Second Phase of Testing - The pointGUARD™ Life Cycle Test Reveals A 5-Time Increase For Pallets Using the Pallet Protector!

Our comprehensive testing is being facilitated by The Center for Unit Load Design at Virginia Tech University. Our first round of testing was an evaluation of the degree of protection that a pallet has with The pointGUARD™ attached.  Impact resistance and strapping pull-up resistance was determined, however we needed to translate this into what the real implications would do to the life a pallet.  To determine this we initiated a life cycle test, which is our 2nd phase of testing.  This test simulates rough handling of palletized unit loads to assess the structural durability and to determine the economics involved in the use of a pallet.  It simulated idle pallet storage, palletizing, shipping, transport, receiving, and three types of storage: static rack, flow rack, and block stacking. 

RESULTS:

The results of the test determined that a pallet utilizing The pointGUARD™, on average, had a

5-time (5.2) increase over pallets without The pointGUARD™. 

• Pallets without protection averaged just 5.7 cycles before initial damage and 11.3 before testing ceased due to pallet failure.
• Pallets with The pointGUARD™ averaged 9.0 cycles before initial damage and 58.9 cycles before testing ceased due to pallet failure!
• 9 out of 10 pointGUARDS™ were usable after the pallet failed (only minor scuff marks by end of testing)!

TESTING METHOD

The test took (10) 48x40 non-protected perimeter base block pallets and (10) identical pallets that were protected with The pointGUARD™ and put them through Virginia Tech's FasTrack test protocol.  This protocol is a simulated warehouse handling course.  Each pallet went through a cycle which represented a unit load turn in a warehouse.  Depending on the average turns in a warehouse, the average life of a pallet was determined.   The handling devices used in the FasTrack test protocol include a 3,000 lb. capacity counter-balanced forklift and a 4,000 lb. capacity electric pallet jack.  The forklift operating speeds are 1 mph and 3 mph, depending on the mode of handling.  The electric pallet jack operating speed is 2 mph.  A dummy load of 1500 lbs. was typically used.   A set handling sequence was used for each cycle. 

Initial Testing

The initial tests were completed in February 2012.  The test program was the ASTM 1185, Standard test methods for pallets and related structures in materials handling and shipping.  Results came back extremely positive.  Pallets using the pointGuard™ show the following improvements:

- Five times the force needed before damage occurred to a block

- Over two times the force before damage to a lead board

- Twice the force when strapping before damage occured to a lead board

See the test result highlights:

United Pallet's Pilot Testing

Click on the videos below to see how The pointGUARD™ protects the pallet from forklift damage.

Need more information?

We'd be happy to discuss our test results in greater detail with you. Please contact us at (209) 538-5844 or use our contact form.