Packaging Laboratory

An optimally coordinated packaging system forms the basis for transporting products to their destination safely and without damage. To achieve this, the packaging, load carriers and load unit securing must be designed to withstand the load.

The Fraunhofer IML packaging laboratory offers the possibility to analyze and evaluate weak points, savings potentials and the performance of packaging, load carriers and load units. For this purpose, we develop an individual test plan with you. We then simulate the loads occurring during your transport, handling and storage processes in our packaging laboratory.

The test options range from the individual transport packaging to the load carrier to the complete load unit. We apply national and international testing standards. After completion of the tests, you will receive a recognized and qualified results report.

• Certification body for plastic hygiene pallets of DIN CERTCO as well as testing body for large load carriers according to VDA.
• Tests according to national and international standards: DIN/EN/ISO, VDA, ISTA, ASTM
• Special features: Testing of load units, large load carriers, transport packaging and pallets.

The task of any packaging is to protect the packaged product from damage. An optimally coordinated packaging system therefore forms the basis for transporting products to the customer safely and without damage. For this purpose, packaging, load carriers and loading units must be designed to withstand the load.

Weak points, potential savings and the performance of packaging, load carriers and load units are analyzed and evaluated in the Fraunhofer IML packaging laboratory. With the available testing technology, static, dynamic and climatic loads can be simulated. In the following you will find an overview of our testing machines and our range of services:

A careful analysis of your intended distribution structure is the necessary first step of any testing. On this basis, we create individual test concepts that are based on national and international standards. Our packaging laboratory is a certification body for plastic hygiene pallets (DIN CERTCO) and large load carriers (VDA). In addition, we carry out tests based on the »International Safe Transit Association« ISTA procedures.

• Determination of strength and stiffness on pallets, large and small load carriers, cardboard/plastic containers and entire load units up to a compression force of 20,000 daN (approx. 20 tons)
• Determination of coefficients of friction on slip-resistant materials (VDI 2700)
• Digital recording of measured values/measurement curves
• Testing of objects with a maximum size of 1500 x 1500 x 1500 mm
• If required, tests can be carried out in one of our climatic chambers after prior air conditioning

• Pre-climatization of test samples and tests by means of climatic profiles based on recognized standards or real conditions
• The packaging laboratory has a total of four climatic chambers with a size of up to 12 m².
• Temperature range per chamber: -45 °C to +140 °C
• Humidity ranges depending on chamber: 10 - 95 % relative humidity
• Additional offer: a vibration test facility converted with a climatic chamber for the simulation of dynamic loads during transport under the influence of climatic variables

• Unique test facility, specially manufactured for Fraunhofer IML in the USA
• 17 meter long test track with a 1600 x 1600 mm carriage on which test samples weighing up to 1500 kg can be tested
• Simulation of the actual loads acting on load units during truck cornering (deceleration of 0.5 g) and truck braking (deceleration of up to 0.8 g during emergency braking), as well as shunting impacts when coupling rail cars (deceleration of up to 4.0 g)

• Simulation of dynamic vibration loads such as those acting on a package or load unit during truck/rail transport or in an aircraft
• »Small« vibration table: covers a frequency range of 3 to 200 Hz, has a footprint of 800 x 800 mm, and can test objects weighing up to 500 kg
• »Large« vibration table: Covers a frequency range of 3 to 120 Hz, has a base area of 1200 x 1600 mm and can test objects up to 1200 kg
• The large vibration table is additionally enclosed with a climatic chamber to represent transport loads under the influence of climatic variables

• Precision drop table for drop tests with test specimens weighing up to 56 kg from a maximum height of 1500 mm
• Drop hooks with drop heights of up to 4000 mm and test specimen weights of up to 1300 kg
• Tests can be carried out after prior air conditioning if required

The portfolio is supplemented by a forklift truck with which driving tests and handling tests are carried out under real conditions (driving through bumps, braking tests, rough handling). The behavior of load carriers and load units under continuous load (e.g. abrasion, cracks, fractures) can be determined on a roller conveyor track. In a wetting agent bath, it is possible to test load carriers for the hygiene sector (e.g. H1 hygiene pallets) for their behavior after a bath in a hot soapy solution.

The results are recorded using modern measuring and camera technology. Equipment available for this purpose includes digital cameras with slow-motion recordings, electronic distance measuring devices and data loggers for recording temperature, humidity and accelerations. After completion of the tests, you will receive a recognized and qualified results report.