PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-625
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 625
DECEMBER 2004
well,
I’m
excellent at
protecting high-
dollar items!
it’s
me
you want!
I’ll save you
storage space.
me, me,
me!
I’m
stackable!
I
f you had a choice between a new or used car, which would you choose? You’d
probably pick the new one, right? Same goes for furniture, appliances, clothes.
But new isn’t always better. Sometimes used makes more sense. Take, for
instance, reusable containers for shipping, handling and even storing repairables.
They offer some clear benefits over disposable, single-use containers.
The Bottom Line
The main advantage is that reusable
containers
save you money.
They’re
made to use over and over again, unlike
boxes you use once and throw away.
During their lifetime, they more than pay
for themselves. They also reduce the
costs of disposal or recycling associated
with ordinary cardboard boxes.
Reusable containers have still more
advantages:
•
They’re sturdy and offer excellent pro-
tection for high-dollar repairable items.
•
They’re made to support the weight of
their contents, which means safer han-
dling.
•
Their design makes for easier stacking
and saves storage space.
•
They’re faster to pack and unpack.
Packaging Principles
No matter how good the packing materials, items run the risk of damage during
shipment. But you can lower the odds of damage by following these basic principles
when you pack:
•
Dirt, mud and moisture cause corrosion. So clean and dry the item. Use forced air
to blow off the loose stuff. Clean with steam rather than high pressure water. Steam
dries faster. Just remember to seal all the openings with tape before cleaning.You can
also brush or wipe off the container.
•
Drain items containing oils or fluids. Then
tape openings to prevent leaks. Use approved
container for the fluids.
•
Apply preservatives, grease or wraps on
bare metal surfaces. Corrosion preventive
compound works well for this purpose. Get a
1-gal can with NSN 8030-00-244-1297 or a 5-
gal can with NSN 8030-00-244-1298. Use
grease/waterproof barrier material to wrap
items covered by the compound. Get a 36-in X
200-yd roll with NSN 8135-00-282-0565.
•
Tape exposed surfaces—like splines and
threads—for protection.
•
Wrap and cushion items in bubble wrap if
the container doesn’t have cushioning built in.
.
Always use the same container that came
with the item or its replacement. An item’s
reusable continer is usually identified in FED
LOG. Just enter the item’s NSN or part num-
ber and click on the packaging icon.
PS 625
Shipping Materials…
DEC 04
•
Wooden
boxes and crates
•
Fiberglass
and metal cans
and drums
•
Plastic, fiber-
glass, and metal
containers and
cases
•
Cushioned,
fiberboard Fast
Pack containers
I’m
reusable!
I’ll save you
money!
no,
me!
choose
me!
47
A Container for Every Occasion
Reusable
containers
come in many
sizes, shapes
and types in
the Army:
625.46-47(C!)
10/29/04
1:58 PM
Page 1
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