MIL-STD-810 Drop Testing
Throughout a product’s life cycle, products are continuously put at risk of being dropped. Drop testing is also known as the free-fall test. The free-fall test is applied to packages and products to guarantee that products can withstand any shocks that occur from the manufacturing of the product to its transportation to the end customer.
Keystone provides the peace of mind that all of your needs will be met. We are in constant communication throughout the entire test process. Keystone Compliance creates an accurate test plan to eliminate expensive over-testing. Lastly, our pricing is competitive and we offer volume discounts.
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Summary of MIL-810 Drop Testing
Drop testing determines effects on test parts of random drops and repeated impacts. These impacts are due to handling, shipping, and other field service conditions.
This standard 810 compliance test is an accelerated test. Meaning, the test is designed to indicate structural and mechanical weaknesses not necessarily detected in shock and vibration tests. Drop testing can help determine the survivability of a product’s packaging. This will ultimately help manufacturers identify potential warranty issues from poor packaging or improper handling instructions.
Regardless of the method of shipment, air, sea, rail, or over the road, impacts are common. Impacts may be inflicted by adjacent freight jostling against the package in a carrier vehicle. Dynamic impacts occur by accidental bumps against other freight when loaded or unloaded from vehicles, by packages bumping during sorting on conveyors, or any other circumstances.
Such impacts can lead to several issues including:
- Material failure
- Electronic equipment damage
- Electronic connector failure
- Permanent Mechanical deformation
- Accelerated fatiguing of materials
Procedure I – Functional Shock is intended to test material in its functional mode. It also assesses the physical integrity, continuity, and functionality of the material to shock.
Procedure II – Transportation Shock is used to evaluate the response of an item or restraint system to a repetitive shock load. The procedure uses a classical terminal peak sawtooth, either measured or a synthetic shock waveform. This represents the shock excitation portion of the transportation scenario.
Procedure III – Fragility is used early in the item development program to determine the material’s fragility level. This is so packaging, storage or mounting configurations may be designed to protect the material’s physical and functional integrity.
Procedure IV – Transit Drop is a physical drop test. It is intended for material either outside of, or within its transit or combination case, or as preparation for field use. This procedure is used to determine if the material is capable of withstanding the shocks normally induced by loading and unloading.
Procedure V – Crash Hazard Shock Test is for material mounted in air or ground vehicles. This material could break loose from its mounts, tie-downs, or containment configuration during a crash. This would present a hazard to vehicle occupants and bystanders. This procedure is intended to verify the structural integrity of material mounts, tie-downs, or containment configurations during simulated crash conditions.
Procedure VI – Bench Handling is intended for material that may typically experience bench handling, bench maintenance, or packaging. It is used to determine the ability of the material to withstand representative levels of shock encountered in such environments. This procedure is appropriate for material out of its transit or combination case.
Procedure VII – Pendulum Impact is intended to test the ability of large shipping containers to resist horizontal impacts. It determines the ability of the packaging and packing methods to protect the contents when the container is impacted.
Procedure VIII – Catapult Launch/Arrested Landing is intended for material mounted in or on fixed-wing aircraft. It is subject to catapult launches and arrested landings.
Expert MIL-810 Compliance Testing
Keystone Compliance strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. We also have a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. In addition to MIL-STD-810 drop compliance testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including solar radiation, sand and dust, humidity, and rain.
Keystone has three shakers that can simulate loose cargo test conditions that might be experienced as a product is in transit. Our drop test machine is capable of precise drops from different heights at different angles and onto various surfaces.
Ready to get started? We are. Contact us to see why so many companies work with us to achieve their military standard testing needs.
For more information on MIL-810 drop testing, please follow the link below.
MIL-STD-810 Method 516 Shock Testing