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High strength ARPRO® cutting automotive supplier packaging costs by up to 80 percent
A major automotive components manufacturer is reaping efficiency rewards with a new automotive packaging solution, from JSP, the leading supplier of ARPRO expanded polypropylene (EPP). The maker of sunroofs, which sought to reduce breakages and improve its successful delivery record by 20 percent of total production, now uses ARPRO to protect its panoramic glass. Compared to the 350kg steel frame used previously, cost and weight reductions are obvious, with the ARPRO frame weighing 9.5 kg and costing up to 80 percent less.
“Dunnage is critical to the safe protection and transportation of components between the supplier and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM),” explains Paul Compton, JSP’s executive vice president and chief operating officer (Europe). “The supplier was conscious of the high damage and rejection rate of its popular panoramic sunroof systems when in transit and initiated a programme with JSP to solve the issue.”
The sunroof dunnage solution comprises upper and lower pieces of ARPRO that neatly cocoon and cushion the “A” and “B” surfaces of the glass, to lock together with support from a steel bar at each corner. Compared to the previous steel solution, ARPRO not only provides enhanced vibration damping in the production environment, but also in transit, where multiple torsional loads and vibrations can threaten fragile components.
The ARPRO dunnage is custom made for specific auto parts. These returnable containers protect parts in transit to make packaging and shipping easier and help make unpacking and assembly more efficient. When JSP was designing the new custom solution, it had to adapt to the existing manufacturing layout.
“On the 16 week project, JSP’s engineers ensured that only the manufacturing consumables, such as suction and vacuum components connected to robotic arms, needed redesigning for this new solution, thus saving cost and time,” continues Compton.
ARPRO is 100 percent recyclable, and provides a unique combination of material properties, making it ideal for use in a wide range of dunnage and automotive components.
“JSP is expert at tailoring ARPRO for specific applications, where it can reduce mass without jeopardising structural rigidity; withstand multiple impacts without significant deformation and return to its original shape following dynamic stress when in transit,” concludes Compton.
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| By using ARPRO expanded polypropylene as dunnage, suppliers can now slash dunnage costs by up to 80 percent. | Used across all parts of the car as well as dunnage, JSP is expert at tailoring ARPRO where the expanded polypropylene can reduce mass and return to its original shape following dynamic stress when in transit. |
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