The Pallet Design System™ (PDS) is a product specification tool, an engineering design tool, a professional marketing tool, and an educational tool – all contained in an easy to use software package developed for the wood pallet industry. Since its introduction in 1984, PDS has developed a highly respected reputation throughout the material handling industry.
Each new version of PDS incorporates the latest data, engineering, and technologies which result from NWPCA’s continuous program of research and development. Millions of dollars have been expended on PDS, not only for software development, but on research toward increased understanding of the relationships between the design and performance of wood pallets and the entire unit load.
In addition, PDS licensees are now certified under the USDA’s BioPreferred® program and can put the USDA Certified Biobased label on your product.
PDS leads Users through the complete specification of the pallet type, size, and style, from dimensions and arrangement of all components to all the materials used to construct the pallet. This includes wood species, recycled components, types and sizes of nails and staples that are required in any pallet design.
PDS then creates a pallet specification sheet, fully-dimensioned 2-D drawings with Top, Bottom, Side, and End Views, and 3-D drawings. The PDS Unit Load Specification and Drawings provides complete details on the unit load, including 2-D and 3-D drawings, plus drawings revealing the interface of the containers and pallet deck.
If a structural, durability, or physical properties analysis is desired for the pallet, PDS leads Users through a series of questions about the intended conditions of use. Loads to be placed on the pallet, either uniformly distributed or concentrated, can be indicated.
The engineering in PDS enables Users to quickly and accurately determine pallet performance under the intended conditions of use without time-consuming and expensive testing or trial and error. Comparisons in performance are easily made between different pallet designs, wood species or grades, fasteners, and component dimensions.
The PDS structural analysis and safe load estimates reduce concerns over human health and safety, and reduce or eliminate product damage which can result from inadequate pallet strength, stiffness, or durability.
Since October, 2016, the NWPCA received official notification from the USDA that they had been approved for the USDA BioPreferred® program and met important criteria, allowing use of the biobased label for all PDS licensees.
Now, manufacturers that license PDS are listed in the USDA BioPreferred Catalog to help federal purchasers and their contractors identify biobased products. This official USDA Certified Biobased product label has been specifically designed to empower consumers and purchasing contractors to readily identify products with verified biobased content.
