Quality Inspection for Tumble Test Machine - F0022 – Flexseal – Drick

IDM Instruments, in conjunction with AMCOR Researchand Technology, have designed

and manufactured FLEXSEAL, an advanced leak detection system designed for monitoring

the seal performance of flexible and semi rigid packages.

The Necessity for Flexseal:
The design and development of the packaging system has come under close scrutiny with

a great deal of emphasis placed on the integrity of the final product. Although factors such

as type of package, materials of construction, size and desired outcome all add to the equation

of flexible package integrity, the seal leak strength is an important element.
FLEXSEAL was developed in responseto an industry wide need for improved quality

assurance of packaged foodproducts. FLEXSEAL is a useful tool for the manufacturer

of product, needing an airtight package, where protection of the internal product from

environmental elements is necessary to ensure the end user of quality.

Once all considerations of package material and design have been finalised and a validated

sealing process employed, one of the ways of effectively monitoring the integrity of the

package is to test the condition of the seal via FLEXSEAL. Other testing methods, such

as the Hot Tack Test, can evaluate the strength of the seal, whereas FLEXSEAL can

detect the integrity of the seal ie: the seal may be strong but will still allow air to pass

through.

Benefits:
FLEXSEAL provides the user with a valuable visual method of determining the

integrity of the package and seal.
The simple process is quick and easy to monitor the heat-sealing process in

production.
Allows rapid detection of failures.
Enables early corrective action to be taken.
Product programmable.
Adjustable air pressure.

Other Testing Methods:
Some testing labs use Dye Penetration to test the seal integrity. A low surface-tension

solution and dye indicatoris used to flow through any channels in the seal. Although this

is a sensitive leak indicator, it is very slow andmessy for quick results on a production line.
The Vacuum Leak test involves submersing the package in water in such a way that it is

difficult to detect the location of the leak. The vacuum method has been shown to be

an inadequate test to accurately qualify and quantify the seal performance of snack bar

products. Again, like the dye penetration test, the vacuum leak test is more time consuming

than using FLEXSEAL and not suitable for porous material.
Tracer Gas Systems have proven to be not only expensive, but complex and present many

problems where reproducibility and sensitivity affect the outcome of testing.

FLEXSEAL operates up to 50 programmable menus involving various selections of

submersion time, applied air pressure and product selection. Once the operator has

loaded the menu relevant to the product under examination, FLEXSEAL can proceed

to perform the test cycle. The product will then be subjected to selected air pressure

while submerged in a bath of water, where the operator can view the location and leak

rate of any bubbles emanating from the package.FLEXSEAL can also be used to determine

the creep and burst properties of seals. These are two other important factors in seal integrity.
FLEXSEAL, being very economical in comparison, is the quickest and easiest visual way

to test the integrity of flexible and semi rigid packages, although it is not the only test

needed to determine the overall package integrity.

Connections:
Air: 450