• Jai Bhavani Nagar, Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane West, Thane, Maharashtra 400604
Request a free Quote
Get Started
Finetech Engineering

Drop Tester

  • Motorised height adjustment — precise, repeatable drop heights from 300 mm up to 1500 mm (or higher on request)
  • Pneumatic clamp-and-release mechanism — ensures true free-fall with correct orientation within ±2° of target
  • Flat-face, edge, and corner drops — all standard drop orientations supported in one machine
  • Digital height display with ±1 mm accuracy — no manual measuring or guesswork
  • IS 7028, ASTM D5276, ASTM D4169, ISO 2248, and ISTA compliant
  • Heavy-duty steel impact base — rigid, flat, and horizontal per standard requirements
Request a Free Quote

Overview

The Finetech Engineering Drop Tester is a motorised free-fall drop testing machine designed to evaluate how well a packaged product withstands the sudden impact shock of being dropped during handling, loading, unloading, or transportation. Every package that is shipped — from a corrugated carton of plastic moulded parts to a shrink-wrapped pallet of consumer goods — faces the risk of being dropped at warehouses, loading docks, delivery trucks, and customer doorsteps. The drop tester simulates these events in a controlled laboratory setting, allowing packaging engineers and QC teams to verify that their packaging design provides adequate protection before the product ships.

The machine works by lifting a complete, filled package to a specified height using a motorised column, clamping it in the correct orientation (flat face, edge, or corner), and then releasing it for a true free-fall onto a rigid impact base. The package is then opened and inspected for product damage, packaging failure (crushed corners, burst seams, tape failure, puncture), and content displacement. The digital height control ensures every drop is from exactly the same height, test after test, making results comparable and repeatable.

The Finetech drop tester complies with IS 7028 (the Indian standard for drop testing of transport packages), ASTM D5276 (the international free-fall drop test standard for containers under 50 kg), ASTM D4169 (performance testing of shipping containers), and ISO 2248 (vertical impact test by dropping). It is the essential companion to the Finetech Vibration Tester — together, they simulate the two primary transport hazards: continuous vibration and sudden impact.

Drop Orientations — What the Standard Requires
Real-world drops can occur in any orientation — flat on a face, on an edge, or on a corner. Each orientation produces a different failure mode. Standards require testing in multiple orientations to evaluate the full range of drop hazards.
Drop Type Description What It Tests Orientation Tolerance
Flat-Face Drop Package dropped flat on its largest face, bottom, or top Compression resistance of the face panel and contents; cushioning effectiveness Within ±2° of horizontal
Edge Drop Package dropped on one edge (bottom edge, side edge, or top edge) Seam integrity, edge crush resistance, flap and closure strength Within ±5° of target
Corner Drop Package dropped on one corner (diagonally opposite to a selected corner) Corner crush resistance, the worst-case concentrated impact scenario Within ±5° of target
End Drop (Cylindrical) Drum or cylinder dropped flat on one end End closure integrity, base strength Within ±2° of horizontal
Typical Drop Heights by Package Weight
Drop height is determined by your applicable standard and the gross weight of the filled package. Lighter packages are dropped from greater heights because they are handled manually and face higher drop risks. Heavier packages are handled with equipment and face lower drop heights.
Package Gross Weight Typical Drop Height (IS 7028 / ISTA) Handling Scenario
Up to 5 kg 800–1000 mm Manual handling — parcels, small cartons, e-commerce shipments
5–10 kg 600–800 mm Manual handling — medium cartons, consumer goods
10–20 kg 500–600 mm Manual or assisted handling — larger cartons
20–30 kg 400–500 mm Assisted manual handling — heavy cartons
30–50 kg 300–400 mm Equipment-assisted handling — heavy boxes, drums
50–100 kg 200–300 mm Forklift/pallet jack handling — large unit loads
Specifications
Parameter Specification
Product Name Drop Tester (Free-Fall Drop Testing Machine)
Drop Type Free-fall — flat face, edge, and corner orientations
Height Range 300 mm to 1500 mm (standard); higher on request
Height Adjustment Motorised column with digital height display (±1 mm resolution)
Release Mechanism Pneumatic clamp-and-release for true free-fall (no push, no swing)
Orientation Accuracy Flat drops: ±2°; Edge/corner drops: ±5° (per ASTM D5276)
Maximum Payload Up to 50 kg (standard) or 100 kg (heavy-duty model)
Maximum Package Size Up to 600 × 600 × 600 mm (standard); larger sizes on request
Impact Base Heavy-duty steel plate, horizontal, flat, and rigid — per ASTM D5276 requirements (mass at least 50× the package weight)
Impact Surface Area Minimum 1.5× the largest face of the test package
Column Construction Rigid steel column with precision linear guides
Air Supply (Pneumatic) 6–8 bar compressed air for clamp-and-release mechanism
Power Supply 230V AC, single phase, 50 Hz (for motorised column)
Safety Features Safety guardrails, emergency stop, low-pressure warning
Certification ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing
Applicable Standards
Standard Full Name Scope
IS 7028 (Part III) Complete, Filled Transport Packages — Drop Test The primary Indian standard for drop testing of transport packages. Specifies drop heights, orientations, and number of drops based on package weight.
ASTM D5276 Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall International standard for free-fall drop testing of loaded boxes, cylinders, bags, and pouches under 50 kg. Specifies apparatus, orientation accuracy, and reporting requirements.
ASTM D4169 Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems Defines complete distribution simulation test cycles. Drop testing is one of several hazard elements — references ASTM D5276 for the drop test execution.
ISO 2248 Packaging — Complete, Filled Transport Packages — Vertical Impact Test by Dropping International equivalent of IS 7028 drop test section. Specifies vertical free-fall impact onto a rigid surface.
ISTA 1A / 2A / 3A International Safe Transit Association Test Procedures Distribution simulation test sequences that include drop testing as a required element alongside vibration and other hazard tests.
How the Drop Test Works

Step 1: Test Planning

  • Identify the applicable standard (IS 7028, ASTM D5276, ASTM D4169, ISTA)
  • Determine the drop height based on package weight and the standard’s tables
  • Determine the drop orientations: which faces, edges, and corners to test
  • Define the number of drops (typically 8–26 drops per test cycle, covering all faces, edges, and corners)

 

Step 2: Specimen Preparation

  • Use a complete, filled transport package — exactly as it would be shipped
  • Close and seal the package using the same method as production (tape, staples, adhesive, strapping)
  • Condition the package at standard atmosphere (23°C ±2°C, 50% ±5% RH) if required
  • Mark and number all faces, edges, and corners per the standard’s labelling scheme
  • Photograph or inspect the product and packaging before testing

 

Step 3: Test Execution

  • Set the drop height on the motorised column — verify on the digital display
  • Clamp the package in the correct orientation (flat face, edge, or corner)
  • Verify the orientation angle is within tolerance
  • Activate the pneumatic release — the package free-falls onto the impact base
  • Repeat for all specified orientations and the required number of drops
  • Use a fresh specimen for each test cycle, or the same specimen for sequential drops (as specified by the standard)

 

Step 4: Post-Test Inspection

  • Open the package and inspect the product for damage: cracks, chips, breakage, displacement, functional failure
  • Inspect the packaging for: burst seams, torn panels, tape lifting, crushed corners, puncture, closure failure
  • Record all observations and photograph damage
  • Assess against pass/fail criteria defined in your standard or customer specification
Drop Testing + Vibration Testing = Complete Transport Simulation
The drop test simulates sudden handling impacts. The vibration test simulates continuous transport vibrations. Together, they cover the two primary hazards in the packaging distribution cycle. Most comprehensive packaging standards (ASTM D4169, ISTA 3A) require both tests performed in sequence — typically vibration first, then drop testing.
Applications
  • Packaging validation for domestic and export shipments — corrugated boxes, cartons, bags, drums, crates
  • E-commerce packaging testing — verifying courier/parcel packaging survives the last-mile drop hazard
  • Product fragility assessment — determining the drop height at which a product fails, to define packaging requirements
  • Packaging design comparison — testing different box designs, cushioning materials, or closure methods to select the best option
  • Supplier qualification — verifying that packaging suppliers deliver boxes that survive specified drop tests
  • Export compliance — meeting ISTA, ASTM D4169, or customer-specific drop test requirements
  • Quality control batch checks — periodic drop testing of production packaging batches
  • Returnable container testing — evaluating the durability of reusable plastic crates and totes
Industries Served
  • Plastic products — moulded parts, containers, bottles, automotive components
  • FMCG and consumer goods — food, beverages, personal care, household products
  • Pharmaceuticals and medical devices — vials, bottles, blister packs, diagnostic kits
  • Electronics — consumer electronics, displays, instruments, PCBs
  • Glass and ceramics — bottles, jars, tiles, tableware
  • E-commerce and logistics — validating packaging for courier and parcel shipments
  • Automotive — spare parts, aftermarket components
  • Paper and packaging manufacturers — testing their own box designs
Why Choose the Finetech Drop Tester?

Motorised height + digital display. No manual lifting, no tape-measure guesswork. Set the height digitally, the motorised column positions the package precisely. Every drop is from exactly the correct height, every time.

Pneumatic clamp-and-release. The pneumatic mechanism releases the package cleanly for a true free-fall. No push, no swing, no rotation during fall. The orientation at release is the orientation at impact — within the ±2° (flat) and ±5° (edge/corner) tolerances required by ASTM D5276.

IS 7028 compliant as standard. Built to meet the Indian packaging drop test standard. Also supports ASTM D5276, ASTM D4169, ISO 2248, and ISTA protocols. One machine for domestic and export testing requirements.

Pair with the Finetech Vibration Tester. Drop + vibration from one manufacturer means consistent quality, single-source service, and bundled pricing for a complete packaging QC setup.

Customisable for your packages. Standard models handle packages up to 50–100 kg and 600 × 600 × 600 mm. Need larger capacity for drums, pallets, or oversized cartons? We build to your dimensions and weight requirements.

Calibration and AMC support. Professional calibration of height accuracy and orientation, plus AMC for scheduled servicing. Keeps your drop tester audit-ready.

Related Products
Product Why Related
Vibration Tester Complementary transport simulation — tests continuous vibration alongside drop impact
Humidity Chamber For conditioning packages at specified temperature/humidity before drop testing
Burst Strength Tester Tests the burst strength of corrugated board used in packaging
Dart Impact Tester Tests impact resistance of plastic films and sheets used in packaging
Flammability Tester Fire safety testing of packaging materials
Universal Testing Machine (UTM) Tensile and compression testing of packaging materials

Our Products

Request a Free Quote

Customisation available
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Request a Free Quote
A drop tester is a laboratory machine that drops a complete, filled package from a specified height in a controlled free-fall onto a rigid impact surface. The test simulates the handling drops, loading dock impacts, and conveyor transitions that packages experience during distribution. After the drop, the package is opened and inspected for product damage and packaging failure. It is the primary tool for evaluating whether a package design provides adequate impact protection.
Both standards describe the free-fall drop test for transport packages. IS 7028 is the Indian standard (published by BIS) and specifies drop heights and test sequences for the Indian market. ASTM D5276 is the American/international standard, widely used for export packaging validation. The test principle and apparatus requirements are essentially the same — the Finetech drop tester complies with both. The key difference is that ASTM D5276 is a pure test method (drop height is specified by a separate standard like ASTM D4169 or ISTA), while IS 7028 includes its own drop height tables based on package weight.
Drop height depends on the package’s gross weight and the standard you are testing to. As a general guide: packages under 5 kg are typically dropped from 800–1000 mm (manual handling scenarios); 5–20 kg packages from 500–800 mm; and packages over 20 kg from 300–500 mm. Always refer to the specific drop height tables in your applicable standard (IS 7028, ASTM D4169, or ISTA). The Finetech drop tester adjusts from 300 mm to 1500 mm, covering the full range.
Most standards require a sequence of drops on multiple faces, edges, and corners. A typical full test cycle for a rectangular box involves: 1 flat drop on each of the 3 unique faces (bottom, side, end), 1 edge drop on each of the 3 unique bottom edges, and 1 corner drop on the most vulnerable corner — a total of at least 7–10 drops. The exact sequence depends on your standard. The Finetech drop tester accommodates all flat, edge, and corner orientations.
This depends on the standard and the purpose of the test. Some standards (like ISTA 1A) use a single sample for a full sequence of drops to simulate cumulative damage. Other standards require fresh specimens for each drop orientation. ASTM D5276 recommends at least three samples in the absence of a specific sampling plan. When in doubt, test with fresh specimens for each orientation and also test a cumulative sequence to capture both individual and progressive damage effects.
The impact base is a heavy-duty steel plate that is flat, horizontal, and rigid. ASTM D5276 requires the impact surface to have a mass at least 50 times the mass of the test package, and a surface area at least 1.5 times the largest face of the package. The Finetech drop tester’s impact base meets these requirements for packages up to the specified payload capacity.
Yes. The pneumatic clamp-and-release mechanism requires compressed air at 6–8 bar. The motorised column runs on 230V AC. Most packaging labs already have compressed air available. If not, a standalone air compressor can be used — we can advise on the specification.
For comprehensive transport simulation, yes. The drop tester simulates sudden handling impacts (which cause puncture, crush, and breakage). The vibration tester simulates continuous transport vibrations (which cause settling, abrasion, fatigue, and loosening). Most packaging standards (ASTM D4169, ISTA 3A) require both tests. Finetech manufactures both machines — ask for a bundled quote.
The standard Finetech drop tester is designed for individual packages up to 50–100 kg. For palletised or unitised loads exceeding 100 kg, specialised heavy-duty drop testers or incline impact testers may be required. Contact us with your unit load specifications and we will recommend the appropriate solution.