Scorebend / Opening Force Tester (PCA)

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Measures force to open a carton from flat & stiffness of individual box carton creases/flaps

The Scorebend / Opening Force Tester is a microprocessor controlled testing machine for determining both the force required to open a carton from flat and the stiffness of individual box carton creases/flaps. Manufactured by Thwing Albert, both parameters are critical for ensuring the smooth running of carton erection on folding carton packaging lines. A choice of interchangeable load cells enable small corrugated boxes to also be tested.

As the packaging industry depends more and more on high-speed automation, it is essential to understand how carton materials will behave in production. The Score Bend/Opening Force Tester provides vital information for:

accurately configuring machinery that controls cartons on form, fill and seal lines
analysing carton performance characteristics for development and quality control
evaluating the efficiency of cartons during production runs

Determining the conditions required to guarantee the production of cartons within tolerance can increase both production and efficiency and result in less reworking, rejects and down-time.

The Score Bend/Opening Force Tester determines the force required to fold carton stock along a score and the force necessary to open a carton, a particularly important consideration for the evaluation of spring back after bending, which can affect sealing or gluing operations.

The instrument is easy to use, with bending and opening force, measured in grams, appearing on a clear LED panel. The high-quality construction and sophisticated electronics require minimal maintenance and the precision of the instrument makes it ideal for exacting research and development, and durable for the factory floor.

The front panel provides easy access for configuring test parameters including test mode, force and distance units, sample ID and crosshead return. Statistics for peak force, angle, force and distance traps values are automatically calculated and displayed. Test results and curve data can be output via an RS-232 interface for data collection to a PC or parallel printer.

Standards: TAPPI RC-284, PI 110.10

Measures bending and opening force, stiffness of unscored paperboard, residual spring back force, score ratio of scored or unscored paperboard

Opening force fixture	Pulling unit
Statistics include average, high, low and standard deviation	Measurement capacity up to 10 kg
Saves up to 99 test results	Auto-zero and semi-automatic calibration
Constant loading rate	Sample ID capability
Test result and curve data for PC interface	Automatic stop and return with overload protection

Load cell: 500, 2000, 5000 and 10,000g	Force reading accuracy: ± 0.25% of full-scale reading
Crosshead speed: 5-500 mm/min	Air pressure requirements: 75 psi/5.2 bar
Angle measurement range/reading resolution: between 0° and 90° (selectable in 0.1°)/0.36° or better	Position measurement accuracy: ± 0.1% of full-scale distance
Force units/Distance units: g, oz, lb, N, kg/in, cm, mm	Power requirements: 110-120/220-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 33 W (operating)
Fuse rating: 6 A @ 110 V, 60 Hz; 3 A @ 220 V, 50 Hz
Sample size opening force/bending force	from 25.4 to 457.2 mm when flat
	up to 152.4 mm sample width
	up to 6.35 mm sample thickness
Safety features	electronic overload protection system
	angle over-travel limit switch
	load cell incorporates mechanical limit stops
	upward and downward motion limit switches
	emergency stop button
Operating/storage environment	Air temperature 15-25 °C
	Relative humidity 20-60% (non-condensing)

Pneumatic clamping assembly	Bending fixture for measuring the maximum force required to bend a carton sample up to 90°
Printer	COF fixture for measuring static and kinetic coefficient of friction
Data-acquisition software for capture of serial data and for transfer to any Windows ® application	Load cell