Packaging Tests

Packaging is exposed to different climatic conditions during transportation or within its life cycle. Condensation on the product or a reduction in the stability of the packaging can occur as a result.

Standardized test atmospheres or test atmospheres adapted to specific conditions make it possible to simulate these conditions as part of the packaging test.

Applicable Standards: ASTM D4332, ASTM F2825, ISO 2233, DIN EN 60068-2-30
Test Equipment: Environmental Testing Chambers, Constant control and redundant monitoring of test parameters

Drop tests, such as flat drop, tilt drop, or corner drop, simulate the mechanical handling of load units, e.g., when picking up and setting down with a forklift, or also represent rough handling during the distribution process.

Acceleration measurement during testing enables the quantification of the stresses acting on the product during the drop. This allows the effectiveness of the packaging or product padding to be evaluated. In addition, acceleration measurement allows conclusions to be drawn about the sensitivity of the packaged product.

Applicable Standards: ASTM  D6179, DIN  EN  14149, ASTM  D4169 und ISTA  Series
Test Equipment: Großer Fallprüfstand 1t, Beschleunigungsmessung, High-Speed-Kamera

Drop tests with packages simulate manual handling as well as stresses in fully automated distribution centers.

In this case, as well, acceleration measurement on the product enables the stresses to be quantified and provides information for optimizing the packaging and, if necessary, the product itself. 

Applicable Standards: ASTM D5276, DIN EN 22248/ISO 2248, ASTM 4169, ASTM D7386 und ISTA Series
Test Equipment: Fallprüfstände, Beschleunigungsmessung, High-Speed-Kamera

Horizontal impact loads occur in practice during the handling of loading units or during braking maneuvers. They can cause the pallet layers to shift, leading to instability of the entire transport unit or products jumping out of their anchoring.

The acceleration test rig is a more advanced version of the “inclined plane” previously used to simulate horizontal acceleration and now enables the simulation of practical load scenarios and thus the testing of

• load securing measures
• the effectiveness of anti-slip pallet layers
• the design of load carriers

Applicable Standards: ASTM D880, DIN EN ISO 2244, ASTM D4169, ISTA 3E
Test Equipment: Beschleunigungsversuchsstand (Beschleunigungsmessung, High-Speed-Kamera)

In practice, vibration loads are mainly caused by means of transport (trucks, planes, and trains). These types of loads play a minor role in sea transport. Individual shocks occur when trucks or forklifts drive over uneven surfaces. Vibration testing can be used to simulate both types of stress on packages and goods ready for shipment.

The combination of a vacuum chamber and a vibration testing system enables the simultaneous simulation of pressure differences, such as those that occur during transport by airplane or when crossing mountain passes.

Compression loads during transport can be simulated by applying defined loads during vibration testing.

Applicable Standards: ASTM D4728, ASTM D999, ASTM D4169, ASTM D7386, ISTA Series, DIN EN ISO 13355, DIN EN ISO 4180, DIN EN ISO 8318, DIN EN 60068-2-64
Test Equipment: Schwingprüfanlagen, zum Teil kombinierbar mit Klimatisierung/Unterdruck

During transport or in storage, packaging and shipping units can be stacked—sorted by type or mixed, as well as in units or individually. The compression test simulates loads on shipping units or empty packaging.

Loading units can be subjected to loads of up to 33 tons.

Applicable Standards: ASTM D642, ASTM D4169, ISTA Series, DIN 55440-1, DIN EN ISO 12048, DIN EN ISO 2234
Test Equipment: Stauchdruckpresse

The compression test can be performed on filled or empty packaging, depending on whether the focus is on determining the capacity of the packaging or preventing damage to the inner packaging or product. It simulates compression and stacking pressure loads that may affect individual packages in the warehouse or during logistics processes.

Applicable Standards: ASTM D642, ASTM D4169, ISTA Series, DIN 55440-1, DIN EN ISO 12048, DIN EN ISO 2234
Test Equipment: Stauchdruckpresse

The negative pressure test simulates reduced ambient pressure, such as that encountered during air transport or transport at high altitudes (mountain passes).

The packaging is exposed to a defined negative pressure in order to evaluate possible effects on, for example, the integrity of the packaging in further investigations.

Applicable Standards: ASTM D6653, ASTM D4169, ASTM D7386, DIN EN ISO 2873
Test Equipment: Unterdruckkammern