Drop Test Machine FAQ Guide

1. What is a drop test machine?

A drop test machine is also called a drop tester, it is used to test the damage caused by dropping the product package and to evaluate the impact strength during transportation and handling. For example, the surface, edges, and corners of the package are dropped freely. This machine can be tested according to GB, ISO, ASTM, BS, DIN, JIS, and other national or international standards. It is the ideal testing and research equipment for factories, technical supervision departments, commercial inspection agencies, scientific research institutes, universities, and colleges.

The drop tester allows for the simulation of drops and rotational impacts that may affect packages during transportation and handling. The machine (also known as the “free-fall drop tester” and “vertical impact tester”) uses the latest technology to simulate drops on planes, edges, and corners.

2. Why do companies use drop testers?

During the distribution cycle, our products are threatened by conditions such as drops or impacts that may endanger their safety. During transportation and handling, damage to goods from drops is common, including corrugated cardboard wrinkles, perforations, or other marks such as tears and breaks. It is estimated that 11 % of shipments to distribution centers are damaged by accidental drops.

To anticipate and prevent the consequences of this problem, drop tests simulate drops and rotational collisions that can affect packaging and products during handling and distribution. Packaging is their only protection against these dangers. A drop testing machine can help prevent problems during the transport and handling of goods by simulating drops and impacts and showing how they affect the load and the packaging. Drop testers are very useful for companies whose success depends on the safety of the goods during transportation.

3. What are the advantages of using a drop testing machine?

The primary purpose of drop testing equipment is to obtain data that allows manufacturers to optimize the packaging of shipped goods. The use of drop test machines allows manufacturers to gather insight into how their products will perform during and beyond distribution. By collecting this information through controlled testing, these participants can make more informed decisions about the design of their products and packaging.

A package optimized by implementing package testing will have the following advantages:

1. It protects the product during shipping, allowing you to choose the right packaging and keep your goods safe. Drop test machines are sought by companies that need to protect their products and ensure that they reach their destination in perfect conditions, guaranteeing the satisfaction of the end customer. Drop tester allows shippers to assess the ability of the packaging system to protect their products during transportation.
2. Drop testing provides useful information to reduce potential shipping risks. In this regard, drop testing machines are particularly necessary to simulate the transport of packages containing hazardous goods or particularly fragile packages in the pharmaceutical sector. By simulating free-fall or rotational impacts, unexpected events that could affect these loads can be anticipated, thus protecting them.
3. Drop test machines facilitate cost savings. Using a drop tester in the laboratory allows the design of protective packaging for transported goods.
4. Performing drop testing before shipping a product prevents it from being over-packaged and causing unnecessary costs to the company. This test also allows you to prevent under-packaging, which can put the goods at risk and imply higher costs due to shrinkage or damage to the product during shipping.

In addition, the drop test machine is important in other ways as well:

• It is the basic tool for most packaging tests established according to international standards. For example, simulations using a drop testing machine are part of Amazon’s ISTA program.
• Drop testing equipment also allows you to perform simulations that comply with good shipping rules in effect.
• Getting a drop tester for an in-house lab offers many advantages. Among other things, it allows independence in conducting tests, allowing companies to perform comprehensive, rigorous testing at their convenience, without relying on third parties.
• Allows drop tester manufacturers to evaluate the type of packaging needed for safe shipping and Reduces the risk of product damage and the associated costs. Assesses whether a product or packaging system meets the needs of governments, businesses, and companies.

4. What is the main structure of the drop test machine?

The drop testing machine includes an impact base plate and electric control box, said impact base plate is set with a steel upright frame; said upright frame is provided with a wire rod; said screw is provided with a lifting seat on the outside, lifting seat is penetrated; said lifting seat is provided with a connecting rod; said connecting rod is provided with a fixed plate; said the fixed plate is provided with a lifting rod; said lifting rod is provided with an e-shaped support frame that can be moved up and down on the lower side; u-shaped fender rod is also provided on the vertical frame. The electric control box is provided with a display.

Zero drop test machine use, through the control of the electronic control box, so that the package fixed between the lifting rod and the support frame fall to the impact base plate, edge plane impact test; lifting rod height can be adjusted according to actual needs, in order to obtain the test parameters under different circumstances; in the test process, the packaging part of the low probability of sliding; and zero-drop test machine is particularly suitable for cubic packaging parts to drop test than the traditional, It is cleaner, more environmentally friendly and space-saving than the traditional hydraulic lifting structure.

5. What types of products can be used to perform a drop test?

Impact drop testing can benefit a wide range of products. Some of the products that can be drop-tested using this method include:

• Electronic products (e.g., smartphones, personal computers, tablets)
• Laboratory equipment
• Medical devices
• Pharmaceuticals
• Bulk food packaging

In general, drop testing is a good idea if you are transporting delicate or high-value goods that are not suitable for rough handling, or if you have a product that is not in perfect shape and will likely be rejected by consumers. Network racks and window trays have very different design features, but drop testing on both systems will provide valuable information to OEMs. While drop testing is particularly useful in these situations, it can also be used for lightweight products.

6. How it works for a drop tester?

Drop test machines simulate the transportation and distribution environment, in a way that exposes packages to the types of impacts they may endure as they move through the supply chain. By controlling the height at which the test sample falls, the user can control the speed of impact, which is proportional to the impact energy.

Verifying the effectiveness of your product packaging through drop testing ensures that your products remain safe and intact during transport. When your products can withstand harsh selling conditions, you can save money, reduce losses, and ensure customer satisfaction.

More specifically, a drop test is a test designed to check the structural integrity of a product. Drop testing typically involves an object falling from a predefined height onto another object or surface. The object being tested can be either the object being removed or the object/surface on which the object being removed is located.

If the object being tested is a dropped object, its ability to withstand a specific physical impact is measured by throwing it from a given height onto a standardized hard surface. If the surface being dropped is the object being tested, then its ability to withstand a specific impact is measured by dropping a standardized weight and mass from a given height. The former type of test is typically used to ensure the safety of portable hazardous materials, while the latter type of test is used to ensure the effectiveness of fall protection systems and to identify any surfaces that may present a fall hazard.

In terms of occupational safety, fall tests are most commonly used to demonstrate the effectiveness of fall protection products and are performed by the manufacturer of the product and the employer who installs the product in the workplace. Safety nets meet judicial standards by demonstrating that they can withstand the weight of a sandbag or other standardized object dropped from a specific height. This fall test is designed to simulate the impact of a person falling on the net.

During the safety cable test, a sandbag of a specific weight is tied to the safety cable and released from a height in some way to show that the cable can support a falling worker. Guardrail structures also often use drop tests to verify the top rail’s ability to support the loads required by the 200-pound OSHA fall protection standard.

Certain potentially fragile work surfaces, such as skylights and other glass barriers, can also be tested by throwing sandbags directly over them to ensure that a worker accidentally falling on them will not shatter. These tests, as well as drop tests to ensure the safety of hazardous materials testing, are usually carried out under laboratory conditions by accredited testing organizations in order to provide accredited certification of product quality.

In the workplace itself, employers are obligated to conduct fall testing to confirm that they have successfully installed recognized fall safety equipment. For example, OSHA requires testing of safety net devices by dropping a 400-pound, 28–32-inch diameter sandbag from the highest surface where employees are exposed to fall hazards.

7. What is the working principle of using a drop test machine?

The working principle of a drop tester is:

• The falling point, angle, edge, and surface are freely selected, with the center of gravity support, so that the falling point is accurate.
• The machine adopts a large diameter single-axis structure, coordinating spiral lift, and accurate and fast positioning.
• Multiple machines are equipped with up and down upgrade limits to protect the machine from exceeding the safety limit.
• The jig can be used to place large objects to be measured.
• Quickly swing the palm blade away from the object to be measured, so that the object to be measured falls naturally.
• Technical drop points can be freely selected 1 corner, 3 sides, or 6 sides, with the center of gravity fixed device, the drop point is accurate.

8. What is the main concern of using a drop tester?

The drop test machine creates conditions of free fall and sudden impact at different heights and angles. The equipment repeats this process until a package failure is exposed. The drop test procedure usually focuses on the specified :

• Drop height: Different test standards specify a range of drop heights, which may depend on the size, weight, and simulated shipping environment of the test item.
• Test item orientation: When testing goods in different directions, the area affecting the product can be better evaluated.
• Number of drops: Typically, a package will be dropped multiple times in different directions, all based on the intent of the reference test standard.

9. What are the differences in performance of the different packages to be tested?

In addition, the procedure for conducting vertical drop tests differs from model to model, depending on whether the load is large or small. In this case, for large loads, the goods are placed on a lifting platform driven by a pneumatic mechanism. As the platform falls, it is wedged into the base, allowing the load to hit the impact surface.

Smaller loads require a load test on the beam. The beam rises and retracts, allowing the load to fall. Models for smaller goods also allow for obstacles to be placed to counter the impact of the load. In both cases, the drop tester may include an arm mechanism that allows edges and corners to drop, extending the machine’s capabilities and providing results closer to real life.

10. What are the common criteria for drop testing?

The drop criteria outline the number of times a sample needs to be dropped, as well as the sequence in which it needs to occur and the different types of drops that need to be simulated, including vertical, rotational, and corner drops. Two types of tests can be performed for drop tests: Drop tests and rotational drop tests.

ASTM and ISTA tests, the two most common drop test standards, provide different guidelines for drop heights relative to weight. In addition, the type of test can vary depending on the project and desired outcome. Some products, materials, and equipment require multiple tests to obtain the best results.

11. How much does a drop test machine cost?

Drop test machines range in price from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on their size and capabilities. For the detailed drop test machine price, you can contact the drop test machine manufacturer directly.

12. How to extend the life of a drop tester?

Every company wants to extend the productive life of their drop testing machine, for example, by using traditional drop test machines with hard chrome or nickel-plated metal surfaces, or by using more chemically engineered coatings to prevent their surfaces from wearing or corroding and to encourage their release. Since then, in pursuit of the same goal, people have started using stainless steel and have found practical solutions.

Here are some specific ways to help maintain the drop test machine to extend its life.

1. Each test is completed, the drop arm must be dropped, so as not to reset the drop arm for a long time to pull the spring deformation, affecting the testing effect, each drop please reposition the motor to stop rotating before pressing the drop button;
2. biplane tester new factory installation is completed should be added to the pulley rod appropriate low concentration of oil, it is strictly prohibited to add a high concentration of rust prevention oil or oil-containing corrosive substances).
3. If, for a long time, the oiled place has too much dust please lower the machine to the lower part, wipe the previous oil, and then re-oil the machine.
4. The drop testing machine is a kind of impact mechanical equipment, if the new machine has been used more than 500 times, be sure to tighten the screws to avoid failure
5. The lifting shaft and chain of the tester need regular lubrication.
6. The speed reducer is every six months to replace the transmission oil.
7. If the machine is not working, all power should be cut off to ensure the cleanliness of the lifting shaft.
8. Non-operators are not allowed to operate the drop tester.

13. Can a drop test machine be used with other auxiliary testing machines?

Drop test machines can work with other machines to provide accurate data and sort packages by international standards.

One option is to operate it with a data logger. When the machine is placed on a truck, ship, or aircraft, it records movements (including drops) that may be dangerous to the goods during transport. The data is recorded on a card that can then be inserted into the drop-test device.

In addition, the drop test machine will work with other machines to implement AMAZON’s ISTA protocol, which will be critical to working with the e-commerce giant in the coming months. Here are some of the machines that can be used with the drop test machine

• Clamping test machine to measure the ability to protect packages when exposed to horizontal pressure and vertical movement during automated storage.
• An inclined impact tester to simulate the horizontal impacts that can affect loads during transportation and loading/unloading.
• A compression tester to test the resistance of components to compression and creep.
• A vertical vibration machine to simulate the vertical vibrations experienced by the load during transportation by road, rail, air, or sea, preventing their effects and protecting the goods being transported

14. What are the precautions for the operation of the drop test machine?

When operating a drop testing machine, there are some precautions you need to look into:

1. This equipment is testing equipment. Do not use this equipment for purposes other than the specified tests and materials.
2. Please install the equipment in a suitable environment. Please place it in an environment with high indoor temperatures. Place in an environment with low humidity. (80% or less without condensation) A place where there is almost no dust.
3. Please install the test material as required. Install the test material as required, otherwise unpredictable failures may occur.
4. Be sure to turn off the power when performing wiring and maintenance operations. To prevent accidents and electric shock caused by loss of control of the machine during operation, be sure to turn off the power before working.
5. Please note the following about the power supply of this equipment. The power distribution method is in principle three-phase 380V power supply. Please consult an electrical engineer or someone with equivalent knowledge of power supply and electrical engineering.
6. Please be sure to use the power cord that comes with the equipment. If you find any abnormality in the power cord or power plug, please contact our company. Replace them with our service personnel or instruct them to do so.
7. Do not use a fuse other than the specified fuse to prevent a fire or breakage of the internal circuit, etc. When replacing a fuse, use a fuse of the same type and shape as the original equipment.
8. It should be noted that the application or the conditions being performed are highly hazardous and may result in injury or even death. To prevent accidental injury or death, be sure to observe carefully before moving and using the equipment.

15. What are the other considerations for the drop testing machine?

Drop test procedures are developed by testing standards organizations such as ASTM, IEC, and ISTA. The drop test procedure can be performed with the aid of a machine. However, the training of the operator can have a significant impact on the results. In order to conduct repeatable drop tests, the following factors should be considered:

The training of the drop tester operator needs to be consistent and documented. Since the operator has a large impact on the results, you want to ensure that the training program mitigates operator variability. This is ensured by a robust quality management system and test method validation procedures.

Drop testing machines should be subject to annual preventive maintenance. Droplet heights should be determined using calibrated scales, preferably consistent with an approved reference standard.

A reliable drop tester supplier will help a lot with this. If you have any questions about the operation of the drop test machine, please contact the drop tester manufacturer first. They usually have a series of solutions for different conditions.

16. Conclusion

As a professional drop tester manufacturer from China, Linkotest has served many well-known enterprises and laboratories with our high-quality drop testers and great service. The drop testing machine has become an important tool to start a project, and it has been widely used in various fields such as medical, food, and pharmaceutical.