Package Testing Services

packages stacked inside a warehouse
Why Package Testing

Applied Technical Services offers package testing within our environmental testing laboratory. Packages are designed to protect their contents from many harmful factors during shipping and handling, including varying temperatures and humidity, being dropped or pushed, and experiencing vibrations. Fortunately, package testing services from labs such as ATS can methodically test packages to ensure that they meet the right standards. The reliability and efficiency of successful packaging design can save companies a significant amount of time, effort, and expense.

ISTA Testing

ATS performs package testing in accordance with the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)’s standards. The ISTA is an international leader in developing testing protocols and design standards to ensure satisfactory performance from packaging materials. Our environmental testing lab offers an array of ISTA tests, including ISTA 3A testing – a standard designed for simulating real-world conditions that individually packaged products under 150 pounds and shipped by either ground or air may experience during their journey.

Package Testing Methods

Compression

Packages can experience both vertical and horizontal compression during storage and shipping. Stacking products on top of each other – as well as handling them with machine clamps – can put stress on the packaging and possibly damage their contents. Our technicians apply force to the faces of packaging using specialized lab equipment to accurately simulate such shipping scenarios and determine the effectiveness of the sample’s design.

Shock

Shock testing simulates situations where packages might experience a sudden impact, such as being dropped, knocked over, or struck by another object. ATS can assess packaging material performance against such shock impacts by using a range of box drop tests:
  • Free-fall Drop
  • Drop onto Hazard
  • Concentrated Edge Impact
  • Bridge Impact
  • Rotational Flat Drop
  • Rotational Edge Drop
  • Tip-over
  • Full Rotational Drop

Vibration

Packaging materials can act as a buffer against vibrations that often occur during transport, such as road transport or movement on conveyors. Excessive vibration could result in product fractures, bruises, or loose components. Our technicians use a vibration table to assess how well the packaging protects its contents from being damaged.

Atmospheric

Packages in transport must survive varying atmospheric conditions such as temperature and humidity. The environmental testing lab simulates these conditions to determine if they both withstand and protect their contents from exposure to different environmental stimuli.
ATS and Package Testing

For over 50 years, Applied Technical Services has centered its services on proven scientific and engineering principles, along with excellence in customer service. ATS’ experienced technicians quickly and accurately perform package testing to identify strengths and weaknesses in your packaging materials. Contact us today for more information about our package testing services. ATS – We take a closer look!

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