Multi-axis vibration testing has the potential to help solve package damage issues that single-axis testing cannot; however, understanding how to best utilize multi-axis testing requires 6 degree-offreedom (6DOF) measurement methods that are comparatively new to the package industry. 6DOF measurements include rotational motion along with 3-axis linear motion and there are multiple ways to obtain this rotational data.

For decades other industries and the military have used 3-point methods utilizing linear accelerometers arranged in predetermined positions relative to each other. One accelerometer acts as a reference point for the other two, and rotational motion is determined using calculations based on linear acceleration data between the points. There are downsides to this type of method; a large amount of space is required to set up a 3-point system, proper relative placement of accelerometers is critical, system noise and offsets can adversely affect calculation results.

Low cost single-point rotational sensors are widely used in video game controllers and smart phones, but only recently have been applied to rotational measurements in packaging dynamics. Literature comparing the performance of these sensors to the more established 3-point methods of rotational measurement is minimal and lacks adequate comparisons in packaging related use. This study is designed to help fill the information void by comparing these two methods for measuring rotational movement in both the lab and in the field, to understand what, if any, differences may exist in data obtained from these alternatives.