“It is never possible to predict a physical occurrence with unlimited precision.” - Max Planck
Contamination of manufactured products is a broad-ranging subject. Let’s first review the definitions of “contamination” and, since even the definitions are topically wide, we’ve narrowed in to a couple that make sense for the manufacturing industry.
From Wikipedia: “Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that spoils, corrupts, infects, makes unfit, or makes inferior a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc.
In environmental chemistry, the term "contamination" is in some cases virtually equivalent to pollution, where the main interest is the harm done on a large scale to humans, organisms, or environments."
"An environmental contaminant may be chemical in nature, though it may also be a biological (pathogenic bacteria, virus, invasive species) or physical (energy) agent."
That which damages humans will damage materials and products as well.
Astute engineers and businesses will also look at contamination from a legal perspective.
From Law Insider: “Contaminated Product means a product that contains a Prohibited Substance that is not disclosed on the product label or in information available in a reasonable internet search;
Contaminated Product means Product that has one or more of the following characteristics: (a) contains foreign substances not inherent or naturally occurring in Product; and/or (b) fails to meet Operator’s minimum specifications.”
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Liberty Intercept Blog
Practical Applications for Intercept: Covers + Liners + Inserts
Posted by Joe Spitz on Sep 29, 2023 12:48:20 PM
“The first step to change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
Read MoreTopics: better packaging, manufacturers, custom packaging, manufacturing, outdoor storage
Engineered to Recycle - Waste Not
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 8, 2023 12:35:24 PM
Listed below are some outstanding applications for recycled plastics. There are so many more to consider, but these piqued my interest. Commitments from industrial leaders to build products with recycled plastics help to create the market, generating incentive and adding value to industrial and consumer packaging produced with recycled materials.
Read MoreTopics: how to reduce packaging waste, sustainable packaging, plastics, recyclable
5 Recycling Problems that Industry Can Help Solve
Posted by Joe Spitz on Aug 8, 2023 12:34:32 PM
There is a well-intended drive in motion to eliminate single-use packaging, because the world is choking on trash and it’s only getting worse. A very large part of the problem is that developed nations are shipping their trash to developing nations, which necessarily are the least prepared to manage it. Too often in the process, trash spills into waterways leading to oceans, disrupting and entangling animal inhabitants, and presenting a health hazard for the residents of these developing nations. All of these factors and more create a mess that is most imperative to solve, and which is something that can be corrected with our help.
Read MoreTopics: how to reduce packaging waste, recyclable, protective packaging, environmental issues
Contamination in Manufacturing: Definitions
Posted by Joe Spitz on Jun 14, 2023 12:25:19 PM
“It is never possible to predict a physical occurrence with unlimited precision.” - Max Planck
Contamination of manufactured products is a broad-ranging subject. Let’s first review the definitions of “contamination” and, since even the definitions are topically wide, we’ve narrowed in to a couple that make sense for the manufacturing industry.
From Wikipedia: “Contamination is the presence of a constituent, impurity, or some other undesirable element that spoils, corrupts, infects, makes unfit, or makes inferior a material, physical body, natural environment, workplace, etc.
In environmental chemistry, the term "contamination" is in some cases virtually equivalent to pollution, where the main interest is the harm done on a large scale to humans, organisms, or environments."
"An environmental contaminant may be chemical in nature, though it may also be a biological (pathogenic bacteria, virus, invasive species) or physical (energy) agent."
That which damages humans will damage materials and products as well.
Astute engineers and businesses will also look at contamination from a legal perspective.
From Law Insider: “Contaminated Product means a product that contains a Prohibited Substance that is not disclosed on the product label or in information available in a reasonable internet search;
Contaminated Product means Product that has one or more of the following characteristics: (a) contains foreign substances not inherent or naturally occurring in Product; and/or (b) fails to meet Operator’s minimum specifications.”
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, manufacturers, quality
CHIPS Act, Part III: Plan for Success
Posted by Joe Spitz on Feb 15, 2023 5:03:34 PM
Discussion: CHIPS Act - Bring it Home
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, manufacturers, electronics packaging, Semi-conductor
CHIPS Act: Opportunity or Gamble? Part II in a series
Posted by Joe Spitz on Feb 15, 2023 1:58:46 PM
Discussion: CHIPS Act Hurdles
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, manufacturers, electronics packaging, Semi-conductor
CHIPS Act: General Information Part I in a series
Posted by Joe Spitz on Feb 15, 2023 1:22:01 PM
Discussion: The U.S. Government's $52.7 billion Chips for America Fund
Read MoreTopics: American manufacturing, manufacturers, electronics packaging, Semi-conductor
Intercept Technology as Insect Barrier
Posted by Joe Spitz on Jan 2, 2023 11:26:49 AM
"Some of the greatest leaps humanity has made have been fueled by our greatest inventors, Americans who have changed the course of history with their brilliance and dogged perseverance." ~USPTO Director Andrei Iancu
2022 was an exciting year for the Intercept Technology Group and Intercept Packaging. Global Director, Keith Donaldson, was awarded a United States patent in April in the Insect Barrier category. This is a well-deserved reward for Donaldson’s years of relentless and dedicated pursuit in the advancement of INTERCEPT Technology™. More important is his success in finding solutions for companies worldwide and in doing so, making the world a better place by encouraging the use of Intercept Technology materials in varied and challenging situations.
Read MoreTopics: anti-microbial, Intercept barrier packaging products, environmental issues, insect barrier
Connections - the Weakest Link
Posted by Joe Spitz on Oct 24, 2022 10:55:26 AM
In conversation with a young union pipe fitter (Local 537) at the local pub, he shared how they prepare metal surfaces for welding, soldering, joining, and where the stress points are. Our man emphasized that with any pipe system, it is the joints or the connections that are the most susceptible to failure. It occurred to me that is the case with most products, simply, the weakest link is where materials meet.
Topics: barrier packaging, ESD, quality, anti-corrosion barrier packaging, electronics packaging, quality assurance, Static Intercept, Corrosion Control, Static
Plan for the Worst
Posted by Joe Spitz on Dec 16, 2021 2:52:25 PM
Prepare for the Worst
The 8 Questions Manufacturers Must Ask
Current supply chain delays have been reported and discussed extensively by news outfits and logistics experts, with predictions that these delays will continue for much longer. The "just-in-time" philosophy is no longer in play. With this in mind, it’s important to note: corrosive gases will always be in the ocean’s atmosphere; the amount of time spent in transit, especially via ocean freight, increases exposure and can affect the reliability of your product.
Read MoreTopics: oil-free packaging, reliability, plastics, supply chain safety net, quality assurance, recyclable, protective packaging, outdoor storage