Can You Afford to Risk Your Reputation on Leaking Packaging?
08 June 2007
It goes without saying that if a package leaks, it's useless!
Leaks have long since been a thorn in the food packaging industry’s side, and developing new methods with which to identify and combat these packaging leaks takes high priority within the industry. When it comes to micro leak detection, however, most companies still rely upon traditional methods, despite the existence of more modern, effective solutions.
Traditionally, the water bath has always been the most popular way to check for leaks - the package is pressurized whilst submerged, either manually or through establishing a vacuum in the water container, and any leak can be identified by the trail of bubbles created as air escapes the packaging due to the ensuing pressure difference.
Despite its simplicity, however, the water bath method is outdated, and has several shortcomings when used in an industrial context.
Firstly, conducting the water bath test manually (eg: squeezing the submerged package by hand) will not provide an objective and standard set of results. Because it is almost impossible to recreate the exact test variables (such as the exact pressure applied to the package) multiple times, tests on the same package using the same method could yield wildly different results – packaging that leaks in one test, for example, may not be seen to leak in another.
Secondly, even if test conditions can be standardized by creating a vacuum, the problem still remains that a leak can only be detected if it can be seen. Some leaks can be so small that the bubbles escaping from them prove all but invisible to the naked eye. This means that even the most advanced water bath leak detection methods are only as effective as the person undertaking them – in other words, human error remains constant as a limiting factor.
Finally, packaging once tested is rendered virtually unusable.
THE FULL AUTOMATIC NON-DESTRUCTIVE LEAK DETECTOR
With the in-line micro leak system, LeakMatic from PBI-Dansensor, it is possible to test packages in complete shipping or display cartons. By using the CO2 available in most MA packages as trace gas it is now possible to test all packages for leaks shortly after they have left the packaging machine. This test method is, of course, non-destructive.
Quick and sensitive.
The system tests boxes and shipping cartons by placing them inside the test chamber and subjecting them to a user defined vacuum. If a leak is present in a package, CO2 will be be forced out into the test measuring chamber to be detected by the chamber's CO2 sensor instantly. It is possible to conduct tests on four or five packages at a time using this method.
After the test has been completed, the chamber is then re-ventilated, and the packages will be led to the 'outlet' conveyer. If the system identified a leak, operators will be alerted by an alarm, and any faulty packages can be dealt with accordingly.
NEW: Extended firmware and statistical software.
Controlled through a built-in touch screen, the leak detector’s computer interface (LeakStat) also allows users to export test results and can be used in conjunction with both online and offline detectors. By recording measurements on a central database, the programme facilitates the creation of different test parameters with ease, a simple user interface making the programme intuitive as well as adaptable.
NEW: Flexibility.
Because packages often come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, LeakMatic can be adapted accordingly, with the ability to incorporate three different chamber sizes.
NEW: Dual feed.
In response to requests made by some of our existing clients, it is now possible to feed the LeakMatic from both the left and the right sides.
NEW: Easy access for cleaning.
Cleaning and maintaining the LeakMatic is now easier than ever, due to improvements to the system's accesibility. Purchase and maintenance costs are minimal, especially when compared to alternative helium-based methods. This has already established the CO2 system's popularity within the food packaging industry.
The LeakMatic takes the hassle out of Leak detection.
