Technical pack design
Through our 50+ years of research and commercial project work in our Distribution Test Laboratory, Pira has developed a wealth of expertise in technical pack design for distribution. Historically our focus has been on cushioning design and corrugated performance/specification.
More recently projects have included design of thermoformed trays and cartons for medical device products and design of rigid plastics consumer goods packs where specific attention to fitness for distribution is required. In these areas Pira makes use of virtual design technology, where packs can be evaluated with respect to physical performance in the virtual environment.
Pira's strengths include experience of:
- technical performance
- light weighting
- aesthetic/usability requirements
- generating workable solutions
Critical to this is our ability to take a whole supply chain view when it comes to developing the brief. In addition our independence allows us to design and select materials freely without bias from suppliers or bias towards specific material types or pack formats.
For complex assembled goods (machinery, electronics, medical devices) consideration includes product fragility assessment and vibration resonance characterisation. For corrugated board, Pira's design and specification work takes account of key real life issues including effects of climatic conditions (high humidity), duration of warehouse stacking or container/pallet shipment, stacking pattern/arrangement, mixed loading and extended supply chain handling.
Commonly our design process includes:
- Review of requirements/setting the brief
- Concept development
- Evaluation of concepts against key performance criteria
- Costing most attractive solutions
- Prototype sourcing or sample development
- Testing and trialling
- Review and final selection
Pira's expertise can be turned to the evaluation of existing pack designs, and to assisting clients review solutions that manage the balance between cost of materials and cost of damage/shrinkage.
Contact:
James Raw
email: james.raw@pira-international.com
Tel: +44 1372 80 2102