From: Lee Penn  <lee@dlpco.dlpco.COM>
Subject: Re: shipping systems
Resent-From: mmdf@xenitec.on.ca
Submit-To: scogen@xenitec.on.ca
Organization: [resent by] The SCOGEN gateway and Propagation Society
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 23:05:29 GMT
Precedence: bulk

>I tried to mail, but the reply bounced.

>In article <9211051131.AA17284@aerie.prn.org> you wrote:
>: Hi,
>: 
>: We are shipping our SCO based systems back and forth across the country
>: to various sites. Most support is done by Telebit modem, but when an office has
>: a problem we can't solve that way, such as a hardware failure, we have
>: found that shipping a new system out is the most economical way to
>: proceed.
>: 
>: Only problem is, cardboard boxes only last a trip or two. Does anyone
>: know of a source for shipping containers that could be used for AT form
>: factor cases?

>I don't know the name of the company that makes them, but I used to work
>for Information Builders (FOCUS), and we shipped machines all over the
>world.  We had very sturdy trunks, and they were called Accordion Cases.

>I know that doesn't help much, but they definitely exist.  These cases were
>made like the heavy trunks world travelers carry.
>Heavy wood, with some kind of leather covering (probably all
>fiberglass now), with an ornate angle iron reinforcing all edges.  I warn
>you that these things are expensive!!  On the order of several hundred 
>dollars apiece.

>If your handy with tools, A good case could be made in an afternoon with 
>some angle iron, and 3/4" plywood.  A look in the yellow pages should give 
>you a place to buy some foam, and you can then cut out the AT form factor.
>Another packing solution is find a place that has the liquid stuff that
>foams up on contact with air.  This creates very good shipping conditions,
>but is very specific to the machine. (As the foam expands, it form fits
>around the machine).  This would be a quick and fairly inexpensive solution
>for you.

>Please let me know if you find the name of a company.
>: 
>: -- 
>:  _ __   _ __   _ __
>: ' )  ) ' )  ) ' )  )   PRN Development Lab
>:  /--'   /--'   /  /    mthvax!mamia!aerie!develop
>: /      /  \_  /  (_    9300 SW 87 Ave. Miami Florida 33176 USA
>: 
>: 

>-- 
>    ======================================================================

>      Kevin C. Castner                           kevinc@ups.com
>      Unix Administrator                         United Parcel Service

Continental Computer Systems used to ship their machines in boxes 
using the "foamed-in" material.

IT WAS A DISASTER!!!!  Lots of damage.  Don't do this.

The foam, because it supports the whole machine over a wide 
surface might as well be concrete as it will have no give at all. 
The best type of shock protection is the strips of soft foam that 
has a lot of give.  That give is very important as it reduces the 
sharp types of shock that really knock the heck out of things.

Think what happens when you do a belly flop in water.  Because of 
the amount of surface area, the water feels more like concrete.

DONT use FOAMED IN CASES!

People that go to shows have to have special containers for equipment. 
The cases are expensive, but worth every penny.

If you build, use soft foan.  The Egg Crate stuff should work well.
================================================================================
Lee Penn,  DLP Technologies, Inc.                     Voice: 513 232-7791
SCO Advanced Product Center                           FAX: (513) 232-7801
7444 Jager Ct.
Cincinnati, OH  45230-4344                           email: lee@dlpco.COM