ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB are the test of packaged products ready to be shipped to US destinations through the SAM distribution system. In this system, packaged products are typically shipped from the manufacturer or producer through one or more Distribution Centers (DCs) and then shipped to Sam’s Club (stores). Various types of handling can occur at a distribution center, including manual, forklift, plier truck, and more. The ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB tests are comprehensive simulation test procedure developed by ISTA in collaboration with Sam’s Club for packages shipped from the Sam’s Club distribution system to all parts of the United States.
ISTA 6-SAMCLUB stipulates that the original shipping configuration can be changed at the distribution center to suit the needs of the system and the requirements of the club (store). The final shipment to the club (shop) is usually on a pallet. The test was released as an ISTA project in October 2010. If you are interested in the ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB standard, It is recommended to check the official website. The ISTA 6-SAMCLUB test divides four types of packaging according to the nature of the product, packaging, loading mode, etc.:
| Type A . | Non-perishable, initially palletized product. Type A is further divided into the same pallet loading quantity arriving at the member store (warehouse) and changing the pallet loading quantity arriving at the member store (warehouse). |
| Type B | Non-perishable, packaged products of 50 lbs or more originally used for floor loading. |
| Type C | Non-perishable, packaged products less than 50 lbs originally used for floor loading. |
| Type D | Perishable products originally shipped on pallets. |
| Test Order | Test Type | Test Content | Test Level | Remark | TypeA: Non-Perishable, Products Originally Shipped On Pallet Loads. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmospheric Pretreatment | Temperature And Humidity | Laboratory Environment, 12 Hours | Required | |
| 2 | Atmospheric Regulation | Controlled Temperature And Humidity | Select The Temperature And Humidity From The List Provided By The Standard According To The Actual Situation. | Optional | |
| 3 | Impact | Inclined Or Horizontal Impact | 42 In/Sec (3.5 Ft/Sec) (1.1 M/Sec) Impact Velocity Or Higher | Required | |
| 4 | Impact | Rotation Plane Drop | 6 Inches (150 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)｜8 Inches (200 Mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 5 | Vertical Compression | Use A Standard Tray On Top | Calculate The Holding Force According To The Formula, Test For 1 Hour | Required | |
| 6 | Vibration | Random | Overall Grms Level Of 0.46, 3 Hour | Required | |
| 7 | Impact | Swivel Side Drop | 4 Inches (100mm) (Domestic Shipping)｜6 Inches (150mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 8 | Flat Push | Push Pallet Load With Fork Blade Tip | Push In 40 Inches (1 Meter) In 2-3 Seconds | Only Required For Goods On Custom Pallets | |
| 9 | Horizontal Compression | Simulate Clamping | Calculated According To Formula, Clamped In Multiple Directions As Indicated | Required Only In Certain Distributions | |
| 10 | Impact | Free Fall | 15″ (380 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)｜18″ (46 Mm) (International Shipping) | 3 Drops Per Sample | |
| 11 | Vibration, Stacked Vertically | Random, Three Samples Stacked Vertically | Overall Grms Level Of 0.55, 1 Hour | Only Available For Certain Product Types And Distributions | |
| 12 | Impact | Concentrated Edge Impact | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) | 15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | Flat Pack Only | |
| 13 | Impact | Bridge Impact Test | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) | 15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | For Long Packs Only |
| Type of Shock Test | Type of Equipment | Equipment Requirements | Additional Required Equipment |
| Free-Fall Drop Tests |  |
Compliance with the apparatus sections of ASTM D 5276 or ISO 2248 | |
| Rotatioinal FLAT Drop Tests |  |
Compliance with the apparatus sections of ASTM D 6179 or ISO 2876 | |
| Rotational EDGE Drop Tests |  |
Compliance with the apparatus sections of ASTMD 6179 or ISO 2876 | Support Block｜3.5 to 4.0 in (90 to 100 mm) in height and width and at least 8 in(200 mm) longer than the longest package dimension to be supported. |
| Inclined or Horizontal Impact Tests |  |
Compliance with the apparatus sections of ASTM D 880 or ASTM D 4003 or ISO 2244 | |
| Concentrated Edge Impact Tests | 
|
Drop tester in compliance with the apparatus sections of ASTM D 5276 or ISO 2248 | Concentrated Edge Hazard Box｜12x12x 12 in (305 x 305x 305 mm)wood box with a total weight of 9 lb(4.1 kg). Any required ballast weight should be dense flowable material in a bag or bags, held in place with suitable void fill. The impact edge of the box shall be covered with angle iron. |
| Bridged Impact Tests |  |
Compliance with the apparatus section ofASTM D 5265, with the exception of the HazardBox (lmpactor). | Concentrated Edge Hazard Boxand Support Blocks｜See above for description of the Concentrated Edge Hazard Box｜Support blocks (2 ea) shall be 3.5 to 4.0 in (90 to 100 mm) in height and width and at least 8 in (200 mm) longer than the longest package dimension to be supported. |
| Vertical Compression (Top-to-Bottom) |  |
Compliance with the apparatus section of ASTM D 642 “Fixed-Platen Testing Machine”. | Standard 48×40 in (1200×1000 mm) block pallet, “picture-frame”, full-perimeter-base type, on top of test item. If test item is shipped on a custom pallet, use an identical custom pallet on top. Top pallet not required for smallfloor-loaded items and certain large floor-loaded items. |
| Vertical Compression (Top-to-Bottom) |  |
The Load spreader must be larger than the top face of the test item, and shall be sufficiently rigid to apply a uniform compression force. | See above for description of the pallet. Top pallet not required for small floor-loaded items and some large floor-loaded items. Safety stops are recommended to support the load spreader and weight(s) to prevent damage or injury in the event of a rapid collapse of the test item. |
| Horizontal Compression (Clamping Simulatioin) |  |
Platens must be larger than the side dimensionsof the test item, and with an opening sufficient to accommodate the testitem. The desired compression must be achieved with minimum overshoot. | Controls must permit applying the required clamping force smoothly at a rate of 0.02-0.1 in/sec (0.5-2.5 mm/sec) and with minimum force overshoot. Force measurement accuracy towithin ± 5% of the actual value, using accepted calibration means. |
| Vertical Vibration |  |
Compliance with the apparatus section ofASTM D 4728 or ISO 13355 | Means must be provided to maintain proper alignment of the test item andany top load apparatus, and to prevent the test item from moving offthe vibration system’s platform, without restricting vertical motion ofthe test item or apparatus. |
| Flat Push with Fork Lift Truck |  |
A fork lift truck of sufficient capacity to handle the test specimens and complying with the apparatus sections of ASTM D 6055 or ISO 10531. |
| Test Order | Test Type | Test Content | Test Level | Remark | Type B: Non-Perishable, Packaged Products Of 50 Lbs Or More Originally Used For Floor Loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmospheric Pretreatment | Temperature And Humidity | Laboratory Environment, 12 Hours | Required | |
| 2 | Atmospheric Regulation | Controlled Temperature And Humidity | Select The Temperature And Humidity From The List Provided By The Standard According To The Actual Situation. | Optional | |
| 3 | Impact | Inclined Or Horizontal Impact | 42 In/Sec (3.5 Ft/Sec) (1.1 M/Sec) Impact Velocity Or Higher | Required | |
| 4 | Impact | Rotation Plane Drop | 7 Inches (180 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) ︱9 Inches (230mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 5 | Vertical Compression | Use A Standard Tray On Top | Calculate The Holding Force According To The Formula, Test For 1h | Required | |
| 6 | Vibration | Random | Overall Grms Level Of 0.46, 3h | Required | |
| 7 | Horizontal Compression | Simulate Clamping | Calculated According To Formula, Clamped In Multiple Directions As Indicated | Required Only In Certain Distributions | |
| 8 | Impact | Swivel Side Drop | 5 Inches (130 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) ︱7 Inches (180mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 9 | Impact | Concentrated Edge Impact | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) ︱15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | Flat Pack Only | |
| 10 | Impact | Bridge Impact Test | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)︱15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | For Long Packs Only |
| Test Order | Test Type | Test Content | Test Level | Remark | Type C: Non-Perishable, Packaged Products Less Than 50 Lbs Originally Used For Floor Loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmospheric Pretreatment | Temperature And Humidity | Laboratory Environment, 12 Hours | Required | |
| 2 | Atmospheric Regulation | Controlled Temperature And Humidity | Select The Temperature And Humidity From The List Provided By The Standard According To The Actual Situation. | Optional | |
| 3 | Impact | Free Fall | 6 Drops Max. 15 Inches (380 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) ︱ 18 Inches (460 Mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 4 | Vertical Compression | Test Multiple Directions | Calculate The Holding Force According To The Formula, Test For 1h | Required | |
| 5 | Vibration, Vertical | Random Vibration, Top Load 0.0035lbs/In2, (0.96kg/M3) | Overall Grms Level Was 0.46, 3h | Required | |
| 6 | Horizontal Compression | Simulate Clamping | Calculated According To Formula, Clamped In Multiple Directions As Indicated | Required Only In Certain Distributions | |
| 7 | Impact | Free Fall | 6 Drops Up To 26 Inches (660 Mm) (Domestic Shipping) ︱ 32 Inches (810 Mm) (International Shipping) | Required | |
| 8 | Impact | Concentrated Edge Impact | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)︱15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | Flat Pack Only | |
| 9 | Impact | Bridge Impact Test | 12 Inches (300 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)︱15 Inches (380 Mm) (International Shipping) | For Long Packs Only |
ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB packaging test types A to D mainly include temperature and humidity pretreatment (balance of temperature and humidity between the package and laboratory environment), temperature and humidity treatment (simulate the temperature and humidity environment that may be experienced during transportation), impact (inclined impact, free fall, Choose from edge drop, rotating surface drop, concentrated edge shock, bridge shock), forklift test, pressure (vertical, horizontal), random vibration (with top load, without top load). The above test items are sequentially combined according to the specific test type.
| Test Order | Test Type | Test Content | Test Level | Remark | Type D: Perishable Products Originally Shipped On Pallets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmospheric Regulation | Controlled Temperature And Humidity | Select The Appropriate Cool, Cold, Freeze Mode From The Table | Optional | |
| 2 | Impact | Swivel Side Drop | 4 Inches (100mm) (Domestic Shipping)︱6 Inches (150mm) (International Shipping) | Required, Test The Entire Pallet | |
| 3 | Vertical Compression | Top To Bottom Standard Tray On Top | Calculate The Holding Force By The Formula For 30 Seconds, Release | Required, Test The Entire Pallet | |
| 4 | Impact | Free Fall | 15 Inches (380 Mm) (Domestic Shipping)︱18 Inches (460 Mm) (International Shipping) | Required, 3 Drops Per Sample |
Electromagnetic Vibration Table Vertical Vibration Tester Testing Machine
| ● | Perishable: Typical products such as food, beverages, flowers, etc., are prone to spoilage or rot once they leave a predetermined temperature, humidity or other conditions. |
| ● | Non-Perishable: Products that will not be damaged by extreme temperature and humidity. |
| ● | Ground Loading: Products that are not initially packaged or transported on pallets, but are directly loaded into a transport vehicle or shipping container as a unit. The membership store (warehouse) quantity is a box or collection unit. |
| ● | Large Ground Loading: the mass is greater than or equal to 50lb (23kg) or the major long edge is greater than or equal to 24in (610mm) and the secondary long edge is greater than or equal to 20in (510mm) and the small short edge is greater than or equal to 20in (510mm) or any dimension is greater than or equal to 30in (760mm). |
| ● | Small Ground Loads: Small ground loads are not defined as large ground loads. |