Member Question:

 

We are a Canadian company that sells corrugated boxes for just in time deliveries. One of our clients is requesting me to supply him the strength, meaning the weight a box can support, based on certain information such as the box style if an RSC, its dimensions, the paper combination and flute profile. I wonder if you know where I would be able to find such a formula. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

ASKRalph Responds:

 

MEMBER: I have a question.  We have been working very hard to reduce waste in our plant, and we have been successful in our efforts for the majority of items.  One area we have not been able to reduce on a significant or consistent basis is laps cut off rolls before they are put on the unwind stand.  Do we have access to any information that talks about average waste percentages in AICC corrugator plants?  I know there are questionnaires the AICC sends out, and if you participate in them, then you get to see the results.  If there is, please let me know and we will participate. Thanks for your help.  Hope to see you again soon.
 
RALPH YOUNG: The Corrugated Board Technical group of TAPPI years ago developed recommended guidelines for board mills about roll hardness, steel band widths, and placement of the bands on the rolls.  This was designed that rolls could endure the rigors of transport and not arrive at converting facilities with very minimum edge damage.

Ideally the only roll damage you should be occurring is some "cigar peeling" on the outer wrap from the rolls "spinning" while traveling over the roads and rails.  This should be limited to three wraps only. If this is not the case you need to go back to your roll stock supplies and have them investigate their blocking and bracing procedures of the rolls in the cars and trailers.  The entire waste stream at the corrugator should not exceed three percent.  While the AICC does not collect and report on box plant waste, TAPPI does.