Computer Tools for Packaging
Catalog Description:
Credits:3 Covers powerful computer tools applicable to the packaging industry. Topics include label design, bar code technology, spreadsheet programming, 3D package design and distribution efficiency analysis.
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites:
None
Course Objectives:
After successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Use the Internet to research and identify and research packaging companies and materials, as well as appropriate regulations for packaged products.
2. Identify appropriate formats for displaying requisite legal information on food labels.
3. Design and print food product labels, including Nutritional Information Panel and associated bar codes, on commercial label-stock using a thermal-transfer printer.
4. Use MS-Excel to perform calculations on packaging related problems.
5. Use MS VBA to create programs that use spreadsheet data as inputs, execute subroutines and functions and display output on a spreadsheet.
6. Use CapePack Software to analyze package design and distribution efficiencies.
7. Design and render picture-quality packaging concepts using 3D modeling software.
8. Publish results on the world wide web.
Instructor:
Bruce A. Welt Ph.D
Phone: 352-392-1864 ext. 111
e-mail: bwelt@ufl.edu
Material/Supply Fees :
$50.00
Class Materials Required:
Recommended Reading:
- McConnell, S. Code Complete. Microsoft Press, Redmond, WA, 1993. Software Online Help Files.
- Soroka, W. Fundamentals of Packaging Technology, Institute of Packaging Professionals, Herndon, VA, 1999.
Course Outline:
- Course Overview Policies & Procedures
- Product Labeling
- Consumer Information – Students will use the Internet to research FDA regulations related to food product label requirements.
- Label Design – Students will use LabelMatrix® software to develop food label mockups in accordance with FDA regulations.
- Bar code technology - Bar code technology and standards will be covered.
- Retail Applications (UPC bar codes) - Students will use appropriate standards to incorporate appropriate bar codes into food label mock-ups.
- Bar code scanning – Students will use Palm-Pilot scripting language to program portable bar code scanners used for package tracking.
- Microsoft Excel – MS Excel is a virtually ubiquitous versatile computer tool applicable to many problems in business and industry. Students will use spreadsheets, and write programs using the powerful MS-VBA programming language.
- Spreadsheets for performing packaging related calculations.
- Programming in MS Excel Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to create simulations of packaging situations.
- Package Design & Logistics – Students will use Cape Pack software to design 3D packaging shapes, and to study the effect of package design on distribution efficiency. Students will study how changes in primary package size can affect shipper (case) size, pallet and transport loading arrangements. Students will learn to incorporate distribution efficiency into product package design.
- Conceptual Package Design for Presentation – The ability to communicate ideas is critical to success in any profession. Often, presentations to upper-management must be made in order to gain support for new product development projects. Powerful 3D rendering software packages such as 3D Studio Viz, are being increasingly used to convey new product ideas. Students will use 3D Studio Viz to design and render picture quality packaging concepts for use in new product development presentations.
Grading:
All projects and assignments will be graded on a scale from 0 to 100. An automatic 10% per week penalty will be assessed to work turned in passed the due date. The actual number of projects assigned may vary. Each project will be graded on a 100 point scale. Team project scores will be computed from a weighted average of scores given by the instructor (50% weight), the average scores given by non-team member classmates (25% weight), and the average scores given by team members (25% weight). Each team member will receive the score computed for the team.
Final grades will be computed from the percentage of points earned relative to the total points possible. Grades will be assigned as follows:
grading method |
points |
| individual projects (6 @ 100 each) | 600 |
| team project | 100 |
| grading scale | |
| A | >90 |
| B+ | 85-90 |
| B | 80-84 |
| C+ | 75-79 |
| c | 70-74 |
| d+ | 65-69 |
| D | 60-64 |
| E | <60 |
Academic Honesty :
All students admitted to the University of Florida have signed a statement of academic honesty committing themselves to be honest in all academic work and understanding that failure to comply with this commitment will result in disciplinary action. This statement is a reminder to uphold your obligation as a UF student and to be honest in all work submitted and exams taken in this course and all others.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. That office will provide the student with documentation that he/she must provide to the course instructor when requesting accommodation.
Use of Library, Personal References, PC Programs and Electronic Databases:
These items are university property and should be utilized with other users in mind. Never remove, mark, modify nor deface resources that do not belong to you. If you're in the habit of underlining text, do it only on your personal copy. It is inconsiderate, costly to others, and dishonest to use common references otherwise.
Software Use :
All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate. We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
UF Counseling Services :
| Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include: | |||||
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