Drop and Loose Cargo Testing

The equipment located in our laboratory:

Drop Test System 5519

The Drop Test System conducts durability tests for drops from specified heights according to standards such as MIL-STD-810, ensuring that the product maintains its structural integrity and functionality after exposure to sudden drops.
The system is designed for drop tests at varying angles and speeds to simulate real-world drop scenarios, including different orientations of the product during the fall.
The drop system features a mechanism for precise control of drop height and angles, providing feedback on the impact force absorbed by the product to assess its durability under harsh drop conditions.
The system ensures product resilience even under repeated drops, with the ability to perform a series of tests to verify the product’s resistance to sustained impacts.

Tilting System 5517

The Tilting System complies with the MIL-STD-810 standard for Loose Cargo testing, simulating the conditions of transporting unsecured cargo in military vehicles, with shaking forces and shock loads reflecting real-world transportation scenarios.
The system is designed to conduct vibration tests at both high and low frequencies, utilizing vibration and shock profiles required for loose cargo conditions as outlined in MIL-STD-810.
During Loose Cargo testing, the system evaluates the product’s durability against intense vibrations and repeated impacts, ensuring the product maintains its functionality even under unstable or unsecured transport conditions.
This tilting system is engineered to handle challenging scenarios of transporting loose cargo, creating tailored test environments for the extreme conditions described in the MIL-STD-810 standard, including vibrations, drops, and shocks.

In our environmental lab, we conduct drop and loose cargo testing to evaluate the durability, integrity, and performance of products, packaging, and materials when subjected to impact forces caused by drops or shifting cargo. These tests are essential for ensuring products can withstand handling and transportation conditions.

1. Purpose of Drop and Loose Cargo Testing

- Impact Resistance: Assess a product’s ability to survive drops or sudden impacts.
- Packaging Integrity: Verify that packaging protects products during handling and transit.
- Cargo Safety: Ensure that loose cargo or containers can endure transportation stresses.
- Durability Validation: Simulate real-world handling scenarios to identify weak points in design or structure.

2. Drop Testing

Objective: To simulate accidental drops of products or packages during handling, transport, or use.

How It Works

- Drop Height: Products are dropped from predefined heights depending on their weight, size, and standard requirements.
- Surfaces: Drops are conducted onto surfaces like concrete, steel, or wood to simulate real-world impact scenarios.
- Angles: Testing includes flat drops, edge drops, and corner drops.

Standards for Drop Testing

- ASTM D5276: Drop testing of loaded containers.
- ISTA Series: International Safe Transit Association standards for packaging drop tests.
- MIL-STD-810H: Military standard for drop testing equipment and containers.

Applications

- Consumer electronics (e.g., smartphones, laptops).
- Industrial tools and equipment.
- Packaging for fragile goods.
- Medical devices and appliances.

3. Loose Cargo Testing

Objective: To assess the effects of shifting, vibration, and impact on products or cargo during transportation.

How It Works

- Vibration and Impact Simulation: Loose cargo is subjected to shocks, shifts, and impact forces to mimic truck, train, or ship movement.
- Drop Scenarios: Cargo or products are dropped as part of rough handling simulations.
- Testing Conditions:
  - Sudden stops
  - Changes in motion
  - Random vibrations

Standards for Loose Cargo Testing

- ASTM D4169: Performance testing for shipping containers and systems.
- ISO 13355: Loose cargo impact testing standards.
- ISTA 3A/6A: Transit testing for packaged products.

Applications

- Shipping containers and packaging validation.
- Automotive and industrial components.
- Palletized cargo and freight systems.
- Heavy-duty transport equipment.

4. Testing Process in Our Lab

1. Sample Preparation:
  - Products or packaging are prepared for testing per relevant standards.
2. Test Execution:
  - Drop Testing: Products are dropped from specified heights onto impact surfaces.
  - Loose Cargo Testing: Samples are subjected to shifts, impacts, or controlled vibrations.
3. Monitoring and Inspection:
  - Evaluate physical damage (e.g., cracks, deformation, breakage).
  - Assess product functionality post-test.
  - Measure performance degradation.
4. Post-Test Analysis:

- Document test conditions, failure points, and observations.
- Compare results against standards or performance criteria.

5. Benefits of Drop and Loose Cargo Testing

- Ensures product durability during real-world handling and transportation.
- Improves packaging design to reduce shipping damage.
- Minimizes costs associated with damaged products and returns.
- Enhances customer satisfaction by delivering robust, impact-resistant products.

6. Industries We Support

- Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, laptops, and handheld devices.
- Logistics and Packaging: Ensuring safe transport of fragile and heavy items.
- Automotive: Components subjected to transport vibration and shifting.
- Aerospace and Defense: Equipment requiring rugged durability during transit.
- Medical Devices: Ensuring critical devices arrive intact and functional.

Conclusion

With our comprehensive drop and loose cargo testing capabilities, we help ensure that products and packaging meet industry standards for durability and reliability during handling and transit. From electronics to heavy cargo, our lab simulates real-world conditions to identify weaknesses and improve product performance.

For further details or to schedule a test, feel free to contact us!