The Pallet Design System © Version 5.0 (PDS V5.0) is the result of several years of planning and development. It will enable clear communication about the customer’s unit load handling requirements and the ability of the pallet to meet those requirements. A revolutionary change, PDS V5.0 will now enable pallet manufacturers to specify and draw the entire “unit load” – consisting of the pallet, containers, and load stabilizers.
Keeping up with the latest research, PDS V5.0 contains new structural analysis models which are based on state-of-the-art wooden pallet design, all relevant historical data, and the latest laboratory and field test data. During over 30 years of R&D, the structural analysis capabilities in PDS have evolved, and the determination of safe working load levels has been continually monitored.
PDS V5.0 will enable structural analysis of wooden pallets with 2 to 9 stringers, 2 to 29 top and/or bottom deckboards, 2 to 7 blocks along stringerboards, and 2 to 9 rows of stringerboards/blocks across the pallet width. Essentially, PDS V5.0 will enable pallet manufacturers to specify, draw, and analyze performance of almost any wooden pallet design.
PDS V5.0 can analyze pallets stored in overhead racks with 2 beam, 3 beam, or shelf support of the pallet. It can analyze performance of pallets in ASRS systems which are sensitive to deflection. PDS V 5.0 can analyze 4 corner support, and lifting and handling of pallets with forklift. Stacking multiple unit loads in the warehouse or during shipping can be evaluated.
Focusing on every major detail of unit load design, available container types include corrugated boxes; steel, plastic, and fiber drums; plastic and steel pails; paper, plastic, and textile bags of all tube and end styles; rectangular and octagonal bulk bins; and bulk bags. Available load stabilizers include plastic and steel strapping; strap protectors, corner protectors, and top edge protectors; stretch and shrink wrap; top frames, top caps, top sheets, pallet barrier sheets, and tie sheets between layers.
PDS V5.0 will compute and display all possible stacking patterns for a layer of containers on the pallet, and calculate the footprint efficiency for each possible configuration. Stacking multiple layers of containers is displayed, with either interlocking or column stacking for boxes and bags, and the overall dimensions and weight of the unit load calculated.
The interface of the top deck of the pallet and bottom layer of containers is displayed. Users can arrange deckboards so they properly support and protect the containers. Similarly, the interface of the bottom deck of the pallet and top of the unit load is displayed. Users can arrange bottom deckboards so they align with container corners, edges, and rims in order to maximize stability and prevent damage to the containers when stacking multiple unit loads in the warehouse or during shipping.
The “PDS Pallet Specification and Drawings”, long recognized and sought by companies that use pallets, will now include a companion “PDS Unit Load Specification and Drawings”.
PDS will remain a tool for manufacturers of wooden pallets who have the expertise and knowledge to design the most practical, efficient, and economical wooden pallets which provide the structural adequacy to meet their customer’s unit load handling requirements. With PDS V5.0, wood pallet manufacturers can work collaboratively with their customers in designing the most efficient, protective, and economical unit load for transport of their products.
