FORCE MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS. Digital Torque Testers

Transcription

1 FORCE MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS Digital Torque Testers

2 Torque Measurement During the life cycle of a screw closure, there are a number of stages where the performance of the closure is influenced by a particular torque value: Filling / sealing Storage & distribution First opening Use, reseal and re-use In addition to torques generally associated with screw closures (eg application and removal torque), closure development areas such as tamper-evident seals, or childresistance have increased the range of torques which need to be measured. Technical Standards There are a number of Standards that specify equipment and test procedure for evaluating closure torques and the ability of closures to retain torque e.g. ASTM D3192, ASTM D3474, ASTM D2063, ASTM D3198. Mecmesin has unrivalled experience in providing affordable solutions for torque measurment applications. The range of products extend from simple manually operated instruments, through to sophisticated computer-controlled systems. Manual Closure Torque Testers NON-CYLINDRICAL MINIATURE PHARMACEUTICAL TAMPER EVIDENT SEAL The Mecmesin Tornado manual closure torque tester

3 Instruments used for measuring torque associated with twist-off closures need to be able to retain peak values of torque. This can be done mechanically with spring-type analogue gauges, or by constantly updating the memory register of electronic gauges. With mechanical instruments, factors such as friction and inertia can lead to peak readings which vary depending on how quickly the individual operator applies torque to the closure. Even in the case of electronic gauges, the peak reading can be missed if the memory register is not updated fast enough... the update rate of all Mecmesin Closure Torque Testers is 1200 times per second. There are 3 models available to cover the entire testing range of closure sizes up to 10 N.m (90 lbf.in). They have been designed for ease-of-use in a splash-proof, wipe-clean housing and fitted with a top-plate suitable for containers of diameter mm ( 8 55mm for Sirocco). Alternatively the top-plate can be easily removed to allow fitting of a dedicated sample holder. Each model has data-output configurable to RS232, Mitutoyo and analogue format. Results can be stored internally, output immediately or later in response to a request from a peripheral device (e.g. PC or printer) User-configurable alarms allow the operator to set tolerance bands, thus providing a pass/fail indication for test results. All models are supplied with a calibration certificate traceable to UK national standards. High accuracy Affordable Splash-proof Portable Peak-hold facility Mains/battery-powered with auto-off feature Data-output for easy recording of results Common units of measurement 1st peak detection (for tamper-evident seals) + ultimate peak hold Statistical Mini-Printer There are three models in the Mecmesin range of manual Closure Torque Testers; Tornado - 10N-m capacity Mistral - 6N-m capacity Sirocco - 1.5N-m capacity Tornado Mistral Sirocco Measurement range 0 10N-m 0 6N-m 0 1.5N-m 0 100kgf-cm 0 60kgf-cm 0 15kgf-cm 0 90lbf-in 0 50lbf-in 0 13lbf-in Display resolution 0.002N-m 0.001N-m N-m 0.02kgf-cm 0.01kgf-cm 0.003kgf-cm 0.02lbf-in 0.01lbf-in 0.003lbf-in Container diameters mm mm 8 55mm Units of measurement (standard) Data capture rate Display update rate N.m, N.cm, mn.m / lbf.in, lbf.ft, ozf.in / kgf.cm, kgf.m. 1200Hz High: 40Hz Low: 2Hz System accuracy ±0.5% Full scale deflection. ±1Least Significant Digit ± 1% FSD, ± LSD Overload Weight Typically 120% of full scale 4.6kg

4 Child-Resistant Closure Tester Case design may vary HOUSEHOLD PHARMACEUTICAL The Mecmesin Helix CRC torque tester will be available by 2002 The Helix is capable of accepting the simultaneous application of torque and top-load, and presenting both of these values on dedicated displays. This feature is particularly suitable for testing those child-resistant closures which require a push and twist action, e.g. ASTM D3475 Type for logging, plotting and analysing data from Mecmesin closure torque measuring systems is available. ASTM D3472 deals with determining the reverse-ratchet torque of type IA child-resistant closures and requires identification of a maximum torque value. IA or IIA. Until the Helix is available, Mecmesin is Peak-hold values can be transmitted via RS232 output to printers / PC s and peripheral continuing to manufacture the CRC-Tester, as illustrated below. dataloggers. Alternatively, Mecmesin DataPlot, a Windows -based software package designed DataPlot Charting Software The Mecmesin CRC-Tester Force Torque Measurement range 500N 0 10N-m 50kgf 0 100kgf-cm 110lbf 0 90lbf-in Display resolution 0.1N 0.002N-m 0.01kgf 0.02kgf-cm 0.02lbf 0.02lbf-in Units of measurement N, kgf, gf, ozf, lbf N-m, N-cm, mn-m, ozf-in, lbf-in, lbf-ft, kgf-cm, Container diameters mm Data capture rate Display update rate System accuracy Overload Weight 1200Hz High: 40Hz Low: 2Hz ±1% Full scale deflection. ±1Least Significant Digit Typically 120% of full scale 5kg

5 Motorised Closure Torque Tester 0.5 to 15 rpm Speed Range Accurate & Repeatable Torque Values Simultaneous Application of Torque & Top Load Pass/Fail Alarms The Vortex is a motorised instrument with a capacity of 10N.m and a speed range of 0.5 to 15rpm. It enables a repeatable and constant test speed to be set, so eliminating any variability in test results caused by operators manually twisting closures at different speeds. In addition to the digital display of torque, speed is also displayed digitally during the test, switchable with total angular displacement when required. The Vortex is able to measure application or removal torque under a static top-load, for Push and Twist child- Identification of Maximum Torque Values Output to PC software Overload Protection Total Angular Displacement Displayed resistant closures. Top-load weights are available as an optional extra. The configurable AFTI display allows data to be stored internally or transmitted to peripheral data logging devices for in-depth analysis. The adjustable peg gripping fixture of the Vortex has been designed for testing a wide range of closure/container samples. However, it may be necessary to use tailor-made gripping fixtures for particular testing applications. ADJUSTABLE GRIPS PUSH AND TWIST

6 Motorised Closure Torque Tester cont. Should you need: 5 chucks (ASTM D3471), fixtures for testing swan-necked containers, Type IB/IC closure or any other specific adaptors/accessories, our Application Engineering Department will be pleased to discuss your requirements. 590mm Width between columns 280mm 370mm See below for examples of dedicated fixturing. 400mm 370mm Measurement range 0 10N-m (0 100kgf-cm, 0 90lbf-in) Speed range rpm Display resolution 0.002N-m (0.02kgf-cm, 0.02lbf-in) Container diameters mm ( in) Data capture rate 1200Hz Display update rate High: 40Hz Low: 2Hz Torque accuracy ±0.5% F.S.D. ±1 L.S.D. Peak hold 1st & ultimate peak capture in application & release modes Battery life NiCad battery pack. 20 hours continuous use between charges. (8hr recommended charge) Data output Configurable RS232, Mitutoyo & analogue Calibration Temp. 20 C ±2 C Special Fixtures Mecmesin Limited SERRATED MANDRELS FOR P.E.T. CLOSURES PNEUMATIC TOP-LOAD FIXTURE FOR CRC-CLOSURES MEDICAL INHALER FIXTURE AUTOMOTIVE LEVER TEST JIG Newton House Spring Copse Business Park Slinfold West Sussex RH13 7SZ ENGLAND T +44 (0) F +44 (0) E info@mecmesin.com ROTARY SWITCH HOLDER FIXTURE FOR ROTATING DISPENSER (02-00) Mecmesin reserves the right to alter equipment specifications without prior notice. DEALER STAMP