Shocks, Impacts, Vibrations, and Tilts: How to Monitor and Indicate Them

 Pallets are subjected to impact whenever they are dropped from a crane, knocked by a forklift, or bounced over uneven roads (or shock). Vibrations may propagate within cargo if it is subjected to the rumbling of a ship's engine, the hum of a truck, the tremors of a reefer's condenser, or if it is operating itself. Damage may occur from automated tilt when perishable goods are kept in warehouses, loaded into containers, or transported to box trucks for final-mile delivery.

Indicators and Sensors

However, logistics monitoring should take into account more than just impact, tilt, and vibration when assessing damage. The choice between a monitor and an indication is another consideration.

Monitors

Most electronic shock monitors have to be powered (often by batteries) in order to measure shock events along one or more axes. So long as they have electricity, these monitors will keep track of any shocks that occur in the area.

Indicators

But not all packages need round-the-clock attention. In other cases, such as with consumer electronics, scientific equipment, and even some drugs, simple yes/no signs may be sufficient.

When Considering Tilts

The same goes for plate glass, car windshields, and shower doors—storing them at an angle increases the risk of breakage. And, surprisingly, so can appliances like refrigerators. By alerting operators that tilt is important and that they would be held liable for any damage caused, a visible tilt indicator (not a monitor) device may help avoid this kind of loss.

Temporal Shocks and Impacts

Impacts during transport are often the most dangerous for cargo. This time period might include many different forms of transportation and several different handoffs.

Measurement of Vibrations

Vibrations may seem like hits or tilts, but they are really more of a constant state. They may then offer continuous monitoring or send notifications if vibrations exceed or fall below a certain threshold. This may signal to operators and maintenance staff that something is wrong with the machine and that it needs to be fixed mechanically, or that it is likely to fail and needs to be shut down or some other action taken to prevent further damage. Equipment for use with oil and gas wells, mine storage facilities, and aggregate material is ubiquitous. As an added bonus, it may also be used to monitor pump health by measuring vibration in the pipe system.

Choosing Wisely

There are several varieties of shock sensors, which are really just indicators and monitoring software for impact, tilt, and vibration. The appropriate one will show you where the incident took place, what the weather was like, how strong the impact was, which direction it came from, and how hot or cold it was.