Are you aware that in the Spring of 2022, the ASTM D10 Committee made Significant changes to the Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems?
ASTM D4169 Test Profiles
A Little History
As many may recall, the version prior to this recently published standard, D4169-16, had some major changes regarding the test assurance levels and associated times at these levels. The assurance levels were discarded and instead, the test profiles at all three (I,II,III) assurance levels were combined across all three transport methods (Air/Truck/Rail) to give the intensity level testing that is more realistic. Prior to D4169-16 (D4169-12 and earlier) there was a requirement to select the assurance level desired (I,II or III) based upon your specific test objectives.
What is Different between the Air Profiles in Version “-16” and Version “- 22” ?
As for the changes to the air profiles in version D4169-22, they now represent a more accurate representation of what really occurs during the air transport mode. Previously, it was thought that the frequency, as well as the intensity levels encountered within air transport were much higher. This doesn’t appear to be the case.
Big Changes in Intensity Levels (Grms) for Air Profiles – New Requirements
What this means to your Testing Experience and the Systems needed to perform the testing
As can be seen in the profiles below, a significant change has been made to the frequency range and intensity levels. This reduction in frequency will allow manufactures, like L.A.B Equipment, to design, and deliver more reasonably valued systems to end users. The task to design a hydraulic vibration system (HV), with performance out to 300Hz, was often a challenge for the control value (servo-value) manufacturers during high performance when the payload, product and table got to a significant in size and mass. With a reduction in the Intensity level (significant consideration), the force, power and energy needed to perform the test profile is significantly reduced. This results in the delivery of a more compact system for testing.
