W J Seidl on wed 3 jan 07
There is a simple device placed on the outside of shipping containers
bearing fragile equipment these days. I'm sure most of you have seen them
at one time or another. I call them "Jiggle meters" though I believe they
are known as stress/tip indicators. They are a cardboard outside frame,
enclosing a clear plastic window partly filled with some type of granular
substance in red or blue. The upper half of the clear plastic and outside
cardboard are covered in adhesive, so that when one of the containers to
which the indicator is attached is tipped or jarred or dropped, the granules
stick and so indicate that it has occurred. The newer ones even contain a
digital clock, so that shipment times can be tracked. It starts at "0" when
the package is picked up, the final time is recorded when it arrives at the
destination, for time-sensitive shipments, such as poultry, certain exotic
fruits and vegetables or other perishables.
That indicator, plus a strongly worded statement affixed near it warning the
shipper that ANY sign the container has been dropped or tipped will result
in a total loss of the contents (for which THEY then become responsible)
will ensure correct and proper handling.
Be sure the container is insured for full value(including contents and
handling costs).
We shipped computer mainframes (back in the day) with this method.
Lost only one, once. (Trucker could not read English ?!)
They are not expensive, and certainly much less expensive than the value of
your time and effort in replacing a broken kiln.
Here is a link to one supplier, Google will have others:
http://www.uline.com/ProductDetail.asp?model=S-866&searchedkeywords=tip%20in
dicators
Best,
Wayne Seidl
when you pay for a service, you have the right to EXPECT that service.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Catherine
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 1:16 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: A question about shipping kilns
The big problem is that the container is dropped off
the back of the postal or UPS truck or loading platform.
This was told to me by workers at both places. When my
kiln arrived as crumbles, our delivery person told me he saw it
pushed off the loading platform to the ground where
it was picked up and placed in the truck. I can't picture
many packing methods that would get the kiln bricks
past that kind of treatment.
Catherine in Yuma, AZ wishing all a good year.
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