Material Handling Trays: The Benefits of Thermoformed Plastic Packaging

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Material Handling Trays The Benefits of
Thermoformed Plastic Packaging
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Material Handling Trays

• Material handling trays are produced using a
  variety of materials, including molded pulp,
  expanded polystyrene and thermoformed plastic.
  Comparing major characteristics, thermoformed
  plastic provides the most benefits over the other
  two material types. These trays are used in
  diverse applications and provide numerous
  benefits, including durability, reusability,
  efficiency and cost savings.

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Material Handling Trays

• Custom thermoforming refers to the manufacturing
  process of heating and molding plastic materials
  into packaging solutions. Material handing trays
  are used in diverse applications in a variety of
  industries, especially electronics and medical.
  In general, these trays can be manufactured in
  either disposal or reusable packaging.

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Material Handling Trays

• Some of these applications include
• Robotic processes. Robotic assembly has made
  huge inroads in manufacturing processes. When
  companies use automated handing equipment during
  production, they require trays and pallets
  designed to precise specifications.
•  
• For example, when large volumes of products move
  through the production process, robotic systems
  place them in packaging trays. This automation
  requires each product to be placed in the
  material handling trays in exactly the same
  position per the specifications. The products
  must remain in a fixed position and not move
  while traveling from one location to another.

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Material Handling Trays

• Protective shipping dunnage. Dunnage refers to
  the packing that helps to enclose freight during
  shipment. Its purpose is to prevent damage
  during transport. In the past, lumber was
  typically used to protect freight shipments.
  However, todays thermoformed plastics provide
  superior part protection, cost savings and
  storage efficiencies.

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Material Handling Trays

• Medical glass bottle transport. Plastic trays
  protect sensitive packaging during transport.
  The trays are designed so the specific product
  can snap into place and be held firmly to prevent
  damage while moving.
• Production line fixtures. These trays are
  designed to be integrated within the production
  process. When production is completed, the trays
  become part of the final packaging protection and
  display.

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Material Handling Trays

• Benefits of Thermoformed Plastic Material
  Handling Trays
• Thermoformed plastic is the preferred handling
  tray material for numerous reasons, some of which
  include the following
•  
• Durable. The plastics used during production
  create an end packaging product that provides
  exceptional chemical resistance. In addition,
  these trays are crack resistance, provide good
  rigidity and are strong enough to tolerate high
  impacts.
•  
• Reusable. Along with durability, these trays
  are easy to clean so they can be reused
  efficiently in the packaging process.
  Reusability positively impacts competitiveness as
  material handling trays can serve multiple
  purposes, including assembly fixtures, transport
  trays or packaging.

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Material Handling Trays

• Efficient. Since thermoformed plastic material
  handling trays can be stacked on top of each
  other, they save storage space. Also, the
  ability to nest inside one another reduces
  restocking labor within the supply chain. Plus,
  these trays are lightweight and easy to handle.
•  
• Economical. Because plastic material trays can
  be reused, they benefit companies economically.
  In addition, thermoformed plastic materials are
  easily recycled and therefore these material
  handling trays produce much less production
  waste. The lightweight nature of the material
  reduces transportation costs when compared to
  wood or other heavier materials.

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Material Handling Trays

• Thermoformed plastic material handling trays are
  the packaging option of choice for many
  applications. Compared to other materials,
  thermoformed plastic provides a better end
  product that offers more advantages. Regardless
  of the application, thermoformed plastic material
  handling trays are designed for moving products
  in the most efficient and protected way possible.

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About the Author

• Jim Boley is VP of Business Development at
  Flexpak Corporation, a world-class supplier of
  custom thermoforming and packaging solutions
  since 1974. For more information about material
  handling trays, please visit 
• http//www.flexpakcorp.com/plastic-packaging.php 
• today.