6-Step Method: Webinar 4. Cushion material performance evaluation

• Date: to be confirmed
• Time: to be confirmed
• Cost: FREE - Registration is required

Material performance data should generally be available from the manufacturer of the material. In certain instances, however, it may be necessary to generate this type of data. This involves examining both the shock-absorbing and vibration-transmission characteristics of the materials.

It should be noted that the data generated by these methods is applicable to the cushion material only, and may not necessarily be the same as the response obtained in a complete pack. In addition, specimen area, thickness, loading rate and other factors will affect the actual performance of the material in any given situation. What this means is that the data can be used to provide a scientific best guess for the initial package design, but some fine tuning may still need to occur.

Shock cushion performance

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.

The test procedure is basically one of dropping a platen of specified weight from a known drop height onto a cushion of predetermined bearing area and thickness. The deceleration experienced by the platen at impact is monitored and recorded by an accelerometer. Five drops from a particular drop height are performed on a sample at a given static stress loading.

The average of the deceleration readings from the last four of these drops is the value used in plotting each cushion curve point. By adding weights to the platen, the static stress on the cushion material can be changed. Through a series of tests at various static loadings, data is generated and presented in the form of cushion curves. A minimum of five static loadings are tested to plot each curve, with a new sample being used at each loading

Webinar 5 is Cushioned package development. Further details will be published in advance of the event.

Lansmont, along with Alluris, James Heal and Mecmesin are PPT Group brands.