Liberty Intercept Blog

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her book "This is America" of Main Street in Hingham, Massachusetts, “This is the most beautiful main street in America.”  Historical Hingham was settled in 1633 and as I was driving one of its first roads recently, I realized it would be hard to disagree with her assessment. Big, beautiful, well-manicured homes are recessed from the street; stone walls built by craftsman mold into the contours of the land; old-growth trees shade the neighborhood.

We can talk about better packaging, shipping and storage, and decreased carbon footprint any day. It’s summer, and I’d like to share something different, a more personal story:

My wife and I were on one of my favorite beaches recently, Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA.  My fondness is based not only on memories of lifeguarding Nantasket in the mid to late 70s, but also because it’s a public beach where on any given hot day, thousands of sunbathers will visit, so it has a bit of a honky tonk edge.  You can people-watch all day long at Nantasket, observing all sorts of characters and the interplay between fellow sun worshipers.

I had the opportunity to hear the vice president of a major computer company speak about reliability and the tactics they use to achieve increased product reliability.  Because human nature strives to keep things the same and views change as uncomfortable, he emphasized that the change process was long and arduous. This VP was brought in like the new sheriff arriving in Dodge City. It was apparent he had complete executive support to change this company’s operation and design systems; in doing so he would enact a change in its culture. It worked famously. Their return has been extraordinary; they achieved tremendous increases in product reliability which led to lowered cost of goods on every level of the corporation and a stronger reputation amongst their customers.

Having worked with Intercept Technology protective plastic packaging for 15 years, one of the many benefits we depict about the Intercept product line is that it does not contain volatiles. Intercept packaging is volatile free. This emphasis is important, in part, to differentiate Intercept from common corrosion protection packaging materials that do use volatiles.  Reading a recent article on the pollution sources of our lakes and streams was a revelation and provided impetus to explain:  what is the significance of the term “volatile free”; what’s the big deal?

The US Military has packaging specifications to which companies packing products for military use, if so designated in their contract, should adhere.  The central document is the MIL-STD-20731E Standard Practice for Military Packaging.  This 183 page document has a great deal of information for contractors to follow, including definitions such as what is reusable, what is consumable, how to prepare the product for packaging, marking, etc.  The 2073 document also includes the methods on how to package.  For instance, Method 41 – “Watervaporproof bag, heat sealed. The item, preserved, wrapped, and cushioned as required in 5.2.3.6, shall be enclosed in a close fitting heat sealed bag conforming to MIL-DTL-117, Type I, Class E, Style 1, 2 or 3; or Type I, Class F, Style 1; or Type II, Class E, Style 1. (Note: For electrostatic protection refer to 5.2.4.1.)”. 

Where the icky brown rusty corrosion is easy to see on ferrous metals (steels; iron based), corrosion on non-ferrous metals is less visually intrusive, but may be more debilitating.  The electronics industry uses both ferrous and non-ferrous metals in their manufacturing.  Many of the chassis and support structures may be made of steel, but the conductive non-ferrous metals used for electron pathways are typically copper, silver, aluminum, and/or their alloys.

Here are four problems that can occur from corrosive reactions to the non-ferrous metals in electronics and their assemblies:

When choosing packaging materials to wrap industrial items, a manufacturer must decide what the chosen packaging material does for them. Treat this packing materials choice like any other purchase for the business or home - what benefits will you receive from the product and will it provide the value you anticipate.

For well over a year, my brother-in-law Spencer has immersed himself in the artistic glass industry.  Spencer works, plays, talks, studies, teaches, and I’m sure dreams glass.  He has gone to glass work camps and seminars, where he has met and worked with some of Americas most renowned glass artists.  Though in the field for a relatively short time, intellectually curious Spencer is one who will learn as much as can absorbed about a particular topic.  He recently made the comment that American glass makers are some of the best in the world.  European glass artists may have the name and reputation, but the American artists are making very creative pieces as well.  Spencer is from Britain and in the 10 years I’ve known him, has shown a healthy pride for the European side.  It was kind of him to share his new found deep respect for this particular American craft.