William Sardo Pallet Lab
William H. Sardo Jr. Package, Pallet, Unit Load, and Container Research Laboratory
Vertical Linear / Random Vibration Table
Table size: 60in x 60in
Payload capacity: 2500lb
Dynamic force rating: 3g
Double amplitude displacement: 2in
Frequency range: 2Hz – 300Hz
Description
Our vibration table reproduces a broad range of vibration events that happen during physical distribution. Vibrations can influence the stability, performance, and quality of unit loads and packages. Our well-trained staff safely tests structures much greater than the size of the vibration table using innovative experimental setups.
Incline Impact Tester
Incline: 10 degrees
Dolly platfrom: 48in x 48in
Impact zone size: 60in x 60in
Payload capacity: 2000lbs
Description
Our incline table evaluates the stability of full unit loads and durability of new innovative pallet and packaging designs.
Split Table Tester:
Maximum package weight: 125lbs
Drop height range: 12in x 60in
Max package size: 36in x 36in
Swing Arm Drop Tester:
Maximum package weight: 150lbs
Drop height range: 12in x 60in
Max package size: 16in x 12in
Compression Testers
Tinius Olsen
Payload capacity: 25,000lbs
Platen Size: 60in x 72in
Load applicator: fixed platen, air-bag
Maximum unit load height: 9 feet
Description
The Tinius Olsen Compression Machine, with a load capacity of 40,000 lbs., a platen area of 30 square feet and a maximum clearance between platens of 9 feet, is ideal for evaluating an individual container and an entire pallet load of containers. This compression machine has an electronic load holder that maintains a fixed compression load on a container for as long as desired.
Lansmont Squizer
Payload capacity: 5,000lb
Platen Size: 30in x 30in
Load applicator: fixed platen
Maximum package height: 3 feet
Description
The Lansmont Squizer compression test system quantifies box performance so that the effect of various board mediums, closures and interior partitions can be compared by means of "load sharing" analysis. Production line variations can be easily benchmarked against design standards.
Custom Pallet Tester
Payload capacity: 10,000lb
Platen Size: 48in x 40in
Load applicator: air-bag
Description
This pallet tester evaluates the strength and stiffness of pallets. The load is applied with an airbag to produce a completely distributive load. The glass windows in each side control the temperature during the test. This way, we can test pallet behavior in different environmental conditions.
High Performance Compression Testers:
Other than the compression testers above, we also have access to high performance compression testers with maximum capacity of 1,200,00lbs.
Universal Mechanical Testers
MTS 10/GL with Testworks 4 software
Force rating: 10,000lb
Speed: 20in per minute
Load cells: 200lb, 1000lb, 10,000lb
Type of mechanical tests: tension, compression, and fracture
Description
This is an electrically driven test frame. The system is used in various ASTM test. We have several types of fixtures for the unit. They include 3 and 4 point bending, fracture grips, tensions grips, internal bond grips, paper compression and corrugated paper.
MTS 322 with Flextest 40 software
Force rating: 50,000lb
Speed: 20in per minute
Load cells: 5,000lb and 10,000lb
Type of mechanical tests: tension, compression, cyclic and fracture
Description
This is a servo hydraulic system. The system is used in various ASTM test. We have several types of fixtures for the unit. They include 3 and 4 point bending, tensions grips, and shear grips. This frame is also equipped with a torsion attachment that allows us to twist a specimen up to 100 degrees. The unit can also be used for fatigue testing.
MTS: 7940 with Labview software
Force rating: 20,000lb
Load cells: 1,000lb, 5,000lb and 20,000lb
Type of mechanical tests: tension, compression, cyclic and fracture
Description
This is a servo hydraulic system. The system is used in various ASTM test. We have several types of fixtures for the unit. They include 3 and 4 point bending, tensions grips, and shear grips. The unit can also be used to do a cyclic fatigue test.
Environmental Test Chambers
Chamber 1
Built by: Environmental Specialistsb
Size: 10' x 18' x 7'
Relative humidity: 45% to 90%
Description
This chamber is maintained at a constant 20°C and 65%Rh. This is to obtain an EMC of 12% in our wood samples.
Vertical 30ft3 Chamber with Desiccant Dryer
Model: #9135-8114DT
Temperature range: 7° to 85°C (44.6° to 185°F)
Relative Humidity Range: 10% to 95%
Description
This chamber is used to condition samples before testing and to simulate changing weather conditions.
Shock Tester
Carriage Size: 10in x 10in
Payload capacity: 30lbs
Carriage fall: 42in
Max. Acceleration: 3500G
Min. Pulse Duration 0.3ms
Shock Pulse Capabilities: half sine, sawtooth, square
Description
Our shock tester is used to evaluate and design rugged products (such as electronics) and protective shipping packages. It produces half-sine, sawtooth, and square waves pulses meeting military (MIL-SPC) and industrial (ASTM, ISO, JEDEC) specifications.
Fast Track Area
Description
To test a palletized unit load for durability and economics of use, we simulate rough handling. This can be achieved by accelerated rough handling using devices employed in material handling. An example of such a test is found in ASTM D1083. To follow is a protocol developed and used at the Center for Unit Load Design of Virginia Tech. This is a modification of a test protocol developed by the Procter and Gamble Company to simulate the use of pallets in the grocery dry goods industries. The test simulates idle pallet storage, palletizing, shipping, transport, receiving, and three types of storage: static rack, flow rack, and block staking. To read the full the FasTrack Protocol, please click the link below.
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