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

10 Sep 2019
Mecmesin

Silgan Plastics is a US based company that has supplied packaging for the personal care, household, automotive, pharmaceutical and food market industries for over 50 years. To guarantee their containers would perform as expected along customer production lines and remain intact during transportation and storage, the company wanted to undertake top-load tests according to internal, customer and Supplier Packaging Information (SPI) standards.

A previous test unit offered limited speed range capability, therefore more flexibility was required, with the ability to analyse test data in further depth.

Solution

Silgan opted for a MultiTest 5-x semi-automatic force test system used in conjunction with compression platens. The unit afforded them the option of preprogramming different test routines and alternating speeds during measurements to suit their individual specifications. To perform the top-load measurement, a sample bottle, taken at regular intervals during production, is placed under the compression plate. Test methods differ according to the type of container and customer requirement.

This includes compressing the sample to a fixed depth of 0.25” or to 1st peak travel. A major benefit of this system is its ability to alternate speeds during top-load measurements. The test can be run at one speed until the compression plate touches the top of the sample, then applies a compressive load at a different speed, which is pre-programmed to run automatically without the need for an operator to intervene. Post-test data can be exported to a PC where force vs time deflection curves are plotted to determine key characteristics in the product's design or to investigate why the product failed the test.

Using this system has been critical in enabling Silgan Plastics to optimise the design of containers to meet their customers' specifications and make quality comparisons between materials. Choosing a Mecmesin system has yielded many benefits, including cost savings and provided the option to customise their top-load tests to their changing needs.

Test equipment

MultiTest 5-x (The MultiTest 5-x has been superceded by the MultiTest 5-xt)
Compression platens (accommodating different size of container)

Silgan Plastics has utilised the Mecmesin tester in several of our plants over the last 2 years to monitor top-load. It brings a wealth of features at a very competitive price. We pride ourselves on being the forefront of container performance and capability and the 5-x top-load tester is a valued piece of our strategy.

— Randy Blankenship, Quality Engineer, Silgan Plastics

Images: Top-load plastic bottle test in factory by semi-automated process, Top-load plastic bottle testing systems in factory conditions and QC lab

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Jo Webb
Product Info
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Created 10 Sep 2019
Modified 13 Nov 2019
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Top-load crush of plastic bottle with semi-automated test process

Solution

Test equipment

See also

Fast food tray crush testing

Top-load testing of plant-based PLA material bottles

Tensile testing wire joining systems

Extreme sports waterproof bio-textile mechanical properties

Automated syringe break-loose and glide force system

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Wine can pop-and-tear opening force

Release torque testing of Champagne and sparkling wine corks

Adhesive test on capsulated cork stoppers

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

Torque testing CRC closures with a pneumatically-controlled downward force

PET Screen Protector Release Liner Peel Testing

Lipstick shear force resistance

Hand sanitiser dispenser pump testing

Adhesion peel strength of COVID-19 tapes and stickers

Peel strength of foam band on PPE face visors

Edge Crush Test (ECT) of corrugated cardboard

Break-loose and sustaining force tests of pre-filled drug cartridges to ISO 11608-3

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

Probiotic drink packaging testing

Testing Ventilator and Breathing Assistance Apparatus Components

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Pharmaceutical tablet crush and break strength

Surgical rubber glove tensile strength testing

Lipstick tube force and torque testing

Mecmesin's materials testers

Dispensing pump assembly testing

Cosmetics brush pull-out testing

Powdered drink container - Mecmesin's compressive strength & lid peel tests

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Page pull strength test

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