Shock Overload Test Procedure
Purpose
Verify shock overload protection of scale under test.
Required Equipment
∙Cardboard box with a cross-sectional area up to ½ the area of the platform to be tested. Box to be completely filled with sand. Weight of box shall be ½ the capacity of the scale.
∙Scale platform to be tested.
Procedure
1.Zero the scale.
2.Drop box onto platform, 9 times total, in positions and order shown below (Figure 1), at a distance of 6 inches from the platform.
3.The indicated weight shall not exceed +/-2% of scale capacity. Scale cannot be zeroed before reading is taken.
1 2 3
8 9 4
7 6 5
Figure 1 Drop Order and Positions
Figure 2 Test Layout
Increasing / Decreasing Load Test Procedure
HB44 N1.1., N1.2., T.N.3.2.
Purpose
Discover linearity and hysteresis characteristics of the scale.
Hysteresis - The maximum allowable difference between weight readings for the same applied load; one reading obtained by increasing the load from zero to scale capacity and the other by decreasing the load from scale capacity.
Linearity - The deviation of the indicated weight from a straight line drawn between no load and scale capacity, as measured on increasing load only.
Required Equipment
∙Test weights
Procedure
∙Apply weight to scale in order shown in table and record displayed weight.
∙Test up to maximum division level required for NTEP accuracy.
Weight Applied (d) | Test Weight | Allowable Error (+/-d) | Test Result |
0 | 0.5 | ||
50 | 0.5 | ||
500 | 0.5 | ||
1000 | 1.0 | ||
1500 | 1.0 | ||
2000 | 1.0 | ||
2500 | 1.5 | ||
3000 | 1.5 | ||
3500 | 1.5 | ||
4000 | 1.5 | ||
4500 | 2.5 | ||
5000 | 2.5 | ||
4500 | 2.5 | ||
4000 | 1.5 | ||
3500 | 1.5 | ||
3000 | 1.5 | ||
2500 | 1.5 | ||
2000 | 1.0 | ||
1000 | 1.0 | ||
500 | 0.5 | ||
50 | 0.5 | ||
0 | 0.5 |
Repeatability Test Procedure
HB44 T.N.5.
Purpose
Discover repeatability characteristics of the scale.
Repeatability - The difference between scale readings at repeated loads under identical loading and environmental conditions.
Required Equipment
∙ Test weights
Procedure
1.Place ½ of scale capacity on platform and record displayed weight.
2.Remove and replace weight on scale 10 times and record weight each reading. Allow the scale to return to zero between readings.
3.9 out of 10 readings shall be the same.
Test Results |
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Creep Test Procedure
HB44 T.N.4.5.
Purpose
Discover creep characteristics of the scale.
Creep: The change in scale readings occurring over a period of time, while under constant load. All environmental conditions and other variables remain constant.
Required Equipment
∙Test weights
Procedure
Scale must be at a constant temperature throughout test.
1.Apply full capacity to scale and record displayed weight after 20 seconds.
2.Record weight after 1 hour.
3.Weight difference between 20 seconds and 1 hour shall not vary by more than:
Applied Weight Scale Divisions | Allowed Error in Divisions |
0-500 | 0.5 |
501-2000 | 1.0 |
2001-4000 | 1.5 |
4001+ | 2.5 |
Test Results | |
Displayed Weight After 20 Seconds | |
Displayed Weight After 1 Hour |
Temperature Test Procedure
HB44 T.N.8.1.3
Purpose
Discover the effect of temperature changes on scale performance.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Test weights
∙Less than 50% relative humidity.
∙No recalibration during test.
Procedure
1.Place a 2 lb weight on the scale platform and record the weight. Remove weight.
2.Place scale in a 20º C room for 3 hours.
3.Exercise scale with full capacity, 3 times.
4.Remove any weight from scale platform and Zero scale.
5.Perform the Increasing / Decreasing load test, twice.
6.Wait for the amount of time it took to complete the Increasing / Decreasing load test.
7.Zero scale.
8.Perform a creep test.
9.All weight readings shall be within tolerances specified on their respective tests.
10.All scale functions shall operate normally.
11.Place a 2 lb weight on the scale platform and record the weight. Leave weight on platform.
12.Increase temperature to 40º C.
13.Allow scale to stabilize for 3 hours.
14.Record the displayed weight. Weight should be within +/- 4 divisions of reading in step 1.
15.Repeat steps 4 through 9.
16.Place a 2 lb weight on the scale platform and record the weight. Leave weight on platform.
17.Reduce temperature to –10º C.
18.Allow scale to stabilize for 3 hours.
19.Record the displayed weight. Weight should be within +/- 10 divisions of reading in step 1.
20.Repeat steps 4 through 9.
21.Place a 2 lb weight on the scale platform and record the weight. Leave weight on platform.
22.Increase temperature to 20º C. Moisture shall not condense on scale.
23.Allow scale to stabilize for 3 hours.
24.Record the displayed weight. Weight should be within +/- 6 divisions of reading in step 1.
25.Repeat steps 4 through 9.
Power Variation Test Procedure
HB44 T.N.8.3.1
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale while exposed to AC supply fluctuations.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Variable power source.
∙Voltmeter.
∙No recalibration during test.
Procedure
Perform three Increasing / Decreasing load tests at:
1.Nominal voltage
2.85% of nominal voltage
3.115% of nominal voltage
All readings shall be within tolerances for the Increasing / Decreasing load test and scale shall perform all functions normally.
Scale shall not lose TARE, ZERO or calibration data.
Humidity Test Procedure
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale while exposed to a humid environment.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Environmental chamber
Procedure
Place scale in environmental chamber at 80 degrees F and 90% relative humidity for 120 hours. Scale shall remain on during this test. Lay open the scale. The scale shall show no signs of corrosion on the metal parts or PCA.
Off Center Loading Test Procedure
HB44 N.1.3.1
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale when weight is distributed unevenly across the platter.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Test weights
Procedure
1.Place ½ capacity onto the center of the scale and record the reading.
2.Place the weight ½ the distance from the center of the platter to the edge of the platter and record the weight readings as shown below.
3.Allowable error +/- 1 division for readings 1 through 4.
Static Overload Test Procedure
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale when weight in excess of scale capacity is placed on the scale platform.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Test weights
Procedure
1.Place 2 lb weight on the scale platform and record weight. Remove weight.
2.Place 200% of scale capacity on platform and remove weight from platform.
3.Repeat step 1 and 2 10 times
4.Place full capacity on the scale platform.
5.All readings shall be within +/- 1 division.
Test Results |
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Full Capacity |
Static Up Overload Test Procedure
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale when scale is improperly lifted or dropped by the end user.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Scale under test
Procedure
1.Using two hands pull up on scale spider while holding the base of the scale firmly to a surface
2.Pull up on spider to 100% of capacity for 10 seconds.
3.Place a 2 lb test weight on the scale and record displayed weight. Displayed weight shall be +/- 1 division of first reading.
Identification of Box Faces, Edges and Corners Procedure
Purpose
To identify the box orientation as called out in the Vibration and Master Carton Drop Test Procedures.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Master carton under test
Procedure
1.Place the master carton in its intended shipping. If the shipping position can be variable, place the master carton so that the primary shipping label location is on the top face.
2.Position the smallest width face adjacent to the manufacturer’s joint of the master carton directly in front of you.
3.Identify faces according to the diagram below.
4.Identify edges using the numbers of the two faces forming that edge. Example: Edge 1-2 is the edge formed by face 1 and face 2 of the packaged-product.
5.Identify corners using the numbers of the three faces that meet to form that corner. Example: Corner 2-3-5 is the corner formed by face 2, face 3, and face 5 of the packaged-product.
Fixed Displacement Vibration Procedure
Purpose
To verify quality of master carton packaging and vibration resistance of product being shipped.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Master Carton Under test
∙A restraining device or devices shall be used with the vibration test system to:
∙Prevent the test specimen from moving off the platform and
∙Maintain test orientation of the packaged-product, but
∙The device or devices shall not restrict the vertical motion of the test specimen during the test.
Procedure
1.Put the packaged-product on the vibration table so that face 3 rests on the platform. See Identification of Box Faces, Edges and Corners Procedure.
2.Start the vibration system to vibrate at 1.0 inches (25 mm) total displacement at the machine’s lowest frequency.
3.Maintain a fixed displacement at 1 inch (25 mm) and slowly increase the frequency (speed) of the vibration table until the packaged-product begins to momentarily leave the surface of the platform.
4.Hold the vibration frequency to that determined in Step 3.
5.Can a 0.06” thick and 2” wide metal shim be intermittently moved between the bottom of the longest dimension of the packaged-product and the surface of the platform?
5.1.If Yes, hold that frequency and then continue to next Step.
5.2.If No, then increase the frequency until the requirement of Step 5 is met and hold that vibration frequency.
6.Determine the test duration in minutes using the formula in 6.1 using the CPM or Hz frequency identified in Step 5. Record all parameters used to determine length of test duration.
6.1.Test Duration in Minutes = 14, 200 Vibratory Impacts
Cycles Per Minute (CPM)
or
[Cycles Per Second (Hz) x 60]
Sample Test Duration Calculations | ||
CPM | Hz | Test Duration in Minutes |
150 | 2.5 | 95 |
180 | 3.0 | 79 |
210 | 3.5 | 68 |
240 | 4.0 | 60 |
270 | 4.5 | 53 |
300 | 5.0 | 48 |
8.Are you using a vertical linear motion on the vibration system?
8.1.If Yes, then go to Step 12.
8.2.If No, then continue with the next Step.
9.Stop the vibration test halfway throughout the vibration duration perform a horizontal rotation of 90 degrees as the specimen rests on the platform.
10.Start the vibration system and continue the vibration test at the frequency identified in Step 5.
11.Can a 0.06” thick and 2” wide metal shim be intermittently moved between the bottom of the longest dimension of the packaged-product and the surface of the platform?
11.1.If Yes, then continue to next Step.
11.2.If No, then slowly increase the frequency until the requirement of Step 11 is met.
12.Complete vibration duration.
13.Inspection of the packaged-product for visible damage is allowed, provided inspection does not alter, in any way, the current condition of the package or the condition or position of the product(s). Vibration testing is now complete.
Master Carton Drop Test Procedure
Purpose
To ensure proper operation of the scale and to ensure the quality of master carton and packaging when scale is submitted to drops in shipping.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Fully loaded master carton under test
Procedure
1.The test drop height varies with the total shipping weight of a fully loaded master carton. Determine the required drop height as shown the following table.
Master Carton Weight | Required Drop Height (Inches) | |
Equal to or Greater Than (lb) | But Less Than (lb) | |
0 | 10 | 36 |
10 | 21 lb | 30 |
21 | 41 | 24 |
41 | 61 | 18 |
61 | 100 | 12 |
100 | 150 | 8 |
Sequence Number | Orientation | Specific face edge or corner |
1 | Corner | 2-3-5 |
2 | Edge | shortest edge radiating from the corner tested |
3 | Edge | next longest edge radiating from the corner tested |
4 | Edge | longest edge radiating from the corner tested |
5 | Face | one of the smallest faces |
6 | Face | opposite small face |
7 | Face | one of the medium faces |
8 | Face | opposite medium face |
9 | Face | one of the largest faces |
10 | Face | opposite large face |
Cycle Test Procedure
Purpose
To simulate normal use of the scale to verify sustainability of scale design.
Required Equipment / Conditions
∙Scale Under Test
Procedure
A portion control scale will be run an average of 4000 hrs/year. For cycle testing 6 units will be run for 240 hours with a duty cycle of 10 hours.