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Overview and functions of quality control devices
AT2E develops and markets quality control equipment for packaging and packaged products in industry. It supplies sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, and packaging manufacturers. All AT2E equipment meets international testing standards. Packaging testing, bottles, cans, sachets… an overview of quality control equipment and its functions.
Torque meters, devices for measuring tightening/loosening/breaking torque, or torque gauges
Manual or automatic torque meters
Torque testers measure the tightening and loosening torque of bottles, flasks, or other mechanisms.
AT2E offers a manual torque meter control version, the TMV – Torque meter version – as well as an automatic torque meter, the ADATMV – automated adaptation Torque meter version. The latter allows you to eliminate the human factor. On the ADATMV, you can optionally select the cork and champagne extraction test.
Torque control for packaging lines
For controlling packaging lines and calibrating screwing/crimping heads, a torque bottle incorporating a torque sensor allows for reading and adjusting the head settings. It provides real-time readings of the values applied by the screwing heads.
You have the choice between a wired model with a remote display, the BT-ETA 5 for torque measurement, and a wireless model, the BT ETA COUPLE. You can integrate it into the conditioning line or choose a standalone, inline torque control system.
Leak and seal testing equipment – leak test
AT2E has several leak test devices, test boxes or bubble point devices.
Leak test chambers – vacuum leak tester
Vacuum or pressure test chambers (also called vacuum chambers or vacuum leak testers) allow for testing of bottles, sachets, vials, tubes, blisters, jars, etc. Depending on the device, leak detection is performed visually by an operator or automatically, in which case the machine locates the leaks.
Three models for these test chambers:The analog and economical model in terms of purchase, upkeep and maintenance, called VLT eco – Vacuum Leak Tester eco
The model equipped with a small touchscreen, the VLT D – vacuum Leak tester digital.
The VLT PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) model detects leaks without operator intervention.
Leak test chambers – vacuum leak tester
Bubble point analyzers – secure seal analyzers – pressurize the space between the liquid and the cap of packaging, known as the headspace. They are used to test bottles, sachets, vials, tubes, blisters, jars, cans, and boxes – until a leak occurs. This is known as a bubble test.
Four models of bubble point devices are manufactured by AT2E :
The economic and analog model: the SSA Eco – secure seal analyzer eco
The model with a touchscreen: SSA D – Secure Seal Analyzer digital
The fully automatic bubble point device model: the SSA PLC
The fully automatic model: the SSA Full Automatic
Dynamometers, devices for testing force and resistance to compression or stretching
Our analog and digital dynamometers allow you to perform peel tests, push tests, and pull tests on all types of packaging. AT2E offers handheld devices as well as units for mounting on manual or motorized test benches.
The TCT – Traction and compression tester
The TCT (Traction and Compression Tester) tests packaging using traction and compression. It is a multifunctional model controlled by an easy-to-use touchscreen. It meets the testing standards for PET bottles, plastics, films, and papers (fabrics and other materials).
BTLT – Bottle top load tester
The Bottle Top Load Tester (BTLT) is used to perform strength tests on glass bottles. This quality control device is, of course, completely safe.
PATT – Pop and Tear tester
This quality control device measures the forces applied to can lids at each stage of opening.
POT – Pull-off tester
The Pull-off tester tests the opening of the O-ring crown caps of the bottles.
Measurements in lines under the screw heads and crimps
For controlling the force of screw heads or crimps, we have developed two devices:
BT ETA Force – Bottle Calibration Force
BT ETA Force SHF
The first has embedded electronics, and the second a remote electronic system. These quality control devices are integrated into a custom-made bottle or can.
Expansion and burst resistance tests – packaging strength testing equipment
Plastic Bottle Burst Testers – Plastic Bottle Burst Tester
Expansion and burst testing equipment for bottles, known in English as Plastic Bottle Burst Tester (PBBT) and Plastic Kegg Burst Tester (PKBT), pressurizes PET, HDPE, and KEGG packaging until deformation and/or explosion. They feature a state-of-the-art touchscreen interface and are remarkably user-friendly. This interface allows for detailed configuration of test cycles. These strength testing devices are offered with software for data acquisition and statistical analysis of the tests. They are available in single-station and dual-station configurations.
Glass Bottle Burst Testers – Glass Bottle Burst Tester
The GBBT (Glass Bottle Burst Tester) performs burst tests on glass bottles. The machine creates/verifies pressurization until explosion. The Glass Bottle Burst Tester allows for detailed configuration of test cycles. Easy to use, it features a state-of-the-art touchscreen interface. It comes with software for data acquisition and statistical analysis of the tests. Two versions are available: a single-station and a two-station model.
CO² and internal pressure and/or vacuum measuring devices
CO² measuring devices – pressure/temperature method according to Henry's law
These CO2 measuring devices are based on Henry's Law. They allow for the measurement of CO2 pressure in gaseous liquids, such as those found in soft drinks (CSD). The process is simple: the device pierces the sample capsule with a beveled tube. A needle and a probe are inserted through the tube. These will measure the pressure and temperature. The gas contained in the liquid rises towards the pressure probe through the needle's hole. After degassing, the bottle is shaken to raise the pressure and temperature to their maximum. When these two values no longer change, the relationship between pressure and temperature is measured using Henry's Law. This provides the pressure and temperature measurements.
In its analog version, the device measures temperature and pressure. The CO2 volume is calculated using a provided conversion table. In the automatic version, the device reads the CO2 pressure and temperature in volume and grams per liter.
In this range of CO² control devices, AT2E offers the analog model, CO² easy A – A for analog – , the digital model, CO2 easy D – for digital – and the fully automatic version, CO² DA – for Digital Automatic.
Pressure and vacuum measuring devices – Pressure and Vacuum Gauges (PVGs) and Aphrometers
Our internal pressure and vacuum gauges – pressure and vacuum gauges – and aphrometers are equipped with analog or digital manometers allowing the measurement of pressure and vacuum levels in packaging – bottles, flasks, cans, boxes.
Dimensional and perpendicularity measuring devices
High-precision thickness measurements – Accurate Magnetic Thickness Gauge
The TCT (Traction and Compression Tester) tests packaging using traction and compression. It is a multifunctional model controlled by an easy-to-use touchscreen. It meets the testing standards for PET bottles, plastics, films, and papers (fabrics and other materials).
Dimensional measurement and perpendicularity of circular packaging – preform perpendicularity gauge
Our PPG (preform perpendicularity gauge) quality control devices measure the perpendicularity of all types of circular packaging. They are available in analog and digital versions. An optional automatic calculator reads minimum, maximum, and deviation values. They are particularly well-suited for measuring preforms.
Bottle perpendicularity tester – Universal bottle perpendicularity tester
The UBPT (Universal Bottle Perpendicularity Tester) quality control devices measure the perpendicularity of bottles. They are available in analog and digital versions. An optional automatic calculator reads the minimum, maximum, and deviation values. These measuring devices can be complemented, if desired, by digital height gauges (for measuring the height of packaging).
Preform and bottle thickness measurement gauge
The PTG – Preform Thickness Gauge – is designed for measuring the thickness of preforms, while the BTG – Bottle Thickness Gauge – is designed for measuring the thickness of glass bottles. They are available in analog and digital versions.
Devices for checking the crimping of cans and aerosols
Seam Check Quality Analysis
The Seam Check analysis monitor verifies the quality of the seals on cans and aerosols. High-precision seal-cutting saws prepare the samples for analysis. Sample analysis is performed automatically by a high-resolution camera. Measurement values and images are stored in software included with the Seam Check analysis monitor. Three types of saws are available: the ANSS (Anti Noise Seam Saw) for beverages, and the SS1 and SS2 saws for other formats.
Analysis of preforms and their blowing
Polariscopes – Polarization light for Preform
Polariscopes, PLP (Polarization Light for Preform), equipped with a polarizing film and a suitable light source, allow for the visualization of preform defects. Visualization is possible at angles of 0 degrees and 90 degrees. The polariscopes are supplied with a poster listing the analyzed defects.
Analysis of PET bottle preform blowing – Hot wire bottle cutter
Hot wire bottle cutters (HWBCs) analyze material distribution during the blow molding of preforms. These machines precisely cut PET bottles after they have been blown. The cut sections are then weighed for analysis. HWBCs are available in manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic versions. A precision balance for weighing the sections is also included.
Analysis of glass defects: polariscope and sighting device
Polariscope for glass defects – Polarization light for glass
PLG polariscopes – Polarization light for Glass – equipped with a polarizing film and a suitable light source, allow for the visualization of glass defects. Visualization is possible at angles of 0 and 90 degrees.
Inspection chamber for detecting particles in glass
Inspection machines facilitate the detection of particles in glass.
Measurement by vision of samples
The PMS (Preform Measuring System) and PBMS (Preform and Bottle Measuring System) equipment measures the dimensions of preforms and bottles with very high precision and without contact. Using vision technology, the device automatically detects the type of sample and indicates the values for height, diameter, wall and base thickness, as well as the bottle's rim: the "finish".
Impact and shock resistance testers
PBDT – plastic bottle drop tester
This device tests the drop resistance of packaging. This is done by performing a standardized drop resistance test. The height, width, and angle are configured to conduct different types of tests.
The GIBT – Glass Impact bottle tester
Equipped with an interchangeable tip to meet various international standards, the GIBT – Glass Impact Bottle Tester – tests the impact of glass bottles when dropped. Its pendulum motion and the Joule load applied to the sample are adjustable. The impact is triggered by a simple release.
The BIT – Ball Impact Tester
This testing machine consists of a bottle support with adjustable tilt and a directional tube. The tube is directed towards the area of the bottle to be tested. A calibrated steel ball can be inserted at different heights within the tube and will impact the sample at the desired position.
The BTT – Bottle Tilt Tester
This device tests the drop resistance of several bottles at once. The bottles are stacked horizontally or vertically. The incline and speed are adjusted. The BTT automatically detects when one or more bottles fall. The digital display shows the resistance to the incline.
Accelerated aging tests – Stress crackin tester
Stress cracking testers (SCTs) are designed to detect weaknesses in the base of PET packaging. They comply with the ISBT testing standard. The testing process involves filling bottles, pressurizing them, and then immersing the bottom of the bottle in a sodium hydroxide solution. The SCTs indicate micro-leaks and bursts. At the end of the test, the operator can record the signs of stress present on the bottles or packaging using the software.
Calibration and maintenance of quality control equipment and after-sales service
Calibration
Calibration of measuring instruments is essential and guarantees users the accuracy and precision of the results obtained. These calibrations are performed with sensors and masses calibrated and certified by COFRAC, ASTM NIST, ENAC, DKD, etc. Each instrument is verified following a predefined procedure and ensuring that no human factors interfere with the measurement.
A calibration certificate is issued for each device, including a calibration and serial number, valid for one year and must be renewed. AT2E provides this service worldwide.
>>> Would you like to have your devices calibrated or learn more about our maintenance contracts?
Maintenance of quality control equipment and after-sales service
As a manufacturer with an international presence, AT2E provides maintenance, technical support, and updates for all its devices and software. In addition to our four factories and offices worldwide, we have a network of over 30 trained resellers who benefit from our support almost 24/7 across the globe.
>>> Would you like to learn more about our maintenance contracts?