ASTM D6055-96(2014)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are designed for use in most cases with the actual equipment to be used in load handling.
4.2 These test methods may be used in evaluating the shipping unit as to suitability for mechanical handling by standard user-specified load-handling equipment.
4.3 These test methods will allow the user to determine integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance to improve the design of the unit load where deficiencies are found.
4.4 Damage to products or packages observed during testing may be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to damage observed in actual distribution handling systems.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods are suitable for testing the integrity of unitized loads and large cases and crates, but not individual drums or palletized drums, as well as the ability of the contents to endure normal handling, using standard mechanical handling equipment. Not all of the test methods are applicable to all products containers and loads. These test methods are applicable to common means of material handling, including pull pack, clamp truck, and spade lift-type handling equipment as follows:
1.1.1 Test Method A——Fork Truck Handling—For testing the ability of the shipping unit to withstand repeated handlings by this test method.
1.1.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test—For lifting by spade lift attachment to determine the ability of the handling flap of the case or shipping unit to withstand repeated lifting and handling by this test method.
1.1.3 Test Method C—Clamp Handling Test—For lifting by hydraulic clamp attachment, to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand squeeze clamp handling consisting of repeated side compression and lifting.
1.1.4 Test Method D—Push-Pull Handling Test—For testing the ability of a unitized load on a slip-sheet to withstand repeated handling by this test method.
1.1.5 Test Method E—Grabhook Test—For lifting by grabhooks to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand the horizontal pressures of grabhooks.
1.1.6 Test Method F—Sling Tests—For lifting by wire rope, cable, or woven fiber slings to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand the compression of slings.
1.2 Additional Test Methods:
1.2.1 Additional test methods that apply to mechanical handling and rough handling tests of unitized loads and large cases and crates include incline impact tests, described in Test Method D880; horizontal impact tests, described in Test Method D4003.
1.2.2 Practice D4169 provides a series of options for selecting and running performance tests on all types of shipping containers and systems.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D6055 − 96 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Test Methods for
Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping
Cases and Crates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6055; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.2.2 Practice D4169 provides a series of options for select-
ing and running performance tests on all types of shipping
1.1 These test methods are suitable for testing the integrity
containers and systems.
of unitized loads and large cases and crates, but not individual
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
drums or palletized drums, as well as the ability of the contents
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to endure normal handling, using standard mechanical han-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
dling equipment. Not all of the test methods are applicable to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
all products containers and loads. These test methods are
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
applicable to common means of material handling, including
pull pack, clamp truck, and spade lift-type handling equipment
2. Referenced Documents
as follows:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.1 Test Method A——Fork Truck Handling—For testing
the ability of the shipping unit to withstand repeated handlings D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-
ers and Systems
by this test method.
1.1.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test—For lifting by spade D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ments
lift attachment to determine the ability of the handling flap of
the case or shipping unit to withstand repeated lifting and D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
handling by this test method.
1.1.3 Test Method C—Clamp Handling Test—For lifting by D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers and Systems
hydraulic clamp attachment, to determine the ability of the
shipping unit to withstand squeeze clamp handling consisting D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
of repeated side compression and lifting.
1.1.4 Test Method D—Push-Pull Handling Test—Fortesting
3. Terminology
the ability of a unitized load on a slip-sheet to withstand
repeated handling by this test method. 3.1 Definitions—General terms in these test methods are
1.1.5 Test Method E—Grabhook Test—For lifting by grab- defined in Terminology D996.
hooks to determine the ability of the shipping unit to withstand
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the horizontal pressures of grabhooks.
3.2.1 clamp lift attachment—a lift truck attachment used for
1.1.6 Test Method F—Sling Tests—For lifting by wire rope,
clamp handling products packaged in flat-sided packages.
cable, or woven fiber slings to determine the ability of the
3.2.2 forklift attachment—a lift truck attachment used to
shipping unit to withstand the compression of slings.
handle large unitized or palletized loads.
1.2 Additional Test Methods:
3.2.3 large shipping case or crate—shipping container con-
1.2.1 Additional test methods that apply to mechanical
structed of any material and of such size and weight to require
handling and rough handling tests of unitized loads and large
mechanical handling. A case or crate of this type may weigh
cases and crates include incline impact tests, described in Test
from 100 lb (45 kg), up to many tons and measure proportion-
Method D880; horizontal impact tests, described in Test
ately. The case or crate may be secured to or carried by a base
Method D4003.
or pallet. Frame members may be provided for rigidity
throughout the container.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2014. Published April 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ε1
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6055 – 96 (2007) . Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6055-96R14. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6055 − 96 (2014)
3.2.4 push-pull attachment—a lift truck attachment used for be made with a tackle or by lifting the case or crate with jacks
push-pull handling products packaged using slip sheets. and setting it into grabhooks or slings supported by some form
of truss.
3.2.5 shipping unit—the smallest complete unit that will be
subjected to the distribution environment, for example, a
6. Test Specimen and Number of Tests
shipping container and its contents.
6.1 Test several shipping units of a given design, if possible,
3.2.6 spade lift attachment—a lift truck attachment used for
to obtain replication of results. If in the instance of a number of
top handling products packaged in interlocked double-cover
cases wrapped or banded together, it is not possible to test an
boxes or folded cap- or folded flap-style cartons.
entire unitized load, then sufficient cases should be assembled
such that the height and one base dimension are nearly the
3.2.7 unitized load—consists of a number of packages (two
same as the proposed unitized load. For the clamp, spade lift,
or more) secured together as a shipping unit. These packages
or push-pull test, use an entire unitized load. The same case or
when unitized typically weigh more than 100 lb (45 kg). The
unitized load may often be used for all applicable tests if not
unitized method may be shrink wrapping, stretch wrapping,
tested to failure. Load the shipping unit for the test with the
banding, strapping, taping, or gluing. A base consisting of a
actual contents for which it was designed, or if this is not
pallet or slip sheet may or may not be used.
possible, with a dummy load simulating such contents in mass,
shape, and position in the shipping unit.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are designed for use in most cases
7. Conditioning
with the actual equipment to be used in load handling.
7.1 It is recommended that atmospheres for conditioning be
4.2 These test methods may be used in evaluating the selected from those in accordance with Practice D4332. Unless
otherwise specified, fiberboard and other paperboard contain-
shipping unit as to suitability for mechanical handling by
standard user-specified load-handling equipment. ers shall be preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with
the standard atmosphere specified in Practice D4332.
4.3 These test methods will allow the user to determine
integrity and stability of the load as well as provide guidance
8. Acceptance Criteria
to improve the design of the unit load where deficiencies are
8.1 Reference Practice D4169 for acceptance criteria and
found.
the correlation to relative performance criteria.
4.4 Damagetoproductsorpackagesobservedduringtesting
9. Mechanical Handling Tests with Lift Trucks
may be expected to correlate at least in a qualitative way to
damage observed in actual distribution handling systems.
9.1 Test Method A—Fork Lift Test Procedure
9.1.1 Handling on Test Course:
5. Apparatus
9.1.1.1 Use an actual lift truck equipped with user-specified
fork attachments. See Annex A1 for recommended standard
5.1 Fork Truck Test Apparatus—In performing the fork
course for lift truck handling tests.
truckhandlingtest,useanactuallifttruckwithforkattachment
9.1.1.2 The operator is to lift and transport to each obser-
to lift the shipping unit. The lift truck and blade(s) shall be
vation point in a manner typical of current practice.
capable of handling the size and quantity of products in
9.1.1.3 The minimum number of handlings and fork type
accorance with current practice.
and size shall be specified by the user; however, it should be
5.2 Spade Lift Test Apparatus—In performing the spade lift
noted that the effects of temperature and humidity in the testing
test, use an actual lift truck with spade lift attachment to lift the
environment may vary greatly and, if so, may affect the
shipping unit under the lifting flap. The lift truck and blade(s)
strength of the shipping unit. For this reason, it may be useful
must be capable of handling the size and quantity of products
to specify the minimum number of handlings based on test
in accordance with current practice.
periods representing these extremes.
9.1.1.4 Examine the load during and after each test cycle to
5.3 Clamp Lift Handling Test Apparatus —In performing
determine if failure occurred.
the clamp handling test, use an actual lift truck with the
appropriate load clamping device to lift the shipping unit. 9.2 Test Method B—Spade Lift Test Procedure:
Provision shall be made to measure the clamp force between 9.2.1 Use an actual lift truck equipped with the spade lift
the platens using a load cell(s) or other suitable device. attachment to be used in actual practice. See Annex A1 for
recommended standard course for lift truck handling test.
5.4 Push-Pull Test Apparatus—In performing the push-pull
9.2.2 The operator is to engage, lift, and transport the load
test, use an actual lift truck with the appropriate gripper jaw for
to each observation point in a manner typical of current
pulling the load by the slip sheet tab onto the load plate.
practice.
Alternatively, any suitable pulling device equipped with a
9.2.3 If normal handling requirements specify two or more
gripper jaw may be used.
unitshigh,thetestshouldbeconductedwithanequivalentload
5.5 Grabhook Test and Sling Test Apparatus—In lifting the on the test specimen. This test can be repeated for a predeter-
case or crate with grabhooks or slings, a hoist with grabhooks mined number of handlings or until failure occurs. The
or slings attached is the simplest and easiest, but the test may minimum number of handlings required shall be specified by
D6055 − 96 (2014)
the user; however, it should be noted that the effects of 9.3.5.1 Use the minimum clamp force on the truck to allow
temperature and humidity in the testing environment may vary repeated handlings in the particular distribution system, or
greatly and, if
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