See the Stability 6: Vernal Core3 Mechanical Structure Safety Test

March 03, 2026 Jonathan Reeves

When we describe a standing desk as "stable and durable", "quiet in motion", or "safe and reliable", these words sound appealing, but how do they actually perform in real use?

In February 2026, alongside the launch of the Vernal Core3 standing desk, Vernal released the Core3 Test Report, publicly sharing data and details from real laboratory testing. Through this report, Vernal aims to give users a clear understanding of what kind of desk they are truly bringing into their workspace.

You deserve to know the real quality of the desk you take home.

In this article, we highlight the 3.4 Mechanical Structure Safety Test from the Vernal Core3 Test Report, taking you inside Vernal’s testing laboratory to show how a series of rigorous tests are used to verify every detail of the desk’s stability.

Overview

This section evaluates the desk's self-protection capabilities under abnormal operating conditions. Validation includes static self-locking force, anti-collision, current-based anti-pinch protocols, and gyroscope-enabled tilt protection.

Obstruction Handling: The system is tested for its ability to detect resistance, such as impacts with body parts, chair arms, or other under-desk objects, and automatically reverse direction to prevent compression or damage.
Tilt Protection: Gyroscope functionality is verified to ensure the system detects significant inclination caused by uneven loading or floor irregularities, triggering protective stops to prevent tipping.
Static Self-Locking: The mechanism is evaluated to ensure the desktop remains stationary without downward sliding during power interruptions or when subjected to external vertical force, maintaining height stability.

These assessments verify that the lifting system remains controllable and operates within safety parameters during daily use.

Core Test A

Include Test 3.4.1

Test Objective

To verify the self-locking reliability of the standing desk under various operational states via static self-locking force and single-side self-locking force tests. The objective is to ensure the structure remains stable at the target height under load and uneven stress distribution, preventing unintended downward sliding or unilateral instability, thereby ensuring user safety and long-term stability.

Test Name

Static Fail-Safe Position Retention Test

Core Test B

Include Test 3.4.2-3.4.4

Test Objective

To verify the effectiveness, response thresholds, and retraction reliability of both collision detection mechanisms independently. By selectively disabling either the gyroscope or the current-based anti-pinch function across various sensitivity settings, this test evaluates the control system's ability to detect obstructions using a single active protection layer. The goal is to confirm that the system accurately identifies resistance and executes the correct reversal protocol, ensuring stable, consistent, and predictable safety performance across different configurations and usage scenarios.

Test Name: Obstacle Detection & Rebound Function Verification Test

Core Test C

Include Test 3.4.5-3.4.9

Test Objective

To verify obstacle detection sensitivity, retraction response timeliness, and directional correctness during upward and downward movement by introducing obstacles of varying types and stiffness (rigid, semi-rigid, and low-stiffness items). This test ensures that the desk detects accidental contact in real-world scenarios, stopping and rebounding safely to minimize the risk of pinching or property damage, thereby providing a reliable and predictable user safety experience.

Test Specifications

Sensitivity Setting: Anti-collision sensitivity is adjustable across 8 levels (1–8), with Level 8 being the most sensitive. All tests in this section were conducted at Level 4 (default setting).
Rigid Obstacle: A rigid cabinet positioned to obstruct movement under the desk.
Semi-rigid Obstacle 1: Dual armrests of an office chair positioned to obstruct movement under the desk.
Semi-rigid Obstacle 2: A single armrest of an office chair positioned to obstruct movement under the desk.
Low-stiffness Obstacle: An empty plastic water bottle positioned to obstruct movement under the desk, simulating soft materials such as a human hand.

*Rebound rate varies depending on the specific chair model used; data is provided for laboratory reference only.

Test Item 3.4.8 fell short of our specified assessment criteria. Vernal maintains that a minimum rebound rate of 75% during descent is required to ensure a safe and reliable user experience.

The failure in the single-armrest scenario is attributed to complex mechanical variables: upon contact with the descending desktop, a single armrest tends to slide under load, causing shifts in the fulcrum and force distribution points. These physical characteristics make consistent detection difficult. The Vernal R&D Team is actively researching technical solutions to address these specific force dynamics.

Comparative testing of mainstream market products indicates that achieving stable, reliable collision detection under these specific conditions remains a general industry challenge.

Given current limitations, Vernal advises users to verify that chair armrests are not positioned underneath the desktop when vacating the workspace, to minimize the risk of accidental contact and guarantees safer system operation.