Shock Absorption and Penetration Tester
For Safety Helmet Testing: Safeguarding Lives Across India
In industries ranging from construction to mining, and even in sports and transportation, safety helmets play a vital role in protecting individuals from head injuries. Ensuring these helmets provide maximum protection requires rigorous testing methods that simulate real-world impact scenarios. Among the most critical tests are Shock Absorption Tests and Penetration Tests for safety helmets.
Shock Absorption Tester
Why Safety Helmet Testing is Essential
Head injuries are among the most serious and potentially fatal types of injuries. Whether on a construction site, in a manufacturing plant, or during sporting events, a safety helmet can be the first and most important line of defense. To confirm their protective capabilities, helmets undergo rigorous shock absorption and penetration testing before they can be certified for use.
What is Shock Absorption Testing?
Shock absorption testing measures a helmet’s ability to absorb the energy generated by an impact and reduce the force transmitted to the wearer’s head. It evaluates the helmet’s capacity to protect against blunt force trauma and other impact-related injuries.
How is the Test Performed?
A helmet is mounted on a headform and subjected to a free-falling mass from a specified height. The force transmitted to the headform is measured using sensitive instruments. The maximum permissible transmitted force is predefined as per standards like IS, and international standards such as EN and ANSI.
The lower the force transferred, the better the shock absorption performance of the helmet. This test ensures that the helmet significantly minimizes the risk of skull fractures and brain injuries during accidents.
Benefits of Shock Absorption Testing
- Ensures compliance with national and international safety standards.
- Provides manufacturers with critical insights to improve helmet design and materials.
- Enhances end-user confidence in the protective capabilities of the helmet.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing checks a helmet’s ability to resist sharp objects and prevent them from breaching the shell and injuring the wearer. This is crucial in environments where there is a risk of falling tools or sharp debris.
How is the Test Performed?
A pointed striker (often weighing around 3 kg) is dropped from a predetermined height onto various points of the helmet shell mounted on a headform. The helmet passes the test if the striker does not penetrate and make contact with the headform.
Penetration tests are carried out in line with standards like IS, EN, and ANSI, ensuring robust resistance to sharp impacts.
Benefits of Penetration Testing
- Confirms the helmet’s ability to protect against piercing objects.
- Reduces workplace fatalities and serious injuries.
- Promotes user confidence in safety gear reliability.
Standards and Compliance
In India, helmet testing is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under IS 2925 for industrial helmets and IS 3521 for fireman helmets. Compliance with these standards is mandatory for manufacturers looking to market and sell helmets domestically.
Additionally, manufacturers targeting export markets need to comply with international standards like EN 397 (Europe) and ANSI Z89.1 (USA).
By adhering to these stringent guidelines, manufacturers demonstrate a commitment to safety and quality, enhancing their market reputation and expanding business opportunities.
Applications Across Sectors
- Industrial and Construction Sites
- Mining and Oil & Gas
- Sports and Recreation
- Educational and Research Institutions
- Government Regulatory Bodies
Shock Absorption Test Apparatus
Technical Specifications
- Head Form mounting fixture (Head Form on Load Cell).
- Electronic load cell, cap. 5000N with readout digital indicator.
- Impactor:
Mass 3.60kg ± 0.05kg
Striking face spherical with a radius. 48mm ± 8mm.
Height of fall 1.54 meter. - Vertical drop guide mechanism to attain impact velocity 5.50meter/second ± 0.05 meter/second (Velocity Calculation as per formulae given in ANSI)
- Height of fall 1000mm ±5mm
- Striker A striker having a mass 5kg ±0.1kg with a striking face 50mm ±1mm radius.
- Velosity Meter (Digital Included)
The impact force is measured by a electronic force transducer firmly attached to the base. The force transducer is able to withstand forces upto 40kN. The force sustained by the helmet is displayed on the digital indicator.
Note : For conducting the tests as described in A & B , one force transducer of 40kN capacity with high speed resolution indicator is provided. The head forms are to be procured separately.
Penetration Tester as per ANSI
This apparatus is used for testing non-metallic helmets. It consists of a rigid frame with a heavy base plate, a set of interchangeable anvils mounted on a base & a free fall guidance system driven through a motorized geared drive to work on 220/230VAC.
- Head form mounting fixture.
- Electronic Contact Indicator
- Penetrator
Mass 1kg ±0.05kg.
Included angle of steel tip. 60degree± 1degree
Spherical tip radius 0.25mm ±0.10mm - Vertical drop guide mechanism to achieve impact velocity of 7 ±0.1m/s (Velocity Calculation as per formulae given in ANSI)
Penetration Tester as per BS EN397
This apparatus is used for testing non-metallic helmets. It consists of a rigid frame with a heavy base plate, a set of interchangeable anvils mounted on a base & a free fall guidance system driven through a motorized geared drive to work on 220/230VAC.
- Mass 3kg ±0.05kg
- Included angle of steel tip. 60 ±5o
- Spherical tip radius 0.5mm ±0.1mm
- Height of fall 1000mm ±5mm
Abrasion Tester, as per EN 388
This machine is ideal for determining the abrasion resistance of all types of leather, clothing, gloves and many other products. This machine is an internationally accepted test standard for wear. The machine is fitted with a geared motor to give 47.5rpm/min. under 9kPa pressure. The machine is motorized and operates on 220/230VAC. A preset type counter is fitted to know how many cycles the sample has under gone.
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Contact us today to learn more about our shock absorption and penetration test solutions.