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Drop Testing for Packaging and Products

04.17.2024

The significance of drop testing lies in its ability to assess the durability of goods, identify weaknesses in packaging design, and mitigate potential risks of damage. Drop testing for packaging and products stands as an indispensable procedure within the realm of product safety and quality assurance. By subjecting both packages and products to simulated impact forces, this rigorous testing methodology evaluates their resilience during transportation, thereby ensuring their integrity throughout the supply chain.

Through meticulous examination and adherence to established standards, drop testing not only enhances consumer satisfaction but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding the reputation and credibility of businesses in the market.


Navigating Package Drop Test Procedures

Embarking on a package drop test journey entails meticulous planning and execution. From selecting the apt test standard aligned with package specifications to orchestrating controlled drops using specialized equipment, every step is orchestrated to scrutinize packaging robustness comprehensively.

When selecting the appropriate drop test standard for package testing, several factors must be considered to ensure accurate and relevant results. Here are some key steps to help navigate this process:

  1. Understand package specifications: Begin by thoroughly understanding the specifications of the package under consideration. This includes its size, weight, material composition, and intended contents.
  2. Identify transportation requirements: Determine the anticipated mode of transportation for the package, whether it will be shipped via air, ground, sea, or a combination of these methods. Different transportation modes may subject packages to varying levels of stress and impact forces.
  3. Research available standards: Familiarize yourself with the drop test standards relevant to your industry and geographic region. Standards such as ASTM D4169, ISTA procedures, and EN 15552 offer comprehensive guidelines for package testing.
  4. Evaluate test criteria: Review the test criteria outlined in each standard and assess how well they align with the characteristics of your package. Consider factors such as drop height, drop orientation, and number of drops required.
  5. Consider regulatory requirements: Take into account any regulatory requirements or customer specifications that may influence the choice of drop test standard. Compliance with industry regulations and customer expectations is crucial for ensuring product safety and market acceptance.
  6. Consult with experts: Seek guidance from packaging engineers, testing laboratories, or industry associations with expertise in package testing. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their experience and knowledge of industry best practices.
  7. Perform comparative analysis: If multiple standards seem applicable, conduct a comparative analysis to evaluate their strengths and limitations. Consider factors such as test complexity, cost, and relevance to your specific packaging needs.
  8. Prioritize reliability and consistency: Choose a standard that offers reliable and consistent results, enabling you to assess packaging performance accurately across different testing scenarios. Consistency in testing methodology is essential for establishing confidence in the reliability of test outcomes.

Drop heights and product standards

When delving into drop testing, one critical aspect to consider is the selection of appropriate drop heights in accordance with product drop test standard height guidelines. These standards outline specific drop heights relevant to different types of products and packaging. The determination of the drop height is crucial as it simulates real-world scenarios of products being dropped during handling or transportation.

Product drop test standard height guidelines vary depending on factors such as the nature of the product, its fragility, and the intended mode of transportation. For instance, delicate electronic devices may require lower drop heights to assess their susceptibility to damage, while robust industrial equipment may necessitate higher drop heights to ensure their durability.

Adhering to product drop test standard height specifications ensures consistency and comparability across testing procedures. It enables manufacturers to evaluate product resilience under standardized conditions, facilitating accurate assessments of product safety and reliability.

When conducting drop testing, it’s essential to follow the prescribed drop heights meticulously to adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements. Deviating from the recommended drop heights may compromise the integrity of the testing process and undermine the validity of the results.

Packaging and shipping tests

Packaging drop test standards, promulgated by esteemed organizations like ISTA, ASTM, and ISO, serve as the bedrock for evaluating packaging resilience. These standards delineate the requisite procedures and parameters for conducting drop tests, offering a framework for consistency and compliance across industries.

EN 15552:2009
  • This European standard, also known as “Packaging – Complete, filled transport packages – Compression and stacking tests using a compression tester,” focuses on conducting compression and stacking tests on complete, filled packages using a compression tester. The standard sets forth procedures and criteria for evaluating packaging strength against compression and stacking forces.






EN 22248
  • EN 22248, titled “Packaging – Complete, filled transport packages and unit loads – Horizontal impact tests,” concentrates on performing horizontal impact tests on complete, filled packages, and unit loads. These tests assess the packaging’s ability to withstand lateral impacts during transportation and handling.
ASTM D4169
  • ASTM D4169, “Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems,” is a standard developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) that outlines procedures for conducting performance testing on shipping containers and systems. This standard addresses various shipping conditions and evaluations, including shock, vibration, compression, and environmental testing.
ASTM D7386
  • ASTM D7386, “Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel Delivery Systems,” is an ASTM standard that specifically focuses on evaluating the performance of packages intended for single parcel delivery systems. This standard establishes procedures for performance testing that simulate typical transportation and handling conditions in parcel delivery systems.
ISTA Procedures
  • The International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) has developed a series of test procedures to assess packaging strength and integrity during transportation. These procedures, including ISTA 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1G, 1H, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3E, 3F, 3H, 3K, 4 series, and 6-Fedex; 6-Amazon.com, address various shipping scenarios and are designed to accommodate different product types and transportation methods.
MIL-STD 202 Random Drop
  • MIL-STD 202, specifically the section addressing random drop tests, outlines procedures and criteria for conducting random impact tests on military equipment and electronic components. These tests simulate real-world usage and transportation conditions, assessing the equipment’s ability to withstand sudden shocks and vibrations.
MIL-STD-810G
  • MIL-STD-810G, “Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests,” is a standard from the U.S. Department of Defense that establishes procedures for conducting environmental tests on military equipment. This standard includes random drop tests, among other tests, to evaluate equipment’s ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions and rough handling during transportation and field use.

Drop testing and product design

One key aspect affected by drop testing is product drop itself. By subjecting prototypes or existing products to drop tests, designers can identify weak points or areas prone to damage upon impact. This insight allows them to iterate on designs, reinforcing vulnerable areas or introducing materials that better absorb shock, thus enhancing overall product robustness.

Drop testing also informs the development of drop test packaging standards. Understanding how products behave under impact helps in designing packaging that can adequately protect them during transit or handling. By establishing standardized procedures based on drop test results, manufacturers can ensure consistency in packaging design, minimizing the risk of damage during distribution.

In the realm of batteries and electronic devices, drop testing takes on even greater significance. Battery-powered devices are ubiquitous in modern life, and ensuring their safety is paramount. Using specialized equipment like drop testers designed for batteries and electronic devices, manufacturers can assess how these products withstand impacts typical of everyday use or accidental drops. This testing helps in refining product designs to mitigate the risk of internal damage, battery leakage, or even explosion in extreme cases.

Moreover, device drop testing enables designers to evaluate not only the physical integrity of the product but also its functional performance after a fall. This includes assessing whether components remain properly aligned, connections intact, and functionalities unaffected. Such insights are invaluable for refining designs to enhance both durability and user experience.


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