August 24, 2026
In the last issue of BoxScore, we talked on this subject but with a focus on small-flute and microflute constructions and unique ways of testing their strength properties.
Any observations and thoughts on how the column of produce boxes failed? (See the photo below). Notice, it was not a gradual collapse but one in which the two bottom boxes on the pallet load gave way.
All the aspects that go into designing, combining, and converting perfect packaging are often forgotten. In the past, we techie people always referred to “retained compression” at the end of the distribution channel, but we are not hearing this newer term from members and their customers.
The Chalmers DST (see image at top right) has the ability, with a very small sample size, to measure the amount of crush of a sheet in the fluting and combining process. This is also true of the loss of sheet integrity through the converting process. The test machine will not measure the quality of slotting, scoring, and square of the finished box and how robust a package is. As of this writing, 70 have been sold in the United States.
The significance of the test machine and its results is that it begins to predict actual four-point bending stiffness and other elements of box compession after ECT represents 75% of total top-to-bottom compression. But these properties do not fully estimate the robustness of a box.
To really get a complete picture of the full integrity of a corrugated box, one must follow International Safe Transit Association protocols, in which the package goes through a succesive series of tests including tumbling, dropping on three sides, corner drops, vibration, and compression.
AICC has many resoures to assist you in its brochures, searchable BoxScore articles, and over 3,000 searchable AskRalph responses on NOW.AICCbox.org.
Ralph Young is the principal of Alternative Paper Solutions and is AICC’s technical advisor. Contact Ralph directly at askralph@AICCbox.org about technical issues that impact our industry.
Sidebar: Additional Resources
In How to Get the Best Box is a section on “The Strong Box.” You can find some of the elements to consider in engineering robust corrugated packaging. Reach out to Ralph Young at askralph@AICCbox.org to get a copy.
Another resource worth checking out is Woodpack Global (www.woodpackglobal.org). The organization has software to help in determining pallet patterns and stacking heights.
