Shock, Bump and impact Testing

Shock testing simulates sudden and intense forces that occur due to events like drops, collisions, or abrupt movements. These tests are essential to evaluate the structural integrity and functionality of a product. 

Applications: 

• Testing the durability of electronic components such as circuit boards. 
• Assessing industrial equipment or machinery exposed to shocks in operational environments. 
• Simulating shocks during transport, such as a box falling from a loading platform. 

Equipment: 

• Shock Bench: Delivers controlled shock pulses with pre-set accelerations and speeds. 
• Parameters: 
• Shock Wave: Shape and duration of the shock, such as half-sine, rectangular, or sawtooth. 
• Peak Acceleration (g): Maximum acceleration during the shock. 
• Duration: How long the shock lasts, typically measured in milliseconds. 

Impact testing focuses on the force of a direct collision or blow to a product or packaging. These tests measure resistance to mechanical stress. 

Applications: 

• Assessing packaging materials such as cardboard, foam, or plastic. 
• Testing fragile goods like glassware, ceramics, and electronics. 
• Simulating collisions between products or with external objects during transport. 

Equipment: 

• Inclined Plane Tester: Rolls a product down an inclined plane to simulate impacts. 
• Pendulum Impact Tester: Uses a pendulum to create a controlled collision. 
• Parameters: 
• Impact Speed: Calculated based on the height or force of the drop. 
• Impact Energy (Joules): The amount of energy released during the collision. 

Bump testing simulates repeated, less intense shocks caused by conditions like transportation over bumpy roads or vibrations in vehicles. It aims to identify fatigue damage and material wear.  

Applications: 

• Testing products frequently exposed to repeated vibrations, such as vehicles, containers, and household appliances. 
• Evaluating packaging’s ability to absorb shocks over extended periods. 

Equipment: 

• Bump Tester: Repeatedly “bounces” a product with controlled force. 
• Vibration Table: Combines bump testing with vibrations for more realistic simulations. 
• Parameters: 
• Number of Cycles: Frequency of bump exposure. 
• Bump Height: Vertical distance traveled by a product during each shock. 

These tests simulate the horizontal impact of packages hitting an obstacle (e.g., a forklift colliding with a pallet). This type of test is used for scenarios where products move within a vehicle or warehouse. 

Applications: 

• Testing rolling resistance and impact durability. 
• Evaluating packaging resistance to collisions during transport on inclined surfaces. 

Equipment: 

• Horizontal Impact Tester: Rolls products and creates controlled collisions at variable speeds. 

Using advanced technology, we can perform shock and impact tests on one of our vibration tables in compliance with MIL STD 810 and IEC 60068-2-27 standards. Both vertical and horizontal impacts can be simulated, and it is also possible to offer an SRS (Shock Response Spectrum). 

Specifications: 

• Maximum test weight: 700 kg 
• Test direction: vertical and horizontal 
• Table dimensions: 1200 x 1200 mm 
• Peak acceleration: 100 g 
• Speed: 2.5 m/s 
• Displacement: 60 mm (peak-to-peak) 

The ASTM D3332 standard describes the 'Step Velocity and Step Acceleration Test,' which determines the so-called 'Damage Boundary Curve.' This curve indicates below which critical accelerations and speed change a product will not sustain any damage due to shocks or drops. The shock bench can generate various half-sine, block, and sawtooth pulses. 

Specifications: 

• Maximum test weight: 1,200 kg 
• Test direction: vertical 
• Table dimensions: 1200 x 1200 mm 
• Peak acceleration: 1,200 g 
• Speed: 6 m/s (can be increased to 10 m/s) 
• Displacement: 2,000 mm 

The ASTM D 5277 and ISO 2244 standards describe a horizontal impact test where a pallet collides with a 13 mm thick steel wall at a certain speed. This simulation provides insights into the stability of the pallet during transport. For instance, if a truck brakes sharply (<0.8 g), it is reassuring to know your pallet remains upright. 

Specifications: 

• Test weight: 2,000 kg 
• Test direction: horizontal (at a 10-degree angle) 
• Table dimensions: 1500 x 1500 mm 
• Speed: 4 m/s 

ASTM D 4003 and various ISTA procedures outline a horizontal shock test in which a pallet must withstand an impact of fifteen milliseconds at a speed of 0.9 meters per second. 

Specifications: 

• Test weight: 2,000 kg 
• Test direction: horizontal 
• Table dimensions: 1500 x 1500 mm 
• Speed: 2 m/s 
• Pulse duration: 

Data Acquisition

Shock measurements are conducted using a Lansmont SAVER, LAB Equipment Analyzer, and Dactron control/analyzers. This equipment records and analyzes the measured acceleration signals, including their duration. Integrating shock and vibration requirements into the design ensures lower packaging costs.