Testing
and Applied Research
The
center provides a wide range of evaluations to assist companies
with individual needs. Pallets and containers of novel design,
composed of a broad spectrum of materials, are tested and evaluated.
Similarly, nails, staples, glues, welds, and other fasteners,
as well as fastening procedures, are also evaluated.
Standard and special tests are performed, including those specified
by ASTM, ANSI, ISO, and ISTA.
Unit
Load Design takes a systems approach in analyzing pallets, packaging,
and material handling equipment to optimize material handling
efficiencies. The center focuses on pallet design and performance,
packaging, and their interactions with material handling equipment.
Ralph
Rupert manages all center testing activities.
Please contact Ralph for inquiries and quotes for testing services.
Please be aware that center members
receive consultation hours
and testing discounts that usually well exceed the initial cost
of membership.
Ralph
Rupert
(540) 231-7106 or fax (540)231-8868
rrupert@vt.edu
Test
samples should be sent to:
Center for
Unit Load Design
Attention: Ralph Rupert
1650
Ramble Road (0503)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
CONTRACT
TESTING PROGRAM
The center assists pallet and container manufacturers and their
customers develop new, more efficient pallet, packaging, and equipment
designs. Under the Contract Testing Program results of research
will be proprietary and therefore protect the investments of the
testing sponsors.
Pallet
Component Tests
- Bending Strength
- Stiffness
Components tests evaluate the bending strength and stiffness
of pallet parts. These properties can be used to predict the perfomance
of an assembled pallet. Testing follows ASTM D198.
Pallet
Tests
- Strength/stiffness
- Durability
Pallet tests are divided into two categories: strength/stiffness
and durability. The test protocol is described in ASTM D1185 or
ISO 8611. The strength/stiffness evaluation is dependent on the
pallet support conditions. Typical supports include warehouse
floor stacking, racking across length, racking across width, and
conveyor chain. The load is applied using a uniform, flexible
airbag as a general purpose load. Specific loads can also be used
during testing. Pallet durability is determined using the incline
impact tester to impact the end board or stringer/post with a
forktine. The corner drop test is also used.
Package
Tests
The most important aspect of a package is to protect the product
it contains. There are several ways to quantify this ability.
Typically, compression testing is the key performance indicator.
Corrugated and pail compression tests are conducted on a fixed
platen tester to understand load performance.
The other performance indicator of product protection is distribution
testing, which simulates the hazards a package or unit load would
encounter during the distribution cycle. These tests follow either
ASTM D4169 or ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) protocol.
A key aspect of these tests is the understanding of the distribution
system and the interactions between the material handling equipment
and the package/pallet.
- Distribution Testing: Impact Tests (inclined
impact, drop), Vibration (Random, Sine sweep), Compression (stack
load, Failure)
Unit Load Testing
Testing of full unit loads often falls under the same ASTM and ISTA
protocol listed above; however, another area of unit load testing
is load stability. Utilizing vibration and simulated warehouse handling,
unit loads are tested to ensure the unit load will remain intact
throughout the distribution cycle.
Fastener
Tests
Fastener tests include the Fastener Quality Analysis
(FQA) that assesses the basic fastener dimensions and MIBANT stiffness.
These are used to calculate the FWI and FSI as described in ASTM
F680.
Additional performance evaluations include actual
withdrawal/shear/head pull through resistance of nailed joints.
These tests follow ASTM D1761.
