ISTA 3E 2006

 Unitized Loads of Same Product 3E 2 0 0 6 ISTA 3 Series General Simulation Performance Test Procedure Preface ISTA, Your Alliance in Transport Packaging, is the world leader in Performance Tests for Packaged-Products. ISTA 3 Series tests are advanced tests. • They challenge the capability of the package and product to withstand transport hazards, but • They use general simulation of actual transport hazards, and • They do not necessarily comply with carrier packaging regulations. When properly applied, ISTA procedures will provide tangible benefits of: • Shortened packaged development time and confidence in product launch • Protection of products and profits with reduced damage and product loss • Economically balanced distribution costs • Customer satisfaction and continued business. There are three sections: Overview, Testing and Report • Overview provides the general knowledge required before going into the testing laboratory and • Testing presents the specific instructions to do the testing in the laboratory and • Report indicates what data shall be recorded to submit a test report to ISTA. Two systems of weights and measures are presented in ISTA test procedures. They are the English system (Inch-Pound) and the international system SI (Metric). Inch-Pound units are shown first with Metric units in brackets, except in some tables where they are shown separately. • Either system may be used as the unit of measure (standard units), but • The standard units chosen shall be used consistently throughout the procedure. • Units are converted to two significant figures and • Not exact equivalents. VERY IMPORTANT: The entire document shall be read and understood before proceeding with a test. OVERVIEW OF PROCEDURE 3E Test Procedure 3E is a general simulation test for unitized loads of the same retail or institutional packaged-products. A unitized load is defined as one or more products or packaged-products usually on a skid or pallet, but always secured together or restrained for distribution as a single load. Examples would be a stretch wrapped pallet load of individual containers, a single non-packaged machine banded to a pallet or a pallet with a corrugated tray, tube and a cap. • It can be used to evaluate the protective performance of packaged-products related to vibrations, shocks and other stresses normally encountered during handling and transportation. • It can be used to evaluate load stability. • The test levels are based on general data and may not represent any specific distribution system. • The package and product are considered together and not separately. • Some conditions of transit, such as moisture, pressure or unusual handling, may not be covered. Other ISTA Procedures may be appropriate for different conditions or to meet different objectives. Specific suggestions: • To test the individual packaged-product that might be shipped non-unitized from a distribution center to a retail outlet, use ISTA Test Procedure 3F. • Refer to Guidelines for Selecting and Using ISTA Procedures and Projects for additional information. ISTA 3E 2006 - Page 1 of 15 © 2007 International Safe Transit Association. All rights Reserved. 3EScope

Test Procedure 3E covers testing of unitized loads, made up of either single or multiple products or packages of the same Product Damage Tolerance and Degradation Allowance Samples products. The shipper shall determine the following prior to testing: • what constitutes damage to the product and

• what damage tolerance level is allowable, if any, and

• the correct methodology to determine product condition at the conclusion of the test and • the acceptable package condition at the conclusion of the test.

For additional information on this determination process refer to Guidelines for Selecting and Using ISTA Procedures and Projects.

Samples should be the untested actual package and product, but if one or both are not available, the substitutes shall be as identical as possible to actual items.

Number of samples required:

One sample (unitized load) is required for the tests in this procedure.

Replicate Testing Recommended:

To permit an adequate determination of representative performance of the packaged-product, ISTA: • Requires the procedure to be performed one time, but

• Recommends performing the procedure five or more times using new samples with each test.

• Refer to Guidelines for Selecting and Using ISTA Procedures and Projects for additional information on statistical

sampling.

NOTE:

Packages that have already been subjected to the rigors of transportation cannot be assumed to represent standard

conditions. In order to insure testing in perfect condition, products and packages shipped to certified laboratories for testing must be:

• over-packaged for shipment to the laboratory or • repackaged in new packaging at the laboratory.

• It is important to thoroughly document the configuration, materials, and construction of the tested product and package.

Significant variations in performance can sometimes be caused by seemingly insignificant differences. Photo documentation is strongly recommended to supplement detailed written descriptions.

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© 2007 International Safe Transit Association. All rights Reserved.

3ETest Sequence

The tests shall be performed on each test sample in the sequence indicated in the following table:

Sequence # Test Category Test Type Test Level For ISTA Certification

1 Atmospheric Temperature and Humidity

Ambient

Required Preconditioning 2 Atmospheric Controlled Temperature and

Temperature and humidity Optional Conditioning Humidity

chosen from chart 3 Shock Incline Impact (Conbur) 42 in per second Required

(Alternative methods

(1.1 m per second) allowed – select one

Horizontal Impact

test type)

42 in per second (1.1 m per second)

4

Shock Rotational Edge Drop 8 in (200 mm)

Required 5 Compression Machine Apply and Release Calculated Test Force x 1.4 Required

(Alternative methods

allowed – select one

Machine Apply and Hold

Calculated Test Force test type)

Weight and Load Spreader

Calculated Test Load

6 Vibration Random Overall Grms level of 0.52 Required 7 Shock Rotational Edge Drop 8 in (200 mm)

Required

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© 2007 International Safe Transit Association. All rights Reserved.

3EEquipment Required Atmospheric Equipment Required Shock Equipment Required Compression Equipment Required Vibration Atmospheric Conditioning: •

Humidity recording apparatus complying with of the apparatus section of ASTM D 4332-01.

• Temperature recording apparatus complying with the apparatus section of ASTM D 4332-01.

Optional Atmospheric Conditioning

• Chamber and Control apparatus complying with the apparatus section of ASTM D 4332-01. The following alternatives are acceptable for the equipment required for the Impact Test: Type of Shock Test Equipment In compliance with the apparatus section of: Incline Test Incline impact tester (conbur) ASTM D 880-92(02) Horizontal Test Horizontal impact test system ASTM D 4003-98 The following alternatives are acceptable for the equipment required for the Compression Test: Type of Compression Test Equipment In compliance with the apparatus section of: Apply and Release Test Compression test system ASTM D 642-00 Apply and Hold Test Compression test system ASTM D 642-00 Apply and Hold Test Weight and load spreader NA Random Vibration Test: • Random Vibration Test System complying with the apparatus section of ASTM D 4728-01.

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© 2007 International Safe Transit Association. All rights Reserved.