Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

The humble cardboard box is the unsung hero of countless deliveries every day. By using simple test methods such as the Edge Crush Test (ECT), companies benefit from understanding the maximum weight a box can withstand and the overall stacking strength.

20 Jul 20

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

As COVID-19 has rapidly spread around the world, there is a concerted global effort to find a vaccine. Whether administered via an oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, or intranasal route, vaccines need to be administered via a medical device, and these must be tested to esnure they are safe and meet stringent standards and regulations

06 Jul 20

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

PET preforms are typically blow-moulded to create the ubiquitous plastic bottles containing carbonated and still beverages. The production process to fill and seal these bottles with a screw-cap is a demanding one, so a number of tests are performed to ensure quality control specifications are met for this core packaging.

19 Jun 20

Probiotic drink packaging testing

As demand for dietary supplements continues to surge, immune-boosting products, such as prebiotics and probiotics, are amongst the most popular. Getting these liquid probiotic products noticed by the consumer relies on eye-catching innovative packaging which must be easy-to-open and reseal whilst remaining economic to use for the beverage producer.

17 Apr 20

Face mask strength testing

Manufacturing masks is not as easy as you might imagine. International test standards exist to make sure the face masks can be verified to protect clinicians and patients from pathogens spread by blood, body fluids and secretions and now to limit the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.

07 Apr 20

Pharmaceutical tablet crush and break strength

Many products come in tablet form, with a durability designed for both packaging and for use. Too brittle or too hard, and they may not be fit for use, or at best perform below expectation. The only way to determine consistency is mechanical testing of samples.

24 Mar 20

Surgical rubber glove tensile strength testing

When selecting specialist gloves it is often the material strength and stretch which are the most important factors in determining quality and performance. These parameters will give you an indication whether a glove is at risk of tearing

27 Jan 20

Lipstick tube force and torque testing

Testing the mechanical performance of the lipstick tube is a crucial part of the quality-control process for cosmetics manufacturers. Leading players in the cosmetics industry have come to rely on Mecmesin’s range of affordable force and torque testers to carry out checks on batches of lipsticks produced.

20 Jan 20

Top-load crush of plastic bottle with semi-automated test process

To guarantee their containers would perform as expected along customer production lines and remain intact during transportation and storage, US company, Silgan Plastics wanted to undertake top-load tests according to internal, customer and Supplier Packaging Information (SPI) standards.

10 Sep 19

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

Mecmesin: Tailor-made testing platforms

Tensile testing / tension testing