Drop tests
Did you know that a packaged product experiences 10 to 12 significant drops on average during transport?
This not only increases the risk of damage but also leads to the well-known issue of dead on arrival (DOA), which can cause return rates of up to 15% for some companies.
The solution? Drop testing!
With targeted drop tests, you ensure that your products are resilient to the challenges of transport. You prevent damage, avoid high return costs, and boost customer satisfaction.
Navigate to:
→ Overview tests
→ Specifications testing machines
→ Standards
→ Reasons to test
Types of drop tests
Different types of drop tests can be performed depending on the goal and application. Below are some key types of drop tests:
Free fall test
- Description: The product is dropped from a predetermined height to simulate impacts on different surfaces.
- Application: Simulating typical drop scenarios such as during transport or daily use.
- Variables:
- Drop height
- Surface type (concrete, wood, steel plate, etc.)
- Product orientation during the drop
Rotational drop test
- Description: The product is dropped from a specific angle or rotation to test its response to uneven or angled impacts.
- Application: Useful for products with an asymmetrical shape or fragile edges.
Edge and corner drop test
- Description: The product is specifically dropped on its edges or corners, as these are often the weakest points.
- Application: Frequently used for packaged goods, as corners and edges are typically the first points of impact during transport.
Multi-impact drop test
- Description: Simulates multiple consecutive drops to analyze the cumulative effects of repeated impacts.
- Application: Products that are heavily used or frequently transported.
- Description: Tests the impact of a drop on specific surfaces such as asphalt, carpet, gravel, etc.
- Application: Particularly suitable for products used in diverse environments.
- Description: The product is tested while packaged in its final packaging.
- Application: Evaluates the protective quality of the packaging during transport.
- Description: Measures impact forces during a drop using sensors like accelerometers.
- Application: Detailed analysis of shock absorption and internal stresses.
Standards
- Title: Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
- Content: Simulates transport conditions, including drop, shock, and vibration loads on packaging.
- Application: Suitable for packages shipped via air, sea, or land transport.
- Title: Packaging – Complete, filled transport packages – Vertical impact test by dropping
- Content: Guidelines for drop testing fully packaged products to assess impact resistance.
- Application: Commonly used for transport packaging.
- ISTA 1A to 7D: A series of packaging standards for drop, shock, and vibration simulations.
- ISTA 3A: Specifically designed for small packages, often used in e-commerce.
IEC 60068-2-31
- Title: Environmental testing – Part 2-31: Tests – Test Ec: Rough handling shocks, primarily for equipment-type specimens
- Content: Guidelines for testing the robustness of electronic devices against drops and shocks.
- Application: Electronic devices and sensitive equipment.
MIL-STD-810H
- Title: Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests
- Content: Includes a broad range of tests, including drop testing for military and industrial equipment.
- Application: Military equipment and products that must withstand extreme conditions.
IEC 60601-1
- Title: Medical electrical equipment – General requirements for basic safety and essential performance
- Content: Includes drop tests for portable or frequently moved medical devices.
ISO 11607-1/-2
- Title: Packaging for terminally sterilized medical devices
- Content: Requirements for packaging medical devices, including drop tests.
EN 71-1
- Title: Safety of Toys – Mechanical and physical properties
- Content: Includes impact and drop tests for toys, focusing on child safety.
ASTM F963
- Title: Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
- Content: Guidelines for drop tests and mechanical safety of toys.
IEC 62262
- Title: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK rating)
- Content: Assesses the impact resistance of enclosures, including drops.
IEC 60529
- Title: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP rating)
- Content: While focused on water and dust resistance, it also evaluates mechanical stresses.
ISO 10333
- Title: Personal fall protection equipment
- Content: Includes drop tests for personal protective equipment like harnesses and safety systems.
ISO 1496
- Title: Series 1 freight containers – Specification and testing
- Content: Test methods for large transport containers, including impact and drop tests.
ASTM D5276
- Title: Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
- Content: Guidelines for conducting free-fall drop tests on packaged goods.
Accreditation:
Reliable and globally recognized
The Sebert Group is accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA), which is part of the European Accreditation (EA) and ILAC.
Testing in our ISO 17025-accredited laboratory is recognized worldwide, unlike ISO 9001 or ISTA laboratories. ISO/IEC 17025 requires qualified personnel, calibrated equipment, and validated methods. This guarantees independent and reliable test results of the highest quality. Our scope can be found on the RvA website (registration number L540).
Benefits of the ILAC•MRA Mark
The ILAC•MRA mark on reports ensures global acceptance, including in the EU, USA, Japan, and more.
This prevents duplicate testing and bureaucracy, supporting the free trade principle: "Tested once, accepted everywhere."
- Test type: Free fall
- Conditions: Calibrated and controlled
- Specifications:
- Maximum height: up to 350 cm
- Maximum height: up to 1,500 cm
- Maximum weight: 1,350 kg
- Test type: Impact
- Conditions: Calibrated and controlled
- Specifications:
- Maximum weight: 2,000 kg
- Maximum speed: 4 m/s
Prevent damage and death on arrival with our drop tests.
Test your products for durability and reliability with The Sebert Group. Conducting drop tests provides critical advantages to ensure the quality and reliability of your products.
Specifications of the testing machines in our facilities
The precision drop tester enables flat, precise drops for packaged products. A flat drop on one of the six sides is the most unfavorable impact, as energy transfer is maximized. The drop table moves faster than the product, ensuring a controlled and reproducible impact.
For edge or corner testing, the drop tester includes a fixing mechanism that holds the package in position. This makes the precision drop tester ideal for final packaging and product inspections.
Specifications:
- Drop height: Adjustable between 1 and 365 cm
- Max test weight: 68 kg
For products too large or heavy for the precision drop tester, the Quick Release Hook offers a solution. This allows controlled drop heights up to four meters in the lab, with the product or pallet landing on a 50-ton seismic mass. Outside the lab, the drop height is virtually unlimited.
Specifications:
- Drop height: Unlimited
- Max test weight: 4,000 kg
Designed for small objects exposed to extreme forces, this tester achieves speeds of up to 10 meters per second, allowing precise simulation of severe impact scenarios. This is particularly valuable for testing products like electronics.
Specifications:
- Drop height: Adjustable between 1 and 500 cm
- Max test weight: 35 kg
During their lifecycle, products like mobile phones experience hundreds of small drops. The Repeated Rotational Free Fall Tester simulates this process to identify fatigue damage, ensuring products are more robust and durable.
Specifications:
- Drop height: 50 cm
- Max test weight: 5 kg
6 reasons why companies have drop tests carried out by Sebert group:
Products often experience multiple drops during the logistics process, resulting in damage or defects. The Sebert Group’s equipment accurately replicates these conditions, allowing products to be tested for weak points in advance.
Damaged products that fail to function upon delivery lead to high return rates (up to 15% in some cases). By testing products beforehand, you can significantly reduce the risk of defective deliveries.
Preventing transport-related defects saves money on reverse logistics, replacement of defective products, and reputational damage with customers.
Drop tests identify structural weaknesses in packaging or products. This allows you to enhance the design and prevent future damage.
By delivering a robust product that withstands transportation conditions, you increase customer satisfaction and strengthen your brand reputation.
Many markets and industries require products to meet specific transport safety standards. The Sebert Group helps you comply with these standards.
Do you have any questions?
Want to learn more about our testing methods or specific tests? Our experts are here to help with any inquiries you might have. Reach out today and find out how the Sebert Group can support you in delivering unmatched quality and reliability.
