Cushion material performance data should generally be available from the manufacturer of the material. 

However, in certain instances it may be necessary to generate this type of analytical data by performing mechanical laboratory testing. This involves examining both the shock absorbing and vibration transmission characteristics of the materials.

A shock cushion curve describes the material in terms of the deceleration transmitted to an object falling on that material at different static loadings. One cushion curve is generated for each material type, material thickness and drop height combination.

A vibration amplification/attenuation curve defines the frequencies at which a cushion material will amplify vibrational input and the frequencies at which it will filter out or attenuate the vibration.

Evaluating both the shock and vibration cushioning performance data allows for the informed selection of the appropriate materials (kind, amount, placement) that will protect the packaged product from dynamic transport hazards.

What we’ll discuss:

• Dynamic cushion testing, used to generate cushion performance curves.
• ASTM D1596 - Dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging material.
• ASTM D4168 – Transmitted shock characteristics of foam-in-place cushioning materials.
• Dynamic vibration testing, used to generate vibration performance curves.
• Vibration cushion curves – Packaging material resonance and natural frequency.
• ASTM D6537 - Standard practice for instrumented package shock testing for determination of package performance.

Who should attend?

•  Product and packaging design engineers
•  Supply Chain and Logistics personnel
•  Damage Prevention personnel