As you might know, effective January 2007, UPS began charging for dimensional or “Dim” weight for ground shipments. This was a big change for package shippers, with potential increases of up to 75% for large packages (source: Freight International). Other couriers are expected to follow suit.   The USPS will also be making a similar move with the shift to Shape-Based Pricing on May 14, 2007. Our discussions with freight auditors have established that couriers are arbitrarily adjusting bills upwards. At the USPS, if the postage is not correct, the post office will either return the package or charge the receiver.  Recent studies of a National Post Office found that 35% of its parcels had incorrect dimensioning and/or weights which resulted in lost revenue.

Some background. To determine the dimensional weight, it is important that the package shipper obtain the dimensioning factor (Dim Factor) that is going to be used by a particular carrier. This number is usually published on carrier websites. For example, the shipper would take a Dim Factor of 194 (a popular Dim Factor with large carriers) and use it to divide the volume calculation. Therefore, the Dim Weight equation is (L x H x W)/194. The shipper now has two weights, the actual scale weight and the calculated Dim Weight. The carriers will base their charges on the higher figure, and, for the lighter and bulkier items, it is usually Dim Weight.

It looks simple enough, but it isn’t. The variable is accuracy of measurement, particularly of a lighter and larger-sized pack¬age. When faced with different Dim Factors and application rules from the various carriers, selecting a cost-effective carrier and determining the actual charges can be a formidable task for most package shippers. Those parcel shippers who ignore the new reality of Dim Weight face an ever-increasing stream of supplemental charges from their carriers, usually sent to the shipper long after the package’s arrival. There is an associated customer service problem – the dilemma of passing on that additional charge to the customer or absorbing it. It’s safe to assume that Dim Weight considerations are the death knell for educated guesses and the old reliable tape measure. Costs and penalties are too prohibitive to rely on guesstimates. That is why accuracy is paramount in calculating Dim Weight. Shippers are looking to technology to eliminate human error, avoid customer relations issues and maintain, if not improve, profit margin.

Technology has rapidly responded with several scanning and Dim Weight systems on the market ranging from simple stationary devices to ceiling-mounted laser scanning devices. Shortly, wherever you find a scale in business, you are going to find a cubing machine. The attention that our industry is garnering with venerable companies such as Mettler-Toledo Cargoscan, Quantronix with Cubiscan and ourselves is proof of the shift. The systems that rely on lasers tend to be significantly more expensive, with some overhead automated cubic scanners costing $100,000 or more. Predictably, most of the laser-based systems require higher costs for set-ups and ongoing maintenance due to sophisticated moving laser parts.  But there is a new highly effective, cost-effective solution for package shippers. 

ExpressCube is a division of Global Sensor Systems Inc. a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the dimensioning and weighing of parcels, the ExpressCube division of Global was established.  A team of innovative designers and engineers utilizing 30 years of experience and proven technology created the ExpressCube DIM weighing solution that is now considered the most advanced countertop system in the world.

ExpressCube Counter Top Dimensioning Systems delivers the answer for maximizing slotting, pick and pack, cubing, dimensioning and weighing of packages. ExpressCube countertop cubing systems can help eliminate shipping penalty charges by letting shippers use their courier’s dimensional weight factor ( dim factor ) to accurately determine the shipping weight used to calculate their invoices. The ExpressCube products are precision devices that are quiet, utilize flexible interface communications and are highly adaptable to a wide variety of working environments. Our new patent-pending dimensional arrays are safe – there are no lasers used in any of our products.

The key to this technology is a distributed microprocessor configuration that uses a combination of passive sensors and mathematical algorithms to quickly dimension boxes without moving parts or expensive laser technology. In addition to being relatively inexpensive, this approach provides a very robust device with very little maintenance required.

Three different models are available:

ExpressCube 150
The ExpressCube 150 is a low cost dimensioning and weighing system solution for moderate volume shipping  applications. Designed to fit on a 24" countertop, this unit will measure and weigh boxes with dimensions of 18"x24"x30" or a measuring grid of 7.5ft3 , and weigh up to 70 lbs. A low cost, reliable and user-friendly Dm solution, ExpressCube is designed to be set up and operating out of the box in 5 minutes. ExpressCube provides an instant determination of gross and dimensional weight. With the press of one key, a shipper can determine dimensional weight based on different. Dimensional Factors used by different carriers and postal services. Errors are eliminated and savings are immediate. 

Multiple communication ports on the rear of ExpressCube provide data input and outputs for integration to the customer’s computer, WMS systems, bar code readers and digital data displays.  The ExpressCube 150 has no moving parts, providing low maintenance and increased reliability. ExpressCube is designed to be operating in less than 5 minutes from removal of its shipping box. Customer's anxieties will also not be raised, as there are no lasers used in this device or noisy ultrasonic.

ExpressCube 250
The ExpressCube 250 is a countertop dimensioning and weighing unit with an expanded dimensional measuring capability over the ExpressCube 150. This unit will measure rectangular boxes with dimensions contained in 24"x24"x36" measuring grid (12ft3) and weight up to 70 lbs. This larger capacity makes the ExpressCube 250 ideal for e-Commerce and order fulfillment applications.

ExpressCube EC- 2448-CL-W2
The ExpressCube EC-2448-CL-W2 is a fast conveyor dimensioning unit that can individually scan*, dimension and weigh packages at a typical rate in excess of 500 packages per hour.

Further details on these products, associated accessories, software and systems integration services are available on our website.

ExpressCube is interested in all opportunities worldwide and will respond promptly to requests for further information, pricing, quotes and distributor inquiries.