The solution, called the SpoolKit, is an all-in-one shipping container that packages different types of formatted materials together. It is custom-designed to meet the specific needs and requirements of component manufacturers.
Web’s SpoolKit can carry slit tape spools, rolled ply kits and other composite materials in the same package. It delivers the right assortment of formatted materials in the correct quantities and in the proper order needed for efficient production runs.
“The SpoolKit is customised to the pulse rate of a component manufacturer’s production activities,” said Web Industries’ general manager, Ben Winters. “It eliminates concerns over shipment accuracy, speeds part production and allows manufacturers to concentrate on their core competencies.
“Previously, formatted composite materials in varying formats meant for production of the same part could arrive in separate shipments and at different times. This forced manufacturers to store materials on site and possibly resulted in delays and inaccuracies. With the SpoolKit, all the composite materials arrive at the same time ready for processing into finished components.”
The SpoolKit is strategically packaged according to the manufacturer’s specific requirements. Web’s PlyScan system with video verification monitors the packing process and ensures that the container has the right formatted materials in the correct quantities and proper order for production. The system provides both documentation and traceability to the customer. The container is also collapsible, allowing convenient access at the receiving end by the manufacturer.
Web’s SpoolKit container is typically made of heavy-duty reinforced plastic. It is usually divided into several layers or compartments for optimal protection of different formatted materials. Slit tape spools, for example, are securely fitted into spool supports, which prevent movement during shipping.
The SpoolKit is designed for shipment in refrigerated trucks approved for the transport of advanced composite materials. The kit carries an on-board temperature recorder that continually monitors the temperature of the kit’s contents. This ensures that the composite materials remain at the right temperature during transit.