Drop Testing
Drop Testing
Drop testing is a form of dynamic impact testing that assesses the effects of random drops and repeated impacts on test parts. It is an expedited test used to identify mechanical and structural flaws that may not always be seen in shock and vibration tests and analyze the resilience of a product’s packaging. Drop testing is necessary due to frequent impacts during transportation and unintentional collisions with other cargo during loading or unloading.
The ISTA 3A test is used to test individual packages sent by air or ground. It involves drops of varying heights. The free-fall drop method is used in ASTM D5276 to test loaded boxes, cylindrical containers, and bags/sacks, while ASTM D5487 covers the use of shock machines to simulate the effects of vertical drops. MIL-STD 810 Test Method 516 Shock Testing assesses the impacts on the material’s structural and functional integrity, while MIL-STD 202 determines the consequences of the random, repeated impact on component parts through random drop testing.
Overall, drop testing is a crucial part of assessing packaging and products in order to identify any potential warranty issues before they become a problem.
