Pallet
Design System (PDS)
Developed
by Virginia Tech, with additional funding provided from the
US Forest Service and NWPCA, the Pallet Design System is a reliability-based
design procedure for wood pallets. It is based on engineering
fundamentals, matrix structural analysis techniques, and the
results of laboratory and field testing. Estimates of pallet
(1) strength, (2) deformation, and (3) durability are generated
from user-specified descriptions of the pallet and its handling
environment. This procedure can be used to (1) estimate the
performance level of a specified pallet design or (2) assist
in the design of a pallet to meet or exceed a specified performance
level.
Since the
first version of PDS was issued in 1984 it has been used to
design millions of pallets leading to improvements in material
handling efficiencies. USING PDS TO DESIGN AND SELECT PALLETS
WILL IMPROVE SAFETY FOR WORKERS, REDUCE SOLID WASTE, IMPROVE
UTILIZATION OF STANDING TIMBER AND MATERIAL HANDLING COSTS.
