Main Container Lab


 

The Main Container Lab at PSCC houses the majority of LTAD’s rough handling and environmental exposure equipment. It boasts a variety of different test equipment for use with containers ranging from small combination fiberboard boxes and single packagings to larger Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), crates/boxes, and pallet loads. Testing is tailored using tables of environmental data from sources such as MIL-STD-810, as well as those not otherwise stipulated by a specification. Our lab has the chambers, cabinets, and instruments capable of replicating nearly every known environmental condition. This allows us to reproduce those environments expected to be experienced by troops and equipment deployed around the world.

While our mission is to test and evaluate packaging materials and processes, our test equipment is also available for use to provide environmental and climatic exposure for items undergoing maintenance, overhaul, or development. For those environmental conditions that PSCC cannot replicate on-site, partnerships have been forged which allow us to accommodate the needs of our customers and their test plans.

Weather and Environmental Exposure
Representing one of our largest categories of test equipment are the environmental exposure chambers, cabinets, and rooms. For testing which requires exposure to wet environmental conditions such as water spray, LTAD has a 2,300 cubic foot (16 x 12 x 12) “rain room” which is capable of achieving rainfall of up to 6 inches per hour at water temperatures ranging from 50 °F to 212 °F. An example of the work conducted is the water resistance test covered in ASTM Method D951, which is called out as part of ASTM D4169. The rain room also houses the equipment used for leakproofness and hydrostatic testing of pressure rated United Nations (UN) packagings.
The container lab is equipped with several pieces of temperature/humidity equipment, varying in size from smaller cabinet models to larger walk-in chambers. The capabilities of our chambers cover a range of conditions, from -94 °F to 375 °F and 10% to 98% humidity.
Although some of the chambers are routinely used for specific testing, all of them are capable of a range of environmental conditions. For design and research testing, LTAD has the ability to monitor and record temperature and humidity during testing. Our largest capacity data acquisition system allows for monitoring of up to 64 individual thermocouples simultaneously. The chambers are also equipped with ports, which allow customers the opportunity to monitor conditions using their own specialized data acquisition equipment if necessary. The capabilities of our chambers provide the lab with the ability to program most for cyclic, constant, or thermal shock exposures if required.
One of the container lab’s unique pieces of equipment is our Wind Blown Dust Chamber. This chamber allows us to expose materials and items to conditions experienced in blowing dust-laden atmospheres as referenced in MIL-STD-810. This type of test provides insight into equipment and material performance in natural environment conditions representative of the intended area of operations, as part of a total systems approach to materials and equipment design and life cycle support.
We also have an Altitude Chamber, capable of simulating altitudes of up to 90,000 feet for low pressure applications. One of the more recent capabilities that we have developed, is equipment suited for exposure to freezing rain. With this setup we are able to test materials and articles with footprints of up to 2,400 square inches (14 x 22 x 8).
Materials and Container Handling
Vibration Testing For the simulation of vibration experienced during transport, LTAD has several tables capable of reaching frequencies of up to 5 Hz for both rotary synchronous and vertical linear motions. The majority can support items with a footprint of 60 inch x 60 inch and weights varying from 1,200 lbs. up to 6,000 lbs. Our largest table can test items with a footprint of up to 11 x 7 and a weight of 12,000 lbs. We also have a 60 inch x 60 inch 1,200 lb. capacity random vibration table which is capable of testing items according to ASTM D4728 and ISTA Procedures 2B, 3B, 3E, and 3A. Such testing is commonly used to evaluate light duty unitization containers and palletized loads.
Vibration Testing For the simulation of vibration experienced during transport, LTAD has several tables capable of reaching frequencies of up to 5 Hz for both rotary synchronous and vertical linear motions. The majority can support items with a footprint of 60 inch x 60 inch and weights varying from 1,200 lbs. up to 6,000 lbs. Our largest table can test items with a footprint of up to 11 x 7 and a weight of 12,000 lbs. We also have a 60 inch x 60 inch 1,200 lb. capacity random vibration table which is capable of testing items according to ASTM D4728 and ISTA Procedures 2B, 3B, 3E, and 3A. Such testing is commonly used to evaluate light duty unitization containers and palletized loads.
Drop Testing For drop testing, several pieces of equipment and designated areas are available. LTAD’s drop zones are built according to the specifications called out in applicable regulations. Two of our three drop zones are located indoors and the third is located outside, directly across from our facility. For drop testing smaller packages of up to 150 lbs., we have a free-fall swing arm drop tester which can reach a maximum height of 2.8 meters. In addition, our overhead 2 and 4 ton cranes, along with a multitude of rigging equipment, allow us to test much larger packages. For any item too large for our current equipment, LTAD enlists the aid of Tobyhanna Army Depot and their locally available equipment.
Drop Testing For drop testing, several pieces of equipment and designated areas are available. LTAD’s drop zones are built according to the specifications called out in applicable regulations. Two of our three drop zones are located indoors and the third is located outside, directly across from our facility. For drop testing smaller packages of up to 150 lbs., we have a free-fall swing arm drop tester which can reach a maximum height of 2.8 meters. In addition, our overhead 2 and 4 ton cranes, along with a multitude of rigging equipment, allow us to test much larger packages. For any item too large for our current equipment, LTAD enlists the aid of Tobyhanna Army Depot and their locally available equipment.
Compression/Tension Testing LTAD has the ability to conduct both compression and tension tests on a variety of materials and packages. Depending on the customer’s requirements, we are able to compress items with a maximum force of up to 60,000 lbs. Multiple load cells allow us to configure each test appropriately, based on customer requirements. We routinely assist Tobyhanna Army Depot with quality control testing of electronics cable assemblies.
Compression/Tension Testing LTAD has the ability to conduct both compression and tension tests on a variety of materials and packages. Depending on the customer’s requirements, we are able to compress items with a maximum force of up to 60,000 lbs. Multiple load cells allow us to configure each test appropriately, based on customer requirements. We routinely assist Tobyhanna Army Depot with quality control testing of electronics cable assemblies.
General Capabilities Our facility has a number of capabilities which set us apart from other labs. For example, we have a 7-foot revolving hexagonal drum, which is used to evaluate the durability of materials, containers, and article for research and development purposes. We also have a custom designed top-lift machine, which is used to test the lifting capability of flexible bag IBCs as part of 49 CFR testing for UN rated packages. LTAD’s facility also has an incline impact tester, which is used to reproduce and compare shock damage that might be seen during rail car switching or direct impacts with hazards as called out in ASTM D4169. LTAD’s main container lab has all of the tools necessary for the complete fabrication of wooden and fiberboard packages, and we routinely create simulated contents for testing. In order to achieve our goal of providing state-of-the-art support, we have expanded our 3D solid modeling capabilities for both the design and evaluation stages of packaging development. Using 3D solid modeling software, we are now able to provide more detailed drawings and simulate real world testing.
The cost and complexity of the modern equipment used by DoD and other Federal agencies dictates that it be protected against the harsh conditions experienced during the logistics operations of deployment. These conditions are anticipated and, thanks to the various capabilities of the equipment in the PSCC engineering and testing laboratory, we can assist our customers with ensuring that their materials, containers, and articles meet the rigors of transportation and storage.