Falling Dart Impact Tester QT-FDIT
The QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester is a high-precision testing instrument designed to evaluate the impact resistance of plastic films, sheets, steel plate coatings, and other flexible materials. By measuring a material's ability to withstand the force of a freely falling dart, it provides accurate and repeatable results for durability assessment, packaging performance, and product quality verification.
Built with an intelligent control system, intuitive user interface, and flexible testing functions, the QT-FDIT delivers reliable performance across research laboratories, educational institutions, manufacturing facilities, and quality control environments. It supports consistent impact testing, helping manufacturers improve material performance, verify product reliability, and meet industry testing requirements.
Falling Dart Impact Tester QT-FDIT Overview
The QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester is a precision laboratory instrument designed to measure the impact resistance of plastic films, plastic sheets up to 1 mm thick, steel plate coatings, and other flexible materials. It determines the energy required to cause failure by dropping a dart from a specified height onto the test specimen, delivering accurate and repeatable impact resistance data.
The tester expresses impact performance in terms of energy (mass), providing valuable information for material evaluation, product development, and quality assurance. It helps identify materials with insufficient toughness that may experience punctures, tears, or surface damage during handling, transportation, and storage, supporting improved packaging performance and product protection throughout the distribution process.
Designed with an intuitive interface and dependable testing performance, the QT-FDIT is suitable for research laboratories, universities, manufacturing facilities, testing centers, and quality control departments requiring consistent impact testing in accordance with international standards.
Test Principle
The QT-FDIT performs falling dart impact testing using Method A or Method B. Before testing begins, the operator selects the appropriate test method and determines the initial dart mass (m) and mass increment (Δm).
-
If the first specimen fails, reduce the dart mass by the selected increment (Δm).
-
If the first specimen remains intact, increase the dart mass by the selected increment (Δm).
Continue testing each specimen by adjusting the dart mass according to the previous result. After testing 20 specimens, record the total number of failed specimens (N).
-
If N = 10, the test is complete.
-
If N < 10, continue testing additional specimens until the total number of failures reaches 10.
-
If N > 10, continue testing until 10 consecutive specimens pass without failure.
Once the testing sequence is complete, the system automatically calculates the impact resistance result based on the recorded data.
Definitions:
This standardized procedure delivers accurate, repeatable, and reliable impact resistance measurements for plastic films, sheets, coatings, and related materials.
Standards
-
ASTM D1709
-
ISO 7765-1
-
JIS K7124
Application:
Plastic film,
sheet |
 |
QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester is designed for free-falling dart impact resistance testing of plastic films and sheets. It is suitable for evaluating a wide range of flexible packaging materials, including PE films, PP films, multilayer composite films, aluminized films, aluminum-plastic laminate films, nylon films, and plastic sheets used in food, pharmaceutical, medical, and industrial packaging. The tester provides accurate impact resistance measurements to support material development, product quality verification, and compliance with international testing standards. |
Falling Dart Impact Tester QT-FDIT Key Features
-
Intuitive Touchscreen Control: Features a responsive color touchscreen with a clear, easy-to-navigate interface for streamlined test setup and operation.
-
Modern Operating Interface: Designed with a clean, user-focused interface that simplifies testing procedures and improves workflow efficiency.
-
Multiple Test Modes: Supports ASTM D1709 Method A, Method B, and single-point testing, providing flexible testing options within one instrument.
-
Automatic Dart Release System: Electromagnetic dart holding and release technology delivers precise, repeatable drops while reducing operator-related variations.
-
Smart Test Automation: An intelligent testing sequence automates key functions, improving testing efficiency and delivering consistent, reliable results.
-
Pneumatic Specimen Clamping: Pneumatic clamping and release secure the specimen during testing, enhancing repeatability while reducing setup time.
-
Real-Time Test Data Display: Test parameters and results are displayed instantly on the LCD touchscreen, eliminating manual recording and simplifying data review.
-
Automatic Result Calculation: The integrated software automatically analyzes test data and calculates impact resistance values without manual calculations.
-
Integrated Thermal Printer: Built-in printer provides fast, on-site printing of test reports for convenient documentation and record keeping.
-
Data Storage and Retrieval: Stores up to 30 test records, allowing quick data searches, result review, and efficient test history management.
How the QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester Measures Material Failure
The QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester measures the impact resistance of flexible packaging materials by determining the amount of energy required to cause failure. It is ideal for testing PE films, PP films, multilayer composite films, aluminized films, aluminum-plastic laminate films, nylon films, pharmaceutical packaging films, food packaging films, and plastic sheets up to 1 mm thick.
During testing, a weighted dart with a hemispherical head is released from a specified height onto the center of a securely clamped specimen. The test identifies the dart mass that produces failure in 50% of the tested samples, providing accurate and repeatable data for material evaluation, quality control, and packaging performance verification.
Standard Falling Dart Impact Testing Procedure
The QT-FDIT follows a simple, repeatable testing sequence designed for consistent results. The test specimen is positioned flat and securely held by the integrated pneumatic clamping system to prevent movement throughout the test.
An electromagnetic dart holding and release mechanism positions the dart before automatically releasing it at the selected test height. This automated process minimizes operator-related variation and improves testing consistency.
The instrument supports both internationally recognized test methods:
-
Method A: 660 mm drop height with a 38 mm dart head and a mass range of 50–2,000 g.
-
Method B: 1,500 mm drop height with a 50 mm dart head and a mass range of 300–2,000 g.
Testing follows the standard staircase procedure:
-
Select the initial dart mass (m) and mass increment (Δm).
-
If the specimen fails, reduce the dart mass by Δm for the next test.
-
If the specimen remains intact, increase the dart mass by Δm.
-
Continue testing additional specimens while adjusting the dart mass according to the previous result.
After testing 20 specimens, the system records the total number of failed specimens (N).
-
If N = 10, the test sequence is complete.
-
If N < 10, continue testing until 10 failures are recorded.
-
If N > 10, continue testing until the procedure satisfies the standard acceptance criteria.
The integrated software automatically analyzes the collected data and calculates the final impact resistance value, eliminating manual calculations while improving testing efficiency.
Compliance with International Testing Standards
The QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester is designed in accordance with internationally recognized testing standards, delivering reliable and repeatable impact resistance measurements accepted by manufacturers, laboratories, and quality assurance facilities worldwide.
Supported Standards
-
ISO 7765-1
-
ASTM D1709
-
JIS K7124
| Component / Step |
QT-FDIT Method Description |
Why It Matters for Quality Control |
| Pneumatic Specimen Grips |
Squeezing the plastic tight with pneumatic clamps |
Keeps the film from sliding around, giving you highly repeatable results every single time. |
| Dart Head Profile |
A round, smooth dome-shaped nose-cone (Φ38 mm or Φ50 mm) |
The shape of the nose changes how the plastic stretches, simulating a corner puncture during transit. |
| Drop Conditions |
Specific weights dropped from exact heights (660 mm or 1500 mm) |
Sets up the exact speed and energy of the smash for different types of packaging. |
| Staircase Mass Adjustment |
Adding or shedding weight (∆m) after each hit |
Pinpoints the breaking point fast without consuming unnecessary testing material. |
| Endpoint Determination |
Calculating the weight once 10 sheets break (N=10) |
The intelligent operating system automatically identifies results, delivering the standardized stamp of approval your buyers demand. |
The Science Behind Falling Dart Impact Testing
The QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester evaluates how much impact energy a material can absorb before it punctures, tears, or fractures. During testing, a weighted dart with a hemispherical head strikes the center of a securely clamped specimen from a specified height. The resulting damage provides a reliable indication of the material's impact resistance and overall durability.
The hemispherical dart head creates a controlled impact that closely simulates real-world conditions encountered during handling, transportation, and storage. This testing method is particularly effective for flexible packaging materials, including PE films, PP films, multilayer composite films, aluminized films, aluminum-plastic laminate films, nylon films, and pharmaceutical or food packaging films.
By analyzing the point at which the material begins to deform and ultimately fails, manufacturers gain valuable data for material selection, product development, packaging optimization, and quality assurance.
Key Factors That Influence Test Accuracy
Accurate and repeatable falling dart impact test results depend on maintaining consistent testing conditions throughout every evaluation.
-
Specimen Thickness and Surface Condition: Uniform specimen thickness, smooth surfaces, and properly prepared samples help produce reliable and repeatable impact resistance measurements. Materials should meet the specified thickness requirements for the selected test method.
-
Drop Height and Impact Velocity: The selected test method determines the correct drop height and impact speed. The QT-FDIT supports both Method A and Method B, delivering precise testing conditions that comply with international standards.
-
Secure Specimen Clamping: Movement during impact can affect test accuracy. The integrated pneumatic clamping system firmly secures each specimen to maintain consistent positioning throughout the test.
-
Consistent Dart Release: The electromagnetic dart holding and automatic release mechanism delivers a straight, repeatable drop while minimizing operator-related variation that could influence the results.
-
Automated Data Processing: Integrated software automatically analyzes test data and calculates impact resistance values, reducing manual calculations and improving testing efficiency.
By controlling these critical variables, the QT-FDIT Falling Dart Impact Tester delivers dependable, repeatable results for material research, product development, manufacturing, and quality control while supporting compliance with international testing standards.
Falling Dart Impact Tester QT-FDIT Specification
| Item |
Technical Parameters |
| Measurement methods |
Method A, Method B, single chip test |
| Test Range |
Method A: 50~2000 g; Method B: 300~2000 g |
| Single chip test range |
20 g, 25 g, 40 g, 60 g, 80 g |
| Resolution |
0.1 g |
| Dart head size |
Method A: Φ38 mm±1 mm，Method B: Φ50 mm±1 mm |
| Weight size |
Method A: Φ30 mm，Method B: Φ45 mm |
| A method weight |
Method A weight: 5g, 8 pieces each for 15g, 30g, 80g, 16 pieces for 120g (Method A) |
| B method weight |
Method B weight: 8 pieces each for 15g, 45g, 90g, 9 pieces for 180g (Method B) |
| Impact height |
1500 mm/660 mm |
| Fixture |
Pneumatic clamp, outer diameter 150 mm, inner diameter 125 mm |
| Gas source |
Compressed air, 0.6~0.8 MPa – Gas Source to be provided by the user |
| Air supply interface |
Φ6 mm gas tube |
| Dimensions |
510 mm×440 mm×1300 mm |
| Weight |
50 kg |
| Power supply |
AC 220 V，50 Hz (110V available upon request) |
| Power |
75 W |
