Falling Dart Impact Tester
Determines the falling-dart impact resistance of plastic films and sheeting by the staircase (Method A) or statistical (Method B) approach, reporting impact failure mass and failure energy — the most intuitive measure of film toughness.
Purpose | What it does for you
Measures the failure mass and failure energy of plastic films, sheeting and laminates under a free-falling dart from a set height, evaluating resistance to impact damage. This is exactly the kind of load packaging films meet in transport, dropping and stacking, so dart impact correlates strongly with damage rates — making it a mandatory test for film formulation improvement and incoming acceptance.
Key Features
- Supports both Method A (staircase) and Method B (statistical) evaluation
- Pneumatic specimen clamping with even force, avoiding slippage
- Electromagnetic dart release for accurate, repeatable drop height
- Automatic failure/non-failure judgement and logging reduces operator variation
- Standard weight set covering the commonly used mass range
Operating Principle
The specimen is clamped in an annular holder and a dart of known mass falls freely from a set height onto it. Dart mass is varied following the staircase (Method A) or statistical (Method B) procedure; the transition between failure and non-failure is analysed to compute impact failure mass (g) and failure energy (J). Both procedures follow GB/T 9639 and ASTM D1709.
Technical Specifications
| Test Method | Method A (staircase) / Method B (statistical) |
|---|---|
| Drop Height | 0.66 m (configurable per standard) |
| Dart Mass Range | 50–2000 g (weight set) |
| Clamping | pneumatic clamping |
| Gas Supply Pressure | 0.4–0.6 MPa (user-supplied) |
| Net Weight | 70–80 kg |
| Power Supply | AC 220/110 V ±10%,50/60 Hz |
Note: Due to continuous product iteration and varying application conditions, the technical parameters on this page are typical reference values and are not to be used as acceptance criteria. For tender and customized projects, the product model, configuration and specifications are subject to the mutually confirmed technical agreement and the actual delivered product. For parameter matching tailored to your specific project, please contact us.
Standard Configuration
Main unit, weight set, pneumatic clamping device and manual; user supplies compressed air. Final scope per the configuration list.
Application Scenarios
- Toughness evaluation and formulation improvement of PE and PP films and laminates
- Impact acceptance testing of heavy-duty sacks, refuse bags and agricultural films
- Verification of corrective actions for drop-damage rates in flexible food packaging
Compliance Standards
Industries Served
- Packaging & Printing
- Plastics & Rubber
- Food & Condiments
- Building Materials & Construction
- Third-Party & Government Testing Institutes
- Material R&D, Universities & Institutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I use, Method A or Method B?
Method A (staircase) uses fewer specimens and is simpler, suiting routine QC. Method B (statistical) groups tests across several mass levels for higher confidence, suiting R&D and method development. If your customer or a standard specifies one, follow it.
Does LabStone support OEM/ODM and customised instruments?
Yes. Standard models ship as-is, while chamber count, specimen size, fixtures, temperature range and software modules (including the GMP Computerized System module) can be tailored to your SOP and URS. IQ/OQ/PQ validation documentation packages are available.
What is the typical lead time, and how is shipping handled?
Standard models usually ship in 4–8 weeks; customised builds depend on the agreed scope. Instruments are packed in export wooden cases and can move by sea, air or rail. We supply proforma invoice, packing list and certificate of origin (CO / Form E), and work under EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
How are installation, training and calibration handled after delivery?
We provide remote installation guidance, bilingual (Chinese/English) manuals and video training; on-site commissioning by our engineers is available. Users can self-calibrate with standard weights, reference films or calibrated leak standards, and third-party calibration certificates can be supplied.
What is the warranty, and how are spare parts supplied?
The instrument carries a 12-month warranty from acceptance plus lifetime maintenance support. Consumables (molecular sieve, desiccant, sealing grease, printer paper) are kept in long-term stock, and key components are international brands available worldwide. We respond to technical enquiries within 24 hours.
Do the instruments comply with ASTM, ISO and pharmacopoeia standards?
Yes. Every instrument lists its applicable standards on the specification page (ASTM, ISO, GB, YBB, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, USP, EP, JIS, DIN, TAPPI and more). The software outputs raw records and reports suitable for audit trails, with an optional GMP / FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance module.
Which languages does the software support, and can it integrate with a LIMS?
The software ships with Chinese and English interfaces; other languages can be added on request. Data export is available over RS232, USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and reports can be exported to Excel, PDF or structured files for LIMS integration.