What is ATA-300 (Category I) and Why Do You Need It?

ATA-300 (Category I)  is a list of specifications for reusable shipping cases and containers put forth by the Air Transport Association.  Category I containers are built to withstand at least 100 one way trips of normal airline cargo handling.  The ATA has also classified Category II to withstand up to 10 trips and Category III for one trip. In order for a shipping case manufacturer to certify that their product is rated ATA-300 (Category I), their product must pass a strict set of tests performed by an independent testing facility.

Why do you need it?  The primary job of an ATA-300 (Category I) shipping case is that it protects the equipment inside during transit. Each year millions of dollars worth of equipment are damaged when not properly packed for transit.  When sourcing a shipping case manufacturer look for a company that has been in the business a long while, has experienced, professional design engineers, excels at custom shipping case design and offers quality customer service.

Wilson Case has over 30 years in the shipping case business. We are staffed with veteran case design specialists that have designed cases for everything from the delicate, costly mirror prototype for a new outerspace telecope to medical devices, simulation equipment, etc. Our engineers use solid modeling technology to design custom case designs with precision. This solid modeling software not only allows our engineers precision in design, it also allows us to provide virtual 3D prototypes to our customers and it communicates with our CNC router to ensure a precise build.

Wilson Case ATA-300 (Category I) cases meet and/or exceed the specifications put for by the Air Transport Association for category I cases and containers. Below are our basic ATA-300 Case Specifications (Category I):

ATA-300 Shipping Cases - Wislon Case Shipping Cases

1. Construction Panels
Wilson LT Reinforced Tri-laminate - 100% recyclable Polyproplene with non-directional cellular center, 7mm, talc-filled. Thermoformed center layer is laminated to outer layer hermetically sealing air loaded cells. When third layer is laminated to the opposite side the resulting three dimensional sheet is stronger and lighter weight than laminated plywood or extruded polyethylene sheets. Read more on the Wilson LT

We also offer ABS-clad #1 grade birch plywood as well aluminum skinned plywood. These options include a protective covering; .040 " high impact industrial grade pressure-laminated to 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" solid-core #1 grade birch plywood.

2. Angle
Extruded aluminum; 6063 alloy; heat-treated to T-5-5; 1.1875" ; machine-riveted to case walls every three inches.

3. Valance
Exceptionally deep tongue-and-groove closure; extruded aluminum 6063 alloy grade; heat treated to T-5-5; with oblong channel in goove to secure optional neoprene gasket; both tongue and groove have full inner leg for superior strength.

4. Hinge
Stainless steel; continuous piano hinge; riveted through both inner and outer leg of double-walled valance every two inches.

5. Ball Corners
14-Gauge plated steel, stackable (top corners have depression to accept rounded bottom corner for secure nesting when stacked).

 

6. Latches
Recessed; plated steel; positive action butterfly twist style. Does not require valance to be broken. The latch spans tongue-and-groove to eliminate dust and moisture and preserve the integrity of the case.

7. Handles
Recessed; plated steel; spring loaded 3/4" diameter rubber grip sleeves. Deeper dish in handle located on lid (when applicable prevents handle from interfering with stacking ability.

8. Rivets
Machine-driven; zinc plated; spaced a maximum of 3" apart.

Wilson Case reserves the right to change color shades and case hardware commensurate with ATA-300 specifications without notice.

Wilson Case offers a full selection of hardware options not shown here. See more options now or let us know your special needs by contacting us.


     

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When it's gotta get there, And gotta get back.

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