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News from Mecmesin

15 Assets

Mecmesin OmniTest machine demo by the Duchess of Sussex at University of Chichester Tech Park opening

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially opened the University of Chichester’s new Engineering and Digital Technology Park on 3rd October 2018. Part of the tour of the £35million development, based at the Bognor Regis campus, was a visit to the Department of Engineering and Design. The laboratory features several Mecmesin force measurement machines, notably a 50 kN OmniTest Universal Testing Machine (UTM); a state-of-the-art software-controlled materials testing system.

12 Dec 18

Mecmesin Ltd, global leader in force and torque test and measurement, acquired by Battery Ventures

Mecmesin, a 41 year old British company specialising in the design and manufacture of force and torque testing equipment for quality control, has been acquired by PPT Holdings, a Battery Ventures company. Battery Ventures is a global investment firm focused on technology and innovation worldwide that has raised $6.9 billion since inception.

19 Sep 18

Mecmesin sponsors Millais School through the Learning Partnership

Mecmesin is sponsoring Millais School in Horsham, for the Race For The Line challenge run through The Learning Partnership. The initiative is intended to inspire tomorrow's engineers and scientists with a national competition involving around 70,000 students.

01 Aug 18

Siemens includes Mecmesin design for the new SE 2019 release

Mecmesin’s ABC-t Automated Bottle Closure Tester featured as the lead case study in the launch of Siemens Solid Edge 2019 3D CAD software at the PLM Connections event in Phoenix, Arizona. Tools available with SE out of the box are able to perform the Finite Element Analysis and volumetric calculations necessary to avoid having to manufacture expensive prototype parts.

29 Jun 18

Testing food packaging - quality assurance questions and answers

The packaging of food presents a unique challenge in the sector due to the conflicting objective requirements of functionality and legislation and the subjective, emotional and sensory judgement of aesthetics, ease of use and ultimately the product contained.

17 Nov 17

Testing beauty product packaging – ensuring functionality and form

Beauty may be more than skin deep, however brand reputation and loyalty in this market can very much depend on the outer packaging - failure to open, inform, dispense or re-seal with the expected qualities, may discourage the customer from experiencing the product within. For such a design-led industry, guaranteeing optimum functionality and form requires quantifiable test methods to measure these attributes.

16 Oct 17

Methods of force and torque testing for food packaging quality

Packaging solutions for food are incredibly diverse; in all aspects of physical design, mechanical function and aesthetic appeal. Their purpose is more straightforward: be safe, secure, yet easy to open, close or reliably re-seal; dispense cleanly and efficiently; minimise loss and waste; maximise shelf life; be cost-effective to manufacture and ultimately recycle or dispose of. Add to that, the consumer desire for attractive and innovative new designs, and the straightforward ultimate purpose can become quite involved in terms of meeting each individual challenge.

19 Jun 17

Mecmesin white paper: Force testing in medical tubing

Plastic medical tubing is central to the provision of effective health care in the 21st century. It is essential for the delivery of blood, nutrients and gases to the patient, and for the execution of minimally invasive surgical procedures such as cardiac angioplasty, which have proliferated widely over recent years. This article examines four force testing procedures for plastic medical tubing and explores the benefits and methodological considerations of each.

10 Apr 17

Mecmesin celebrates 40 years of testing packaging to perfection

The importance of visually-appealing packaging is obvious, but just as important are the quality, functionality and integrity of the utilised materials for consumer confidence and brand reputation. We caught up with Declan Tierney, Sales Director at Mecmesin, to learn about the key role their equipment plays in ensuring your packaging stands up to the test.

22 Mar 17

Digital manually operated torque testers

Mecmesin’s range of manually-operated digital torque testers provide a simple and cost effective method of measuring low-level torque.

26 Oct 16

Motor-driven torque testing systems

Mecmesin can offer torque test stands to suit any requirement, from higher-torque PC-controlled systems, to touch-screen testers suited to production areas, high-precision torque testers, and more basic motorised stands for flexible use with a digital gauge and torque sensor.

18 Oct 16

Universal testing machine range (0.5 - 5 kN)

Mecmesin offers a wide range of universal testing machines (UTM) for tension and compression testing. At the top end, our MultiTest-i systems are driven by the powerful Emperor™ control and analysis software on a separate PC, while our production-level testers in the MultiTest-xt series offer touch-screen ease of use and rapid processing. All of these systems give fully programmed control and accurate, repeatable testing, with test libraries for instant recall.

13 Oct 16

Universal testing machine range (10 - 50 kN)

Mecmesin offers a wide range of universal testing machines (UTM) for tension and compression testing, including high loading for larger containers and packaging. At the top end, our MultiTest-i systems are driven by the powerful Emperor™ control and analysis software on a separate PC, while our production-level testers in the MultiTest-xt series offer touch-screen ease of use and rapid processing.

13 Oct 16

Mecmesin announces ‘Helixa’ precision torque tester

New from Mecmesin, the Helixa precision torque tester has been designed for achieving precise alignment when using the most sensitive torque sensors. It is a significant development in the torque testing of medical devices. Designers and engineers of the smallest rotary controls, the lightest springs, the finest bearings, and the most precise rotating connectors are already adopting the Helixa for its leading-edge features.

06 Oct 16

Mecmesin announces new friction, peel and tear tester

Leading testing instruments manufacturer Mecmesin has introduced its latest model, the FPT-H1 horizontal friction peel and tear tester. Designed for ease of use and supplied pre-programmed for all the main industry standard friction-testing methods for plastic films, paper and board. With fixtures also for peel and tear testing, it is ideally suited to the packaging industry, and for manufacturers, converters and users of sheet materials.

26 Feb 15

Mecmesin Case Studies

Consumer packaging case studies by Mecmesin.

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29 Assets

Dispensing pump assembly testing

Mecmesin's customer manufactures a range of dispensing pumps for the cosmetic and beauty-care industry. A requirement was identified to measure the actuation force of the pump assembly and the pull-off force of the pump handle. The VersaTest motorised test stand was chosen as it gave the necessary repeatability and consistency independent of operator, which a manual stand could not.

18 Jun 19

Retort packaging 90 degree peel and lid strength testing

The food packaging industry has long had concerns about pinholes, flex cracks and leaks in the flexible materials and seals of retort flexible lidded packaging. A famous global food and drink maker needed to test the laminated retort (and other thin film) packaging solutions that protect products such as their popular microwaveable stir-in pots.

06 Jun 19

Nail varnish bottle closure removal torque and capping check

Barry M Cosmetics Ltd is a leading British colour cosmetics brand, offering a comprehensive range of products for face, eyes, lips and nails. The company required a quick, reliable and repeatable test method to check the capping equipment of their nail paint range. Mecmesin supplied a Tornado digital torque tester of 3 N.m capacity, which is a complete, portable, benchtop instrument.

06 May 19

Cosmetic packaging pull-off test

A bench-top testing system was required to repeatably test the pull-off force on a variety of cosmetic containers. The system needed to allow a relatively high volume of containers to be tested with the minimum level of training required for users. Mecmesin's solution avoided the risk of damaging the loadcell by excessive torque on tightening the collet grip, and the lipstick barrel was first inserted in the grip and then connected to the gauge by a flexible chain-link.

19 Apr 19

Coefficient of friction test

A print factory needed to test the packaging material they were using in order to improve their processes and establish optimum machinery settings. The company sought a solution, which provided consistent results and reliable performance. Mecmesin advised the company to use a coefficient of friction test to determine the 'slip' properties of the packaging.

07 Mar 19

Closure torque tester validation check

The customer had a number of Tornado closure torque testers, and wished to carry out regular validation checks without the need to return the units to either Mecmesin or an approved laboratory. The closure tester was securely mounted in the vertical plane and a load beam was placed centrally in the universal-clamping fixture.

11 Feb 19

Cap application removal force

A system was required to measure the push-on force and removal force of an injection-moulded cap from a new design of oil can. Mecmsin's test was set-up by sliding a can into the lower fixture, while locating a cap, resting on the can's neck, into the self-centering swivel fixture attached to the gauge.

24 Jan 19

Aluminium tube seals

One of the largest packaging tube suppliers in Central Europe specialises in laminated plastic and aluminium tube containers for the cosmetics industry. Mecmesin supplied a MultiTest 2.5-i test stand with a specially-constructed sample holder. Working in collaboration with Mecmesin engineers, a series of collars were made, into which the various tube samples are screwed.

03 Dec 18

Aluminium cap break-off force

A major global supplier of medical gas devices and components required quality control tests to assess part of a new product. One of their components, a 5ml pressurised aluminium cylinder filled with helium gas, is incorporated into a needle-free powder intradermal analgesic injection system for children.

21 Nov 18

Beer bottles and cans benefit Mecmesin's torque and top-load testing

A leading European brewing company, part of a global group, produces economy brands in plastic (PET), as well as glass bottles. The PET bottles must be quality-tested for top-load crush strength, and the caps for both unscrewing and release of the tamper-evident ring. Many tests must be done each day on the production line to ensure consistent compliance against internal quality standards.

09 Oct 18

Ice cream container lid closing effort

Food packaging made from thermoformed plastics and intended for freezing, requires testing to ensure optimum functionality when closing and sealing the container. The closing effort of the lid is measured by using a motorised force tester controlled by software together with a custom-designed fixture to hold standard-sized ice cream tubs. In addition the ‘top-load’ crush strength of the container itself can also be tested on the same machine to guarantee it is rigid enough to avoid buckling and spillage when the lid is applied.

26 Sep 18

Mecmesin's Plastic Phial Cap Removal Test

Point Plastics approached Mecmesin with a specification to pull-off the cap of a pharmaceutical phial. The test equipment needed to be simple to use and able to perform repeatable tests.

14 Aug 18

What force is required to remove a DVD from its box?

A leading supplier of boxed DVD’s had experienced a wide variation in the amount of force required to remove the DVD from the central spigot of the case. In extreme cases, this resulted in damage to the actual disc. A 1000 N capacity MultiTest-i computer-controlled test system was provided by Mecmesin to measure the release force.

27 Jul 18

Mecmesin develops Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester for leading Scottish whisky

To improve the quality and storage of a premium product, the R&D team at a leading Scottish whisky maker needed to optimise the design of their bottle stoppers. They decided that the strength and performance of their reusable stoppers could be ensured by systematic testing of the characteristics of both portions of the stoppers. Working closely with the R&D team, Mecmesin developed the Combi Cork-i Extraction Tester, an innovative multi-function cork extraction testing system that tests both phases of de-corking synchronously.

27 Jun 18

Medical Pouch Heat Seal Tensile Test

Rocket Medical PLC are award winning designers and manufacturers of medical devices for a wide range of clinical applications. These medical devices are packed into pre-purchased pouches and sealed in-house before being sent off-site for sterilisation. The heat seal on these pouches must conform to British Standard BS EN 868-5:1999 (Packaging materials and systems for medical devices which are to be sterilised).

11 Jun 18

ISBT sports closure rotational test simulates biting or pulling on the spout

The rotational force needed to remove the closure spout from a sports cap body is measured using the Steinfurth Rotation Tester for Sport Closures mounted on a Mecmesin tensile tester. This ISBT test simulates a person biting or pulling on the spout when attached to a PET preform and requires specific tensile test equipment to meet the standard.

08 May 18

ISBT sports closure bite and tension tests

The pull force needed to separate the tear-off membrane base from the spout of the sports closure is measured using a custom fixture. This ISBT test measures the tensile strength of the assembled product.

08 May 18

Mecmesin's cork extraction test benefits Sibel

Sibel manufacture MYTIK corks using advanced industrial technology to enable easier uncorking. To guarantee product quality, Sibel needed to test the cork extraction force using a torque measuring device and turned to Mecmesin.

24 Apr 18

Greek beauty product manufacturer guarantees production quality by updating to Mecmesin's digital torque testers

A manufacturer of a wide range of skin, hair-care, make-up and sun-care products based in Greece needed to replace their outdated torque testers with up-to-date digital torque testers to guarantee production quality and to ensure their products remained sealed. Mecmesin supplied the company with two Tornado 10N.m digital torque testers, which have the ability to test tamper-evident closures, an intrinsic part of their specification.

27 Mar 18

Mecmesin Bottle Cap Torque Tester ensures quality for Brothers Drinks

Mecmesin provided Brothers Drinks with a demonstration model of the Tornado digital torque tester, which allowed the quality assurance team to get hands-on experience with the testing process and make a confident selection. The Tornado’s accurate digital readings provided increased confidence in the torque value measurements.

06 Dec 17

Major European tube supplier turns to Mecmesin to seal quality consumer experience

One of the largest packaging tube suppliers in Central Europe specialises in laminated plastic and aluminium tube containers for the cosmetics industry. The strength of the seal must keep it secure from bursting, whilst being easily opened by hand using the cap. The company required a means of testing seals against their own quality standards, imitating the consumer’s means of opening.

11 Jul 17

Mecmesin performs compression test on tamper-evident ring for beverage industry manufacturer

As the tamper-evident closures are fitted onto bottles using a compressive action, this test would provide the company with valuable information relating to the correct application of force throughout production.

15 Mar 17

Mecmesin imparts PET beer bottle tests

A leading European brewing company, part of a global group, produces economy brands in PET, as well as glass bottles. Mecmesin supplied two test stands: A Vortex-d for torque testing the caps, and a computer-driven MultiTest 5-xt is used for the top-load crush test of the plastic bottles.

14 Dec 16

End float test of inhaler cap

Custom test fixture to measure medical device cap displacement at a specified load. The customer wished to apply a 3N load in both tension and compression to the cap of a new design of inhaler. Any resultant displacement from the nominal position then had to be measured.

12 Oct 16

Elongation Test of Infusion Solution Bag

Fresenius Kabi, global manufacturer of pharmaceutical products and delivery systems for infusion therapies and clinical nutrition, needed to ascertain the elongation capacity of a polyolefin film used in the manufacture of an infusion solution container. The customer could not find a test stand on the market with sufficient crosshead travel to effect the required elongation of the material.

12 Oct 16

Case study: Mecmesin's packaging tension test

Graphic Packaging International is a leading designer and manufacturer of food and beverage packaging. The company needed to perform integrity checks on beverage basket carriers and cardboard box packaging to optimise production line efficiency and maintain consistent standards of packaging quality.

11 Oct 16

Flexible packaging welded seal strength

Plastic packaging tube seal strength test: As a global brand, manufacturing products for the cosmetics, domestic, healthcare and food industries, it is vital for Reckitt Benckiser, formerly SSL International, to undertake measures to critically assess and guarantee product quality. This also includes the packaging involved in the production and long-term integrity of the product.

11 Oct 16

Mecmesin provides rotating vacuum peel system for McVities, UK

Testing was required for a range of flexible plastic trays of the same dimension but with differing forms, containing biscuits and confectionary. As the plastic trays were too flexible to be held by a mechanical grip, so a 'rotating vacuum fixture' was developed and to accept the different forms of plastic trays, a range of dedicated inserts were supplied with the vacuum fixture.

10 Oct 16

Oeneo Bouchage's Champagne cork extraction test is simplified by Mecmesin

The partnership between the technical and research teams from Mecmesin and Oeneo Bouchage helped to develop the Combi Cork Extraction Tester, specially designed in order to test sparkling wine corks. The Combi Cork Tester provides mechanical accuracy and is used to optimise extraction force measurement with three principal advantages.

12 Sep 16