Corporate General Specification Package Engineering St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 100 Description: General Requirements for Corrugated Fiberboard Items Furnished to 3M Specification No.: 100 Status: Phase-Out 07/03/2003 Owner: Bradley P. Jones/US-Corporate/3M/US Issue Date: 01/14/2000 Distribution Code: A5-100 Supersedes Issue Dated: 03/15/94 Reason for Phasing out : Change Record: Revised to Lotus Notes Format, Removed Index, Added Scope, Updated Numbering, and Package Engineer. SCOPE: This Corporate General Specification outlines the general requirements for corrugated fiberboard items currently furnished to 3M Company. 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 Conformance All corrugated fiberboard items (boxes, interior parts, etc.) shall conform to requirements set forth in Uniform Freight Classification, NATIONAL MOTOR FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION and/or other governmental and carrier regulations as applicable, as well as to this specification. 1.2 Item Specification Item specifications will be issued for each individual item (box, creased sheet, folder, etc.). The item specification shall be considered as a supplement to this specification and shall supersede conflicting provisions herein. 1.3 Dangerous Articles Boxes and other parts furnished for packing and transportation of explosives and other hazardous materials must conform to appropriate Department of Transportation Regulations (CFR-40) and shall be so marked as required in the current Tarriff. 2.0 MATERIALS AND FABRICATIONS 2.1 New Materials All finished parts furnished under this specification must be made of mill-fresh board. No used board will be acceptable. This does not preclude the use of recycled fibers in the paperboard so long as the strength and performance of the finished part is maintained. 2.2 Substitutions No substitutions of materials from those indicated on this specification or on the item specification are allowed without written prior agreement with 3M Procurement. 2.3 Quality CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 1 Printed 06/23/2005
Materials used shall be of good commercial quality. Second Line materials will be subject to rejection by 3M with a request for replacement with acceptable material. CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 2 Printed 06/23/2005
2.4 Strength Requirements Acceptable board must meet prescribed strength requirements. 2.4.1 Bursting Test Apply Mullen or Cady Test as prescribed in Rule 41 of Uniform Freight Classification. (Conditioning for testing shall be in an atmosphere of 50% [+2%] R.H. and 73 o F [+3.5 o ] until equilibrium is reached.) 2.5 Fabrication Fabrication shall be of high quality. All parts shall have true clean-out edges with a minimum of paper dust, ragged edges, and other evidence of poor cutting technique. Cut score (slit score) on double wall board shall be through center liner and at least through one third of thickness of inner corrugated medium. 2.6 Adhesion Facings and corrugated member shall be securely adhered at points of contact. 2.7 Scorelines Scores shall be clearly visible and of adequate depth to permit easy forming, yet shall not cause visible surface breaks on the facings. 2.8 Crushing Crushing of the combined board by printing or other operations shall be held at an absolute minimum. Board should always feel firm when squeezed in the flat direction between fingers. 2.9 Corrugations Corrugations shall be: (per commercial standards) Flute Member per Lineal Ft. Height (Approx) Size (Approximate) Not Including Facings A 33-37 3/16 B 47-52 3/32 C 39-45 9/64 E 90-96 3/64 2.10 Coatings Waxes or other coatings when specified shall be applied only to surface or surfaces indicated. Accidental lap-over to back side of sheets or onto areas not specified shall be cause for rejection. 2.11 Square Folding Flap scores at manufacturer s joint shall be no more than 3/32 mis-aligned from each other. CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 3 Printed 06/23/2005
3.0 DIMENSIONS 3.1 Box Dimensions Box dimensions shall be specified as length (which shall be the larger of two dimensions of the open face), width (which shall be the lesser of two dimensions of the open face), and depth (the distance between innermost top and bottom surfaces of box) in the order named, and will be inside dimensions between inner surfaces of opposing panels when box is setup and closed. Measurements should be taken at points near corners and edges so as to avoid measurement between bowed or distorted panel surfaces. 3.2 Folder Dimensions One-piece folder dimensions will be specified as length (the longer dimension of the open face), width (the shorter dimension), and depth (the vertical dimension). The length of the tuck will also be specified. Direction of the corrugations of the one-piece folders shall be parallel to width (shorter dimensions) unless otherwise indicated on item specification. 3.3 Sheet Dimensions Unless otherwise specified, the length dimension of pads, creased sheets, and other sheet forms shall be parallel (with) to corrugation. Dimensions shall be overall dimension of sheet. 3.4 Score Distances Distance between score lines when specified will be from center-to-center of scorelines. 3.5 Dimensional Tolerances Inside dimensions of boxes and other container forms shall be within the tolerances shown below of those specified with the container set up in its form ready for use. All Die-Cut Forms Regular Run (Rotary) Forms Up to 24 - + 1/16 From 3 to 24 - + 1/16 Over 24 - + 3/32 Under 3 or over 24 - + 3/32 3.6 Identification of symbols used for: 1. Design Specifications 2. Product Specification Drawings 3. Die Drawings 3.6.1 The following symbols are to be used on drawings of corrugated parts: Regular Score (crease) Reverse Reverse Score (or opposite side of sheet) Cut Score (slit score) Reverse Reverse Cut Score (or opposite side of sheet) CORR Perforation (indicated size): Example: 1/8 x 1/8 or 1/4 x 1/4 or 1/8 cut x 1/2 Direction of Corrugation Center Line Cut Line (inside or on edge of part) CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 4 Printed 06/23/2005
3.6.2 The following symbols are to be used on specifications when drawings are not necessary: Symbol Identification X Regular Score (crease) C Cut Score (slit score) RX Reverse Score (crease) RC Reverse Cut Score (slit score) Example of a creased and cut scored part for which no drawing is furnished: 3RC x 3RX x 3C x 24X x 3C x 3RX x 3RC x 3 by Cut Off (X will also be used to indicate the center of slots on pieces that contain slots only) Note: 1. All markings on drawings to be for the side shown except when marked with word Reverse which indicates the far side of the part. 2. All dimensions to be in inches except when noted in feet by FT. Example: 108 1/4 Means 108 1/4 inches 9FT 1/4 Means 9 Feet 1/4 Inches 3. Tolerances shall be + 1/16" for each dimension shown unless otherwise indicated on drawing. However, tolerances may not be allowed to accumulate along a continuous line of dimensions, so as to result in a greater overall tolerance than + 1/16". 4.0 MANUFACTURER S JOINT (Hereafter referred to as joint ) 4.1 Type of Joint The joint of boxes and tubes may be taped or glued (flap inside or flap outside) at the vendor s discretion unless the item specification requires a specific type of joint. 4.2 Stitched Joint Stitched joints may be furnished only when so indicated on item specification and must always conform to Uniform Freight Classification requirements and/or other applicable regulations. 4.3 Taped Joints 4.3.1 Gap The gap between abutting ends of box blank with taped joint when lying flat shall be equal to thickness of combined board + 1/8. Measurements shall be taken at each end of tape forming the joint. 4.3.2 Tape Length The length of tape on a taped joint must be same as the specified inside depth of the box + 1/8. 4.3.3 Tape Location Tape must be centrally located over the gap area in both vertical and lateral directions +1/8. CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 5 Printed 06/23/2005
4.3.4 Tape Required Tapes used for joints must always be in compliance with requirements of Uniform Freight Classification and/or other applicable regulations. Choice of specific tape to be used shall be made according to the requirements of finished box, internal load, etc. 4.4 Glued Joints 4.4.1 Width of Lap Glued lap must be a minimum of 1 1/4 in width but shall not exceed 1 1/2 in width unless otherwise specified on item specification. 4.4.2 Alignment Variations in gap width when measured at each end of the glued joint shall not exceed 1/8. 4.4.3 Gap The gap between abutting ends of box flaps with glued joint after gluing shall be equal to thickness of the combined board +1/8. 4.4.4 Glue Bond Glue must be applied over 100% of the lap area, and bond quality (when joint is pulled apart) must display fiber tear in at least 90% of contacting area. 4.4.5 Glue Application Glue quantity and application shall be such that minimal squeeze-out or transfer occurs. Transfer of glue to adjacent boxes or to inside of box in sufficient quantities to result in fiber tear upon separation is unacceptable. 4.4.6 Squareness of Fold Ends of flap scores of glued blank shall be no more than 1/8 out of alignment with each other. 4.4.7 Box or Tube Dimensions Whether glued flap is placed inside or outside, the vertical scoring must be adjusted so that the effective inside dimensions are maintained as specified within tolerance. 5.0 STYLE OR TYPE 5.1 Handbook Style designation shall be as found in the current issue of Handbook of Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Boxes and Products as published by the Fiberbox Association, 224 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. 5.2 Other Styles Styles not found in the Handbook will require details to be furnished on item specification or directly from 3M Procurement. 6.0 PRINTING 6.1 Details Printing detail shall be provided on item specification and on Printing Specification 101. CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 6 Printed 06/23/2005
6.2 Layout - Boxes: The following drawing identifies the various panels of slotted boxes for the purpose of locating printing and other details. Drawing shows exterior side of blank. Panel 1 is length of box. (See Section 3.1 of this spec) 6.3 Layout - Folder: The following drawing identifies the panels of one-piece folders for the purposes of locating printing and other details: 2T 1T Tuck Flaps 2L 1L Panel 1 1R 2R 1B 2B Drawing Shows Exterior of Blank 6.4 Layout - Five-Panel Folder: The following drawing identifies the panels of a corrugated five-panel folder for the purpose of printing and other details. See the general print sheet or the item specification. Depth 5L Panel 5 5R 4L Panel 4 4R 3L Panel 3 3R Width 2L T 1007 OR 1008 Panel 2 Inside Panel - Unless otherwise specified. NO PRINTING Panel 1 2R Length Tuck (See Item Specification for Dimensions) CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 7 Printed 06/23/2005
7.0 PREPARATION FOR SHIPMENT 7.1 Detailed Requirements Quantities per bundle and other details of packing and marking will be found in item specification, Corporate General Specification 113, and Marking Specification 123. 7.2 Clean Parts Items furnished to 3M must be free of all fabrication debris such as die-cut strippings, slotting waste, etc., unless otherwise indicated on item specification. 7.3 Alignment of Bundles Boxes and other parts must be aligned in stacks and bundled in quantities indicated on item specification. Bundles may be secured with strong twine, rope, or plastic strapping. No wire or steel strapping of bundles is permitted. 7.4 Bundle Size Bundle weight should approximate 37 pounds, but not exceed 40 pounds. 8.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURE 8.1 Sampling and Inspection Sampling and inspection of corrugated items furnished to 3M will generally follow procedures as described in Military Standard MIL-STD-105. 8.2 Defects The following is a listing of defects for which corrugated items will be inspected. These defects are classed as serious, major, and minor. 8.2.1 Serious Defects Defects of this nature would normally result in rejection of packaging and return to the supplier. 8.2.1.1 Dimensional Accuracy - Parts do not measure to specified dimensions within tolerances as listed in Section 3.5 of this specification. 8.2.1.2 Board Condition - Any ply separation greater than 1/2 from edge of sheet. Either facing split completely through when board is folded to position for use. 8.2.1.3 Manufacturer s Joint - Joint as furnished does not meet minimum requirements of U.F.C. or other applicable regulations. Tape (on taped joint) does not adhere along edges and/or over a minimum of 90% of overall contact area with board. Tapes less than 2 wide for gross weights up to and including 65#. Tapes less than 3 wide for gross weights over 65#. Glued joint is not adhered over at least 90% of contact area of lap. 8.2.1.4 Printing - Omitted any specified copy or incorrect label plates for product identification. Wrong color used. 8.2.1.5 Board Strength - Board does not meet strength requirements as specified. 8.2.2 Major Defects Defects of this nature would normally result in either rejection or rework of the packaging at supplier s expense. CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 8 Printed 06/23/2005
8.2.2.1 Fabrication - Edges of sheets and slots are not cut cleanly Flaps of boxes are incorrect length. Do not meet by 1/8 or more or overlap by 1/16 or greater, except when item specifications call for special flap length. 8.2.2.2 Scorelines -- Part is difficult to form because scorelines are not deep enough. 8.2.2.3 Crushed Board - Printing impressions are greater than.040 deep as measured from undisturbed portion of the sheet. 8.2.2.4 Flute Substitution - Flute size not as specified. 8.2.2.5 Coatings - Surfaces other than those specified show coating material. 8.2.2.6 Joint - Manufacturer s joint of a type other than that specified. Length of tape different than internal box depth by more than 1/8. Gap between abutting ends of box blanks not within specified tolerances. Tape not centered within specified tolerances over joint gap. 8.2.2.7 Printing - Layout not as specified Coverage of ink allows the board to be visible through the inked area resulting in unsightly appearance. Excessive ink resulting in filled in type or fuzzy appearing edges on printed areas which result in illegible copy. Color does not match Pages 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, or 2.1.3 (as applicable) of Printing Specification 101. 8.2.2.8 Preparation for Shipments Actual count per marked bundle varies by more than 5%. Average count of all bundles shall be greater or equal to quantity marked on bundles. Load loose on pallet allowing loss of material. Excessive tension on strapping or twine causing cut through sidewalls of boxes or deformation which results in unusable material. 8.3 Minor Defects Defects of this nature would normally result in use of the packaging with supplier notification as to the defective items noted. 8.3.1 Board has washboard appearance 8.3.2 Occasional bits of cutting debris on or among parts. 8.3.3 Registration of copy is more than 1/8 off from prescribed position but less than 1/4. 8.3.4 Ink is slightly smeared showing fuzzy appearing edges along printed areas. 8.3.5 Board is crushed in printed areas more than.025 from undisturbed areas, but not more than.040. 8.3.6 Bundle count is more than 2% off marked quantity but not more than 5%. Average count of all bundles shall be greater or equal to quantity marked on bundles. 8.3.7 Excessive tension on bundle ties causes damage to container edges on outside of bundles causing unusable material. 8.3.8 Excessive slack causes bundles to be unstable and difficult to control. ** End of Document ** CGS#: 100-3M All Rights Reserved Page 9 Printed 06/23/2005