Expanding Foam

Hey everyone,

I was looking at some custom pc building websites and they offer the option of adding some sort of expanding foam to the inside of the computer so no parts will move around and get damaged during shipping. I have to take a computer on a plane soon, so im wondering if anyone knows about this stuff:
Is it easy to apply? How about the removal of the stuff? Does it work? And where can i get some of this stuff i can't seem to find it on online computer stores.

Thanks

Dodonga

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Dont do it, expanding foam expands via a chemical reaction, some of those chemicals may be harmful to the board or components, and may leave a conductive residue that will lead to shorts. The only thing i would consider packing the case full of would be packing peanuts as they wont leave a residue and you can pull the system apart and know that you got them all.

Reply to hunter315

Oh, i thought you put a bag inside the comp and then put the foam inside the bag, this way theres no actual contact with the foam and the hardware.

Reply to dodonga

If you don't know what you are doing you will cause a lot of damage, don't do it.

Personally I open the case and pack it full of foam peanuts then squish the cover back on, I've heard people say this can cause a static problem but I have not had any issues.

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------------------------------ E8400 : GA-EP35-DS3L : mushkin 4GB DDR2 800 : HD 2600PRO : 450W ATX12V : Windows 7
Reply to 505090

the type of expanding foam I'm familiar with is A-B foam that you mix in two parts. it does expand with a chemical reaction, but it is an exothermic reaction and can put out quite a bit of heat. even with plastic bags to prevent contact, I still wouldn't want to have that inside a computer during transport. It also gets pretty hard and you'd have to almost chisel it out of the case.

There may be another type of foam that can be used, but I don't know what it would be called, or if it exists.

Reply to wathman

The foam is contained in the bag. This is the same thing Digital Storm uses when they ship out there PC's. Try a place called Uline.com. They sell every man made way to ship things. Here are the links.

http://www.uline.com/index.aspx?Pricode=wk621

http://www.uline.com/BL_7701/Instapak-Quickreg (This is the link to the item your looking for.)

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Reply to Crazy V

It might be better to take all the components out of the case and seal them in anti-static bags, then put the bags back in the case with a load of packing peanuts, or bubble-wrap.

Reply to Helloworld_98

so theyre not adding the foam to the inside of the computer [ which is insanity ] theyre just adding around the computer in a box . This makes some sense except that shipping damage is just as likely from having components come unplugged inside the case after a bit of shaking .

Bubble wrap would work just as well between a computer and a cardboard box and is a lot less toxic

Reply to Outlander_04

Crazy V wrote :

The foam is contained in the bag. This is the same thing Digital Storm uses when they ship out there PC's. Try a place called Uline.com. They sell every man made way to ship things. Here are the links.

http://www.uline.com/index.aspx?Pricode=wk621

http://www.uline.com/BL_7701/Instapak-Quickreg (This is the link to the item your looking for.)

I could definitely see using that to protect an entire computer case on the outside, still wouldn't want to pack the inside of a computer with bags of that stuff... how would you take the foam out without ripping out every single wire in the system? And if you expect your computers to be handled so roughly that you consider putting foam inside the case, pay for the better shipping and insurance.

Reply to wathman

Everyone seems to thinks its a really bad idea to put it inside the comp but i was just asking cause i saw these pics at cyberpowerpc and the same method was offered at ibuypower,

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/store/ [...] kaging.jpg

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Message edited by dodonga on 08-12-2009 at 11:09:42 PM

Reply to dodonga

I have read in there reviews of some issues getting the foam out of the case So i don't know if i would use this. Here is a video of Digital Storm using it to pack a PC for shipping.

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/companyinfo.asp (It is toward the end of the video.)

Reply to Crazy V

This shows it in action.

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Reply to Crazy V

Crazy V wrote :

This shows it in action.

Yeah yeah thats exactly the stuff im talking about, it doesnt look all that dangerous or hard to remove.

Reply to dodonga

I ship PCs all of the time, and UPS is hella rough on them.

I zip tie all the wires together and to the case so they cant move around at all.

I also hot glue in the front panel wires to the motherboard as they are the ones that like to come off.

Every now and then a sata cable will pop off but you can glue them in or get locking cables.

Reply to daship

What do you mean you hotglue stuff onto your motherboard, that doesnt destroy it?

Reply to dodonga

I know you said you're just looking at doing this to take the computer on a plane. If you ever have to ship a computer you'll do yourself a big favor if you use FedEx instead of UPS (United Parcel Smashers). I've had much better luck with FedEx.

Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 08-12-2009 at 11:30:46 PM

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Some reviews say they had problems removing it and some say no problems at all. I guess it depends on how you apply it and if you take your time to take it out. But I wouldn't push to get it around the bottom of your CPU cooler are any other items so that it would get hung up upon removal. Your call. Anyway that's what i found.

Reply to Crazy V

I guess if you do a good job with cable management, and go easy on the foam, you can prevent it from binding the wires, but still seems like more of a pain than it's worth. I'm already dubious of ibuypower and cyberpowerpc builds and pricing, so I really don't think this helps their image any.

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Reply to wathman

Hot glue does not conduct electricity so it works perfect. Ive done it dozens of times. I always put a big old glob on.

The only time I would ever consider the foam thing is if I had a really heavy CPU cooler on.

I have to use UPS to be covered on Ebays seller protection or USPS.

It will cost way to much for you to foam the PC just for one trip.

Reply to daship

wathman wrote :

I guess if you do a good job with cable management, and go easy on the foam, you can prevent it from binding the wires, but still seems like more of a pain than it's worth. I'm already dubious of ibuypower and cyberpowerpc builds and pricing, so I really don't think this helps their image any.

I agree 100% with you.

Reply to Crazy V

dodonga wrote :

Everyone seems to thinks its a really bad idea to put it inside the comp but i was just asking cause i saw these pics at cyberpowerpc and the same method was offered at ibuypower,

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/store/ [...] kaging.jpg

I've seen that and had probs with it, that was getting from a company that does it all day long. Seeing as you were asking here I assume you lacked the proper materials and training to do it correctly.

Stick with peanuts easy and safe.

------------------------------ E8400 : GA-EP35-DS3L : mushkin 4GB DDR2 800 : HD 2600PRO : 450W ATX12V : Windows 7
Reply to 505090

I guess i could just leave the mobo and the power supply in the case and take the rest of the stuff in a carry on.

Reply to dodonga

505090 wrote :

If you don't know what you are doing you will cause a lot of damage, don't do it.

Personally I open the case and pack it full of foam peanuts then squish the cover back on, I've heard people say this can cause a static problem but I have not had any issues.

ARRRGGGHHHH!

Every electron in my PC just had a reverse spin attack....

Reply to croc

Nothing can happen except a wire or two coming loose, which is a simple fix. Quit stressing.

If anything falls out of place its not assembled right.

Dont fill it with peanuts, that is sure to make a problem.

Message edited by daship on 08-13-2009 at 08:40:38 PM

Reply to daship

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Expanding Foam