Consumer packaging

Top-load tests on PET bottles are carried out on an automated test system performed with a MultiTest-xt force tester and robotic arm.

In this video a 2-axis auto-handler is used to select an aerosol can and transfer it to a platform so that the force needed to activate the aerosol can be measured with a Mecmesin MultiTest-i force testing stand. By automating the sample handling, the system can operate 24 hours a day without needing a operator to load and test the samples from the production line.

Mecmesin has designed a custom-made fixture to measure the force required to bend card and paper to 45° and 90°.  The fixture is used with a MDD manual test stand and an AFG Advanced Force Gauge.  It can be used to test a range of cards and paper of different thickness and widths, providing information that will be useful when designing packaging and also for production staff concerned about the quality of paper and card.

The FPT-H1 is a dedicated coefficient of friction, peel and tear testing machine ideal for testing plastic films, paper, card, board and sheeting materials.  The FPT-H1 is pre-loaded with programs to undertake testing to internationally recognised test standards e.g. ASTM D1894, ISO 15359, TAPPI T 549, FINAT, ASTM D3330, ISO 850-2 part 2, ASTM D1938-08, ISO 6383-1 etc. 

A Mytik Combi Cork Tester is used to measure the release torque and extraction force to test standard ISO 9727 of corks and bottle stoppers.   A versatile fixture enables a range of bottle sizes to be fitted to the tester.

This video is an overview of the wide variety of test applications Mecmesin force and torque testing equipment is used for in R&D, QC laboratories and manufacturing plants to assess and ensure the quality control of packaging materials and products. Test applications include: tensile, top-load, peel, coefficient of friction, tear, compression, and closure torque.

The opening torque on containers fitted with child-resistant closures (CRCs) is measured with a semi-automated Vortex-d motorised torque tester with a top-load capability for applying set loads during torque testing. The Vortex-d has been fitted with pneumatic actuators to clamp the bottle cap and raise and lower the top-load weights.  The Vortex-d has been superceded by the Vortex-dV.

A tensile test is conducted using a touch screen controlled MultiTest 25-xt force testing stand on samples to establish elongation under load and breaking strain. Plane grips are used to clamp the sample which is then stretched at 100 mm per minute. The force applied and the elongation of the sample are recorded at up to 1000 times per second. A graph of elongation vs. applied force is viewed to see the test as it is happening. 

A tensile test is performed to test the integrity of beverage basket carriers and cardboard box packaging.  The test ensures optimimum production line efficiency and that consistent standards of packaging quality are maintained. The tests are conducted on a Mecmesin motorised tensile tester combined with a custom-designed vacuum test fixture, to ensure the tests are performed at a consistent speed to gain better accuracy. 

Natural and synthetic corks are tested to determine the maximum force necessary to extract a cylindrical cork stopper as specified in ISO 9727.   The cork tester is based on a MultiTest stand combined with an Advanced Force Gauge (AFG) and a special cork testing fixture.  The test ensures that seal strength on the stopper is maintained and that cork taint is reduced.