There are multiple ways to securely transport your cargo and ensure it withstands the dangers of transit. With numerous dunnage options readily available, it’s important to know what’s going to work best for you.
One option to consider is block and brace air bags. These products provide superior protection during transit. Follow this guide from Sunrise Manufacturing to ensure a better shipping strategy for your next shipment.
Applications and Benefits of Block and Brace Air Bags
Air bags are one of the most common dunnage products businesses use to safely ship their goods all around the globe. There are a few applications, however, where air bags make the most sense.
- Provide stability and position for unstable freight
- Filling lateral void space in your intermodal containers, OTR trailers, and boxcars
- Securing product placement in outbound loads
Key benefits of air bags include:
- Flexible protection
- Bags adapt during shipping, offering maximum protection throughout transit
- Companies like Sunrise Manufacturing offer a variety of air bag sizes to accommodate varying load securement scenarios
Best Practices for Proper Use of Block and Brace Air Bags
It’s critical that customers use air bags correctly in order to maximize their functionality.
- Assess the size of your product and the remaining load space
- Place air bags in locations that will secure products and prevent load shift.
- Use compatible inflation tools to accurately inflate air bags to exact specifications.
- Consider using corrugated buffer sheets to protect your air bags from potential punctures.
Achieve Effective Blocking and Bracing Strategies
Blocking and bracing effectively and efficiently requires diligent attention, proper planning, and expert knowledge of both your shipping strategy and your modality. Follow these steps to ensure effective strategies.
- Tightly pack cargo against container walls and bulkheads to reduce open spaces within your shipping modality.
- Brace cargo both longitudinally and laterally, filling as many void spaces as possible to reduce load shift.
- Avoid placing bags directly on the floor, as that can cause rub, causing potential puncture and deflate the bags.
Know Different Types of Air Bags
There are multiple variations of air bags you can use to implement block and brace strategies throughout your shipping solution. Sunrise Manufacturing offers a few different types of bags in a variety of sizes.
Polywoven and Paper Bags
These AAR-approved polywoven and kraft paper air bags are lightweight, durable, and easy to use. Coming in a variety of specifications and sizes, our experts will provide the best solution for your particular application.
Square Air Bag
This air bag option fills extra-large voids and provides more surface contact for enhanced load restraint. Square air bags can reduce your need for additional dunnage materials and labor, saving you money. These durable AAR-approved air bags have a gusseted, durable polypropylene outer shell that gives them tear and puncture resistance.
BUF-BAG®
Designed to be a user-friendly, one-piece application, our BUF-BAG® provides added strength and support for enhanced load securement. Each BUF-BAG® is customized for your application and comprised of a durable air bag sandwiched between two pieces of dunnage, which can include a variety of options from corrugated sheets to DIAMOND-PAK® or Sunrise Small Cell™ honeycomb panels. This one-piece system can greatly reduce labor during installation.
Contact Sunrise Manufacturing for Your Block and Brace Air Bags Today
Sunrise Manufacturing is an industry-leading expert in freight protection and strategic shipping solutions. With numerous products produced at our facilities, we have an option for every shipping need.
Contact us today ahead of your next shipment and partner with us at Sunrise Manufacturing to better protect your cargo during transit.