Testing Standard:
ISTA Procedure 1B Packaged Products Over 150 lb (68 kg)
Standard Number
ISTA 1B
Standard Title
ISTA Procedure 1B Packaged Products Over 150 lb (68 kg)
Overview for ISTA Procedure 1B Packaged Products:
ISTA 1B is a basic procedure of non-simulation integrity performance test. This procedure could be used as a starting point for comparing various package design types. ISTA Procedure 1B is a test procedure for evaluating packaged products that weigh over 150 lb (68 kg) and are transported by motorized vehicles. The purpose of this test procedure is to simulate the transportation environment to determine the ability of the packaged product to withstand the various hazards that might occur during transportation.
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During the testing, the packaged product is subjected to a series of mechanical shocks, vibrations, and compressions that represent the transportation conditions during actual transit. The test procedure includes the following tests:
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1. Atmospheric Conditioning: The packaged product is conditioned to the specified temperature and humidity levels before the test.
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2. Drop Test: The packaged product is dropped from a certain height onto a hard surface to simulate the shock experienced during transportation.
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3. Vibration Test: The packaged product is subjected to vibration in three different directions to simulate the rough road conditions and vibrations during transportation.
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4. Compression Test: The packaged product is compressed to simulate the stacking and crushing that may occur during transportation.
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5. Environmental Conditioning: The packaged product is conditioned to the specified temperature and humidity levels after the test.
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6. Disposition: The packaged product is inspected for any damage that may have occurred during the testing and evaluated based on specified criteria.
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The ISTA Procedure 1B is used to assess the strength and durability of packaged products that weigh over 150 lb and are transported by trucks or other motorized vehicles. By conducting this test, the packaged product can be examined for any potential weaknesses and modifications can be made to ensure the product arrives at its destination without damage. Purple Diamond Testing offers ISTA 1B Testing as part of our packaging distribution testing services. When properly applied, ISTA protocol can help your company save hundreds, if not thousands, due to shortened packaged development time, protection of products, lower distribution costs, and increased customer satisfaction. In this test protocol, the ISTA Procedure 1B, it can be used to evaluate the performance of a packaged product. It can also be compared to the relative performance of the package compared to alternative packaging designs. The package and the product are considered together and evaluated as such to ensure accuracy of the procedure data. Most environmental conditions are accounted for.Â
Rationale for ISTA Procedure 1B Packaged Products:
ISTA 1B – Packaged-Products Over 150 lb. (68 kg). Can be used to compare relative performance of package and product design variations. The procedure is used to create harsh worst-case hazards in a laboratory environment while comparing multiple design variation packaging systems. The test categories for this procedure are remarkably like the test categories for ISTA Procedure 1A. The tests shall be performed using atmospheric preconditioning, vibration, and shock.Â
For the vibration system, a vertical linear motion is acceptable. A tachometer is suitable for deciding vibration frequency in cycles per second or minute. There is an automatic timer or stopwatch.Â
For the shock tests, the types can vary, and include but are not limited to the drop test, the vertical shock test, the alternative incline test, the alternative horizontal test, and the rotational test.Â
Pre-conditioning of the packaged product needs to happen before the test procedure can begin. This is the first step and essentially means that the packaged product should be stored at laboratory ambient temperature and humidity for 12 hours prior to testing. The temperature and humidity are then taken and recorded when the testing begins. At the end of the testing, the temperature and humidity are also taken and recorded. After the first temperature is recorded, the vibration testing can begin by placing the packaged product on the vibration table. The packaged product is going to need to be firmly placed on the platform, so it does not fall loose. After the vibration testing comes the shock testing which is usually known as drop or impact testing. Then another round of vibration testing comes, shock impact and rotational edge drop. And lastly, the data is recorded and analyzed. Not to mention the ISTA evaluate itself is reported to the International Safe Transit Association for the testing to be complete. Purple Diamond is proud to be an ISTA Certified Testing Laboratory. To obtain a first certification of a packaged product, the product manufacturer must be a shipper member of ISTA and in good standing. As a rule of thumb, mainly as part of quality control, packaged products should be re-tested frequently, sometimes yearly.Â
This procedure is also a huge part of the testing processes and comprehensive package testing plans that Purple Diamond offers. This test method is especially important if number one your load is over 150 pounds, and number two if you are looking to see the performance of your packaged product in action. It is important to decide the performance especially if this is just one sample of many. You do not want a product to go un-tested and end up on the mass market, being produced for thousands of folks, with potential damages. Unseen or untested damage may lead to extremely inflated costs and product loss overall. If you are interested at all in having your packaged product evaluated, it is imperative that you reach out. We will help you and consult you along the process of package testing, and if necessary, design and engineering.Â
Key Points:
- Evaluates the performance of a packaged-product
- Provides a guide to evaluate packaging systems in the laboratory environment
- For unitized loads, conduct ISTA 1E instead of ISTA 1B
- Consider ISTA 1H to use random vibration in place of fixed displacement vibration
Related Standards:
- ASTM D880 – Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
- ASTM D999 – Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
- ASTM D5276 – Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
- ASTM D5487 – Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
- ASTM D6179 – Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
At Purple Diamond, we offer a free consultation or a guided tour of our facilities. If you’re nearby, feel free to drop by and see our packaging and team. Consultations can be done over the phone or on zoom, so choose what suits you best. To get in touch, go to our Contact Us page and fill out the form or book an appointment using the calendar below. Our goal is to assist you in any way possible, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our website contact form is located at www.purple-diamond.com/contact-us, but we promise to get back to you soon, no matter which method of communication you choose. Thank you so much for reading down this far and thank you for considering Purple Diamond as your dedicated testing, engineering, and design facility for all of your packaging needs.
Related Testing Standards
- ASTM D642
- ASTM D685
- ASTM D880
- ASTM D951
- ASTM D999
- ASTM D3078
- ASTM D3103
- ASTM D3285
- ASTM D4169
- ASTM D4332
- ASTM D4728
- ASTM D5265
- ASTM D5276
- ASTM D5277
- ASTM D5487
- ASTM D6055
- ASTM D6179
- ASTM D6344
- ASTM D6653
- ASTM D7386
- ASTM F88
- ASTM F1140
- ASTM F1886
- ASTM F1929
- ASTM F1980
- ASTM F2096
- ASTM F2250
- ASTM F3039
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