Free-Fall Drop Testing

The test is designed to assess a product’s ability to withstand the mechanical shock generated by a free fall and subsequent impact against a specified surface. It verifies whether an accidental drop or impact occurring during handling, loading and unloading, installation or use could cause unacceptable damage to the test specimen.

The test is performed in accordance with Polish Defence Standard NO-06-A107:2021, “Military equipment – General technical requirements, inspection and testing methods – Methods for testing total resistance to environmental factors”, Section 2.11.

Testing covers products and structural materials, machinery and equipment, as well as complete, filled transport packages.

For products intended for the automotive sector and other industries, the test parameters may be defined on the basis of the applicable industry standard, manufacturer or OEM requirements, the customer’s specification or an individually agreed test programme.

Test procedure

The specimen is raised to a specified height and then released in a manner that allows it to fall freely onto a prepared impact surface. The test configuration – including, in particular, the drop height, the number of drops, the specimen’s impact orientation and the scope of inspections performed before and after the test – is adapted to the type of product and the applicable requirements.

Depending on the test programme, the specimen may be subjected to visual inspections, measurements and functional checks before and after the test.

Scope of assessment

The test can be used to assess, among other aspects:

• cracks, permanent deformation and other mechanical damage;
• damage to enclosures, protective covers, handles, mountings, connectors and equipment components;
• loosening or displacement of internal components;
• loss of sealing integrity, where this is an assessed characteristic;
• deterioration in performance or loss of functionality;
• damage that could affect the safe continued use of the product.

BOSMAL testing capabilities

• maximum test specimen mass: 500 kg;
• maximum height of the overhead crane hook above the impact surface: 3 m; the achievable free-fall height is determined individually, depending on the specimen’s dimensions, the method of suspension and release, and the applicable safety requirements.

Testing in accordance with NO-06-A107:2021, Section 2.11, is included in the PCA scope of accreditation of the BOSMAL Testing Laboratory. For tests performed in accordance with other normative documents or customer specifications, the feasibility of the test and its detailed parameters are agreed on a case-by-case basis before testing begins.ametry są każdorazowo uzgadniane przed rozpoczęciem badań.