drop testing is performed by controlling the position of a product to be tested with respect to the drop surface until just before the initial impact and then the product is allowed to impact like a free body . advantageously , realistic , controllable , and substantially repeatable free drop testing can be achieved . in one embodiment of the invention the product is suspended at an angle from a falling structure , e . g ., using at least one string or wire , and the suspending material is effectively released just prior to initial impact . by effectively released it is meant actually released , or the effect of the suspending material is essentially negligible , e . g ., where the suspending material produces a very low restitutional force when deformed , such as a weak rubber band . the suspension of the object is arranged in such a way that initial impact occurs at the desired point on the product . to this end , depending on the configuration of the object and the number of suspending elements available , it may be necessary that the point of initial impact remain in contact with a platform , which may be part of the structure , that drops along with the product , such as a conventional drop table . in another embodiment of the invention , the drop surface may be moved with respect to the product rather than the product moving with respect to the surface .