| Abstract: | The rapid advance of computerization in industrial package design has led to a strong tendency toward CAD/CAM systems using personal computers for quick design and trial manufacturing. New tools based on a database of the cushioning properties of packaging materials will be needed for the design of package cushioning. Using a compression testing machine with computer control, an attempt has been made to construct such a database with registered characteristics for 47 samples of foamed polyethylene, foamed polypropylene and foamed polyethylene-polystyrene. This database offers the following functions and is recorded on floppy disk: (i) calculation of static cushioning properties (value); (ii) print-out of the computed results; (iii) drawing characteristic figures for designing package cushioning; (iv) indicating optimum value of static cushioning properties; (v) additional registration of new samples. |
