title = "Metal Parts Packaging: Protection and Marking"

content = """
Packaging metal parts for shipment is a final quality act. A part that arrives at the customer damaged, corroded, or misidentified fails regardless of how well it was manufactured. Ridgecrest Metalworks packaging standards are designed to ensure parts arrive in conforming condition and are traceable upon receipt.

**Protection from corrosion.** All bare carbon steel and low-alloy steel surfaces must be protected with either:
- VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) poly bags, sized to enclose the part with minimal air space. VCI molecules form a monomolecular protective layer on metal surfaces and remain effective for 12–24 months in sealed packaging.
- VCI paper wrap for irregular shapes or parts too large for bags.
- Water-displacing rust inhibitor oil (light film) for parts shipped in rigid containers where VCI films are impractical.

Stainless steel and aluminum generally do not require rust protection but must be protected from contact with carbon steel surfaces, abrasives, and chloride-bearing materials.

**Physical protection.** Parts must not contact each other during shipment. Use foam-in-place, corrugated separators, molded foam inserts, or rubber matting between layers. Machined bores, threads, and precision surfaces require plastic thread protectors or foam plugs. Formed or bent parts must be supported to prevent spring-back from transit loads.

**Container selection.** Wooden crates, steel shipping frames, and corrugated cartons are chosen based on part weight, fragility, and shipping distance. International shipments require ISPM-15 heat-treated wood to prevent pest introduction at customs. All containers must be rated for the combined weight of parts plus packaging.

**Marking requirements.** Each shipping unit must be marked with:
- Customer name and shipping address
- Ridgecrest Metalworks return address
- Part number and revision level
- Quantity per container
- Purchase order or sales order number
- Lot or heat number (for traceability)
- Gross and net weight
- Handling instructions (THIS SIDE UP, FRAGILE, DO NOT STACK if applicable)

Hazardous material shipping (e.g., parts containing or packaged with regulated substances) requires additional DOT/IATA labeling and must be coordinated with the shipping manager before dispatch.

Packaging records—including container type, protection method, and packing list—are retained with the work order file.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
