When handling and transporting delicate or irregularly shaped parts having the right dunnage is essential. At Peninsula Plastics, we offer a range of dunnage options that can be tailored to your unique applications. Our packaging protects your products, optimizes your space, and seamlessly integrates into your existing processes. With options in packaging styles, sizes, and material compositions, you can be confident that your products will remain secure and undamaged throughout the supply chain. Let’s explore the different dunnage options and how Peninsula Plastics can create the ultimate custom packaging solution.
Tray Types – Finding the Perfect Match for Your Product
Thermoformed industrial part trays are reliable solutions for storing unique components and enhancing product support and protection. Choosing the right tray type is crucial to ensure your products are safe from production facilities to customers. Each tray style has unique benefits making it a suitable option for select processes.
Common Tray Types: Peninsula Plastics manufactures returnable trays including tub trays, dust skirt trays (knit wall trays), and castle wall trays. Tub trays are great for packaging larger items requiring more depth to contain them properly. This style tray provides suitable space for properly securing and handling individual parts. Dust skirt trays (knit wall trays) help eliminate external contamination that could negatively affect sensitive parts such as machined components like gears and transmissions. Castle wall trays provide sufficient protection and have great return ratios due to their structural makeup. Empty trays securely nest into themselves saving crucial space and providing a 2:1 return savings ratio.
Pigeonhole Unit Packs: Pigeonhole unit packs are designed with multiple compartments, making them ideal for storing automotive components that are accessible once a curtain is lifted/rolled. This style tray ensures each part stays in its designated place, reducing the risk of misplacement or damage. Pigeonhole trays offer increased warehouse organization, support space savings lineside, reduce labor, and allow businesses to keep an accurate and well-managed inventory through easy viewing.
Each tray type offers distinct benefits and is customized to meet the unique requirements of your products and operations. When creating a custom industrial part tray, designs can incorporate standard pallets and lids, or custom pallets and lids to increase product support and protection.
Tray Sizes
Peninsula Plastics manufactures reusable dunnage trays in various sizes to ensure the perfect fit for your products. The two primary sizes we offer include:
Half-Size Trays: Half-size trays allow for multiple trays per layer. They are easy to handle and can be used in conjunction with other packaging solutions for greater flexibility. This lightweight option supports enhanced ergonomics.
Full-Size Trays: When handling larger parts or trying to maximize your load capacity, our full-size trays provide ample space while maintaining durability. Full-size trays are often used in industrial settings for transporting and storing a variety of items, from automotive parts to electronics. With full-size trays, additional components can be installed to support ergonomics, lift loops, lift hooks, lift plates, etc.
Thermoformed trays are manufactured to withstand daily heavy-duty use. Trays are designed to be used with standard pallets and lids, custom pallets and lids, totes, and bulk bins. This supports a complete, efficient packaging unit that protects your products.
Load Transfer Through Trays or Parts
Managing load transfer is crucial for protecting products during transport. At Peninsula Plastics, our trays are designed to support two main types of load transfer. The first method, transferring load weight through the tray only (eliminating any weight transfer through the part itself) involves transferring the weight of stacked trays directly through their structure. This option is ideal for situations where plastic trays need to provide full support, providing stability through the stacking of each tray. The second method involves transferring load weight through the part and the tray. With this method, weight is evenly distributed between the trays and the parts they hold. This is particularly suitable when the parts are robust enough to share the load.
Single Sheet vs. Twin Sheet: Choosing the Right Structure
Single Sheet Trays: This thermoforming method only uses one plastic sheet to form the tray. Since less material is used, this is a more lightweight and cost-effective solution, making it suitable for applications where weight reduction and budget are top priorities. Despite their lightweight structure, single sheet trays are durable and flexible enough to provide ample protection for many parts.
Twin Sheet Trays: Twin sheet trays are manufactured by fusing two plastic sheets to create one rigid piece. This offers enhanced design flexibility and strength, making this style tray ideal for heavy-duty applications. Twin sheet trays tend to be bulkier and heavier compared to traditional single sheet trays with more material being used.
Material Types Tailored for Your Project
Selecting the right material for your dunnage is critical for ensuring that it meets the demands of your specific application. We determine the best material type based on several factors such as the weight of your products, the nature of the environment they will be used in, and your durability requirements. Our thermoforming material options include:
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): Known for its strength, impact resistance, and recyclability, HDPE is an ideal choice for heavy-duty applications. HDPE is resistant to chemicals and moisture and easy to clean making it suitable for different industries’ specific needs.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): ABS is a durable thermoplastic known for its strength, shock resistance, and stability. Its resistance to extreme temperatures and chemicals makes it ideal for various packaging applications.
Ready-Made and Custom-Made Pallets and Lids
To provide a comprehensive solution for your packaging needs, Peninsula Plastics offers custom and ready-made pallets and lids to perfectly complement dunnage trays. A packaging unit consisting of trays, pallets, and lids creates robust protection that keeps your goods secure and safe throughout the entire supply chain.
Ready-Made Pallets and Lids: Offering conveniently reduced lead times and reliable quality our ready-made pallets are built for daily usage. With over 100 molds readily available in various styles and dimensions, there is no need for additional tooling costs. Our standard pallets include flat-bottom, nine-legged, and mirror-image styles to seamlessly fit into your operations.
Custom Pallets and Lids: For businesses requiring a solution tailored to their unique applications, our custom pallets and lids are designed to enhance your existing processes. We have an in-house design team to review your project and develop an effective packaging solution. Utilizing custom dunnage ensures a perfect fit and increased protection for your products.
Get the Perfect Fit with Peninsula Plastics
Peninsula Plastics understands each business’ products and processes are unique. That’s why we offer flexible dunnage solutions that can be customized to provide the perfect fit for your operations. From choosing the right tray type and size to selecting materials that maximize durability, our goal is to provide a solution that protects your products, optimizes your processes, and helps your business thrive.
Ready to find your next packaging solution for your business? Contact us today to learn more about our customizable options and discover how Peninsula Plastics can help you achieve your packaging goals. Let us provide you with a solution that’s built to last.
