Simultaneous Multi-Translational-Axis Motion used in the Evaluation of Product Component Frequency Response and Unit Load Stability

Abstract

The motion of packaged product transport vehicles can be described with six axes of motion: three translational (vertical, lateral, longitudinal) and three rotational (pitch, yaw, roll). Laboratory simulation of six axis motion is complex and typically requires expensive equipment with many moving parts. For these reasons, the packaging industry has focused laboratory simulation on the one axis that contains the most energy, the vertical translation axis. Analysis of three axes translational motion in truck, rail, and air transport reveals that although the vertical motion often contains more overall energy, the lateral and longitudinal motion is equal, or even higher, in intensity than that of the vertical motion within particular frequency ranges. In this study, a relatively cost effective way of reproducing simultaneous three-axis-translational motion is used to evaluate the vibration frequency response of a product’s components. In addition, the stability effect of multi-translational-axis motion as compared to single-axis motion is evaluated on both a unit load and a single stack of packaged products. The value of simultaneous multi-translational-axis vibration testing is demonstrated through literature review and results from laboratory testing of unit loads, single stacks of packaged products, and the analysis of the frequency response of a product’s components.