A drop test is a method of testing the in-flight characteristics of prototype or experimental aircraft and spacecraft by raising the test vehicle to a specific altitude and then releasing it. However, in this blog, we will focus on another type of drop test, which is a method of testing the durability and performance of products and packages under various impact scenarios. This type of drop test can help you to evaluate the quality and safety of your products and packages, as well as to optimize their design and selection.
• Drop tester: This is a simplified term that can refer to any type of drop test machine, but it can also refer to a specific type of drop test machine that is used to perform standardized drop tests on products or packages, such as Charpy, Izod, or Dynstat tests. A drop tester usually uses a pendulum with a specific geometry and mass to strike the product or package at a specific angle and speed, and measures the energy absorbed by the product or package during the impact.
To conduct a drop test, you also need to follow a drop test standard, which is a set of guidelines and specifications that prescribe the type and configuration of the drop tester Machine, the test procedure and data interpretation, and the acceptance criteria. There are different types of drop test standards, such as:
• ASTM D5276: This is a standard test method for drop test of loaded containers by free fall. It is used to evaluate the ability of a container to withstand the sudden shock resulting from a free fall, or to evaluate the ability of a container and its inner packing to protect its contents during the sudden shock resulting from a free fall. This test method covers procedures for the drop testing of loaded boxes, cylindrical containers, and bags and sacks by the free-fall method.
• ISTA 1A: This is a standard test procedure for non-simulation integrity performance testing. It is used to evaluate the performance of a packaged-product related to vibrations, shocks, and other stresses normally encountered during handling and transportation. This test procedure covers procedures for atmospheric conditioning, compression, fixed displacement vibration, and shock testing using a free-fall drop tester.
• ISO 2248: This is a standard test method for packaging — Complete, filled transport packages — Vertical impact test by dropping. It is used to assess the effects of vertical impact on the contents of a package by dropping the package onto a rigid surface. This test method covers procedures for the drop testing of complete, filled transport packages of various shapes and sizes by dropping them onto a horizontal, flat, rigid, and unyielding surface.
To conduct a drop test, you need to follow these steps:
• Step 1: Select the type of drop tester and the drop test standard that are suitable for your product or package, based on the type and properties of the product or package, the purpose and scope of the test, and the industry and application requirements.
• Step 2: Prepare the product or package for the test, according to the specifications of the drop test standard. This may include conditioning the product or package to a certain temperature and humidity, marking the product or package with a center of gravity and drop orientations, and securing the product or package to the drop tester.
• Step 3: Perform the drop test, according to the procedures of the drop test standard. This may include setting the drop height, the drop angle, and the drop speed, releasing the product or package from the drop tester, and recording the impact force, the deformation, the fracture, or the energy absorption of the product or package.
• Step 4: Analyze the test results, according to the criteria of the drop test standard. This may include inspecting the product or package for any damage or failure, comparing the test results with the acceptance limits, and drawing conclusions and recommendations.
By conducting a drop test, you can gain valuable insights into the durability and performance of your product and package under various impact scenarios, and improve the quality and safety of your product and package. To know more about the Tensile Testing Machine offered by Presto Group, you can visit their website or contact them at +91 9210 903 903. You can also download their latest product catalogue cum company profile from their website.
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