Data Dimensions: Smoothers vs. Purists
An issue we face at Gladson from time to time is the
existence of different product dimensions within the same family of products,
which have the same net content statement. For example, an 8 oz.
bottled water available in six different flavors will often have
dimensions differing across the product line. There are typically two
groups of thought on this topic. The first group thinks that all 8 oz. products
within a family of products should have exactly the same dimensions; we will
call this group the "Smoothers". The second group thinks that all products
should be measured according to their exact dimensions and realizes there will
be dimension variations within a product line; we’ll call this group the "Purists."
The dimension differences are typically small and within
industry tolerances. Our Gladson Electronic Measurement is so accurate that it
is sensitive to these small differences. Product dimensions are often captured
at different times, in some cases months or a year or more apart especially in
the case of line extensions (a new flavor of an existing family of products). Product
lines manufactured at different plants will have different dimensions. All
plants may not also use the same grade of packaging material.
Packages received from different climates can result in the
packaging or actual product having different dimensions. For example, paper
products actually absorb humidity from the air that slightly changes package
sizes. Let’s consider packaging that is fiberboard, paperboard or
cardboard. All of these packaging types are subject to various climate
conditions which can affect their dimensions. These package material types are
also subject to different dimensions based on how they are glued and assembled.
Even metal cans can have slightly different dimensions based on how they are
handled during shipping. Products settle during shipping (it’s on most cereal
boxes) affecting the apparent fullness of the
product and also the depth of the product.
All of these things lead to natural differences in package
dimensions. Typically, we are not talking about huge dimension differences;
many times the differences are within the .05 to .1 inches range. The
packaging industry recognizes these differences as acceptable tolerances.
The GDSN has also recognized that different package types
and orientations must have different tolerances. Gladson is an active
participant in test projects working to establish acceptable variations
for different package types.
So often, Gladson is faced with the perception that all
packages in a family line with the same net content statement should have
exactly the same dimensions. The reality is that they do not.
It is possible to make all products in a family line having
the same net content statements reflect the same dimensions. This requires
considerable time and effort. It’s not just a simple process of averaging the
dimensions of the products that arrive at the same time
At Gladson we don’t set the standards, we share our knowledge and experience with other industry leaders by participating in research pilots and industry forums; then we make recommendations for new standards as needed.
After explaining the issues, we’d like your help. We have posted a survey to get a broad perspective of what people think on this issue.
So, we’d like you to take a couple of minutes to complete a survey on this topic. Please, click here for survey.
We will tally the results and share them with various industry standard groups to ensure your voice is heard. Also, the survey results will be addressed in a future newslettter.
Contact us at Newsletterinfo@gladson.com
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