Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1242780
May 2020 / 25 sions of the container or road trailer carrying the FIBCs should be looked at closely to ensure that when they're loaded, the bags' sides touch the sides of the container or trailer and each other. Close communication with the FIBC manufacturer is required to ensure that they're able to supply the correct base size needed to t the selected transporting method. Bag height. You'll also need to consider bag height, which depends on the requirements for ll density, bag weight, and any height restrictions placed on the FIBC by the user. Filling and handling methods both have a bearing on the bag height required. The material height in the FIBC after lling can vary considerably depending on the type of lling equipment used and the material characteristics. Therefore, it's important to test the material by lling a bag using the selected lling equipment before ordering additional FIBCs. Filling machines that densify the material during the lling process save on FIBC height and make the bag safer and more stable for stacking and handling. We'll discuss more on FIBC lling and handling later. Bag weight. The allowable weight of material con- tained in an FIBC depends on transport method, pallet size, the customer's needs, and storage. Transport method. You'll need to gure out the maximum payload trailer or container weight and how much weight can be in each FIBC to load out and weigh out the container. Pallet size. Consider if there's a restriction on the pallet size used with the FIBC. The FIBC's base seam dimensions should be sized to slightly exceed the pal- let dimensions when the FIBC is lled and rounded out so that the bags and not the pallets touch when stored. Customer needs. The customer who receives the lled bulk bags should be able to handle them with the forklifts or pallet trucks on hand and with enough headroom available to move freely. The bag's resulting height will determine its payload weight. Storage method. If the bags are going to be stored in racks, take into account the rack dimensions so the FIBC can t into the rack. FIBC components Just like other powder and bulk solids processing equipment, FIBCs can be furnished with design fea- tures that are there to make working with the FIBCs easier. To help with lling, discharging, and handling tasks, bulk bags have lifting loops, lling spouts, and discharge spouts among other accessories. Lifting loops. These are usually located at the top four corners of the FIBC, as shown in Figure 2. There are various loop types, depending on the application. One popular lifting loop is the cross-corner type where