Marble sculptures for a traveling exhibit

Sculptures are a common item for us to crate and ship but when it is part of a traveling exhibit, there are some additional things to consider.  We have plenty of experience and equipment to move items like this around, but what about each of the venues that it will be displayed at?  What are their capabilities of repacking it for its next trip? What if they loose the packing materials?  What if they pack it upside down?

These are just some of the factors that must be considered when designing the packaging.  In the case of this sculpture, we worked with the original shipper to come up with a design that would be easy to load and unload, as well as duplicate each time minimizing the chance for improper packing.  In summary, pack so that is only fits one way...The correct way.

First was the foam selection.  Polyethelene foam was used for its high durability and ease of cutting custom shapes.  It also adheres well to the wood with a hot melt adhesive.  The foam was then cut to fit the contours of the sculpture.  Knowing that lifting straps would be used at each stop, we cut channels in the foam to allow the straps to be slid underneath the sculpture without having to move it out of the foam cavity.  Next foam lined braces were located to hold it down and from moving side to side.  Finally,  screws were used to attach the walls so the crate can be disassembled while on display to minimize storage space.