products were outfitted with SAVERs and sent through the distribution channels to end points in a variety of regions. The data was analyzed and summarized to provide a comprehensive geographical map associated with the severities in each region.

With this information, Midea has crafted a variety of changes within their logistics systems and even created training and education programs to stress the importance of careful handling.

They continue to update the data and monitor shipments to drive their packaged-product laboratory testing.

Since implementing the new and improved laboratory testing methods, a number of structural design improvements have been implemented for various products. These improvements have increased the strength and reduced the cost of their products, and reduces their dependence on protective packaging materials during shipment.

After the first year of this initiative, Midea reported a 40% reduction in damage claims and $12,000,000 in related savings. Midea has also experienced significant improvements in reported customer satisfaction.

Research for Improved Healthcare Product Distribution Packaging

By Bryan Williams posted Friday, February 10, 2012

The Healthcare Packaging Consortium (HPC), established at Christian Brothers University in 2010, is conducting research to improve healthcare packaging. They've focused their initial research efforts on product distribution, specifically looking at the distribution channel between Distribution Centers (DC) and retail locations.

DC’s often break down unitized loads of healthcare products so they can ship individual items out to retail locations as needed. Individual packs of assorted products are combined at the DC into totes (plastic or corrugated) to fill an order. The totes are then routed out to retail stores for final delivery. To better understand the dynamic environment inside the tote, HPC utilized a SAVER 3M30 Plus to record impacts and vibrations during simulated tote shipments.



HPC developed some simple solutions for reducing the impact damage potential during a tote shipment. By using a data acquisition system to record impact acceleration during drop testing, HPC generated the data they needed to compare the performance of different cushioning materials. This data will be shared and promoted as the basis of improved testing methodologies for healthcare product DC-to-Store distribution.

To learn more about the ongoing research at Christian Brothers University, the publication Plastic Tote Drop Impact Study is available at the IoPP Journal of Packaging.

Available Now!
New PDT handheld controller

By Doug Hays - Customer Support posted Friday, February 03, 2012

We've developed a new handheld controller for our unique, easy-to-use Precision Drop Testers. If you are familiar with the "ED" controller, you will find it a simple transition to the new ruggedized design. It incorporates a rubber bumper and new features to improve the productivity, efficiency, and reliability of our PDT's.

The new controller is included with all new PDT-56ED and heavyweight drop testers.

For existing PDT equipped with a legacy "ED" controller, the switch-over process is an easy plug-and-play exercise. Attach the new controller, complete a simple user setup and calibration routine, and you are up and running.

Please contact me for more information if you are interested in upgrading the controller on your existing PDT.

PDT Handheld Controller:

• Improved LED display that simultaneously indicates both current and desired drop height settings.
  
• Faster controller functions for setting drop heights.
  
• New LED indicators incorporated with controller buttons to guide user through drop sequence.
  
• A new single drop function that allows user to perform one drop from any height the platen is currently set.
  
• A new drop height step function allows operators to define a height increment to add or subtract the current set drop height.
  
• New lightweight, cushioned controller case for improved durability in laboratory environments.
  

Operator Certification Training
MSU - March 20 - 23

By Bryan Williams posted Friday, January 27, 2012

Our next scheduled training sessions will be held this March at the MSU School of Packaging. We are offering Equipment Operator Certification and software training courses for SaverXware and Test Partner 3. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your Lansmont equipment and instruments:

Tuesday – March 20

• Operator Certification Training - Drop (8 am – 12 pm)
• Operator Certification Training - Compression (1 – 5 pm)

Wednesday – March 21

• Operator Certification Training - Vibration (8 am – 2 pm)

Thursday – March 22

• SaverXware Training (8 am – 12 pm)
• Test Partner 3 Training (1 – 5 pm)

Friday – March 23

• Operator Certification Training - Shock (8 am – 2 pm)

To attend any of these training courses in March, please register here.

MD&M West
Come See Us in Anaheim

By Bryan Williams posted Friday, January 20, 2012

Lansmont will be showcasing our products and services at the upcoming MD&M West show in Anaheim, CA. This year's show will be held in conjunction with eight other industry-related exhibitions, including West Pack. Whether you're planning to attend MD&M West or one of the related events, please stop by and see us (attending one show grants you access to all of them).

Visit our booth to learn more about the latest Test Equipment and Instruments innovations that we've been working on. If you'd like to schedule some time during the show to review Testing Equipment or would be interested in a SAVER demonstration, please let us know.

We will be located in Hall E, Booth #761. This Hall will be opening 30 minutes earlier than the rest of the show each day. We'll be there from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9:30 am - 4:00 pm on Thursday.

We hope to see you in Anaheim!