MCT-01L Automated Torque Tester

Introduction to the Automated Torque Tester

The Automated Torque Tester is an essential instrument for evaluating the opening and locking forces of caps on various containers, including medicine bottles, PET bottles, spout bags, and flexible tubes. This tester ensures that caps maintain secure sealing while remaining easy for consumers to open, optimizing product safety, quality, and usability. With its advanced automation and precision, the Automated Torque Tester plays a critical role in quality control for industries like packaging, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and cosmetics.

Key Applications of the Automated Torque Tester

The Automated Torque Tester is widely applicable in:

• Packaging: Ensuring caps remain sealed during transport but can be opened easily by the consumer.
• Pharmaceuticals: Testing child-resistant caps and tamper-evident closures to meet safety standards.
• Food and Beverage: Verifying cap integrity on PET and other bottle types to prevent leakage and contamination.
• Cosmetics and Daily Chemicals: Testing cap closure strength to enhance product longevity and ease of use.

Bottle Cap Torque Testing Relevant Standards

The Automated Torque Tester adheres to several critical industry standards, ensuring comprehensive testing and compliance across various packaging sectors. The following standards are integral to the testing process:

• ASTM D2063: This standard focuses on the measurement of the opening and closing torque for plastic closures, particularly for packaging applications. It is essential for determining the torque values required for secure but easily openable caps, ensuring both consumer convenience and safety.
• ASTM D3198: This standard specifies the testing methods for torque measurement on child-resistant closures. It is crucial for evaluating tamper-evident packaging and ensuring that closures meet regulatory safety standards for pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other sensitive products.
• ASTM D3474: This standard deals with the torque testing of closures on flexible containers, such as spouted pouches. It ensures the performance of closures under both opening and sealing conditions, maintaining product integrity throughout the supply chain.
• GB/T 17876: A Chinese standard that provides guidelines for testing the torque of closures on bottles and containers. It aligns with international practices for measuring the strength and reliability of packaging closures under various conditions.
• BB/T 0025: This Chinese standard specifies methods for evaluating the performance of container closures under different sealing and opening conditions, ensuring that caps are both secure and user-friendly.
• BB/T 0034: Another Chinese standard focused on the torque resistance of tamper-evident closures, this standard ensures that packaging meets safety and regulatory requirements for product integrity and consumer protection.

Test Process for the Automated Torque Tester

The Automated Torque Tester offers a simple, automated process for accurate and repeatable results:

1. Loading the Specimen: The sample bottle or container is positioned into the system, where both the cap and bottle are securely held by pneumatic clamps.
2. Clamping: By pressing the CLAMP button, the pneumatic clamps automatically engage, fastening the cap and bottle in place for testing.
3. Testing: Pressing the TEST button initiates the lower clamp’s rotation, either opening or closing the cap, depending on the test’s requirements.
4. Torque Measurement: During rotation, the system accurately records torque force data, providing insight into both peak and average values.

This process enables quick analysis of the cap’s performance, ensuring that applied torque during sealing or opening aligns with product specifications for quality and usability.

Technical Features and Benefits

The Automated Torque Tester’s high-performance features make it a reliable solution for quality control:

• PLC Controlled Operation with HMI Touchscreen: Equipped with a user-friendly interface, this tester ensures repeatable accuracy and consistent results, ideal for high-throughput environments.
• Automated Clamping and Rotation: Simulating production conditions, the tester’s auto-clamping and rotation capabilities provide a realistic assessment of cap performance.
• Multi-Unit Measurement Display: Data can be viewed in various units (Kgf.cm, N.cm, daN.cm, Inch.lbs, and N.m), ensuring compliance with international standards and making it adaptable across different industries.
• Peak Value Retention and Data Logging: The tester automatically holds peak torque values for comprehensive analysis and includes an onboard micro printer for quick data access. Optional RS232 connectivity and professional software also allow for digital data management.
• Safety and Efficiency: Built-in overload protection and an auto-zeroing function enhance both safety and measurement accuracy, making the tester well-suited for rigorous quality assurance applications.

Compliance with Industry Standards and Regulations

The Automated Torque Tester is designed to meet the requirements of several key standards, including ASTM D2659, ASTM D4577, ASTM D642, ISO 8113, and ASTM D4169. By following these standards, it guarantees that products meet stringent quality and safety requirements, providing a reliable testing solution for industries that demand compliance with packaging regulations.

FAQ Section

1. Why is torque testing important for packaging?
   Torque testing ensures that caps are securely sealed yet user-friendly, meeting both safety and consumer usability standards.
2. What are the benefits of using an automated torque tester over a manual one?
   Automated testers provide higher accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency, particularly in high-volume production environments.
3. How does the tester ensure compliance with ASTM D2659?
   The tester measures torque precisely, helping meet ASTM D2659 standards for child-resistant and tamper-evident closures.
4. Can the torque tester accommodate different cap sizes and materials?
   Yes, the tester is compatible with a wide range of cap types and materials, ensuring versatile testing across products.
5. How does the peak value retention feature work?
   The tester captures and holds the maximum torque value reached during each test, allowing for detailed analysis and quality assurance.

The Automated Torque Tester is a vital tool for manufacturers seeking to ensure product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. With its automated features, adherence to international standards like ASTM D2659, and reliable precision, this tester helps streamline production processes while maintaining exceptional standards for product integrity.