The lower assembly and base construction determines the Length and Width call-out based on the style family.

Light-duty base skids/stringers and lumber deck boards (when applied) along with lower assembly components, run the opposite of Medium-duty and Heavy-duty styles. This is based on international industry standards.

Pallets dimensions the Length dimension is typically the direction of the stringers and in the pallet industry the dimensions are normally called out as Width x Length versus Length x Width as done in the crating industry. However, to avoid confusion, because Crate Pro was designed for crating companies, in Crate Pro 6 the first dimension is always Length no matter if its for a crate or pallet. Length for pallets is the direction of the stringers

So while a pallet is typically called out as 40 x48 (width x length), Crate Pro 6 will default to 48 x 40 when creating a new pallet design (length x width) where length is the direction of the stringer.



When entering dimensions it is Length x Width x Height *


* The industry standard of Length x Width is based on the construction methodology of the crate itself. For greatest crate strength the expectation is Length is called out first and is generally equal to or greater than the Width dimension. However, more experience craters may swap these dimensions if the order requires it


Inside dimensions are based on inside panel to panel dimension. The panel consists of the sheathing material (plywood or lumber) and the cleating material added to the panel. For inside cleated crates, the ID is based on the inside edge of the panel cleats to the inside edge of the opposing panel without regard to added obstructions.


Obstructions:

Users need to be aware of 'Obstructions'. These are additional components that are not part of the initial calculation and reduce the available content area but will not change the inside dimension as calculated . These are joists, load members and gussets and additional components the user may add. Be sure to account for these added items when determining the ID required if it affects the available content area.


Obstructions may also be placed on the outside of the crate: gussets, hinges, hardware, additional support lumber, collars, etc. which are not counted in the outside dimension of the crate. Components added which affect the outside dimension, should be accounted for in Design > Wts & DIms > in the 'Added' fields or the 'Shipping' fields. When modifying the Shipping dimensions using either field, your Cubic Foot totals will reflect the changes.



However, for crate collars, users can enter in Design > Container > More...> Add to Height in the Collar fields - enter the additional outside height in inches or millimeters, that the collar boards extend above the Top panel. (see 2nd image) Collars when used for a crate are used on the TOP panel and placed outside the crate : Joists, Retainers, Rings and Collars: 'More' tab






Clear Area:

The clear area is based on the content dimensions. In Preferences > Settings users set the company baseline clear area value. If the cleat area value is 2" (50mm), when Crate Pro 6 calculates your design, it will assume the content length and width are 4" (100mm) less, and the content height is 2" (50mm) less. In the design, users can change these values to match the actual content dimensions.

Changing the content dimensions are not needed unless you are using Crate Pro 6 to calculate packing items that can be auto calculated and are based on the content size. Such as:

  • Wrapping: Inner, Mid and Outer
  • Floater Decks
  • Padding when selected to be based on content size versus full inside dimension


Caution: Crate Pro 6 will calculate the required materials based on the entered content dimensions. But it assumes you have ensured that based on the content dimensions and the dimensions of the added packing materials, that the inside dimensions allow for the content and extra packing. (See 2nd image)

In Preferences > Settings > Clear Area: Some users to set this to zero and account for the additional space required when entering the ID for their designs. However, with Floater Decks, their size is based on the content dimension where the content sits, but the rails / risers, foam and strapping will extend beyond the content dimension and are based on the materials selected for the Floater Deck.