Protective
Packaging was contacted by a major defense contractor
in March of 1997. The contractor shared that
they had a new weapon system that consisted of a
WWII and Vietnam era "dumb bomb" married with a modern
GPS guidance system to achieve surgical precision
accuracy in its delivery.
The challenge came when they shared
that they must provide a 20 year warranty against
any damage caused by corrosion or ESD
(electrostatic discharge) and asked if Protective Packaging had
any ideas. They had already contacted several other
flexible packaging companies, but were told they
needed to provide drawings and specifications before
any type of quotation could be issued. Within 48
hours of being contacted, Protective Packaging President,
Steve Hanna and Vice President Jim Hiller were at
their facility in St. Louis working on a solution.
After a 3 hour discovery meeting, Protective Packaging
returned to Dallas and began aggregating materials
that would meet or exceed the following stringent
requirements:
- Package must be moisture proof
- Package must be vapor proof
- Package must be heat sealable
- Package must have conductive interior
- Package must have a MVTR of .002 of less
- Package must be durable
- Package must be dull not shiny
- Package must be able to hold an indefinate vacuum
Two weeks later, Protective Packaging returned to
St. Louis with 3 different materials that would meet
or exceed the outlined requirements. By the end of
the meeting, a decision had been reached as to the
material to be utilized.
After several more visits and severe testing which
included thermal, vibration, altitude, loose cargo
and drop tests, the material was approved and a quotation
for the original requirement of 1,500 barrier
bags was issued. By April 2002, Protective Packaging had
manufactured their 50,000th barrier bag.
|
|
Example of JDAM
Weapons System protected by PPC barrier materials
View of JDAM Weapons
System and packaging prior to final sealing for
transport
Example of JDAM
Weapons System sealed in barrier bag packaging
ready for delivery. |
